Actors and actresses recall their worst moments to the Tribune’s Nina Metz — and how their careers were shaped by them. My worst moment: Gary Cole remembers
Chicago theater and the worst review of his career Gary Cole plays investigator Gordon Novel in Showtime's “Waco: The Aftermath.” He talks about a worst moment in his career. (Ursula Coyote/Showtime) Gary Cole’s career began on stage in Chicago, where he was a theater
Actor for many years. When asked about a worst moment, it was a theater review he received early on that came to mind. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Ghosts’ star Devan Chandler Long chugged more than needed Devan Chandler Long as Thorfinn in “Ghosts.” He talks about a worst moment in his career. (Cliff Lipson/CBS) When asked about a low point in his career, Devan Chandler Long told a story about a TV pilot he made in 2015 for Animal Planet called “Going Native.” “These embarrassing moments when things happen that aren’t planned, those are my favorite moments because you’re not in control of them,” he said. “They’re the most honest moments.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Too soon? Jackie Hoffman and her story about a person who had recently died A seasoned theater actor known for her way with a blunt, sarcastic line, Jackie Hoffman stars in “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies." She talks about a worst moment in her career. (Andrew Werner ) When asked about a worst moment in her career, Jackie Hoffman replied: “Probably the most damaging was a gig — well, it wasn’t paying — when I hosted a casting directors’ awards banquet.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Michaela Watkins lost more than she bargained for when she got her upper lip waxed Michaela Watkins attends the
Los Angeles Premiere of "Paint" in March. (Tommaso Boddi / Getty Images) When it comes to a worst career moment, Michaela Watkins has a doozy. “I have so many stories and some of them I really just don’t want to tell because they are two-whiskeys-in-at-a-dinner-party kinds of stories where I know 78% of the people very well. So this story has to be for public consumption, but I think I’ve chosen wisely.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: The time ‘Girlfriends’ alum Golden Brooks tried — and failed — to dig herself out of a bluff Golden Brooks might be best known for playing Maya on the iconic sitcom “Girlfriends." Next up, she stars in the new
Disney series “Saturdays,” which filmed in Chicago. (George McKinley ) When asked about a worst moment in her career, Golden Brooks replied: “Girl, girl, girl — it’s actually sad. This is a story where you try to dig yourself out of a mess, but you’re sunk. You’re done. And this is a moment where they knew it, and I knew it.” >> Read more here My worst moment: A director told Heather Graham she was ‘a waste of time’ “You just have to love yourself and believe in yourself. And at the end of the day, what other people think of you doesn’t really matter." — Heather Graham (Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) When asked about a worst moment in her career, Heather Graham recalled an early experience. “I was around 20 or 21 and I had been in two movies, but I wasn’t super confident and I wasn’t totally established yet.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: The time Dermot Mulroney was so unprepared, his co-star laid into him Dermot Mulroney plays Det. Bailey in "Scream VI." He talks about a worst moment in his career. (Philippe Boss/Paramount Pictures ) When asked about a worst moment in his career, Dermot Mulroney replied: “I can effectively deglamorize myself for you, and I’ve picked out a particularly miserable tale. I had to weed through so many memories of humiliation, but what I picked out is truly a heart-wrenching tale of personal woe.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: The fib that cost ‘CSI: Vegas’ star Paula Newsome an audition — and her dignity A fib cost Paula Newsome an audition — and her dignity. (Sonja Flemming/CBS) When asked about a worst moment in her career, Paula Newsome joked: “I wish I didn’t have anything that came to mind! My head is in my hand right now and I’m rubbing it back and forth like my dad used to do.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Abbott Elementary’ writer Brittani Nichols wishes she knew about the spit bucket Chicago native and comedian Brittani Nichols is a writer and producer “Abbott Elementary.” She talks about a worst moment in her career. (Robin Roemer ) Though primarily a writer, Chicago native and comedian Brittani Nichols has also appeared on camera. When asked about a worst moment in her career, she recalled her role on the
Amazon series “Transparent.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: When the highly versatile Zoë Chao met her match Zoë Chao joins the ensemble of the Starz
comedy “Party Down,” about cater-waters. She talks about a worst moment in her career. (Ben Gabbe/Getty) Everything’s coming up Zoë Chao these days. But all careers have low points. When asked about one, she recalled an audition that went terribly awry because she simply didn’t know what she didn’t know. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Hope Davis and the enormous sweaty balls of sweater fuzz stuck to her underarms during an audition Hope Davis plays the Lady Macbeth-esque Gina Baxter in “Your Honor.” She talks about a worst moment in her career. (Skip Bolen/Showtime) When asked about a worst moment, Hope Davis said: “It’s an audition story and it’s a humdinger. Just talking about it, I get kind of sweaty.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Black-ish’ and ‘Grown-ish’ star Marcus Scribner on an early harsh lesson as a child actor Freeform’s “Grown-ish” stars Marcus Scribner as Andre Johnson Jr., a character he first originated on ABC's "Black-ish." ((Jabari Jacobs via Getty Images/Freeform) At 23, you might wonder: Has Marcus Scribner been around long enough to have a worst moment? “Oh, I’ve got multiple,” he said. “There’s a lot of failures on the road to success.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Alison Brie’s attempt to belt out Pat Benatar for an audition “When I think about it, my stomach drops and I continue to feel incredibly embarrassed, but I feel like it had this resounding effect on the way that I audition and on the rest of my career.” — Alison Brie (Taylor Jewell/Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP) ABrie’s is a career defined by memorable roles in iconic shows including “Community,” “Mad Men” and “Glow.” But it hasn’t been without the occasional cringe-y experience. When asked about a worst moment, she recalled an audition early in her career. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Jane Fonda — ‘I’d rather lose a
Job than sleep with a guy’ to get it Jane Fonda talks about a worst moment in her career. (Richard Shotwell/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Jane Fonda’s career spans six decades, winning two
Oscars along the way. When asked about a worst moment in her career, she recalled a memory from her early days as an actor. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst Moment: When ‘That ‘90s Show’ (and ‘That ‘70s Show’) star Debra Jo Rupp stunned producer Aaron Spelling into silence Debra Jo Rupp arrives at a special screening of "That '90s Show" on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Richard Shotwell / Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) (Richard Shotwell / Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) When asked about a worst moment in her career, Debra Jo Rupp recalled an early audition for Aaron Spelling — the super-producer behind shows such as “Charlie’s Angels,” “The Love Boat,” “Dynasty,” “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Melrose Place” and “Charmed” — not long after she first arrived in Los Angeles. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Zach Gilford and the shoulder grab on ‘Friday Night Lights’ that went very, very wrong Zach Gilford stars as Elias Jasper Voit in "Criminal Minds: Evolution." The Evanston native talks about a worst moment in his career. (Michael Yarish /Paramount+) A native of Evanston and a Northwestern alum, Zach Gilford’s career has been full of high points. When asked about a moment that felt like the opposite, that stands out as cringey or awkward, he told a story about
shooting a specific scene for “Friday Night Lights.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Even after the success of ‘Living Single,’ Erika Alexander was back at square one Best known for playing Maxine Shaw on iconic sitcom “Living Single,” Erika Alexander is making her directorial debut with the documentary “The Big Payback,” about the first tax-funded reparations bill that passed in Evanston. (Zalo Castillo) Best known for playing Maxine Shaw on the iconic sitcom “Living Single,” Erika Alexander is making her directorial debut with the documentary “The Big Payback.” When asked about a low point, she recalled a role that came after her success on “Living Single.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Schitt’s Creek’ alum Emily Hampshire’s breakdown in front of Norman Lear Emily Hampshire played the socially awkward Stevie Budd on “Schitt’s Creek.” Now she’s starring on the new Amazon series “The Rig,” about a crew on an
Oil rig stationed off the Scottish coast. (Vanessa Heins) When asked about a worst moment in her career, Emily Hampshire talked about her first pitch meeting ever. “It was with Norman Lear, who is a TV legend. He created ‘Maude,’ he created ‘All in the Family’ — he basically invented TV.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: When it felt like half of
New York City saw Harold Perrineau naked while filming ‘Oz’ Harold Perrineau as Murch in “The Best Man: The Final Chapters.” He talks about a worst moment in his career. (Clifton Prescod/Peacock) Harold Perrineau has one of those careers where it seems like he’s been in just about everything, from Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet” to “The Matrix” sequels on the film side, to shows including “Lost” and “Claws” on the TV side. And of course an early major role: The
HBO prison drama “Oz.” When asked about a worst moment in his career, it was the making of an episode for “Oz” — one that exposed more than he expected — that came to mind. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: A trainload of commuters witnessed Robert Patrick’s naked arrival in ‘Terminator 2′ Robert Patrick is maybe best known as the steely-eyed
Android T-1000 in “Terminator 2: Judgment Day." He now stars in the “Yellowstone” prequel “1923” alongside Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. He talks about a worst moment in his career. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images) Robert Patrick’s breakout role, of course, was the steely-eyed android assassin T-1000 in 1991′s “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” and when asked about a singularly cringey moment in his career, it was a scene from the film that came to mind. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Idina Menzel and an exposed underboob Idina Menzel at the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood,
California on February 9, 2020. (ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) “I welcome mistakes,” Idina Menzel said. “And I find that they are usually a window into who you really are and an opportunity to learn something — and an opportunity for other people to learn something about you. Especially when it happens on stage.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Lizzy Caplan and the bizarre scene with a gorilla on ‘Masters of Sex’ “When I heard about this column, I knew there was no other story that would hold a candle to the level of deep shame I felt." — Lizzy Caplan (Getty Images) Lizzy Caplan has had many high points in her career — her resume includes roles in everything from “Mean Girls” to “Party Down” to “Cloverfield” to “Masters of Sex” — and when asked about a low moment, it was a scene from Showtime’s “Masters of Sex” that came to mind. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: A sweaty ‘Daily Show’ audition for John Ross Bowie “There is no one single path for success, and we forget that at our peril.” — John Ross Bowie (Bob D'Amico / ABC) As with all careers, John Ross Bowie’s has had its low points as well, including his audition for “The Daily Show.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Joe Mantegna, the ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ premiere and the monologue that wouldn’t come "You can sometimes turn the worst moment you’ve ever had into your greatest triumph." — Joe Mantegna (Paramount+) A Chicago native, Joe Mantegna’s career began on the Chicago stage. When asked about a worst moment, it was a 1984 performance at the Goodman Theatre of “Glengarry Glen Ross” that was seared in his memory. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: The time ‘Succession’s’ Arian Moayed froze on stage on Broadway “So my takeaway is: What may seem big to you might be nothing to someone else.” — Arian Moayed (Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images) Arian Moayed’s career is filled with numerous high points. When asked about a low point, he remembered a moment on stage during the 2016 Broadway run of “The Humans.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Larry Wilmore bombed — then recovered — his first time on ‘The Daily Show’ "It was the loneliest moment ever ... My confidence was completely shaken and it’s the lowest moment you can have as a performer." — Larry Wilmore on ‘The Daily Show’ rehearsal that bombed As an actor, writer and comedian, Larry Wilmore has either created or had a hand in shaping so many iconic shows, from “The PJs” to “The Bernie Mac Show” to “The Office” to “Insecure” to “Black-ish.” Wilmore also has a career in front of the camera and when asked about a worst moment, he recalled his audition for “The Daily Show.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: The ‘Simpsons’ joke Reid Scott blurted out in an audition that he worried ruined his career for good Reid Scott talks about an unsuccessful audition for "The Sopranos." (Taylor Jewell/Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP) Reid Scott might be best known for playing Dan Egan on “Veep” opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus. When asked about a worst moment in his career, he recalled an unusual audition for an iconic TV series early in his career. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: When Paul Feig was fired from his first TV job ever Paul Feig is an actor, writer and producer. As a director, he is best known for movie comedies such as “Bridesmaids,” “Spy” and the 2016 “Ghostbusters” and TV shows including “The Office” and “Arrested Development.” (ANDREA RENAULT/AFP via Getty Images) Paul Feig is an actor, writer and producer, but he is probably best known as the director of movies such as “Bridesmaids,” “Spy” and 2016′s “Ghostbusters,” as well as TV shows including “The Office” and “Arrested Development.” When asked about a worst moment in his career, Feig talked about “the first time I got fired from a showbiz job.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: John Roberts, the voice of Linda Belcher on ‘Bob’s Burgers,’ and a bizarre night performing for Pink "And don’t let people intimidate you while you’re on stage. If you’re committed to a performance and supposed to be there, then command that attention." — John Roberts (Albert L. Ortega / Getty Images) When asked about a worst moment in his career, John Roberts told a story about his early days in comedy, before he was popular on
YouTube. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: The time Marcia Gay Harden became starstruck by Clint Eastwood and bit her tongue: “My tongue was so swollen it sounded like ‘thowllen’” “And as far as being starstruck, you just can’t help it. All you can do is breathe." (Jemal Countess / Getty Images for Tony Awards Pro) When asked about a worst moment in her career, Marcia Gay Harden recalled a memory that took place while she had a break filming “Pollock.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Garret Dillahunt and the fake tears that turned very real Garret Dillahunt stars in the new Freevee comedy series "Sprung," which sees him reuniting with "Raising Hope" creator Greg Garcia. He talks about a worst moment in his career. (Andrew H. Walker / Getty Images) When asked about a worst moment in his career, Garret Dillahunt recalled a scene that required him to cry on cue and an old actor’s trick that went wrong. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Abbott Elementary’ star William Stanford Davis and his two enemies: His phone and his glasses ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” stars William Stanford Davis as Mr. Johnson. (Matt Sayles/ABC) “Abbott Elementary” is an obvious high point in William Stanford Davis’ career. When asked about a worst moment, Davis recalled a memorably embarrassing audition for “NCIS.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Ernie Hudson’s career ‘dried up’ after ‘Ghostbusters,’ then came the double-booked roles After "Ghostbusters" in 1984, Ernie Hudson struggled to get auditions. (Ron Batzdorff/NBC) After Ernie Hudson’s breakout performance in the original “Ghostbusters” movie in 1984, things dried up and he had trouble getting auditions. It was during this fallow period that he experienced an unusual career low that led to not one but two job offers. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘For All Mankind’ star Krys Marshall says a muscle relaxer made her feel like ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’ on set Krys Marshall stars in "For All Mankind." (Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) When asked to share a cringey moment from her career, Krys Marshall joked: “I should bill you for the therapy! Talking about cringey moments? I’m already pitting out in my T-shirt.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Wendie Malick and kissing scenes with a co-star who had bad breath Wendie Malick arrives at the premiere of "Mack & Rita" on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022 in Los Angeles. (Willy Sanjuan/Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) When asked about a cringey moment in her career, Wendie Malick recalled a project that required getting up close and personal with an unappealing co-star. >> Read more here Advertisement Before Stephen Merchant got famous for ‘The Office,’ his stand-up comedy act sometimes bombed Before he became well-known on TV, Stephen Merchant worked as a stand-up comedian. (Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) When Stephen Merchant was asked to share a worst moment in his career, well, there’s some irony there: Merchant creates symphonies of cringe for his fictional characters. What does it look like when that happens to him in real life? “The most agonizing one was bombing on stage as a comedian,” he said. >> Read more here Advertisement ‘They/Them’ star Theo Germaine and the anxiety of being a Steppenwolf understudy Theo Germain stars in the slasher movie "They/Them." (Josh Stringer/Blumhouse/Peacock ) Chicago actor Theo Germaine currently stars alongside Kevin Bacon in the slasher film “They/Them” for Peacock, set at an LGBTQ conversion camp. When asked about a worst moment in their career, Germaine shared a Chicago theater memory. There was a role in 2017 in the play ‘Hir’ at the Steppenwolf Theatre that was perfect for them. Maybe too perfect. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Ed Helms and the very bad day on ‘The Hangover 2′ Ed Helms stars as Nathan Rutherford on “Rutherford Falls.” (Jordin Althaus/Peacock) Ed Helms became a household name thanks to his role as Andy Bernard on “The Office” and as the straight-laced, bumbling Stu in the “The Hangover” trilogy. He’s had so many high points since, including the indie surrogacy dramedy “Together Together” last year. When asked about a worst moment in his career, it was a “Hangover”-related story that came to mind. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: For ‘Stranger Things’ star Brett Gelman, an appearance on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ turned meta Brett Gelman as Murray Bauman in Season 4 of "Stranger Things." (Tina Rowden/Netflix) When asked about a cringey moment from his career, Brett Gelman told a story about the time he appeared on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” — ironically, a show premised on cringe comedy. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: When nerves and pills combined for a bad day on set for ‘Dark Winds’ star Zahn McClarnon “I made a mistake and I didn’t make that same mistake ever again. You have to deal with your anxieties and fears naturally." — Zahn McClarnon (Bryan Schutmaat/The New York Times/Bryan Schutmaat/The New York Times) The actor Zahn McClarnon has built a long career playing roles of quiet intensity. When asked to share a memory of a worst moment from his career, he recalled a guest appearance on “NYPD Blue.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Rutherford Falls’ star Jana Schmieding on the pitfalls of being a Native consultant in
Hollywood "I wouldn’t tell this story if it was too scary. But it takes courage to say what Hollywood doesn’t want to hear." — Jana Schmieding (Justin Stephens/Peacock)) Jana Schmieding is not only the star of the Peacock comedy “Rutherford Falls,” now in its second season, she is also a writer on the series. Her worst moment involves a man looking for a Native woman who would consult on his screenplay for a TV pilot. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Tommy Davidson bet a TV version of ‘Coming to America’ would make him a star. He bet wrong. “You can be really, really, really down — but it doesn’t mean you have to be out." — Tommy Davidson (Dominic Petruzzi ) “This is about the failure of a TV show that I worked my butt off for, as the star. And when it was all said and done, I was left with nothing.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Moonlight’ screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney and the time he was told to fight back against an actor Tarell Alvin McCraney is a playwright, actor and screenwriter, as well as a Steppenwolf ensemble member. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Tarell Alvin McCraney tells the story of a memory that he can “feel in the pit of my stomach.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Fire Island’ star Margaret Cho on wearing all white and experiencing a truly crappy situation "It was such a strange experience. It was just a fluke," says Margaret Cho of her worst moment. (Sergio Garcia) When asked about a worst moment in her career, Margaret Cho prefaced the story by saying that “Cringing is something that I don’t do.” “So this story is a gross moment,” she added. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Broadway and ‘Gilded Age’ star Kelli O’Hara talks about a prickly (literally) situation “It’s amazing, there are so many things that happen that are monumental to the actors that are happening on stage that the audience never knows about.” — Kelli O'Hara (Emilio Madrid ) When Kelli O’Hara was asked to recall a less-than-thrilling moment from her career, she shared a memory from her time on Broadway playing Nellie Forbush, the lead in “South Pacific” in 2008. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Top Gun’ co-star and ‘South Side’ creator Bashir Salahuddin on having a show canceled before it even aired. Twice. "In order to thrive, I think you have to be tough as hell too. You have to be tougher than you think you need to be.” — Bashir Salahuddin (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune) When asked to share a worst career moment, Bashir Salahuddin talked about a crushing career disappointment that happened not once but twice. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Inventing Anna’ star Jeff Perry and the many embarrassments along the way that make a career "It’s just an ever-present possibility that you’re going to have humiliating moments. And the survival of those moments is what’s key." — Jeff Perry. (ABC) When asked about a worst moment in his career, Jeff Perry didn’t pick just one. Instead, he offered a cascading array of humiliations that come with the profession. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: When anxiety strikes, it’s no joke. ‘Dirty Dancing’ star Jennifer Grey tells the story. “I can still be a good person and a talented
Actress and have anxiety" — Jennifer Grey (Jason Merritt / Getty Images) Jennifer Grey had a career on stage, from which she ultimately walked away. She tells that story for My Worst Moment. “I did not write it in my book, because there was already too much hard stuff and I thought, nobody can take this much darkness,” she said with a rueful laugh. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Gaslit’ star Shea Whigham and the time he blasted De Niro’s ear "That’s the takeaway — not what I did, but how he handled it. That’s a great lesson in life, how to handle things." — Shea Whigham, here in a scene from "Gaslit." (Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/AP) It was a day on the set of the 2012 drama “Silver Linings Playbook” that came to mind when Shea Whigham was asked about a singularly embarrassing moment in his career. “When you’re in there with your heroes, you gotta be able to get it together pretty quickly.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Mike Birbiglia and bombing on stage — not at comedy club but a country club "Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and the Pool" is at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. When asked about a worst moment in his career, Mike Birbiglia recalled a memory of bombing on stage. “A few years into my career, this is maybe 2005, I got asked to perform comedy at a charity celebrity
golf tournament in New Jersey. It was a
cancer research benefit.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Barry’ star Stephen Root and the vomit bucket "Working with the pros, it teaches you dedication to the craft — and showing up and not complaining." — Stephen Root (David Livingston / TNS) Stephen Root first got his start on stage. And when asked to share a worst moment from his career, it was a memorable run of theater performances that came to mind. “I can still smell it,” he said. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Lewis Black and the time a TV network decided he wasn’t the best person to play himself "It validated my feelings about Hollywood. Don’t let it define who you are.” — Lewis Black (Clay McBride ) Before he started in stand-up comedy, Lewis Black was a playwright. It was his pursuit of an early acting job that came to mind when asked about a worst moment in his career. “It’s the greatest lesson I learned,” he said. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: The time ‘Atlanta’ star Brian Tyree Henry heard ‘you suck’ mid-performance Brian Tyree Henry at the 25th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2019 — a long way from "you suck." (Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Brian Tyree Henry is best known for his extensive list of TV and film credits, but his first big break was on Broadway in “The Book of Mormon.” Performing on stage is where he also experienced his worst moment, which has been seared into his memory. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Ghosts’ star Utkarsh Ambudkar and the risk of doing shots before stepping on stage “You get as much out of a moment or an experience as you put into it." — Utkarsh Ambudkar (Bertrand Calmeau / HANDOUT) When asked about a worst moment in his career, Utkarsh Ambudkar recalled a cringey memory from an awards show broadcast. “I completely forgot all of the lyrics to the song and just started freestyling. I just started making up words. I don’t even remember what it was. I was just making stuff up.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: When you gotta go, you gotta go, and comedian Natasha Leggero once had to rely on a comedy club Natasha Leggero hosts the new TBS cooking competition series “Rat in the Kitchen.” (Jace Downs/TBS) Or make that a famous Los Angeles comedy club’s parking lot. The from-Rockford Leggero currently is starring in “Rat in the Kitchen,” a new cooking competition series on TBS. Her story wasn’t a career moment, per se , or at least it wasn’t until she shared it with the Tribune. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: The time ‘Abbott Elementary’ star Lisa Ann Walter froze in a scene with Tom Cruise Lisa Ann Walter stars as Melissa, the tough-talking second grade teacher on "Abbott Elementary." (Pamela Littky/ABC) Lisa Ann Walter’s other credits range from “The Parent Trap” (Chessy!) to “Bruce Almighty” to “War of the Worlds,” the latter of which came to mind when she was asked to share a worst moment in her career. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Joe vs. Carole’ star Brian Van Holt can’t sing. Don’t ask him to. Really. "Cougar Town" stars Brian Van Holt as Bobby. (Bob D'Amico/Disney General Entertainment Con) When Brian Van Holt asked about a worst moment in his career, it was an audition that involved singing that came to mind. “So often actors are portrayed as perfect people and perfect careers and glam and all that stuff,” he said. “But there’s a lot of awkward and bad moments. And if you’ve been doing it as long as I have, you have so many cringey moments to choose from.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Jared Padalecki of ‘Walker’ on being unprepared: Like that nightmare of going to school naked Jared Padalecki as Cordell Walker on "Walker." (The CW) One of Jared Padalecki’s early career breaks was playing Dean, Rory’s first boyfriend on “The Gilmore Girls,” and when asked about a worst moment in his career, it was a memory from his time on that show that came to mind: “Having been in the business for 22 years, I’ve got several of these stories. But this one specific story has really informed how I’ve approached my career and my process.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Better Things’ star and creator Pamela Adlon on pit stains and humiliation Pamela Adlon stars as Sam Fox, a single mom and actor in Los Angeles who is a character loosely based on herself in "Better Things." (Pamela Littky/FX) As an actor, Pamela Adlon is aces when it comes to portraying cringey moments. In real life, she’s had her fair share, as well. “Which time being fired should I talk about?” she joked. But it was another story entirely that she decided to share. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Resident Alien’ star Corey Reynolds and the time he couldn’t pretend to see an imaginary helicopter Corey Reynolds as Sherriff Mike Thompson in "Resident Alien." (James Dittiger/SYFY) Corey Reynolds is better known as a dramatic actor, and “Resident Alien” was an opportunity, he said, “to come home to my comedic roots. When asked about a worst moment in his career, he recalled a cringeworthy commercial audition that coincided with his time on “The Closer.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Inventing Anna’ co-star Anders Holm on the perils of improvising a line about crypto and calling a fellow actor ‘old’ Anna Chlumsky (left) and Anders Holm play a married couple expecting their first child in "Inventing Anna." (Nicole Rivelli/Netflix) When asked about a worst moment in his career, Anders Holm didn’t need to dig back too far: “This is very recent and it was definitely a foot-in-mouth moment where I was like, you’re an idiot! And it involves another Chicago person.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Pivoting’ star Eliza Coupe and blowing an audition with Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow From left, Maggie Q, Ginnifer Goodwin and Eliza Coupe in "Pivoting." (Fox/TNS) When Eliza Coupe was asked to share a worst moment in her career, it was a cringe-y audition that came to mind. “The funniest thing was, it was with Seth Rogen,” Coupe said, “and then years later I ended up being on ‘Future Man,’ which was his show on Hulu, he was the producer. And I’ve never even brought it up to him.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘The Afterparty’ star Ike Barinholtz on sunburned humiliation in front of a crowd Ike Barinholtz (left) and Zoë Chao in “The Afterparty." (Aaron Epstein/Apple TV+) Ike Barinholtz’s credits include everything from “MADtv” to “The Mindy Project” to “Neighbors”. He’s a screenwriter as well, which makes sense considering he got his start as part of Chicago’s sketch and improv scene, wherein performers are also their own writers. For Barinholtz, that also meant a stint at Boom Chicago, the Second City-esque comedy theater in Amsterdam where pals including Jason Sudeikis and Jordan Peele also performed, and when asked about a worst moment in his career, he recalled a memory from this period in his life. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Lost Daughter’ star Dagmara Domińczyk and the panic attack on stage Dagmara Domińczyk as Callie, a pushy mother-to-be in "The Lost Daughter." (Netflix) Amid the many high points in Dagmara Domińczyk’s career, when asked about a worst moment in her career, she recalled a memory that was “embarrassing but also really frightening. And it happened on stage.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Succession’ star Brian Cox on his first big TV opportunity slipping through his fingers Brian Cox as the roiling bombastic billionaire patriarch Logan Roy in Season 3 of "Succession." (Graeme Hunter/HBO) One thing both Brian Cox and Logan Roy have in common: Difficult childhoods that forced them become independent and self-sufficient at a young age. By 17, Cox was living on his own and pursuing a career in theater. He would eventually branch out into TV and film, but he found his very first opportunity for that slipping through his fingers before he could even step foot in front of a camera. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Righteous Gemstones’ creator and star Danny McBride and the challenge of promoting a movie you know is bombing with audiences Danny McBride in Season 2 of "The Righteous Gemstones." (Ryan Green/HBO) In addition to his HBO shows, Danny McBride’s credits include the comedies “Pineapple Express” and “This Is the End,” as well as the sci-fi horror movie “Alien: Covenant” just to name a few. “I’ve been very fortunate that I’ve had a very fun career that has not been filled with too many embarrassing moments,” he said, “but I kind of revel in embarrassing moments. I like comedy that’s cringe-y.” When asked about a worst moment in his career, the story he told was from a time in his life “when things were just getting going,” and he said he still feels “weird about it and a little gross when I think back to it.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Chicago Med’ star Nick Gehlfuss and how the possibility of working with Al Pacino made him freeze during an audition Nick Gehlfuss as Dr. Will Halstead on "Chicago Med." (Elizabeth Sisson/NBC) Nick Gehlfuss’ seven seasons on the show have been a career highlight that’s allowed him to put down roots in Chicago. When asked to contemplate a moment from the opposite end of the spectrum, he said, “I think every actor has one of these stories. If not, you are lucky.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘And Just Like That ...’ star Sarita Choudhury and the hair that almost got in the way of landing her first role in ‘Mississippi Masala’ Sarita Choudhury plays Seema Patel in "And Just Like That ..." (Craig Blankenhorn/HBO Max) Sarita Choudhury’s career includes roles on everything from Showtime’s “Homeland” to “The Hunger Games” films. But her first screen credit was the one that got her noticed in a big way, starring opposite Denzel
Washington in the 1991 romantic drama “Mississippi Masala” from director Mira Nair, and when asked about a worst moment in Choudhury’s career, it was her audition for this movie that came to mind. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: ‘Wonder Years’ 2021 star Dulé Hill and the time he tried to be a pint-sized Vegas comedian The cast of "The Wonder Years," from left: Dulé Hill and Saycon Sengbloh as the parents and Laura Kariuki and Elisha Williams as their children. (Erika Doss/ABC) Dulé Hill’s credits include roles on iconic shows including “The West Wing” and “Psych,” but his career as an actor began when he was a child, appearing in the Broadway musical “The Tap Dance Kid,” first as Savion Glover’s understudy and later taking over the role for the show’s national tour. When asked about a cringeworthy moment in his career, it was a memory from his time as a child actor that came to mind. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Theo Rossi and the time he disappeared into a porta-potty on the set of ‘Sons of Anarchy’ Theo Rossi on the red carpet at the 76th Venice Film Festival in 2019. (Tristan Fewings/Getty) Theo Rossi is best known for his roles on Marvel’s “Luke Cage” series and the outlaw biker gang drama “Sons of Anarchy,” and when asked about a cringeworthy moment from his career, it was a memory from the latter that came to mind. “This story, while rather embarrassing, is extremely fitting,” he said. “I have zero ego and my whole thing is, why not? So I’m going to tell you this story.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Melissa Gilbert and the perils of being on the set of ‘Little House on the Prairie’ with cowboys and their spit cups Melissa Gilbert spent her childhood starring on the TV series "Little House on the Prairie." (Roy Rochlin / Getty Images) Laura Ingalls, of course, is the character that brought Melissa Gilbert fame as a child actor on “Little House on the Prairie,” and when asked about a worst moment in her career, she shared a memory from her time on the show. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Drew Barrymore and the colleague who yelled on the set of her new TV show Drew Barrymore hosts the daytime talk show "The Drew Barrymore Show." (Ben Watts/CBS Media Ventures) When asked about a worst moment in her career, the story Drew Barrymore told was a recent one from her daytime talk show “The Drew Barrymore Show.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Alan Cumming and the concussion, fake swastika tattoo and sleeping pills. Life is a cabaret, old chum. Alan Cumming on the focus of his new book: "I made a lot of mistakes and stupid decisions and I’m a bit of a mess, and the shadow of what happened to me is still there, I just stand in the light rather than the darkness.” (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) In his newest memoir “Baggage: Tales From a Fully Packed Life,” actor Alan Cumming continues to examine the strangeness of human existence as filtered through stories about his personal and professional life. Mishaps are part of any career, and when asked about a moment that stands out, Cumming recalled a doozy from his time playing the master of ceremonies in “Cabaret.” >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Comedian Bobcat Goldthwait once wasn’t sure he’d make it off stage alive Comedian, actor and director Bobcat Goldthwait's latest film is a documentary he directed, about a road trip he and fellow comic Dana Gould took playing gigs in various cities. (Robyn Von Swank) As an actor, Bobcat Goldthwait’s credits include numerous “Police Academy” movies, the John Cusack ‘80s classic “One Crazy Summer,” and the Bill Murray
Christmas favorite “Scrooged.” He’s also voiced roles on animated shows, from the “Lilo & Stitch” series to “Bob’s Burgers.” Throughout the years, he’s continued to perform stand-up and when asked about a worst moment in his career, it was a memory from several years back that came to mind. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Mena Suvari and the magazine photoshoot that captured more than she was comfortable with Mena Suvari during the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour in 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Willy Sanjuan/Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) Mena Suvari was inspired to write her new memoir titled “The Great Peace” after cleaning out a storage unit filled with her journals. In the book, she would explore some of her lowest moments and how she worked through them. When asked to share one of those memories for this column, she recalled an experience from when she was 18 and new to the world of celebrity and magazine shoots. >> Read more here Advertisement My worst moment: Josh Gad and the ‘Entourage’ cast member who threw him disastrously off his game during ‘Book of Mormon’ That night on stage was a reminder to always be in the moment. "Because the second you’re not, you will be called on your bluff by the universe." — Josh Gad Of Josh Gad’s many roles, both live-action and as a voice actor, he might be best known as the voice of Olaf in the “Frozen” franchise. But “The Book of Mormon” was his first big break, and when asked about a worst moment in his career, it was during the show’s run that he experienced a particularly cringeworthy experience. >> Read more here @MWM