The ‘Past Lives’ of Actor Greta Lee
Summary
Sam Fragoso interviews actress Greta Lee about her role in *Late Fame* and her breakout performance in *Past Lives*. Lee discusses her upbringing as the daughter of Korean immigrants, her early struggles in New York working as a restaurant hostess, and the industry pressures she faced. She reflects on how motherhood and recent social shifts changed her perspective on identity, leading to a breakthrough in her acting style that prioritizes restraint over scene-stealing.
Topics discussed
Intro: Scene-stealing instincts and episode overview
Greta Lee's career hiatus and transition to writing
Discussing 'Late Fame' and the character Gloria
Korean immigrant upbringing and parental expectations
Childhood insecurity and high school theater rebellion
Sponsor: Function Health
Sponsor: Quince
Struggling in NYC: Waitressing and early roles
Motherhood, pandemic, and anti-Asian hate
The 'Psychopath' tattoo and family dynamics
Sponsors: Shopify and Helix Sleep
Filming 'Past Lives' and Sundance premiere anxiety
Family legacy, billboards, and closing thoughts
Outro and subscription information
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