Are You A Charlotte?

Episode: "Catching Up with Friends: Jacob Pitts"

Host: Kristin Davis
Guest: Jacob Pitts
Release Date: March 13, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of "Are You a Charlotte?" offers a deeply personal and revealing conversation between host Kristin Davis—best known as Charlotte York from Sex and the City—and actor Jacob Pitts. Jacob famously played "the other Sam Jones" in Season 3, Episode 17 of Sex and the City, a memorable storyline that paired his youthful NYU character with Samantha Jones. Over the course of their chat, Kristin and Jacob revisit the unique pressures of being a young actor, body image struggles, the culture of ambition in show business, and the changing landscape of acting in the era of social media and AI. The episode is candid, warm, and full of behind-the-scenes insights both about the storied series and about what it's like to come of age in the unpredictable world of entertainment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to Jacob Pitts and the Iconic Role

• Kristin introduces Jacob as the standout young actor who played the other "Sam Jones" on Sex and the City (03:26).
• Jacob describes his headspace at the time: “I was about 20, going on 12.” (05:20)
• Kristin dives into the impact and memory of Jacob’s episode, highlighting the boldness and comedic charm he brought to the role.

2. Body Image, Mental Health, and Acting Pressures

(05:00–09:40)

• Jacob opens up about experiencing anorexia when he filmed Sex and the City, candidly sharing:

  "I think I was about 20, going on 12... I was in the throes of some kind of anorexia." (05:20)

• He discusses obsessive behaviors, such as running seven miles daily and strictly consuming no-fat products.
• Kristin commiserates and relates her own battles with body image as a young actress, noting the specific pressures put on actors by the industry:

  "We're all human, right. And we're in this really weird situation where our visual selves are a huge part of what we're doing." (06:18)

• Jacob credits long-distance running and, humorously, discovering marijuana with helping him move on from the eating disorder.

3. Audition Stories & Early Career Realities

(09:41–15:25)

• Jacob recalls his audition and move to New York, and the peculiarities of his acting school ("the most terrible acting school you could possibly [imagine]"). (11:07)
• The conversation explores how, after Titanic, there was a casting rush for "DiCaprio-esque" young actors.
• Jacob reflects on being unprepared but instinctually right for the part:

  “I was running on pure instinct at that point." (11:07)

• Discussion of the James Dean archetype and the romanticization of being a wild, uncontrollable young talent.

4. On-Set Memories & Behind-the-Scenes Anecdotes

(15:27–22:00)

• Jacob wanted to do a “surprise moment” with a solo cup in the party scene but didn’t have the confidence to ask the director or co-stars, reflecting his then-naivete.
• He fondly recalls direction from Alan Coulter and his first experience with the "modesty pouch":

  "They gave me two options: the skin colored thong and the Tarzan G string... I thought this was HBO. Don’t wanna see what happens." (20:59, Jacob)

• Kristin highlights Jacob’s boldness in the episode:

  "...you seem just very sure of yourself. Like, even just watching you as an actor, I thought that young actor is very sure of himself." (19:19)

5. The Changing Landscape: Acting Then vs. Now

(16:26–18:00; 43:41–45:37)

• Kristin and Jacob muse on generational differences—noting that actors today can be more cautious, perhaps due to social media scrutiny.
• Jacob observes the lack of "moral-of-the-story" sitcoms for younger generations and wonders about its impact.
• They both reflect on whether young actors today have similar artistic idols or are influenced primarily by image and internet fame.

6. Fame, Recognition & Lasting Impact

(27:50–29:12; 43:28–44:01)

• Jacob describes the odd rhythm of being recognized for a guest role—every seven years someone points out his “Sam Jones” appearance.
• Both discuss how fame is a double-edged sword: desired for its currency in the industry but not as a personal goal.

  "Being famous does not absolve you of being an a**hole. And it does not actually make you immortal." (43:28, Jacob)

• Kristin affirms this reality, explaining how casting and career opportunities often depend on name recognition, not just talent.

7. Industry Pressure, Neuroticism, & Coping Mechanisms

(29:34–33:14)

• Both share stories of extreme diets and neurotic routines around filming (“I would just have some thing where I'd be like, I'm just gonna eat M&Ms” — Kristin, 30:28).
• Kristin notes external industry pressure to maintain a certain appearance, often at the expense of health.
• Jacob reflects on how being an actor warps your sense of yourself versus “normal” people, referencing the “insular” nature of show business.

8. Other Career Highlights & The Joys of Acting

(33:14–35:04)

• Jacob calls HBO’s The Pacific his favorite project:

  "It was very intense and we were all starving ourselves because those guys were supposed to be starving." (33:23)

• The seriousness of the subject matter, Marine oversight, and camaraderie made it feel more meaningful than typical acting work.
• Both lament the decline in traditional romantic comedies, and Kristin praises the series "Heated Rivalry" for rekindling classic rom-com joys.

9. From Sitcoms to Broadway: Realities of Performance

(37:36–40:46)

• Jacob discusses odd experiences with sitcom acting classes and how multi-camera comedy is its own art form.
• Kristin recounts being a guest star on Friends and Will & Grace, dealing with audience applause, and wise words from legendary director James Burrows:

  "If you ever want to be on a sitcom, be on a sitcom with James Burroughs directing. He will take care of you." (39:40)

10. Reluctance with Publicity & Modern Celebrity

(40:49–44:01)

• Jacob admits being nervous before the podcast and about public attention:

  "We live in this world where the people who have found a purpose in pretending to be anybody other than themselves are expected somehow to be happy and most joyous when everyone's paying attention to them as they are." (41:36)

• He admires actors like Robert De Niro who eschew being personalities outside role-playing.

11. Technology, Social Media, and AI in Entertainment

(44:01–47:58)

• Both express skepticism about the influence of social media stars and debate whether AI can ever replicate real, surprising performances.

  "How could AI replicate a human and then surprise us? I don't think it could happen. Do you know what I'm saying?" (45:32, Kristin)

• The conversation touches on concerns for younger generations growing up entirely online, referencing The Anxious Generation book and the struggles of maintaining privacy or emotional boundaries.

12. Favorite Actors & Lasting Inspirations

(54:30–55:50)

• Kristin names Meryl Streep and Holly Hunter as idols, recalling the awe of Meryl's performances. Jacob singles out Meryl’s emotional power in films like Ironweed.

  "Whenever she sings. Incredible. It's incredible." (55:04, Kristin)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On body image and acting:

  “I saw some photo of myself...and I thought I looked chunky...I got obsessed with doing unendurable things like running seven miles a day and only buying products that had zero fat.” — Jacob Pitts (05:39)

• On being recognized:

  "Every seven years somebody recognizes me from it or...they're like, 'But you're Sam Jones.'” — Jacob Pitts (28:39)

• On generational shifts:

  “Did these kids grow up with any of that [moral-of-the-story sitcoms]?” — Jacob Pitts (16:49)
  “...we remember life before [the internet]. Right? Thank god. They don't really have a life before all this stuff.” — Kristin Davis (47:57)

• On the purpose of acting:

  “I think that we as actors just have to remain calm, like, remain grounded, try to protect ourselves and keep doing what we do. Because I have to believe that in the end, people are going to be attracted to actual, real storytelling.” — Kristin Davis (45:31)

• On publicity:

  "I've really gotten a lot of respect for Robert De Niro just as a as a public person, because people criticize him for being a terrible interview. But...he's not a personality...that's not what's interesting to him.” — Jacob Pitts (41:36)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:26] – Introduction to Jacob Pitts and his role on SATC
• [05:02–09:40] – Jacob’s struggles with eating disorders while filming
• [11:07] – Reflections on early career and acting school
• [15:27–16:26] – On being young, bold, and ambitious as an actor
• [19:19] – Kristin praises Jacob’s confidence and comedic energy
• [22:00] – First-time experience with an "HBO modesty pouch"
• [27:50–29:12] – Being recognized on the street (or not)
• [33:14–35:04] – The Pacific and other career highlights
• [39:40] – Kristin on sitcom directing wisdom and stage acting
• [41:36] – Jacob on discomfort with publicity/personality culture
• [45:31] – Discussion on AI, authenticity, and the necessity of human storytelling
• [54:30–55:50] – Favorite actors and enduring acting inspirations

Conclusion

In this wide-ranging and heartfelt episode, listeners are treated to insights from both sides of the spotlight: the realities of professional acting, the shifting tides of fame, and the personal cost of creative ambition. Jacob Pitts’ honesty about mental health, fame, and authenticity, matched with Kristin Davis’s empathetic candor, ensures this episode is a must-listen for Sex and the City fans and anyone fascinated by the real lives behind beloved characters.