Still Here Hollywood

She was discovered at 15 in a London coffee shop… and within years, she was starring in major Hollywood films alongside legends.

In this episode, Steve Kmetko sits down with actress Vanessa Angel to talk about her unexpected rise from modeling to acting, working with icons like Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, and Woody Harrelson, and the reality behind building a career in Hollywood.

From Spies Like Us to Weird Science and Kingpin, Vanessa shares the moments that defined her journey, including the role she almost had that changed TV history, the truth about being a young model alone in the industry, and why she spent decades trying to be taken seriously.

She also opens up about imposter syndrome, personal growth, motherhood, and what success really means now after 40 years in the business.

This is a candid, funny, and surprisingly emotional conversation about fame, resilience, and finding yourself when the spotlight fades.

THIS IS STILL HERE HOLLYWOOD, I’M STEVE KMETKO. JOIN ME WITH TODAY’S GUEST, FROM WEIRD SCIENCE, ACTOR VANESSA ANGEL.

00:00 Intro, From modeling to Hollywood

01:04 Landing Spies Like Us and getting hooked on acting

03:30 “I didn’t know what I was doing” early career struggles

05:01 Training at the Actors Studio

07:13 Trauma, reflection, and emotional depth

09:18 Discovered at 15, navigating modeling alone

11:22 Paris, early industry exposure, and vulnerability

12:25 Arriving in New York, a life-changing moment

16:06 Modeling vs acting, finding her voice

17:51 Wanting more than just being “looked at”

19:00 Early acting work and learning on Baywatch

22:24 When she finally felt confident as an actor

24:47 Working fast, learning lines, and set discipline

27:53 Warren Beatty’s advice that changed everything

30:13 Meeting Hollywood legends early in her career

33:00 The role she lost, originally cast as Xena

35:53 How Kingpin happened through perfect timing

36:59 Working with Woody Harrelson

38:30 Bill Murray on set, total unpredictability

39:38 Learning comedy and finding her rhythm

41:37 Being typecast and not taken seriously

43:50 Advice to young actors and models

46:02 Comic Cons and connecting with fans

47:53 Full circle, life today and finding peace

49:32 Divorce, independence, and rediscovering herself

51:27 Life now, priorities and fulfillment

54:35 Travel, gratitude, and perspective

56:49 What she’s most proud of

59:45 Outro

Show Credits
Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko
All things technical: Justin Zangerle
Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein
Music by: Brian Sanyshyn


https://stillherehollywood.com
http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood
Suggest Guests at: [email protected]
Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: [email protected]
Publicist: Maggie Perlich: [email protected]


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Mike Farrell joins Still Here Hollywood to talk about his unforgettable role as BJ Hunnicutt on MASH*, one of the most beloved television shows of all time.

From the moment he landed the role to the emotional final episode that still holds the record for most-watched scripted television broadcast, Farrell shares what it was really like behind the scenes.

He opens up about his close bond with Alan Alda, the collaborative culture that made the show so special, and the powerful themes that made MASH* more than just a comedy.

Farrell also reflects on his life beyond Hollywood, including the personal experiences that shaped his activism and worldview.

This is a conversation about legacy, purpose, and what it means to do work that truly matters.

 

00:00 Intro

00:50 Landing MASH*

04:30 Getting the role

08:30 First day on set

10:00 The MASH* finale legacy

11:00 Creative process on the show

12:15 Why he doesn’t watch it now

14:30 Wayne Rogers story

29:00 Alan Alda and on-set chemistry

33:00 Life-changing personal experience

38:00 War and comedy balance

39:30 Challenging the writers

46:30 The controversial BJ storyline

49:00 Favorite episode

52:00 Final goodbye and male friendship

53:30 Ending the series

57:00 Final episode moment

1:03:00 What brings him joy

 

 

 

 

Show Credits
Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko
All things technical: Justin Zangerle
Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein
Music by: Brian Sanyshyn


https://stillherehollywood.com
http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood
Suggest Guests at: [email protected]
Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: [email protected]
Publicist: Maggie Perlich: [email protected]


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Oscar-nominated actor June Squibb joins Steve Kmetko on Still Here Hollywood for a funny, honest, and deeply inspiring conversation about longevity, craft, and what it really means to keep working at the highest level in your 90s.

 

June looks back on her early days in theater, including working with the legendary Ethel Merman in Gypsy, learning Broadway discipline, and why she always knew, even as a child, that acting was not just something she wanted to do, it was who she was. She also talks about Law & Order, Nebraska, Thelma, Marjorie Prime, Yellowjackets, and what it feels like to still be headlining films when most people have long stepped away from the spotlight.

 

The conversation also explores aging in Hollywood, how Scarlett Johansson directed her in Eleanor the Great, what made Jack Nicholson such a generous scene partner, why realism matters so much in her work, and how Nebraska changed the way the industry saw her. June also shares her thoughts on inspiration, criticism, ambition, and the simple wisdom she would send back to her 35-year-old self.

 

If you love great actors, great stories, and proof that a second act can turn into seven acts, this episode is for you.

 

Support the show and get early access and extras at patreon.com/stillherehollywood

 

 

00:01 Intro: June Squibb and a breakout decades in the making

00:37 Why some people still call her Miss Squibb

01:06 Working with Ethel Merman in Gypsy

02:57 Learning to bump and grind on stage

03:37 Knowing she was an actor from the very beginning

04:18 If she had done anything else, it might have been forensics

04:46 Law & Order memories and Jerry Orbach

05:28 Broadway discipline and arriving early to the theater

06:20 Her backstage ritual before curtain

07:17 How June prepares for a role

08:04 Seven decades of acting, and still going strong

08:29 What she looks for in a script now

09:18 Aging in Hollywood and what audiences want to see

10:32 Why older stories matter more than ever

10:53 What has not changed in Hollywood

11:45 How age changes the roles she gets

12:37 Scarlett Johansson, Eleanor the Great, and using the cane

13:19 Working with Scarlett as a director

14:19 Oscar night for Nebraska and sharing it with her son

16:22 Patreon break

17:20 Nebraska cemetery scene and that unforgettable moment

18:16 Why she never thought “why did this take so long?”

18:57 How Nebraska changed the way she saw herself

20:00 Thelma, action comedy, and strength at any age

21:11 The best thing about her life right now

21:48 What roles she still wants to play

22:51 What quality makes people want to work with her

23:56 What performance of hers she recommends people watch

24:49 In & Out, comedy, and Frank Oz

25:19 Working with Woody Allen on Alice

26:15 Can you separate art from artist?

27:25 Who made a big impression on her, Jack Nicholson

28:20 Fame, recognition, and being known for the work

28:31 Marrying her acting teacher

29:07 What makes a director great for actors

30:17 Was she ever typecast? Yes, as a bimbo

31:17 Roles that felt too familiar

31:47 Supporting player vs leading lady

32:26 Seeing her younger self on screen

32:48 How old she feels now, 35

33:16 Does she watch her own performances?

33:44 The one truth that shaped her whole life

34:09 Her secret to looking good and feeling healthy

35:13 Being called inspiring, and that word “icon”

36:09 A June Squibb documentary may be coming

36:44 What she hopes people say about her work

36:59 Still hoping to work with Robert De Niro

37:30 At 96, does she think about mortality?

38:05 What she would tell her 35-year-old self

39:17 Closing thoughts and wrap-up

Show Credits
Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko
All things technical: Justin Zangerle
Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein
Music by: Brian Sanyshyn


https://stillherehollywood.com
http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood
Suggest Guests at: [email protected]
Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: [email protected]
Publicist: Maggie Perlich: [email protected]


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She was on the biggest show in the world, but behind the slow motion runs and global fame, Nicole Eggert was dealing with something very different.

 

On this episode of Still Here Hollywood, Nicole opens up about joining Baywatch in her early 20s, why she walked away from the #1 show on the planet, and how the “Baywatch bimbo” label shut down her career. She shares what fame really cost her, from dating struggles to doors suddenly closing in Hollywood.

 

Then the conversation takes a powerful turn.

 

Nicole talks candidly about her breast cancer diagnosis, discovering it herself after it was missed in screenings, and what it’s really like to live with cancer long term. From the emotional toll of telling her daughters, to the mindset it takes to fight through treatment, this is an honest, raw look at survival and perspective.

 

This is Still Here Hollywood. I’m Steve Kmetko. Join me with today’s guest, from Baywatch, actor Nicole Eggert.

 

00:00 Intro

00:45 How Nicole Eggert landed Baywatch

02:30 Leaving the #1 show in the world at 20

04:10 The downside of fame, dating and perception

05:10 “Baywatch bimbo” label and career fallout

05:40 The truth about slow motion running

07:15 Why Hollywood doors suddenly closed

08:20 Stepping away from acting

09:10 Global fame and being recognized everywhere

09:54 Charles in Charge and early career

11:30 Growing up on set and life decisions

13:20 Real estate passion and life outside acting

15:30 Working with Scott Baio

15:45 Would she let her daughters act?

16:50 Cancer diagnosis and discovering it herself

19:00 The hardest part of cancer, mental vs physical

21:00 Living with cancer and ongoing treatment

22:20 What she’s learned from other cancer patients

24:50 Advice for women facing cancer

26:20 Telling her daughters the diagnosis

28:10 How cancer changed her as a person

29:00 Career today and finding purpose in podcasting

30:45 Chemo side effects and “chemo brain”

31:50 The lowest moment during cancer

32:50 Scary fan encounters and real threats

35:20 Does she regret Baywatch?

36:05 Producing the Baywatch documentary

37:15 Bringing Baywatch full circle

 

Show Credits
Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko
All things technical: Justin Zangerle
Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein
Music by: Brian Sanyshyn


https://stillherehollywood.com
http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood
Suggest Guests at: [email protected]
Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: [email protected]
Publicist: Maggie Perlich: [email protected]


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Melora Hardin, best known to millions as Jan Levinson on The Office, joins Steve Kmetko for a funny, revealing, and surprisingly wide-ranging conversation about her life and career in Hollywood.

Melora looks back on working with Steve Carell, the improvisational magic behind The Office, and why the legendary “Dinner Party” episode still makes her laugh. She also opens up about her early years as a child actor on Little House on the Prairie, working with Michael Landon and Clint Eastwood, her thoughts on AI and creativity, and what it was like seeing Miley Cyrus at 15 during the Hannah Montana movie.

Beyond acting, Melora talks about dance, directing, cabaret, parenting in Hollywood, Transparent, Dancing with the Stars, and the creative energy that still drives her after more than 50 years in the business.

This is a smart, funny, and honest conversation with one of television’s most memorable performers.

#MeloraHardin, #TheOffice, #JanLevinson, #SteveCarell, #StillHereHollywood, #SteveKmetko, #LittleHouseOnThePrairie, #Transparent, #MileyCyrus, #Hollywood

CHAPTERS

00:00 Cold open, Steve Carell and AI tease

00:49 Intro, Melora Hardin joins the show

02:05 Melora’s colorful outfit and new scarf collection

02:43 More than 50 years in show business

03:23 Little House on the Prairie and first screen kiss

05:48 Working with Michael Landon

06:50 Clint Eastwood stories and singing for him

09:24 Did the cast of The Office get along?

10:01 Greg Daniels, improv, and the collaborative set

12:08 Does Melora watch old episodes of The Office?

13:29 The “Dinner Party” episode and breaking on set

15:37 Melora’s lifestyle brand, wallpaper, and scarves

16:16 What kind of a kisser was Steve Carell?

16:38 How much improv happened on The Office

19:05 Miley Cyrus at 15 and the making of Hannah Montana

19:35 Melora’s thoughts on AI and creativity

23:58 Acting, dancing, singing, directing, and creative energy

25:04 Why ballet didn’t become her career

27:34 Playing Baby in Dirty Dancing

29:41 Biggest influences, her parents, and growing up in Hollywood

32:04 What she still wants to do next

34:17 More on Miley Cyrus and child stardom

36:32 Cabaret, singing, and getting through Covid

38:37 Social media, parenting, and raising kids without phones

42:18 Raising grounded children in Hollywood

44:54 Emmy nomination for Transparent

48:14 Why film and TV is the ultimate team sport

50:07 Directing, editing, and her documentary Hunter’s Thunder

54:11 Melora on going to the movies

55:30 Dancing with the Stars and loving dance

55:50 From Jan on The Office to Tammy on Transparent

57:03 What she wants next in her career

57:50 Where the name Melora comes from

58:31 Jan’s breakup on The Office

59:32 What still “flaps” Melora

1:00:46 Gratitude, family, and staying grounded

1:02:30 Final moments and ruby slippers story

Show Credits
Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko
All things technical: Justin Zangerle
Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein
Music by: Brian Sanyshyn


https://stillherehollywood.com
http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood
Suggest Guests at: [email protected]
Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: [email protected]
Publicist: Maggie Perlich: [email protected]


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.