Happy New Year, friends! Guess what? This year I have an exciting lineup of interviews ready for you to get excited about! In other words, 2025 is going to be a fantastic year for my little podcast show!
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all my followers and everyone who has taken the time to listen to every episode so far. You have no idea how happy it makes me feel to know that my efforts in producing these episodes are appreciated.
Believe it or not, when I started this podcast in March 2023, I had no idea I would get the chance to chat with so many amazing people over the past two years. Now that I’ve published my 100th episode—featuring actor Jeff East, best known for his portrayal of the teenage Clark Kent in Richard Donner's 1978 blockbuster film, "Superman: The Movie"—I want to introduce you to some of the fabulous guests who will be appearing on upcoming episodes of Hollywood Obsessed in 2025! Hold on to your hats, folks! This year will be packed with even more fantastic interviews for you to enjoy!
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SHARON GLESS - As an avid fan of 80s TV series, I was beyond excited to interview one of the stars of the iconic police drama “Cagney and Lacey,” Sharon Gless. During our entertaining chat we had an incredible conversation about her newly released memoir, “Apparently There Were Complaints.” This television legend, started her career portraying Maggie Philbin on “Switch” (1975–78) before becoming famous for her role as Sgt. Christine Cagney in “Cagney & Lacey” (1982–88). She also starred in “The Trials of Rosie O'Neill” (1990–92), “Queer as Folk” (2000–2005), and “Burn Notice” (2007–2013). With ten Emmy nominations, two wins, and a Golden Globe trophy in 1986 for her work on “Cagney & Lacey,” Sharon has truly left her mark on television, along with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1995. Stay tuned for our engaging two-part interview, coming soon! This is definitely one of my favorite chats yet!
DAVID LEISURE - Best known for playing Charley Dietz in the classic TV sitcom “Empty Nest" -- and the fictional Joe Isuzu in a series of memorable TV commercials during the 1980s and ’90s! He made several guest star appearances on some of your favorite TV shows including “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”, “Diagnosis: Murder”, “Caroline in the City”, “Renegade”, “The Equalizer” and “Nurses”. He also appeared on several daytime soaps including “The Young And The Restless” and "Days of Our Lives". His memorable feature films include “The Brady Bunch Movie”, “You Can’t Hurry Love”, “10 Things I Hate About You’ and “Elvis Has Left The Building” to name a few. I've got to admit I haven't laughed as much during an interview as much as I did with David. Wait til you hear it. He's hilarious!
PAUL HOPKINS- I adored chatting with this charming Canadian actor who is best known for his portrayal of Michael "Mouse" Tolliver on Armistead Maupin’s Emmy-nominated mini-series “More Tales of the City” and its follow-up “Further Tales of the City.” He was also the lead role of Karl on the series “Vampire High” and has made guest-star appearances on hit shows like “Suits”, “Diggstown”, “Are You Afraid of the Dark?”, the TV movie "Nuremberg" with Alec Baldwin and most recently he portrayed Officer Bouchard on the Bravo Television crime drama series "19-2 ". I can't wait for you to listen to our fabulous conversation. Im sure you’re going to love it!
STEVEN WEBER - Best known for his role as Brian Hackett on the 1990s television sitcom “Wings,” he also voiced Charlie B. Barkin in “All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series” and portrayed Jack Torrance in the TV miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's “The Shining.” Additionally, he had a recurring role as Vaughn du Clark on “iZombie” and played Mayor Douglas Hamilton on “NCIS: New Orleans.” He starred as Sergeant First Class Dennis Worcester in “Hamburger Hill” (1987) and currently plays Dr. Dean Archer in the NBC series “Chicago Med.” During our entertaining one-hour conversation, he shared some really funny behind-the-scenes stories from his 40-year career. I am certain you will enjoy this fun-filled interview!
RUSS TAMBLYN - It’s a rare opportunity to engage in a conversation with a movie legend for over an hour, but I had the incredible privilege of interviewing Russ Tamblyn about his captivating new autobiography, “Dancing On The Edge”! With a background as a gymnast, Tamblyn launched his career as a child actor for the iconic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. His impressive filmography includes timeless classics like the beloved musical “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” (1954) and the impactful drama “Peyton Place” (1957), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Fans will also remember his unforgettable portrayal of Riff, the leader of the Jets gang, in the groundbreaking “West Side Story” (1961). In the 1970s, Tamblyn explored various avenues in cinema, appearing in several exploitation films and transitioning to choreography in the 1980s. He made a memorable comeback in 1990 as Dr. Lawrence Jacoby in David Lynch's cult-favorite television series “Twin Peaks,” reprising the role in its much-acclaimed 2017 revival. I am still in awe of having interviewed this 90-year-old icon, and I am thrilled to share this experience with you. Stay tuned—this is one you won't want to miss!
JACK SCALIA - This legendary 80s heartthrob is truly unforgettable, known for his remarkable performances in prime-time television series and movies during the 1980s and 1990s. You can't miss his standout role in “The Devlin Connection,” where he brilliantly plays Rock Hudson's son. Notably, he captivated audiences as a regular during the final season of “Remington Steele” in 1987, before making a memorable mark on “Dallas” as Nicholas Pearce, the charming love interest of Sue Ellen Ewing (Linda Gray). Though his character faced a dramatic exit at the end of the 1987-1988 season, he made a striking return in the series finale in a dream sequence, tied in an unforgettable union with Sue Ellen. Additionally, from 1989 to 1990, he showcased his talent in the gripping CBS crime drama “Wolf.” Fans also adored his role as Chris Stamp in “All My Children” from 2001 to 2003, earning him a well-deserved nomination for a Daytime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Lead Actor" in 2002. He’s just as captivating and charismatic in real life as he is on screen. Trust me, you’ll want to add his two episodes to your “must listen to” list!
PETER COYOTE - Peter Coyote is not just an actor; he is a multifaceted talent as a director, screenwriter, author, and narrator, making a significant impact in the worlds of film, theater, television, and audiobooks. His impressive filmography includes classics such as “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982), “Cross Creek” (1983), “Jagged Edge” (1985), “Bitter Moon” (1992), “Kika” (1993), “Patch Adams” (1998), “Erin Brockovich” (2000), “A Walk to Remember” (2002), and “Femme Fatale” (2002). Beyond films, Coyote shines in numerous made-for-television movies and miniseries and lends his distinctive voice to commercial voice-overs. He has captivated audiences in lead roles on acclaimed television series, including “The 4400” in 2004 and “The Inside” in 2005. He took on the vital role of Vice President in ABC's series “Commander in Chief” and later showcased his versatility with a memorable four-episode arc as Sally Field's questionable boyfriend in “Brothers & Sisters.” Speaking with Coyote was a delightful experience—I genuinely cherished every moment of our conversation. I'm confident you'll find it just as engaging and enjoyable!
MELODY ANDERSON -Actress Melody Anderson captivated audiences with her unforgettable performances throughout the 70’s, 80’s and 90s, most notably as Dale Arden in the iconic 1980 film "Flash Gordon" and as Patricia Goodwin in the 1986 action adventure film "Firewalker" with Chuck Norris. Her talent shines in several made-for-television films, including the gripping "Policewoman Centerfold," the compelling "Beverly Hills Madam" (1986) alongside Faye Dunaway, and "Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter," where she starred opposite Jeff Goldblum. Anderson’s portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in the television movie "Marilyn & Bobby: Her Final Affair" is particularly celebrated. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with her about her incredible career, and I can't wait for you to experience our engaging chat!
LEIGH MCCLOSKEY - Actor, artist, and author Leigh McCloskey is a captivating figure renowned for his memorable performances in popular television series and films. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Mitch Cooper, the financially struggling husband of Lucy Ewing, in the iconic primetime soap opera “Dallas”. His impressive journey began with his portrayal of Billy Abbott in the acclaimed miniseries “Rich Man, Poor Man”, which propelled his career forward. Throughout his extraordinary career he starred in a variety of engaging made-for-television films and miniseries, including “The Bermuda Depths” alongside Connie Selleca, “Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway” with Eve Plumb from “The Brady Bunch”, and its sequel “Alexander: The Other Side of Dawn”, where he took on the title role. I had a fantastic time chatting with Leigh, and I’m sure you’ll find our entertaining conversation just as enjoyable!
DOUGLAS BARR -Doug Barr is a talented former actor who gained fame for his dynamic roles in the action-packed TV series "The Fall Guy" and the beloved sitcom "Designing Women," where he portrayed Col. Bill Stillfield, husband to Charlene Frazier. His impressive filmography includes standout performances in notable films like Wes Craven's chilling horror, "Deadly Blessing" (1981), the intriguing "The Unseen" alongside Barbara Bach, and the entertaining 1990 sci-fi comedy "Spaced Invaders." Barr's final on-screen appearance was in "Temptation" (1994), where he also showcased his writing skills by co-authoring the script. After stepping away from acting, Doug found his passion for storytelling through screenwriting, which beautifully paved the way for his successful career in directing. He has helmed nearly 30 films since 1994, demonstrating his versatility and creativity. I had the pleasure of discussing Doug's remarkable journey from Hollywood star to a thriving winemaker in Napa Valley. This engaging interview will captivate you—I promise!
LIZ TORRES - There is nobody quite like Liz Torres! This iconic Puerto Rican artist combines her talents as an actress, singer, and comedienne into a remarkable package. She is best known for her unforgettable role as Mahalia Sanchez on “The John Larroquette Show,” for which she earned two Primetime Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe Award nomination. Liz also captured hearts as "Miss Patty" in the beloved series "Gilmore Girls." Moreover, she was also a regular cast member on the CBS sitcom "Phyllis," starring Cloris Leachman, and had an unforgettable recurring role as Teresa Betancourt on the classic sitcom "All in the Family.” As a lifelong fan of Liz’s, I was overjoyed to have an hour-long conversation with her about her incredible career. This interview is truly special and one of my favorites, so don’t miss out on listening to it!
GREG EVIGAN -For anyone who grew up in the 70s and 80s, Greg Evigan is a name that instantly brings back fond memories. Best known for his charming roles as B.J. McKay on the hit series "B.J. and the Bear" and as Joey Harris in the beloved sitcom "My Two Dads," he captured the hearts of many. Evigan has also showcased his talent in other popular shows, including the sci-fi series "TekWar" (1995–1996), where he starred alongside William Shatner, and the classic Aaron Spelling soap "Melrose Place" (1996–1997). More recently, he was part of the family drama "7th Heaven" (1997). Now in his 70’s, Evigan is shifting his focus back to music, even collaborating with London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on an album. In our engaging conversation, he shared insights about his remarkable career and the legacy he wishes to leave behind. Don’t miss out on this intriguing interview with a true icon; I guarantee you’ll enjoy it!
MICHAEL NOURI - Michael is best known for his captivating role as Jennifer Beals' charming boss in the iconic 80s film “Flashdance,” and he brings that same charisma to our conversation. As he kicks off his fifth decade in the entertainment industry, we delved into his impressive career spanning film, theater, and television. Starting with his role in the box-office hit “Goodbye Columbus,” he has appeared in popular films like "The Proposal," "Last Holiday," and Spielberg's "The Terminal," as well as the cult classic “The Hidden.” Michael has also starred in acclaimed television series, including “Damages,” "Blue Bloods," “NCIS,” "CSI: NY," "Law & Order: SVU," and "Yellowstone." This interview is sure to be a delightful experience for you guys!
MACKENZIE ASTIN - Mackenzie Astin, son of Oscar-winning actress Patty Duke and actor John Astin—who famously played Gomez Addams on “The Addams Family”—has been in front of the cameras since he was very young. He is best known for portraying Andy Moffett for four seasons on the classic 1980s NBC sitcom “The Facts of Life” sharing the screen with Lisa Whelchel, Mindy Cohn, Nancy McKeon, Kim Fields, and a young George Clooney. After the series ended, he continued his success with recurring roles in shows like “Scandal”, “The Magicians”, and “Homeland”. His guest appearances include “LOST”, “House”, “Psych”, “Grey's Anatomy”, and “NCIS”. He has also appeared in films such as “Iron Will” with Kevin Spacey, “Wyatt Earp” with Kevin Costner, and “The Evening Star” with Shirley MacLaine. I really enjoyed my conversation with Mack—it's one you're sure to love!
JOEL THURM - My interview with legendary casting director Joel Thurm was truly captivating! He is well-known as the former Vice President of Talent and Casting at both Paramount Television and NBC, and he has just released his insightful memoir, “Sex, Drugs & Pilot Season: Confessions of a Casting Director.” The book offers a fascinating look into his remarkable five-decade Hollywood career. Thurm tagged John Travolta for the iconic musical “Grease” and convinced Susan Sarandon to star in the cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”. His talent for casting has also shaped films like “Airplane” and “King of the Gypsies”. Additionally, he played a key role in casting major network series from the 1970s and 1980s, contributing to classics like “The Bob Newhart Show”, “Taxi”, “Cheers”, and “The Golden Girls”. This engaging interview is a must-listen for anyone who loves the magic of Hollywood!
ROBERT PINE - Speaking with actor Robert Pine was a fantastic experience for me. Best known for his role as Sgt. Joseph Getraer on the classic 1970s series “CHiPs”, Robert has remained active for over 50 years, appearing in more than 400 TV episodes. His impressive credits include shows like “The Love Boat”, “Family Ties”, “Dynasty”, “Grey's Anatomy”, and many more. At 82, he continues to work, recently appearing in “Magnum P.I.”, “9-1-1: Lone Star”, and the award-winning Apple TV+ series “Five Days at Memorial”. Don’t miss listening to this special episode featuring a true television icon!
KATHERINE HABER - I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Katy Haber for the past two years, and having her on my podcast to discuss her remarkable career as an award-winning movie producer was a fantastic opportunity. In our captivating conversation, we explored her contributions to the iconic sci-fi film “Blade Runner,” along with her work on classic Sam Peckinpah films such as “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid,” “Cross of Iron,” “Convoy,” and “The Getaway.” These episodes are truly exceptional, so don’t miss out on the chance to listen to them!
BONNIE BARTLETT - I recently had the exciting opportunity to speak with Bonnie Bartlett Daniels, best known for her Emmy Award-winning role as Ellen Craig on the 1980s medical drama "St. Elsewhere." She captured hearts with her performances and won two Emmys for her work. Following the show's end in 1988, she showcased her talent in the '90s teen sitcom "Boy Meets World." Bonnie's career also includes roles in the original "V" miniseries and guest appearances on classics like "Once and Again," "Home Improvement," "Parks and Recreation," "Murder, She Wrote," "E.R.," and "The Golden Girls," where she played Dorothy's pretentious friend, Barbara Thorndyke. With over 70 years in show business, Bonnie continues to shine in film and television. This interview was one of my favorites, so be sure to listen when her episodes drop—you won’t want to miss them!
And that's only the beginning! So make sure you subscribe to Hollywood Obsessed TODAY so that you don’t miss any of the fantastic interviews I've done with some of the fabulous people I've met while living and working here in the heart of Hollywood!
I just know you’re going to love every single one coming up, this year, on HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED!
Don’t miss the opportunity to listen to my latest podcast interview with actor Jeff East (Episodes 99 & 100), who is best known for his role as teenage Clark Kent in the blockbuster film “Superman: The Movie.” Tune in to my podcast, HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED! Click the links below to listen now!
Episode 99 - HERE
Episode 100 - HERE