Sam Rockwell Talks Roles, Movies, and Future Projects in Exclusive Interview

LOS ANGELES, CA — Sam Rockwell, the 56-year-old Oscar winner, spoke with Variety following a panel for HBO Max‘s ‘The White Lotus‘ on June 12, 2025. Recognized for his role as Frank, Rockwell’s monologue on sexual addiction recently became a viral sensation.

As Rockwell entered the office, he noticed a poster featuring Ryan Coogler and Chadwick Boseman discussing ‘Black Panther.’ He expressed his admiration for Coogler’s recent interview, particularly his reflection on watching movies with his father.

When asked if he had seen ‘Black Panther,’ Rockwell replied, ‘Yes, I did. I really dug it,’ before reminiscing about his performance in Duncan Jones’ ‘Moon,’ where he portrayed Sam Bell, a man grappling with a personal crisis.

During the interview, Rockwell reflected on the state of cinema, specifically mentioning his excitement about the success of movies like ‘Sinners,’ which, he noted, was rated R and blended various genres. ‘It was encouraging because it made a bunch of money,’ he said. He drew parallels with other unconventional successes like ‘Birdman‘ and ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.’

Despite his admiration for these films, he expressed concern over the current political climate. ‘It’s a shit show,’ he said candidly. ‘It’s rough out there. I’m an entertainer. But hopefully, you can provide some kind of catharsis for people through movies.’

Rockwell’s mood brightened when discussing his partner, Leslie Bibb, who is receiving Emmy buzz for her role in ‘The White Lotus.’ ‘I’m so proud of her,’ he said. ‘She’s kicking ass.’

Laughing, he explained the viral scene where he chases a character in leopard-print underwear, joking that the choice was inspired by Richard Gere in ‘American Gigolo.’

He also discussed preparing for his monologue in ‘The White Lotus,’ crediting his previous roles for helping him master the rhythm needed. He studied famous monologues from actors like Jack Nicholson and Sylvester Stallone to find inspiration.

Currently, Rockwell is working on several new projects, including ‘Wild Horse Nine‘ directed by Martin McDonagh and another movie titled ‘Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die,’ which he described as a throwback to Terry Gilliam‘s style. ‘I’m really proud of that one,’ he mentioned.

Finally, he addressed his category placement for awards, admitting it’s complicated. ‘I’m between a rock and a hard place,’ Rockwell said. ‘It’s really up to the voters.’

As the interview concluded, Rockwell shared fond memories of memorable movie trailers and left with optimism for the future of cinema.