Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist

Willie Nelson is an American icon and music legend, winning 10 Grammy Awards over the course of his eight decades in the industry. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the country singer to talk about 80 years of music, including his latest album “That’s Life,” a tribute to his friend Frank Sinatra.

As a bonus for Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist listeners, we’re sharing a special preview of Mommy Doomsday, a new podcast from Dateline NBC and Keith Morrison. The disappearance of two of Lori Vallow’s children in Rexburg, Idaho in September 2019 would expose a bizarre trail of death, devotion and Doomsday beliefs that captivated the nation. From the team who brought you the #1 podcast The Thing About Pam comes the haunting mystery that has to be heard to be believed. Subscribe to Mommy Doomsday now: https://link.chtbl.com/mommydoomsday_drop

Kenan Thompson is the longest-running cast member on Saturday Night Live, playing an endless range of characters and performing a record number of celebrity impressions throughout his 18 seasons on the show. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the actor and comedian to talk about pulling double duty with SNL and his new sitcom, Kenan, which films in Los Angeles.

Jared Leto is known for his fully-immersive transformations in movies, including Dallas Buyers Club, Suicide Squad and his latest film, The Little Things, which just earned him a Golden Globe nomination. In this week’s "Sunday Sitdown," Willie Geist talks to the actor about working on that movie alongside one of his heroes, Denzel Washington, and his other career as a rock star in the band 30 Seconds to Mars.

Rob Lowe was just 18 years old when Francis Ford Coppola cast him in the 1983 movie The Outsiders, and he quickly became a fixture of 1980’s Hollywood. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with Lowe to talk about the pitfalls that came with that early success and how it propelled a run of nearly 40 years on screen, including in his latest show 9-1-1: Lone Star.

Gal Gadot was ready to walk away from show business before she teamed up with director Patty Jenkins on the blockbuster movie Wonder Woman, which became a cultural phenomenon and made Gadot a role model for women and girls around the world. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with Gadot for a virtual conversation about the film’s highly-anticipated sequel, Wonder Woman 1984.

Taraji P. Henson is synonymous with Cookie Lyon, the unforgettable matriarch she played on the hit series Empire which earned her a Golden Globe award. But she has also won praise her performances in films like Hustle & Flow, Hidden Figures and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with Henson over Zoom to talk about a different kind of project – her new Facebook Watch series Peace of Mind with Taraji, where she hosts open, honest conversations about mental health.

Bryan Cranston earned four Emmy Awards for his role as Walter White on Breaking Bad, which is widely regarded as one of the best shows in the history of television. Since the series ended in 2013, he has won a pair of Tony Awards and earned an Oscar nomination for his leading role in Trumbo. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with Cranston over Zoom to discuss his latest series Your Honor, the legacy of Breaking Bad, and how he always finds himself playing the part of a man compromised.

You may know Keegan-Michael Key as one half of the comedy duo “Key and Peele” or as President Obama’s anger translator, Luther. But Key has recently found his way back to the dramatic acting that interested him back in high school, and he is now starring opposite Meryl Streep in the new Netflix movie musical The Prom. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the actor over Zoom to talk about his road from drama class to the big screen, and his 16-year detour into comedy.

The name Al Pacino calls to mind some of the most memorable performances in the history of film, from The Godfather and Scarface to Scent of a Woman and Heat. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the Hollywood icon to talk about his legendary career, including his Oscar-nominated performance in The Irishman and his Amazon series Hunters. Plus Willie takes Al for a cruise around Beverly Hills in a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado. (Original broadcast date: February 23, 2020)

Michael J. Fox was just 29 years old and at the peak of his acting career when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but he continued to work in movies and television before stepping away to create his now-famous research foundation. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with Fox to talk about his new book “No Time Like the Future” in which he reveals a recent breaking point in his 30-year fight against the disease.

Dolly Parton grew up in a small cabin in Tennessee with no running water or electricity, but she climbed her way to the top of the music world and American culture over the course of an iconic career. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with Dolly to talk about her latest Christmas album, her new Netflix film and her upcoming book about the stories behind her greatest hits.

20 years ago,  Chris Stapleton left his small hometown in Kentucky and moved to Nashville to chase his dream of being a songwriter. Five years ago, the dream got bigger when he released his own album, won a pair of Grammy Awards, and established himself as one of the most distinctive voices in all of music. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together virtually with the country star to talk about that journey and his latest album, Starting Over.

Matthew McConaughey is known for his free-spirited, easy-going philosophy on life, as embodied in his famous catchphrase “Alright, Alright, Alright.” The actor first uttered those words in the movie Dazed and Confused and they have followed him through a long career in Hollywood, from romantic comedies to TV series to an Academy Award for Dallas Buyers Club. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with McConaughey over Zoom to talk about that journey, and what it was like to reflect on it in his new book “Greenlights.”

Drew Barrymore has spent almost her entire life in the public eye, starting with her breakthrough role in E.T. at just 7 years old and continuing over four decades of acting, producing and directing. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the Hollywood star to talk about her long career in the spotlight and making the transition into daytime television with her new talk show “The Drew Barrymore Show.”

45 years ago, a new era of American comedy began with the premiere of Saturday Night Live and a young producer named Lorne Michaels calling the shots. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the SNL creator and executive producer in famed Studio 8H to talk about the show’s legacy, and how they put on a live production in the middle of both a pandemic and a presidential election.

Ina Garten has spent the last seven months of the pandemic at her home in East Hampton, trying out recipes for her new cookbook Modern Comfort Food with her husband Jeffrey as the lucky taste-tester. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the Barefoot Contessa for a virtual catch-up to talk about that new book and what it’s like to film her cooking show by herself at home. Plus Jeffrey and Willie’s wife Christina make a special appearance, as the couples get together for a cocktail party over Zoom.

John Cusack has been on our screens for the better part of four decades, first in movies like Better Off Dead and Say Anything and later starring in classics like Grosse Pointe Blank and Being John Malkovich. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the actor over Zoom to talk about that long career of memorable roles and his latest shift into television with the new Amazon Prime series Utopia.

DJ Khaled has made a name for himself in the music industry with his infectious beats and famous collaborators, but he’s also known for his relentless hustle, positivity, and self-confidence. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the radio DJ turned hip hop mogul to talk about his rise to the heights of music, his latest album, and what life has been like in quarantine with his wife and two young sons.

Kelly Clarkson won the first season of American Idol nearly 18 years ago, and since then she has sold more than 45 million albums and won 3 Grammy Awards with her powerful voice. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the singer to talk about her transition into hosting a daytime talk show, her new music, and what life has been like during quarantine.

The groundbreaking career of Mary J. Blige is all the more impressive when you consider she escaped a troubled childhood in the projects of Yonkers, New York and was discovered while doing karaoke at a local mall. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the Grammy winner about her journey since then including her debut album “What’s the 411?,” the new music she’s been writing during quarantine and her latest venture into the world of wine.

Chadwick Boseman passed away this week at the age of 43, losing a four year battle with colon cancer that he never discussed publicly. In this week's "Sunday Sitdown," Willie Geist revisits his interview with Boseman from 2018, when the actor soared to fame in the groundbreaking film Black Panther. They also discuss what it was like for Boseman to play some of history's most famous figures, including Jackie Robinson and James Brown. (Original broadcast date: March 4, 2018)

Tim McGraw has built up a big base of fans over the thirty years since he stepped off a Greyhound bus in Nashville and walked right into a honky tonk. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the country star about graduating from those downtown bars to sold out arenas around the world, performing alongside his wife Faith Hill and putting out his 16th studio album “Here on Earth.”

Amy Schumer made her name in stand-up comedy over the course of 15 years on the road with a brash, relatable and honest act. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with Amy over Zoom to chat about that long career, what her life in quarantine has been like as a new mother and her latest projects.

Keanu Reeves has been a Hollywood powerhouse since Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure put him on the map three decades ago, going on to star in movies like The Matrix, Speed and Point Break. Through it all, Reeves has stayed grounded and kept his personal life private. In this week's "Sunday Sitdown" Willie Geist talks with the actor about his role in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and coming full circle with the new film Bill and Ted Face the Music. (Original broadcast date: May 12, 2019)

Viola Davis’ journey to the top of Hollywood’s A-list began on a former plantation in South Carolina, where she was born. She moved to Rhode Island at a young age and grew up poor, but found her way out through acting. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the actress about her extraordinary life and career, as well as a project that’s close to her heart - a documentary about the diabetes crisis in the United States. (Original broadcast date: May 5, 2019)

It’s been over 30 years since Lenny Kravitz released his breakthrough first album “Let Love Rule.” Since then he has sold more than 40 million albums and at one point won the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance four years in a row. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the rock star about his long career in the industry and the interesting way he came up with his most recent album “Raise Vibration.” (Original Broadcast Date: September 9, 2018)

Chris Evans is best known for his role as Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but his latest projects are a change of pace for the Hollywood star. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the actor for a virtual conversation about his role in the new Apple TV series Defending Jacob and his step off the screen into public policy.

Jennifer Hudson’s big, unmistakable voice has carried her from the pews of a Chicago church to stardom on “American Idol,” then to an Oscar and a pair of Grammy Awards. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the singer and actress about that journey, her role in Cats, and how she moved forward after unthinkable tragedy in her life.  (Original Broadcast Date: December 15, 2019)

Since leaving her native South Africa as a teenager, Charlize Theron has worked her way to the top of Hollywood’s A-List. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the Oscar winner for a virtual conversation about that journey, her new Netflix movie The Old Guard, and life at home with her two daughters.

Jake Gyllenhaal’s role in the blockbuster hit Spider-Man: Far From Home was a first for the Oscar-nominated actor, who over the last twenty years has earned his place among Hollywood’s elite. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to Gyllenhaal about pivoting from that big-budget superhero film to his role in a critically-acclaimed Broadway play. (Original broadcast date: July 28, 2019)

At 41 years old, John Legend has already joined the most exclusive club in show business – earning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony, and becoming the first African-American man to achieve the elusive EGOT. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the award-winning singer over Zoom to talk about his latest album and these times in which it’s being released.

Samuel L. Jackson’s breakthrough in the cult classic Pulp Fiction came at the age of 45, after he had already lived a full life both professionally and personally. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the legendary actor about his prolific movie career since then and the road to becoming the most bankable star in Hollywood. (Original broadcast date: June 16, 2019)

Kerry Washington has a habit of playing strong women, from Anita Hill in the 2016 film Confirmation to her seven-season run as Olivia Pope on the hit show Scandal. In this week's "Sunday Sitdown," Willie Geist talks to Washington about how starring in that show changed her life, her role in the Broadway play turned Netflix movie American Son, and why her parents didn't want her to become an actor. (Original broadcast date: November 10, 2019)

Before Ben Stiller became one of the most famous actors and directors in Hollywood, he was a kid growing up in New York City with a pair of comedy legends for parents: Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. In this week's "Sunday Sitdown," Willie Geist gets together with Stiller over Zoom to talk about his beloved father, Jerry, who passed away in early May at the age of 92.

Tiffany Haddish has been on a whirlwind run since her breakout role in the box office hit Girls Trip. She has appeared in movies, television, commercials, her own stand-up comedy special and even a historic hosting gig at Saturday Night Live. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the actress to talk about her incredible journey from homelessness to Hollywood’s A-list. (Original broadcast date: August 11, 2019)

Ina Garten is a beloved chef in part because she seems like one of us – she has no formal training and she taught herself how to make a great meal by experimenting with cookbooks. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist travels to the Hamptons for lunch with the television host and bestselling author to talk about her life before “The Barefoot Contessa,” her down-to-earth approach in the kitchen and the release of her 11th cookbook “Cook Like a Pro.” (Original broadcast date: October 28, 2018)

NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most dominant athletes in the history of sports. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the basketball legend to talk about his success on and off the court, including his second act as a prolific businessman and analyst on “Inside the NBA.”  (Original broadcast date: April 21, 2019)

Over a 35-year career in Hollywood, Woody Harrelson has remained Woody: the one-of-a-kind guy you want to hang out with. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the legendary actor in Austin, Texas to talk about his long run in show business, from the early years on Cheers to big budget turns in The Hunger Games to his latest Netflix film The Highwaymen, and he opens up about his biggest influences along the way. (Original broadcast date: March 17, 2019)

With her breakout hit song “All I Wanna Do,” Sheryl Crow quickly went from talented backup singer to household name. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist travels to the musician’s Nashville home to talk about her journey from a tiny town in Missouri to the top of the music charts, and why she says her most recent album “Threads” will be her last.  (Original broadcast date: September 8, 2019)

Chip and Joanna Gaines have built something of an empire with their Magnolia lifestyle brand and sparked a renaissance in their hometown of Waco, Texas. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist travels to Waco to talk to the “Fixer Upper” stars about walking away from the show that made them famous, keeping life normal for their five children, and their latest projects – renovating a hotel and launching a television network. (Original broadcast date: October 27, 2019)

The “Deadpool” franchise gave Ryan Reynolds the signature role of his 20-year career, but its success was far from a sure thing. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the Hollywood superstar about his decade-long fight to bring that character to the big screen, plus his new life as a businessman and majority owner of American gin company, Aviation Gin. (Original broadcast date: October 21, 2018)

Kristen Bell returns to the big screen as the voice of Anna in Frozen 2, the highly-anticipated sequel to the original Frozen movie which became a billion-dollar sensation six years ago. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with Bell to talk about reprising that role, the final season of her hit show The Good Place and her marriage to fellow actor Dax Shepard. (Original broadcast date: November 24, 2019)

Octavia Spencer's rise to fame may seem like overnight success, but she actually worked for over 15 years in Hollywood before her breakout, Oscar-winning performance in The Help. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the actress about her journey from Production Assistant to three-time Academy Award nominee, and her latest leading role in the Netflix series Self Made about the life of Madam C.J. Walker, America’s first female self-made millionaire.

Sterling K. Brown is best known for his role as Randall Pearson, the adopted son and adoring father on the hit NBC show “This Is Us.” In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the actor about the huge success of that show, the 13-year grind before landing that breakout role and his emotional connection to his new movie, “Waves.” (Original broadcast date: November 17, 2019)

It’s been 25 years since Shania Twain burst onto the scene with her hit album “The Woman in Me,” followed by the even more popular “Come on Over,” which set records for a female artist and established Twain as one of the iconic musicians of her generation. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the country star about her incredible journey from poverty to the top of the music world, including her latest residency in Las Vegas.

Luke Combs has had a meteoric rise to the top of the music world with two #1 albums, seven consecutive #1 singles, a Grammy nomination for "Best New Artist” and a recent induction into the Grand Ole Opry. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist chats with the country star about that impressive journey from learning how to play guitar at 21 to the top of the music charts.

The name Al Pacino calls to mind some of the most memorable performances in the history of film, from The Godfather and Scarface to Scent of a Woman and Heat. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the Hollywood icon to talk about his legendary career, including his Oscar-nominated performance in The Irishman and his new Amazon series Hunters. Plus Willie takes Al for a cruise around Beverly Hills in a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado.

Since leaving Saturday Night Live as a writer in 2012, John Mulaney has become one of the most popular stand-up comedians in America. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the Emmy winner about his time at SNL and his run of hit Netflix specials, including his latest, John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch.

Ewan McGregor’s rise to stardom started in the small Scottish town of Crieff, where he was just a teenager when he dropped out of school to chase his dream of becoming an actor. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the Hollywood star about that journey, from starring in films like Trainspotting, Moulin Rouge, and Star Wars, to his latest role as the villain in the highly-anticipated new superhero movie Birds of Prey.

It was only 8 years ago at the Sundance Film Festival that Ava DuVernay finally decided to become a full-time filmmaker. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the director and producer about that big career shift and establishing herself as a groundbreaking force in Hollywood with Oscar-nominated films like Selma and 13th.

Actor and comedian Josh Gad may be known best as the voice of Olaf the snowman in the two biggest animated movies in the history of Hollywood: Frozen and Frozen 2. But Gad originally rose to fame on Broadway, earning a Tony nomination for his role in the hit musical “The Book of Mormon.” In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with Gad at his favorite bar in the theater district to talk about his journey from that show to his latest project, an HBO series called Avenue 5 set in outer space.

Aidy Bryant grew up in Arizona watching women like Molly Shannon, Cheri Oteri and Ana Gasteyer on Saturday Night Live. Today, she is a member of that exclusive comedy club herself. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the actress and comedian about her eight season run on SNL, as well as her latest role as executive producer, writer and star of the acclaimed Hulu series Shrill.

Ed Harris burst onto the Hollywood scene in the 1983 movie The Right Stuff, and since then he’s earned four Academy Award nominations and won two Golden Globes in a prolific 40-year career full of memorable roles. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the actor about that lengthy career, which includes playing The Man in Black in HBO’s hit series Westworld and his latest role as Atticus Finch in the Broadway adaptation of To Kill A Mockingbird.

Actor, rapper and comedian Awkwafina, whose given name is Nora Lum, has been on quite a ride recently with big roles in box office hits “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Ocean’s 8.” In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the rising star about that whirlwind ride as well as her more dramatic performance in the film “The Farewell," for which she is nominated for a Golden Globe. (Original broadcast date: July 14, 2019)

When you hear the name John Lithgow, you may call to mind a number of different movies, television series or plays, including “The Changing Room,” “Terms of Endearment,” and “Third Rock from the Sun.” In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the Emmy and Tony award-winning actor about that prolific career on both stage and screen, and his latest transformation into former “Fox News” chief Roger Ailes for the highly-anticipated new movie “Bombshell.”

Jennifer Hudson’s big, unmistakable voice has carried her from the pews of a church in Chicago to stardom on “American Idol,” then to an Oscar and a pair of Grammy Awards. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the singer and actress about that journey from reality show to Academy Award, her role in the highly-anticipated new “Cats” movie, and how she moved forward after unthinkable tragedy in her life.

Just over two years ago, actor, writer, and producer Lena Waithe made Hollywood history when she stood on stage with an Emmy award in her hand, and she’s been on a roll ever since. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to Laithe about how that Emmy changed her life, and her new movie “Queen and Slim” that has people talking.

Robert Pattinson rocketed to fame in the movie “Twilight” and the four sequels that followed, earning an army of devoted fans and a constant pack of paparazzi prying into his personal life. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the actor about being thrust into that spotlight, the awards season buzz around his new film “The Lighthouse,” and how he’s preparing to take on the iconic role of Batman.

Kristen Bell returns to the big screen this weekend as the voice of Anna in “Frozen 2,” the highly-anticipated sequel to the original “Frozen” movie which became a billion-dollar sensation six years ago. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with Bell to talk about reprising that role, the final season of her hit show “The Good Place” and her marriage to fellow actor Dax Shepard.

Sterling K. Brown is best known for his role as Randall Pearson, the adopted son and adoring father on the hit NBC show “This Is Us.” In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the actor about the huge success of that show, the 13-year grind before landing that breakout role and his emotional connection to his new movie, “Waves.”

Kerry Washington has a habit of playing strong women, from Anita Hill in the 2016 film "Confirmation" to her seven-season run as Olivia Pope on the hit show "Scandal." In this week's "Sunday Sitdown," Willie Geist talks to Washington about how starring in that show changed her life, her latest role in the Broadway play turned Netflix movie, "American Son," and why her parents didn't want her to become an actor.

Miranda Lambert is one of the biggest stars not just in country, but in all of music. In this week's "Sunday Sitdown," Willie Geist gets together with the Grammy-winning artist to talk about the roots of her Texas swagger, her new album "Wildcard," and its inspiration from her recent marriage to a New York City police officer.

Chip and Joanna Gaines have built something of an empire with their Magnolia lifestyle brand and sparked a renaissance in their hometown of Waco, Texas. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist travels to Waco to talk to the “Fixer Upper” stars about walking away from the show that made them famous, keeping life normal for their five children, and their latest projects – renovating a hotel and launching a television network.

Edward Norton burst onto the scene in 1996 with his appearance in the movie "Primal Fear," for which he was nominated for an Oscar and won a Golden Globe. In this week's "Sunday Sitdown," Willie Geist talks to the actor about his incredible run of award-winning films since then, including "The People vs. Larry Flynt," "American History X" and "Fight Club." They also chat about his latest work, "Motherless Brooklyn," a film which Norton wrote, produced, directed and stars in.

Paul Rudd has won over fans for nearly 25 years as the likable, seemingly regular guy in Hollywood. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the actor to talk about that nice guy reputation and his lengthy career, from his breakout role in “Clueless” to a string of Judd Apatow comedies to Marvel’s “Ant-Man,” and his new Netflix series “Living With Yourself” where we get a double dose of Paul Rudd.

As a 25-time professional wrestling champion and WWE star, John Cena is known for his famous punishing move called the “attitude adjustment.” But he is also an actor, rap musician, best-selling author and granter of more than 600 wishes to children at the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and a role model to kids everywhere. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to Cena about his latest children’s book and how his life’s journey has been based on one motto: Never Give Up.

At just 26 years old, Ben Platt has already won a Tony, a Grammy and an Emmy award, all for his groundbreaking performance in the Broadway phenomenon “Dear Evan Hansen.” In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the actor about his journey from homemade musicals in his backyard to the bright lights of Broadway, to his latest starring role alongside Gwyneth Paltrow in the highly-anticipated new Netflix series “The Politician.”

Over a three-decade career, Neil Patrick Harris’ talent and versatility have carried him across television, movies and Broadway, and made him Hollywood’s favorite awards show host. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the actor about that wide-ranging career, the latest book in his best-selling series and how his 8-year-old twins have changed his life.

Maggie Gyllenhaal has made a name for herself with Golden Globe-winning and Oscar-nominated performances in smaller-budget, often independent films like “Secretary" and “Crazy Heart.” In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the actress to talk about that successful film career, as well as her dual role as actor and producer on the hit HBO series “The Deuce,” and her relationship with her little brother, Jake Gyllenhaal.

With her breakout hit song “All I Wanna Do,” Sheryl Crow quickly went from talented backup singer to household name. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist travels to the musician’s Nashville home to talk about her journey from a tiny town in Missouri to the top of the music charts, and why she says her latest album “Threads” will be her last.

Orlando Bloom landed the role of Legolas in “The Lord of the Rings” just two days after graduating from drama school, and his career hasn’t slowed down since. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the actor about that journey full of epic fantasy roles, his latest Amazon show “Carnival Row,” and his recent engagement to pop star Katy Perry.

Four years ago, David Letterman signed off his show for the last time, after 33 years that revolutionized late-night television. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist chats with the iconic TV host about his relatively quiet lifestyle since leaving that role, the second season of his hit Netflix show "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction," and the state of comedy in today’s political climate. (Original broadcast date: May 19, 2019)

Tiffany Haddish has been on a whirlwind two-year run since her breakout role in the box office hit “Girls Trip." She's appeared in movies, television, commercials, her own stand-up comedy special and even a historic hosting gig at “Saturday Night Live.” In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the actress to talk about her incredible journey from homelessness to Hollywood’s A-list, and her latest, more dramatic role in the new movie “The Kitchen.”

Viola Davis’ journey to the top of Hollywood’s A-list began on a former plantation in South Carolina, where she was born. She moved to Rhode Island at a young age and grew up poor, but found her way out through acting. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the actress about her extraordinary life and career, as well as a new project that’s close to her heart - a documentary about the diabetes crisis in the United States. (Original broadcast date: May 5, 2019)

Jake Gyllenhaal’s role in the blockbuster hit “Spider-Man: Far From Home” was a first for the Oscar-nominated actor, who over the last twenty years has earned his place among Hollywood’s elite. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to Gyllenhaal about pivoting from that big-budget superhero film to his latest role in a critically-acclaimed new play on Broadway. The actor also opens up about growing up in Hollywood and the movie that he says changed his life forever.

Actor, rapper and comedian Awkwafina, whose given name is Nora Lum, has been on quite a ride over the last year with big roles in the box office hits “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Ocean’s 8.” In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the rising star about that whirlwind year as well as her latest, more dramatic performance in the new film “The Farewell.”

It’s been more than 20 years since “Seinfeld” left the air as the #1 show on television. Since then, Jerry Seinfeld has continued the career of a stand-up comedian that started when he was just a 20-year-old from Long Island. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist chats with the comedy legend about that lengthy career, why he still loves the craft of writing jokes, and his latest residency at the Beacon Theater in New York City. (Original broadcast date: December 16, 2018)

Seth MacFarlane created “Family Guy” when he was just a 24-year-old animator, and the hit TV show is now heading into its 18th season. MacFarlane hasn’t written for the show in nearly a decade, though, as his ambitious portfolio has grown. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the star about his wide-ranging career, which includes hit film franchises, four Grammy nominations and a dramatic role in the new miniseries “The Loudest Voice” about the man who built Fox News.

Mark Ronson is the man behind many of the hit songs you hear on the radio, like Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk” and Lady Gaga’s “Shallow.” In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the Grammy Award-winning producer about the art of making those hits from the ground up, his latest solo album, and what it’s like to work with some of the biggest names in the music industry.

In this special episode of "Sunday Sitdown," Willie Geist sits down with his dad, Bill Geist, to talk about his new book "Lake of the Ozarks." It's a hilarious memoir nearly 40 years in the making about Bill's teenage summers working at his Uncle Ed's Arrowhead Lodge in Missouri. He talks about how the characters he encountered there shaped his sense of humor and led to a 31-year career covering unique stories for CBS. (Original broadcast date: May 8, 2019)

Samuel L. Jackson’s breakthrough in the cult classic “Pulp Fiction” came at the age of 45, after he had already lived a full life both professionally and personally. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the legendary actor about his prolific movie career since then and the road to becoming the most bankable star in Hollywood. He also opens up about his latest project – bringing the iconic role of “Shaft” back to the big screen.

Ina Garten is a beloved chef in part because she seems like one of us – she has no formal training and she taught herself how to make a great meal by experimenting with cookbooks. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist travels to the Hamptons for lunch with the television host and bestselling author to talk about her life before “The Barefoot Contessa,” her down-to-earth approach in the kitchen, and the release of her 11th cookbook “Cook Like a Pro.” (Original broadcast date: October 28, 2018)

Bill Hader’s rise to stardom began behind the scenes on movies and TV sets, before he took an improv class and quickly made the leap to “Saturday Night Live.” In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the actor and comedian about what he calls his journey from "preschool to Harvard,” his Emmy-winning HBO series “Barry,” and his lifelong dream to meet the subject of his most famous impression: “Dateline” correspondent Keith Morrison.

You may be accustomed to seeing Olivia Wilde in front of the camera, but the Hollywood star has recently taken her talents behind the scenes. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist chats with the actress about her directorial debut in the hit new film “Booksmart,” her experience learning from some A-list directors, and the push to give more women similar opportunities behind the camera.

Almost exactly four years ago, David Letterman signed off his show for the last time, after 33 years that revolutionized late-night television. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist chats with the iconic TV host about his relatively quiet lifestyle since leaving that role, the second season of his hit Netflix show "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction," and the state of comedy in today’s political climate.

Keanu Reeves has been a Hollywood star for the past 30 years since "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" broke through the box office and put him on the map. He has made his name starring in big movies like "The Matrix," "Speed" and "Point Break." Through it all, Reeves has stayed grounded and kept his personal life private. In this week's "Sunday Sitdown" Willie Geist talks with the actor about his latest movie "John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum," his long career in Hollywood and everything in between.

In this special episode of "Sunday Sitdown," Willie Geist sits down with his dad, Bill Geist, to talk about his new book "Lake of the Ozarks." It's a hilarious memoir nearly 40 years in the making about Bill's teenage summers working at his Uncle Ed's Arrowhead Lodge in Missouri. He talks about how the characters he encountered there shaped his sense of humor and led to a 31-year career covering unique stories for CBS.

Viola Davis’ journey to the top of Hollywood’s A-list began on a former plantation in South Carolina, where she was born. She moved to Rhode Island at a young age and grew up poor, but found her way out through acting. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the actress about her extraordinary life and career,  as well as a new project that’s close to her heart - a documentary about the diabetes crisis in the United States.

At this point, you've probably already seen "Avengers: Endgame," the highly-anticipated twenty-second installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In this week's Sunday Sitdown, Willie Geist talks to one of the stars of the film, Jeremy Renner, about his role as one of the six original Avengers, Hawkeye. They also talk about the evolution of his career, from Oscar-nominated leading man to new ventures in music and home remodeling.

NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most dominant athletes in the history of sports. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the basketball legend to talk about his success on and off the court, including his second act as a prolific businessman and analyst on “Inside the NBA.”

Even if you haven’t kept up with the HBO show “Game of Thrones” since its debut in 2011, there’s no avoiding the cultural phenomenon based on the books of George R.R. Martin. At the center of it all is the heroic Jon Snow, played by Kit Harington. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks with Harington about the show's highly anticipated final season and what it will be like to say goodbye to the series that launched his career, introduced him to his wife and changed his life forever.

After a nearly 50-year run in Hollywood, Danny DeVito is the kind of star with generations of fans. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the actor and Oscar-nominee about that lengthy career, from his first big role in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” to “Taxi,” “Twins,” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” as well as his latest performance in the new live-action version of the Disney classic “Dumbo.”

Tracy Morgan rose to the heights of comedy from the depths of poverty, growing up between Brooklyn and the Bronx. But five years ago, he nearly died in a horrific accident when the van he was riding in was crushed by a speeding tractor trailer. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the former Saturday Night Live star about that accident and how it changed him, his return to comedy, and the newest season of his hit show “The Last O.G."

In Jordan Peele’s highly-anticipated new horror film “Us,” Lupita Nyong’o plays both the hero and the monster. It’s a new genre for the 36-year-old actress who starred in last year’s cultural phenomenon “Black Panther” and won an Academy Award in 2014 for her performance in “12 Years a Slave.” In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to Nyong’o about her journey from Kenya to Yale Drama School to the Oscars stage, and the whirlwind 6 years she’s had since then.

Over a 35-year career in Hollywood, Woody Harrelson has remained Woody: the one-of-a-kind guy you want to hang out with. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist gets together with the legendary actor in Austin, Texas to talk about his long run in show business, from the early years on “Cheers” to big budget turns in “The Hunger Games” to his latest Netflix film “The Highwaymen,” and he opens up about his biggest influences along the way.

This weekend Brie Larson arrives as “Captain Marvel,” starring in the first solo, female-led film from the storied Marvel universe. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist chats with the 29-year-old actress about the training and physical transformation she underwent for that role, how winning the Best Actress Oscar for “Room” catapulted her career, and what’s next on her bucket list.

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki is currently ranked 7th on Forbes’ list of the World’s Most Powerful Women, and she tops the list of women in tech. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist chats with the titan about her rise to the top of Silicon Valley, the evolution of YouTube since its launch in 2005, and how the company polices the hundreds of hours of content posted to its platform every minute.

Emily Blunt had never starred in a movie with husband John Krasinski until the two worked together on the horror film “A Quiet Place,” which Krasinski also directed and co-wrote. In this week's "Sunday Sitdown," the British actress talks to Willie Geist about working with her husband as well as what it’s like to have the stamp of approval from "The Devil Wears Prada” co-star Meryl Streep and the original Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews.

Liam Hemsworth is the youngest of the famous Hemsworth brothers, best known for starring with Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Games” movies and for his recent marriage to Miley Cyrus. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist chats with the Australian actor about the legendary brother fights in his household growing up, and later fighting his brother Chris for the role of “Thor.” Liam also discusses trying his hand at comedy in the new movie “Isn’t it Romantic.”

Bradley Cooper is one of the biggest actors in Hollywood right now thanks to the success of his Oscar-nominated film "A Star is Born," which he both directed and stars in. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” the seven-time Oscar nominee talks to Willie Geist about the making of that film, what is was like to work alongside Lady Gaga, and when he first fell in love with movies and directing. He also opens up about his supportive mom and how his late father would react to his success in Hollywood.

Amy Adams is one of the most respected actors in Hollywood with six Academy Award nominations over the years in movies like “The Fighter” and “American Hustle.” In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist chats with the actress about her latest Oscar nomination for the film “Vice,” where she plays former Vice President Dick Cheney’s wife, Lynne. She also talks about her journey from childhood in Colorado to performing dinner theater in Minnesota to making it big in Hollywood, and why she chooses to keep a low-profile amidst it all.

When people think of William H. Macy, they often think of his Oscar-nominated performance in the movie “Fargo” or his nine-season run on the hit TV show “Shameless.” In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist chats with the actor about those iconic roles, as well as many others he’s had throughout a long career in Hollywood. He also opens up about the man who was the biggest influence on his career and the secret to his 21-year marriage to fellow actor Felicity Huffman.

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This year will mark the 25th anniversary of Natalie Portman’s film debut in “Léon: The Professional,” where she played a 12-year-old child assassin. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks with the Israeli-born actress about the ups and downs of her long career since then, which included a four-year break to earn a degree from Harvard. She also opens up about the dark role she takes on in her latest film, “Vox Lux.”

Last January, Margot Robbie was racking up nominations for her performance in the hit movie “I, Tonya.” She was also uniting with other women in Hollywood to wear black on the Golden Globes red carpet in support of the newly created “Time’s Up” movement. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks with the Australian actress about the one year anniversary of that movement's launch, running her own production company, and her latest performance as Queen Elizabeth I in the film “Mary Queen of Scots.”

In 2001, Jennifer Lopez became the first artist in history to have America’s #1 movie and #1 album in the same week. Since then, she has added a clothing line, perfume, and a production company to her empire. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks with the superstar about building that empire, her rise to stardom, and the critics she’s faced along the way.

It’s been more than 20 years since “Seinfeld” left the air as the #1 show on television. Since then, Jerry Seinfeld has continued the career of a stand-up comedian that started when he was just a 20-year-old from Long Island. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist chats with the comedy legend about that lengthy career, why he still loves the craft of writing jokes, and his latest residency at the Beacon Theater in New York City.

Ben Stiller is known for a great run of comedy hits, including “There’s Something About Mary,” “Meet the Parents,” and “Zoolander.” In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks with the actor about that long career, as well as his latest project behind the camera, directing the dramatic new Showtime series “Escape at Dannemora.”

Oscar-nominated actor Benedict Cumberbatch has inspired a worldwide phenomenon known as “Cumbermania,” but long before his army of fans began to sweep the globe, Cumberbatch was a successful stage actor in the UK. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown” Willie Geist chats with British actor about his rise to fame, from his on-screen breakthrough in “Sherlock” to his latest, more family-friendly role as “The Grinch,” and the reputation he has built as one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood.

Hugh Jackman is often considered to be the nicest guy in Hollywood, and it’s easy to see why. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the actor about his wide-ranging career spanning from Wolverine to “The Greatest Showman,” his love of the stage, and his starring role as Gary Hart in the new film “The Front Runner” about the former politician’s scandal-rocked presidential run.

Ethan Hawke hasn’t starred in many big-budget blockbusters, but that’s by his own design. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” the movie star opens up to Willie Geist about how he built a career on deep, challenging roles, like the one in “Boyhood” that earned him an Oscar nomination in 2015, his breakout role in “Dead Poets Society,” and his latest performance in “First Reformed.”

British actress Claire Foy exploded onto Hollywood’s A-List, and onto the awards circuit, with a captivating performance as the young Queen Elizabeth in Netflix's hit series “The Crown.” In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist sat down with the star to talk about passing on that role after two seasons, and her latest performance as a different kind of icon in the movie “The Girl in the Spider’s Web.”

Over the past two decades, Mark Wahlberg has worked his way onto Hollywood’s A-list with memorable performances in movies like “The Departed,” “The Fighter,” and a string of hit comedies, often with his friend Will Ferrell. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist meets up with the actor in Boston to talk about his childhood there and the overnight hip-hop career that made him a star, as well as his latest film “Instant Family.”

Ina Garten is a beloved chef in part because she seems like one of us – she has no formal training and she taught herself how to make a great meal by experimenting with cookbooks. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist travels to the Hamptons for lunch with the television host and bestselling author to talk about her life before “The Barefoot Contessa,” her down-to-earth approach in the kitchen, and the release of her 11th cookbook “Cook Like a Pro.”

The “Deadpool” franchise gave Ryan Reynolds the signature role of his 20-year career, but its success was far from a sure thing. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the Hollywood superstar about his decade-long fight to bring that character to the big screen, plus his new life as a businessman and majority owner of American gin company, Aviation Gin.

Jeff Bridges’ character in “The Big Lebowski” has become a folk hero since the movie was released 20 years ago, partly because “The Dude’s” laid-back vibe fits so well with the man who plays him. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks with the legendary actor about his childhood in a Hollywood family, his sixty-year, Oscar-winning career, and his personal “dude”-like zen.

Over the last two years, Riz Ahmed had a blockbuster breakout in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," he appeared on the cover of TIME Magazine as one of the world's Most Influential people, and he became the first Asian man and first Muslim to win an Emmy Award. In this week's "Sunday Sitdown," Willie Geist chats with the actor and hip-hop artist about his rise in Hollywood, including that award-winning role in HBO's "The Night Of" and his latest performance as evil genius Carlton Drake in the new marvel movie, "Venom."

After blockbuster hits like “Jumanji,” “Ride Along,” and "Central Intelligence," Kevin Hart has become one of the world’s biggest comedians, living in the rarified air of his own comedy heroes. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown” Willie Geist met up with Hart at Madison Square Garden on his “Irresponsible Tour” to talk about growing up in the Philadelphia stand-up circuit, his confessional style of humor, and how he became the king of his own media empire.

Maya Rudolph knew from an early age that she was meant to make people laugh, but a seven-season run on “Saturday Night Live” put her comedic genius on the map. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist met the actress inside SNL’s famous Studio 8H to talk about her time on that show, including her favorite celebrity impressions and what it was like to work alongside cast members like Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. She also shares how the show served as comedy boot camp, giving her a foundation for roles in films like “Bridesmaids” and her new Amazon series “Forever,” in which she stars alongside fellow SNL alum Fred Armisen.

It’s been nearly 30 years since Lenny Kravitz released his breakthrough first album, “Let Love Rule.” Since then he has sold more than 40 million albums and at one point won the Grammy Award for “Best Male Rock Vocal Performance” four years in a row. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to the rock star about his long career in the industry and the interesting way he came up with his latest album, “Raise Vibration.”

Sarah Silverman is known for her hard-edged, taboo-breaking standup act and her progressive political bent off stage, but her Emmy-nominated TV series “I Love You, America” shows a different side of the comedian. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist talks to Silverman about traveling the country for that show as she tries to understand today's American divide. She also opens up about her early love of performing and her rise from the basement comedy clubs of New York City to being one of the most successful comics in the business.

Jason Aldean isn’t just one of the biggest names in country, he’s one of the biggest names in all of music. His latest album “Rearview Town” debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts, knocking Cardi B out of the top spot. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist met up with the country superstar on tour to talk about his long journey through Nashville, his unique sound, and how he’s coping after the Las Vegas shooting nearly a year ago.

Chris O’Dowd was already big in the U.K. before he moved to Los Angeles, but he made a name for himself in America playing Officer Nathan Rhodes in the smash comedy "Bridesmaids." In this week’s "Sunday Sitdown," Willie Geist talks to the actor about his journey from Ireland to Hollywood, and how that film launched him into a series of roles in movies, television and Broadway. O'Dowd also opens up about his latest role in the hit series "Get Shorty," a different kind of character for an actor known for his charm and sense of humor.

Mila Kunis was only 14 years old when she landed the role of Jackie Burkhart on “That 70’s Show,” where she spent eight seasons from 1998 to 2006. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” the actress talks to Willie Geist about that breakout role which introduced her to co-star Ashton Kutcher, a friend back then and her real-life husband today. Kunis also chats about moving to America with her family from the Soviet Union when she was just 7 years old, the acting class that started her career in Hollywood, and her latest action film “The Spy Who Dumped Me.”

Lady Antebellum, the trio of Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, is famous for its pitch-perfect harmony, which began when they met in a Nashville bar 12 years ago. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist got together with the band to talk about that first meeting, the Grammy-winning song that changed their career, and how they manage to stick together after all these years. Plus the band took Willie on a tour of their rehearsal space as they get ready to head out on the “Summer Plays On” tour with Darius Rucker.

As a child, Jordan Spieth was a golf prodigy. He played in his first professional tournament at just 16 years old, and by the age of 23 he had won three of golf's four major tournament titles. In this week's "Sunday Sitdown," Willie Geist got together with the young star at his home course in Dallas as he prepared to defend his British Open title. Spieth talks about his meteoric rise to the top of the PGA rankings, the comparisons to golf legends such as Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, and how he's managed to keep his life as normal as possible during it all.

Bobby Flay has been a star on the Food Network almost since its beginning nearly 25 years ago, and his shows and restaurants have since made him a household name. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist visits the chef at his summer home in the Hamptons to discuss his long career in the business, starting with his childhood interest in cooking and his rise from high school dropout to the head of a food empire.

Blake Shelton will be the first to tell you that being a coach on “The Voice” changed his life in more ways than one. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” the country music superstar opens up to Willie Geist about how that show not only exposed him to millions of new fans, but also introduced him to his current girlfriend, Gwen Stefani, at a very difficult time in his life. The Oklahoma native also chats about the early days of hunting for record deals as a teenager in Nashville, and what it’s like returning to Music City to open up his new bar and music venue “Ole Red.”

When Jon Stewart announced he would give up his hosting chair on “The Daily Show” after 16 years, almost no one speculated his replacement would be Trevor Noah. In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” Willie Geist chats with the popular comedian about his astounding journey from apartheid South Africa where his biracial background was literally a crime to now sitting in that famous chair. Noah also discusses his unique approach to covering today’s politics and breaking through in a crowded late-night field.

For the last seven years, Claire Danes has played one of the most intense and complex characters on television, CIA officer Carrie Mathieson on the hit series “Homeland.” In this week’s “Sunday Sitdown,” the Emmy and Golden Globe winning actress sits down with Willie Geist to chat about what it’s like to play that memorable role and how the show’s storylines have an uncanny way of predicting the future. She also discusses her childhood growing up in show business, including moving from New York City to Los Angeles at age 13 to audition for “My So-Called Life,” as well as her latest movie, “A Kid Like Jake.”