The Andy Beshear Podcast – Episode 21: Steve Zahn

Date: August 28, 2025
Host: Andy Beshear
Guests: Steve Zahn (actor), John McConnell, John Rabinowitz
Theme: The life, career, and grounded philosophy of actor (and Kentuckian) Steve Zahn, alongside a roundtable discussion on current events, family, and authenticity.

Episode Overview

This episode welcomes acclaimed actor Steve Zahn for a candid conversation about his unconventional journey from small-town Kentucky to Hollywood and back. Zahn reflects on his early inspirations, the value of staying grounded outside the Hollywood bubble, and what it means to parent (and now collaborate with) creative children. The second half pivots to a roundtable with Andy, John McConnell, and John Rabinowitz, focusing on current civil issues, gerrymandering, and the importance of authenticity and connection in politics and life.

Steve Zahn: Roots, Roles, and Realness

Discovering Acting & Early Influences

• The ‘Les Mis Moment’ (01:31)
  • Steve shares how seeing Les Misérables in London catalyzed his professional acting ambition:
    • “It was cathartic… I was like, I’m as good as that guy right there holding the flag. I should be up there. So that was really the moment that I decided to pursue acting.” (Steve Zahn, 02:34)
• Speech Champion Roots (03:07)
  • Steve was a two-time state speech champion in high school, performing Tennessee Williams’ "A Portrait of a Girl in Glass" and Paul’s monologue from "A Chorus Line”.

Climbing the Ranks: Stage to Screen

• Cutting His Teeth (04:27)
  • Discusses early work in Minneapolis and influence from NYC actors: “You’re a little rough around the edges… you’re kinda like the country kid… I just couldn’t believe someone was paying me to do this.” (Steve Zahn, 04:27)
• Harvard, New York, and Founding Malaparte (05:06)
  • Attended the American Repertory Theater at Harvard, moved to NYC, met Ethan Hawke and Jason Blum (now of Blumhouse Productions).

Hollywood Success & Signature Roles

• Breakout Moments (06:46)

  • Zahn points to That Thing You Do and Out of Sight as career pivots:
    • “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 and taking advantage. Which I think is a good thing, actually.” (Steve Zahn, 07:13)

• On Working With Tom Hanks (07:49)

  • “It’s insane… I still get really nervous, like it’s the first day of school and I’m gonna screw up... but then [it’s] just your pals.” (Steve Zahn, 07:51-08:35)

• Current Projects (08:44)

  • Filming the final season of “Silo” for Apple TV with Rebecca Ferguson and producing through his own company.

• Character Acting Philosophy (10:45)

  • “I 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, 10:47-11:13)

The Farm Life: Staying Grounded Outside Hollywood

• Why Kentuckian Roots Matter (11:26)
  • “I was like the go-to stoner… totally opposite of who I am. I live on a farm, have horses and goats.” (Steve Zahn, 11:26)
  • Found happiness moving out of the city to rural Pennsylvania and then Kentucky: “We did it in 1990, before it was cool.” (Steve Zahn, 12:37)
• On Raising Kids Away from Hollywood (13:36)
  • “I think you’re either grounded or you’re not… I live in the country because I like it dark at night and I like to fish and grow things.”
  • Moving to Kentucky with young kids—“Best thing we ever did.” (Steve Zahn, 14:31)

Family, Parenting, and Creative Legacy

• Being an Involved Dad (15:01)

  • “I was always around… Even if I worked in Vancouver, I would always fly home… even for one day, it didn’t matter. You have to do it. They remember that.” (Steve Zahn, 15:07)

• Passing the Torch: Daughter's First Movie (16:10)

  • Made a film with his daughter called She Dances — “We just sold it Friday… going to be in 50 theaters in 10 cities... I just made a movie with my daughter called She Dances and we just sold it.” (Steve Zahn, 16:10-16:26)
  • Parenting advice: “Over-prepare, show up early and don’t be a jerk. And you’ll be surprised how far that’ll take you.” (Steve Zahn, 17:08)

On Going Viral and “Meme Fame” with Gen Z

• Planet of the Apes & Diary of a Wimpy Kid (18:11 – 22:10)
  • On Planet of the Apes: “I was so excited and so scared… it was difficult, then so exciting. The sets—mind-blowing.” (Steve Zahn, 18:22, 18:54)
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid: “It was the first time in my career where my kids were excited… I could potentially move to like, God status.” (Steve Zahn, 20:20, 21:33)
  • On meme status: “My daughter sends me like, Dad, you’re going crazy on TikTok…” (Steve Zahn, 19:45)

The Artistic Life, Missed Opportunities, and Giving Back Locally

• Genres Left Untried (22:10)
  • Would've liked to do Band of Brothers: “I’m a history buff, so I like things like that… but I’m just happy to work.” (Steve Zahn, 22:19)
• Love for Theater (23:08)
  • Supports local Kentucky theater, previously founded “the Rep” with his wife Robin Peterman (now a NYT bestselling author): “It was as fulfilling as any professional job I’ve ever done.” (Steve Zahn, 23:32)

Lighter Side: Superpowers, Big Green Egg, and Packing for London

• Thanksgiving Turkey & Big Green Egg (26:04)
  • “I do make a killer turkey. Oh, I’m a Big Green Egg guy.” (Steve Zahn, 26:06)
• Packing Rituals & Spice Smuggling (26:15)
  • Preparing for a 5-month London shoot: “Packing for a five-month trip… boxes [just] full of rubs… I’m gonna bring them with me.” (Steve Zahn, 26:27-26:45)
  • Shares dry rubs with the crew: “This is what you become known for. I bring their packages and they’re like, oh man!” (Steve Zahn, 27:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On preparation and humility:
  • “Over-prepare, show up early, don’t be a jerk. You’ll be surprised how far that’ll take you.” – Steve Zahn (17:08)
• On career breakthroughs:
  • “It’s always in hindsight you go, ‘oh, that was a big moment.’ In the moment itself, I’m not very good at seizing that…” – Steve Zahn (07:13)
• On grounding in rural life:
  • “I like it dark at night and I like to fish and grow things.” – Steve Zahn (12:46)
• On vulnerability and catharsis in acting:
  • “It was cathartic. I was like, I’m as good as that guy right there holding the flag.” – Steve Zahn (02:34)

[25:35] Current Events Roundtable

National Guard Deployments & State Sovereignty

• Discussion about the federal government sending National Guard troops to cities without state/local consent (29:37).
• Emphasis on public safety concerns versus local autonomy.
• Andy Beshear:
  • “It is wrong for a president to send National Guard into an area that hasn’t asked for it, doesn’t want them… it’s a violation of our state sovereignty.” (Andy Beshear, 32:14)

Gerrymandering and Redistricting Chaos

• Critique of partisan redistricting, escalation across states (34:49).
• John Rabinowitz:
  • “These maps in every state are getting out of control… The whole idea of gerrymandering is so wrong…” (35:59)
• Andy’s philosophy: don’t change rules mid-cycle unless you want others to do the same.

Authentic Communication in Politics

• The importance of speaking plainly (“talk like a normal human being”, 37:24).
• Use authentic, meaningful words—avoid political jargon (“addiction” vs. “substance use disorder”).

[39:55] Life, Family, and Kentucky

Football, Sports, and Connection

• High school and college football season kickoff as a time for community and fun (40:25).
• New era of college football, NIL deals, Kentucky sports betting (40:59).

Parenting College Kids

• Reflections on the real motivations for Family Day invitations: “Not just dinner… money on my card before you leave!” (John Rabinowitz, 42:09)

[42:52] “In My Kentucky Accent”: Leadership Philosophy

• Andy shares his approach to public office—putting people before politics.
• Willingness to praise or challenge any president based on Kentucky’s needs:
  • “You only have credibility in criticizing a president… if you’re also willing to admit when they do right.”
  • “If there’s a prescription for healing this country: Number one, put our people first. Number two, push the politics out of it.”

Summary: Why This Episode Stands Out

• Steve Zahn’s journey from small-town Kentucky to Broadway and Hollywood, then back to rural life, underscores the value of humility, hard work, connection, and staying true to roots—even as his career and family expand into new creative territories.
• The roundtable discussion exemplifies what the podcast stands for: real conversations, civil disagreement, and a focus on community above partisanship.

Key Timestamps

• 01:31 – Steve Zahn’s ‘Les Mis’ epiphany: the moment he chose acting
• 06:46 – Career breakthroughs: That Thing You Do, meeting Tom Hanks
• 11:26 – On being a “go-to stoner” vs. country life reality
• 14:31 – Moving back to Kentucky, family choices
• 16:10 – Making a movie with his daughter (She Dances)
• 18:11–22:10 – Pop culture fame: Planet of the Apes, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Gen Z memes
• 25:35 – Current events: National Guard, redistricting, and leadership philosophy
• 39:55 – Kentucky sports, authentic political talk, and college parenting
• 42:52 – Andy’s call for people-over-politics leadership

Closing Thought

This episode is both a masterclass in creative resilience and a reminder that authenticity, family, and humility matter more than resume lines or viral fame. As Steve Zahn puts it: arrive early, over-prepare, don’t be a jerk—and keep coming home to what grounds you.