Andy Beshear Podcast – Episode 21: Steve Zahn

Date: August 28, 2025
Host: Andy Beshear
Guest: Steve Zahn (actor, farmer, Kentuckian)
Episode Theme: A candid conversation with Steve Zahn, exploring his journey from small-town Kentucky to Hollywood, reflections on family life, choosing a grounded path, and insights on acting, pop culture, and life beyond the screen.

Overview

In this engaging episode, Governor Andy Beshear sits down with actor Steve Zahn for an open, lively, and heartfelt discussion. Zahn recounts the pivotal moments that led him to acting, reflects on maintaining a balanced and grounded life away from Hollywood’s glare, and shares stories about family, career highlights, and the unique journey of raising kids outside the entertainment capitals. The conversation is peppered with humor, humility, and glimpses into the real person behind the familiar face.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins: Discovering Acting

• The Les Mis Epiphany
  Zahn describes the exact moment when he realized acting could be his professional path—attending a performance of Les Misérables in London during college.

  • “I was like, I’m as good as that guy right there holding the flag. I should be up there.” (Steve Zahn, 03:33)

• Andy and Steve trade stories about major life-changing moments in their careers.

  • “If that’s something I can do for somebody, then I want to do it.” (Andy Beshear on his turning point, 04:03)

• High School Speech Success
  Zahn was a state speech champion twice, remembering the Tennessee Williams piece that helped him win.

  • “A Portrait of a Girl in Glass... the short story that became The Glass Menagerie.” (Steve Zahn, 04:40)

2. Starting Out: Training, Friends, and Breaking In

• Comedy Troupes & Early Roles

  • Zahn recounts doing Biloxi Blues in Minneapolis, getting guidance to “go train,” and eventually enrolling at the American Repertory Theater at Harvard. (05:26–06:05)
  • Met Ethan Hawke, became lifelong friends, and co-founded a theater company in New York with Jason Blum as producer, who now helms Blumhouse (horror production giant).
    • “Jason Blum runs Blumhouse right now… he was our [producer].” (Steve Zahn, 06:43)

• Friendship & Next Generation
  Hawke and Zahn remain close—both now have kids in the business, recently witnessing their daughters act together in a film.

  • “We were just sitting, sitting by the monitor, watching both of them in the same shot… pretty amazing.” (Steve Zahn, 07:28)

3. Breakthroughs, Hollywood, and Staying Grounded

• Big Moments
  Zahn identifies That Thing You Do! as a turning point for mainstream recognition, with later roles in Out of Sight and others further establishing him.

  • “It’s always in hindsight that you kind of go, oh, that was a big moment. In the moment itself, I’m not very good at seizing that…” (Steve Zahn, 08:12)

• Working with Icons
  Early career awe upon working with stars like Tom Hanks, but quickly finding camaraderie.

  • “It's incredible for five minutes and then it’s like, oh yeah, now we're just gonna hang out for six months… It turns into just your pals.” (Steve Zahn, 09:13)

4. Life Outside Hollywood

• Why Kentucky? Why the Country?
  Zahn shares his love for rural life: horses, goats, farming, fishing, and the dark quiet at night.

  • “I live in the country because I like it dark at night and I like to fish and I like to grow things.” (Steve Zahn, 13:45)
  • He and his wife Robin (a Broadway veteran and now bestselling author) traded NYC for a cabin and, eventually, Kentucky.

• Impact on Career & Family
  Zahn says living outside entertainment hubs kept him “naive and curious,” perhaps missing career opportunities, but favored raising children in Kentucky.

  • “Sometimes I think I missed out on some stuff… but I don’t know what those things are, so it doesn’t really matter.” (Steve Zahn, 13:45)

5. Fatherhood & Family Priorities

• Parent First, Actor Second
  Zahn reflects on prioritizing parenting throughout his career, flying home often, and being hands-on in his kids’ lives.

  • “Even if I worked in Vancouver… I would always fly home. And it was a pain, man. Even if it was for one day, it didn’t matter. You have to do it. They remember that.” (Steve Zahn, 16:06)
  • “Now [my kids] are my pals, you know, 25 and 23. I just made a movie with my daughter called She Dances, and we just sold it.” (17:10)

• Parenting Wisdom

  • “Over-prepare, show up early, and don’t be a jerk. And you’ll be surprised at how far that’ll take you.” (Steve Zahn, 18:06)
  • Zahn insists his daughter must earn roles on her own merits.

6. Notable Roles & Hollywood Experiences

• Planet of the Apes & Mocap Challenges
  Zahn describes awe, nerves, and the physical challenges of performance capture, training with veterans like Andy Serkis.

  • “…They can make you look like an ape… but you’ve got to do all the physical stuff and everything.” (Steve Zahn, 19:21)
  • “That whole thing is like crazy how many different memes there are.” (Steve Zahn, 20:28)

• Becoming a Meme & ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’
  Zahn reflects on unexpected internet fame and being recognized by a new generation.

  • “It was the first time in my career where my kids were excited. I just go to work… but being the dad in Diary of a Wimpy Kid made me God status at pick-up line for about six months.” (Steve Zahn, 21:56)

7. Seeking Variety as an Actor

• Choosing Roles / What’s Next?
  Zahn enjoys being a character actor, pursuing a range: “I just really want to be in a good product… I don’t care if I have one scene or I’m the lead. Director is a big deal, great cast, great character. Two of those three, oh man.” (Steve Zahn, 11:46–12:12)

• Missed Opportunities & Interests
  He regrets not doing Band of Brothers, is drawn to historical projects, and still loves theater deeply.

  • “Before she was writing, her outlet was directing these shows with amazing people in our community… It was as fulfilling as any professional job I’ve ever done.” (Steve Zahn, 24:15)

8. Off-Screen Life: Hobbies, Superpowers, and (Literal) Spice

• Superpowers
  Both Andy and Steve bond over making killer Thanksgiving turkeys, sharing tips on grilling, and prepping for long stints abroad.

  • “See, I think this might have to be that next big cooking shift… I’m packing for London right now… all [these] rubs, I’m gonna bring them with me.” (Steve Zahn, 27:11, 27:44)

• Quotable Moment

  • “Show up early. Don’t be a jerk. Over-prepare… you’ll be surprised how far it’ll take you.” (Steve Zahn, 25:35)

Memorable Quotes

• “I never thought of it as a career. That was something that other people did, you know—movie people.” (Steve Zahn, 02:30)
• “I always knew that I had a talent for it. I think it was when other people recognized… That Thing You Do! was a really big moment.” (Steve Zahn, 07:45)
• “Sometimes I think I missed out on some stuff. I’m sure I did. I’m sure I missed out on some group… but I don’t know what those things are, so it doesn’t really matter.” (Steve Zahn, 13:45)
• “I would have been a canoe outfitter up in northern Minnesota… I would have done something like that.” (Steve Zahn, 26:30)
• “It was as fulfilling as any professional job I’ve ever done.” (Steve Zahn, 24:15, on local theater)

Notable Segments with Timestamps

• Discovering Acting & Les Mis Story – 02:17–03:46
• Double State Speech Champion – 04:07–04:40
• Friendship with Ethan Hawke, Founding a Theater Company – 06:03–06:58
• Big Breaks: Hollywood Recognition – 07:45–08:43
• Living Outside NY/LA & Raising Family – 13:36–15:48
• Parenting as a Priority – 16:00–17:24
• Making a Movie with His Daughter – 17:10–17:55
• Planet of the Apes, Internet Memes – 19:10–20:35
• Superpower: Cooking & Packing for London – 27:11–28:13

Tone & Takeaways

The tone is welcoming, friendly, and sprinkled with humor—both host and guest enjoy a genuinely unscripted back-and-forth that feels personal and relatable. Zahn’s humility and practical wisdom shine through, especially on the topics of parenting, work ethic, and staying grounded. The episode reminds listeners that extraordinary success can be rooted in ordinary values: family comes first, work hard, prepare well, and don’t forget to laugh at yourself along the way.

Additional Segments

Following the main interview, Beshear and the “Johns” discuss current events (beginning at 30:10), touching on:

• National Guard issues and state sovereignty
• Partisan redistricting/gerrymandering
• The importance of authentic language in politics
• The new college sports season as a shared source of unity and joy
• Parenting transitions as kids go off to college

These sections reinforce the podcast’s mission: real conversations about both public policy and everyday life, always rooted in Kentucky values and a commitment to dialogue across differences.

For those who haven’t listened:
This episode offers a fresh, down-to-earth look at what it means to balance public and private life, illustrated by Steve Zahn’s personal journey and anchored by Andy Beshear’s warm, inquisitive hosting. Whether you’re a movie buff, parent, or just curious about the stories behind familiar faces, this conversation delivers substance, heart, and plenty of Kentucky charm.