Photographs / Lee Jameson
Stylist / Briana Jørgenson
Hair and Make-up / Autumn Skibinski
In Dialog with Phil Gomez
Tony Cavalero is the comedic powerhouse you recognize because the lovable and unhinged Keefe Chambers on HBO’s The Righteous Gem stones. A predominant firm member at The Groundlings, Tony’s improv chops and boundless power make him a scene-stealer wherever he goes. We caught up with him as he prepped for The Righteous Gem stones’ fourth and closing season premiere, the place he spilled on all issues comedy, chaos, and what’s subsequent.
Phil: Tony! I’m an enormous fan of the characters you’ve performed. I imply, the films are nice too, however your characters—like Dewey Finn, Ozzy Osbourne, and now Keefe Chambers—are simply so spectacular. I’ve actually get pleasure from your work.
Tony: Thanks!
Phil: What has been the largest transformation you’ve needed to undergo for a job?
Tony: I’d need to say it’s in all probability, it sort of ties in collectively. I had executed College of Rock, and that had been canceled. I obtained this random audition to play Ozzy Osbourne in The Dust, and I used to be like, “I’ve by no means been an impressionist by any means, however I’ll take a stab at it.” It was my first audition– I imply, I believe we had been canceled in October, and that was my first audition round Christmastime, two months later. I put this audition on tape and hadn’t heard something. My spouse was like, “Placed on eye make-up.” I placed on a gown to sort of appear like a gown and sort of went all out and did my greatest, however didn’t hear something. I used to be like, “They’re going to get someone that does, like, an expert that’s like an impression particular person.” And subsequent factor you recognize, I’m within the director session, and I booked the half.
A part of that was, I had by no means executed this earlier than, however they despatched me to a salon in Beverly Hills earlier than flying to New Orleans to shoot, to get my hair executed identical to Ozzy in ’84, to match the look precisely. Dude, I’m not kidding, I spent seven hours on the salon, forwards and backwards with the producers in New Orleans. They wished this look to be precise. The toughest factor about it was, it couldn’t look excellent, as a result of Ozzy was in all probability getting his hair executed at house. The hair merchandise weren’t in all probability that nice, who is aware of what substances he was on, or no matter. So, it wasn’t an ideal artwork. I did seven hours within the chair there, which I’d by no means skilled earlier than, to get my hair into that loopy mullet that I had within the film. Then, after I flew to New Orleans, we did one other three hours in hair. So, I imply, simply timing smart, it was wild.
Phil: There’s that saying, “It takes lots to look low cost.”
Tony: Dude! I’ve by no means heard that earlier than, however gosh, is that the reality. It’s so humorous as a result of there was all that prep to get into character. Once more, that was like learning Ozzy from tapes I discovered on-line from the ’80s. Then there was the entire hair scenario. I shot for at some point; I did all of my Ozzy stuff for at some point in New Orleans. And that was my at some point of labor for a six-month interval. Then I had to enter pilot season with this loopy mullet. And I used to be like, “Possibly this look will probably be completely different. Individuals will prefer it or no matter.” However pilot season was crickets. In order that was my at some point of labor for six months, after which this magical “Gem stones” audition took place. It simply so occurred that horrible mullet had sort of grown out a little bit bit and the roots have been actually displaying—now it was a genuinely disgusting, very genuine mullet, and it turned out to be completely excellent to pair with the character of Keefe for “Gem stones” after I truly went in to audition. My spouse and I have been on a protracted drive prepping for that audition. Once more, that was one other massive swing for the fences. I didn’t actually assume I used to be proper for that position, however I used to be like, “All proper, I’m going to take a extremely massive threat right here and take a look at a extremely completely different character.” It was truly a personality that I did at The Groundlings that I simply sort of tweaked a little bit bit. My spouse and I labored on it collectively, and I made him southern. Synchronicity, luck, effort, and help—every little thing all sort of got here collectively completely for that second. So these two roles actually each sort of mix to be…it’s definitely worth the preparation. And the opposite factor is studying from each of these is that it’s actually value taking the massive swings.
Phil: Yeah… you nailed it. Your scene in The Dust along with your Ozzy Osbourne was so small however so dynamic. Ozzy is such a legend, and also you embodied him completely—I believed it was him. It was so cool.
Tony: Thanks.
Phil: Did you do any kind of methodology appearing for that?
Tony I’m a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, so I assume there’s some methodology appearing to that. The opposite factor too is arising via The Groundlings. Anybody who is aware of me is aware of my spouse makes enjoyable of me on a regular basis. She’s like, “You both wish to be at a full dash or laying on the sofa consuming pizza and donuts half asleep.” I don’t do something half-assed, and I believe that reveals with that efficiency and Keefe’s efficiency. For me, it’s identical to, in case you keep targeted and hold taking massive swings, the proper issues have a tendency to come back down the pipeline.
Phil: Yeah.
Tony: And that’s what I’ve been actually fortunate with and grateful for the final 12 years of my profession. And I’ve been actually fortunate and grateful for that over the past 12 years of my profession.
Phil: I imply, the evolution of your character, Keefe, has been actually cool too.
Tony: I can’t wait so that you can see this new season… It’s so particular and actually offers closure and completion to Keefe and the story. I believe it’s actually superior. Everybody all the time says, “That is one of the best season,” however I really imagine that is one of the best season.
Phil: I’m undoubtedly excited. I’m curious: was your romantic relationship with Kelvin (Gemstone) all the time deliberate, or did it develop organically?
Tony: Precisely! You hit the nail on the pinnacle; we didn’t know what it was going to be. And that’s why I believe it’s so stunning. One other superb factor was how shortly the viewers was like, “My gosh, we’d like this. We would like this.” I really feel like there was such fan help and push in that course.
It’s so humorous how naturally this advanced, and the writing simply turned so stunning. We simply saved attempting to do justice to the characters and the story, and it simply sort of unfolded into this—what began as a lovely, awkward friendship became this stunning, awkward love story.
Phil: As a result of it may have gone both method. It may have all the time been deliberate, however on the similar time, you guys have such an superior power and chemistry that I may see the writers being like, “No, that is too actual.”
Tony: Yeah. And I believe it’s so humorous as a result of Danny (McBride) all the time writes towards our strengths, and I really feel like he noticed the real friendship that Adam (DeVine) and I had and was sort of writing towards that. In some way that sort of became this love story, which is so humorous as a result of Adam and I might work out collectively on a regular basis and go actually laborious, after which that got here into the God Squad in season two. After which I believe via that, it’s humorous with Keefe, too, is that on this season, there’s no God Squad, there’s no Smut Busters. So, it’s simply Keefe with the ability to help his accomplice now with none of the riffraff. And naturally, being Keefe, he’s going to need to stumble via that and uncover what meaning for him too. And naturally, there are going to be some tumbles and falls and mishaps, being that it’s the Gem stones.
Phil: I’m undoubtedly excited for this new season and to see the remainder of the character’s evolution. You additionally talked about—I imply, you’re a Groundlings alum—has there ever been a second of improv the place you simply completely went off script, and it truly made it into the ultimate reduce?
Tony: Danny, once more, writes to our strengths however could be very open to, “Hey, what if we modified this a little bit bit?” or “I added this little physicality.” Keefe is a lot about these little physicalities. So, for me, I can all the time sort of pinpoint these moments, however there’s a degree within the trailer the place Keefe says, “On Homosexual Reddit, they name them squirt yurts.” That’s in the newest trailer, and that was one in every of our improvs.
The director, David Inexperienced, was like, “All proper, let’s consider 10 in a row and simply do them fast hearth.” And I’m 99% positive that was one of many improvs we got here up with. After which, in one other episode—I don’t wish to give something away—however there’s a thunderstorm. And there’s a, let’s say, erotic second on the finish of this thunderstorm scene which will or could not have been a pitch from me to the director and ended up making it in. I believe it’s a really impactful—and I’m going to place this in quotes “pulsating” and humorous scene that the viewers will get pleasure from. However once more, these are simply little physicalities. There was a second with the God Squad the place there’s an enormous muscly dude, and I smack him within the titty. I bear in mind going, it was David once more directing, and I went as much as him, after which I went as much as the opposite actor. I stated, “Hey, can I smack you within the pec on this take?” And once more, that made it in, and it’s such a enjoyable little second.
So, I used to be actually fortunate to get an opportunity to try this. And once more, lots of my stuff, and even arising via The Groundlings, was all bodily humor. The God Squad stuff, the place I do the splits and I bounce my butt cheeks—I imply, that was all improvised within the second. And it was so gratifying to listen to Danny laughing again within the video village proper in the course of the take. So, I’ve been actually fortunate with reference to having some actually particular little key physicality moments which have made it in, which have been improvised.
Phil: I’m positive it comes naturally to you, since that’s your background in appearing—you in all probability can’t maintain your self again.
Tony: All the pieces’s particularly The Groundlings once we give you these characters, and we expect standpoint and perspective. That’s one factor, however you additionally don’t overlook that physicality is a large a part of it. And so for me, coming from a Division One sports activities background, I did martial arts after I was youthful. I used to be a three-sport athlete in highschool. And even after I was teeny tiny, I did faucet, ballet, and jazz dance. And so for me, I really like to include that stuff, and I really like to make use of my physique and discover locations the place I can make the most of a few of these abilities.
Phil: I imply, you need to. That’s what I really feel like makes your characters dynamic since you pull from every little thing.
Tony: Precisely.
Phil: What retains you sane within the insanity of Hollywood?
Tony: My angel spouse, our two rescue canines, after which, after all, my 12-step program. I’ve a sponsor, and I sponsor guys. I’ve been doing that for a little bit over 15 years. I do remedy as effectively. I throw the kitchen sink at it. I do know that as your life will get larger, your spirituality and your self-care need to match that, and you may lose perspective and grip on actuality actually fast in case you’re not grounded in that method. I’m not saying I’m excellent in any regard, however I actually attempt to lean into that stuff and imagine within the energy of prayer. I don’t meditate as a lot as I ought to, however remedy and all of that—psychological well being is the true wealth, man. Self-care is vital.
Phil: Remedy is essential. And I imply, lots of the time, completely different cultures see remedy as a…
Tony: an indication of weak point. I believe that entire stigma is ridiculous; it’s an indication of energy, self-care, and self-love. They are saying it on a regular basis on planes, “You must put the oxygen masks on your self earlier than you possibly can put an oxygen masks on anybody else.” So, how are you alleged to care for your loved ones and buddies in case you’re not caring for your self?
Phil: No, completely. You must be snug and actually personal who you’re—be grounded in your sense of self—earlier than you are able to do something for anybody else.
Tony: Bingo, Phil.
Phil: I do know that you simply’re an enormous animal lover and your canines are an enormous presence in your social media.
Tony: Sure, they’re.
Phil: I used to be curious if there have been to be a film about your canines, what kind of film would it not be?
Tony: It’s humorous as a result of we have now two rescue pups: Tippi, who’s 13 and a little bit terrier combine, and Maggie, who’s 12 and a husky combine. They’re actually Pinky and the Mind, so I believe it will be some sort of animated Pinky and the Mind kind of characteristic the place my spouse and I might be background characters, however they’d be scheming the best way to get essentially the most treats or…
Phil: Wait, I really like that.
Tony: However they’re rescue canines, too. So, they each have a screw unfastened, so it’s simply the wackadoodle characters that they’d be so enjoyable to see delivered to life. my gosh, now you bought me pondering I want to put in writing a script for Tippi and Maggie.
Phil: I believe you should. That truly appears like a enjoyable film.
Tony: It could possibly be like “The Courageous Little Toaster.” That’s sort of what I’m pondering—I’m pondering one thing like that, the place all of it takes place in a single home and…
Phil: You left them alone for at some point,…
Tony: Precisely! I used to be simply going to say possibly a Dwelling Alone kind scenario and someone’s attempting to interrupt in they usually have to avoid wasting the day.
Phil: Hey, you heard it right here first!
Tony: (laughs) Sure!
Phil: Your Instagram additionally I really feel such a mirrored image of who you’re. and feels very, simply enjoyable and genuine.
Tony: Thanks.
Phil: What’s one thing that about you that persons are often stunned after they meet you?
Tony: It’s a superb query. I’m very a lot a heart-on-my-sleeve sort of particular person. I don’t know… For a very long time… It’s humorous. Earlier than, I’d be like, “I can’t be emotional,” and it’s such as you watch Keefe for any second and also you’re like, “No.” I assume that particular person will be emotional. I imply, in all probability that I went to a navy faculty, and I nearly went that route. However I believe anyone that is aware of my self-discipline and my sort of work ethic, and work ethic within the gymnasium, they’re like, “That each one is sensible.” However I say that may in all probability shock individuals.
And, after I was a little bit child… I used to be a fats child. I used to be 215 kilos my freshman yr in highschool. And so Chris Farley was like my idol. And so I really feel like as quickly as individuals hear that, they’re like, “Okay. That each one tracks. This all is sensible.”
Phil: No, the navy is unquestionably a wild card for positive.
Tony: Yeah. I imply, I didn’t fee into the navy, however there have been positive a pair years there the place I used to be significantly contemplating it. After which I vacationed in LA one time and was like, “Oh my gosh, I’ve by no means seen something like this earlier than.” I met a number of actors, and once you’re rising up in Northern Virginia, and my dad and mom have been splitting up, my mother was popping out of the closet—it was identical to, all proper, it is a higher time than any to, I assume, graduate from this navy faculty and transfer to LA and see if I could make it on this loopy, appearing trade.
Phil: And in case you didn’t make it, what would you be doing?
Tony: It’s so humorous, I didn’t have any outs, and I believe that was actually one other great point for my trajectory—I didn’t have any backup plan. I imply, after all, there’s a world the place it was like, I assume I’d return and get my grasp’s in historical past and be a historical past trainer, or I may have all the time commissioned into the military, they usually in all probability would have let me go straight into officer candidate college straight away as a result of I went to the school that I went to.
However for me, these weren’t even choices. I used to be like, I’m doing this factor, particularly after I began at The Groundlings the place there have been precise tangible targets. If I can get into one in every of these efficiency corporations, I do know these individuals work which might be in these corporations. I all the time inform individuals, you possibly can change your objective or your targets as many instances as you need, however the extra finely targeted you may get, I believe the higher. For The Groundlings itself, I used to be identical to, I simply wish to get my face up on that wall. I wish to get my headshot up on that wall and being in a type of efficiency corporations as a result of I do know individuals who have their headshot on that wall, they work. And so, I used to be laser-focused, and that was my life for a decade, was simply working my method up via there. And it labored out.
Phil: Yeah. I’m glad you’re getting your flowers as a result of it’s deserving.
Tony: Thanks, Phil.
Phil: I felt like I simply watched a TED discuss.
Tony: Thanks, I’ll take it, that made my day.
Phil: And I believe your story is so cool
Tony: I imply, we didn’t even speak about me being a janitor for the primary six years I lived in LA.
Phil: the place?
Tony: I used to be a janitor. Cleaned the bathrooms — not very effectively. I used to be on the verge of being fired continuously. Once more, I used to be consuming and utilizing on the time, however I used to be a janitor on the El Portal Playhouse in North Hollywood, proper off of Magnolia and Lankershim, for six years.
Phil: Hey, you need to get in in some way!
Tony: Hey, man, they have been versatile. The pay was good. I truly obtained to satisfy some individuals. I imply, it’s so humorous that Edi Patterson—who performs Judy on The Gem stones—truly did a play at that playhouse. And that was like the primary time I obtained to satisfy her. I had completed up my shift, and she or he was grabbing some wardrobe or one thing. And I used to be like, “Hey, I work right here, however I’m taking lessons at The Groundlings.” As a result of she was in the primary firm at The Groundlings on the time, and she or he was so good. And take a look at us 15 years later, now we’re on the identical present.
Phil: That’s so loopy.
Tony: It’s simply superb.
Phil: I imply, that simply implies that you’re alleged to be the place you’re—every little thing occurs in its personal time. Should you may give your future self some recommendation, what would it not be?
Tony: I believe it’s all the time—pause. You’re by no means too busy to simply take a second, and a breath, and ask for some steering. For me, lots of the time that’s asking my greater energy, “How can I be of service proper now?” As a result of lots of instances after I get tremendous wound up, I fully lose sight of anybody else.
And so, if I can take a step again… My spouse simply made me a hoop for our anniversary. She makes superb jewellery, and she or he put “pause” on the underside of it. So anytime I really feel loopy, I can simply flip my hand the wrong way up and skim that, “pause,” and simply bear in mind to take a second to mirror and loosen up, and know that I’ve obtained a robust greater energy that loves me and needs me to be blissful, joyous, and free.
Phil: I really like that. That’s so nice. And it’s true. I imply, we’re all the time attempting to compete and see what’s subsequent, nevertheless it’s vital to, such as you stated, pause and actually be current. We have to do this extra.
Tony: Sure, you bought that proper although.
Phil: I really feel like we’ve lined lots and I do know you need to prepare for the premiere. Are there any dream or upcoming tasks you wish to inform us about?
Tony: So, I obtained that superior indie characteristic that I star in and govt produced known as Chilly Pockets, a cryptocurrency thriller. It’s in restricted launch in theaters proper now, and it’s accessible for buy and rental on all of your video on demand platforms. After which clearly, we’ve obtained Gem stones approaching Sunday. I’ve obtained one other film that I did with Simon Rex and Brenda Track known as Operation Taco Gary’s that will probably be out this yr.
After which, undecided if it’s going to come back out this yr, however I simply shot a boxing biopic with Sydney Sweeney—a extremely cool drama directed by Oscar-nominated David Michôd that needs to be out finish of yr or early subsequent yr. After which simply shot a comedy pilot for CBS. So, we’re ready to listen to about that in all probability within the spring whether or not or not we’ll be doing that.
Phil: Good! That each one sounds nice. Thanks, Tony, and have enjoyable tonight.
Tony: Thanks, buddy!
Chainmail, Mythrojan.
Sun shades, Bonnie Clyde. Leather-based trench Jonathan Marc Stein. Leather-based Pants, De Florencio @maisonpriveepr_la. Boots, classic (stylist personal). Necklace and Rings, Uncommon Romance.
Jacket, Asta Razma. Sun shades (stylist personal). Chain and Rings, Uncommon Romance. Pants -De Florencio @deflorenciofashion @maisonpriveepr_la. Boots, classic (stylist personal).
Necklace, Annie Cavalero. Hat, classic, Western Costume. Jacket, Leather-based Belt w coronary heart buckle and Boots, Classic (stylist personal). Denims, Wrangler.
Full look, Phipps.
