Podcast Summary: Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Episode: Ali Larter — on leaving L.A. and working with Billy Bob Thornton
Date: January 6, 2026
Recorded at: Mastro’s Steakhouse, Beverly Hills, CA
Episode Overview
In this candid, laughter-filled episode, Jesse Tyler Ferguson sits down for a meal with Ali Larter, known for her roles in Varsity Blues, Heroes, and currently as Angela in Landman. Over Mastro’s signature seafood tower and steaks, they discuss Ali’s move from L.A. to Idaho, working with Billy Bob Thornton and Taylor Sheridan, her early career (including the infamous Esquire “It Girl” hoax), showbiz challenges, and family life. The tone is equal parts intimate, insightful, and light-hearted—exactly the kind of warmth you would expect when “dinner’s on me.”
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The "Landman" Experience
- Chemistry with Billy Bob Thornton
- Ali shares how she’d never met Billy Bob before filming. Their on-set dynamic was immediate, fueled by his authenticity.
“I remember the dinner that we sat down at. It was like, immediately, give me a martini. He’s like ripping through Michelob Ultra and just, you know, smoking like a chimney.” (09:07 — Ali)
- The relationship between their characters evolved from pure conflict to a more nuanced, classic banter reminiscent of old Hollywood romances.
“When we first read it, it was so much fighting and vitriol between us... Billy talks about it a lot, like it’s an old Hollywood romance. The banter is a throwback.” (08:11 — Ali)
- Ali shares how she’d never met Billy Bob before filming. Their on-set dynamic was immediate, fueled by his authenticity.
- On Billy Bob’s Process
- Jesse and Ali discuss his unique, no-rehearsal approach:
“Billy Bob doesn’t like to rehearse... He just doesn’t want anything to happen [off camera]. He wants it all...on camera, you know, manufactured.” (27:55 — Ali)
“You have to just be extraordinarily present...I think that...you can throw me in with a pack of wolves, and I’m gonna find my way.” (29:24 — Ali)
- Jesse and Ali discuss his unique, no-rehearsal approach:
- Taylor Sheridan's Creative World
- Insight into Sheridan’s process and how filming locations support crew stability:
“Because he’s shooting so much in Fort Worth, a lot of our crew will roll from like Landman to the Lioness and have year-round jobs. That’s a quality of life you can give to the crew, which is a huge deal.” (23:29 — Ali)
- Insight into Sheridan’s process and how filming locations support crew stability:
2. Life Changes: Leaving LA for Idaho
- Motivations & Local Reaction
- Ali moved her family to Idaho during the pandemic, seeking authenticity and room for her kids to flourish:
“Idaho’s cool. They don’t care [about Hollywood]. If I can shoot an elk, I’d be the star of this town.” (12:20 — Ali)
- Their social life centers around family and kids, not Hollywood parties:
“We love when the house is packed with families and children are running around...we made decisions for the right reasons.” (13:14 — Ali)
- Ali moved her family to Idaho during the pandemic, seeking authenticity and room for her kids to flourish:
3. Career Origins & The Esquire “It Girl” Hoax
- Early Ambitions & Grit
- Growing up in New Jersey, Ali’s mom hustled her into the city for auditions, fostering both drive and toughness.
- The Esquire Prank
- Ali was cast as “Allegra Coleman,” a fake ingenue in a satirical Esquire profile—Hollywood believed it and suddenly doors opened:
“They basically created a fake It Girl...that was you?”
“Yes...a different name: Allegra Pullman. They wrote about Hollywood’s fixation on making ‘it girls’ and Hollywood bit. I got a manager and then...other doors opened.” (35:28 — Jesse/Ali)
- Ali was cast as “Allegra Coleman,” a fake ingenue in a satirical Esquire profile—Hollywood believed it and suddenly doors opened:
4. Auditioning, Acting, and Staying Real
- On Auditions
- Ali finds auditioning unnatural and prefers real connection:
“Auditioning is really hard for me...it’s not really acting to me. You’re putting on a show for people.” (33:16 — Ali)
- Ali finds auditioning unnatural and prefers real connection:
- First Breaks
- Remembers booking early roles by committing fully:
“I sat on the floor and just went there...it was one of the first moments I felt like I connected as myself to the character.” (37:43 — Ali)
- Remembers booking early roles by committing fully:
- On Glamour & Aging
- Ali values authenticity and envies actresses who age naturally:
“The age we’re living in now, where everyone’s face-tuned and filtered...I look at the women aging so beautifully and gracefully...that’s the path.” (38:23 — Ali)
- Ali values authenticity and envies actresses who age naturally:
5. Iconic Projects: Heroes & Legally Blonde
- Heroes
- Discussion on the ensemble cast, series success, and subsequent chaos:
“First season was incredible...but then it kind of falls apart. Success can be hard for a show, too. Huge ensemble...it was always going to be hard.” (39:32— Ali)
- Discussion on the ensemble cast, series success, and subsequent chaos:
- Legally Blonde
- The enduring charm and cultural impact:
“I remember going through the casting process and just really wanting to play this character...it just cracked me up that she went to jail for liposuction. That was so defining.” (42:20 — Ali)
- Ali expresses gratitude for its longevity and says it’s one of the only films of hers she can show her kids.
- The enduring charm and cultural impact:
6. Personal Life & Partnership
- Meeting her Husband, Hayes MacArthur
- Met while both were working in Austin, solidified their partnership over many summers in Maine:
“He’s such a light...we’ve gone every year for 19 years.” (22:00 — Ali)
- Met while both were working in Austin, solidified their partnership over many summers in Maine:
- Marriage Secrets
- On the key to staying together:
“My father...said, ‘There can be long days; there can be long years. And to hold on.’ ...It’s not romantic advice, but I’m in for the journey with this man.” (45:01 — Ali)
- Humor is essential:
“It’s his sense of humor that just holds us together. It’s nice having funny people...I love being in a house of laughter.” (45:14 — Ali)
- On the key to staying together:
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
-
On the initial Billy Bob dynamic:
“It was kind of like two people dancing around a room for a little bit, like, sniffing each other, you know. And then finally...we just started talking. And he’s so authentic, he’s so real.”
— Ali Larter, 09:07 -
On auditioning:
“Auditioning is really hard for me...you’re not in the moment with another actor. Transcending space and time. You’re performing, which you are good at.”
— Ali Larter, 33:16 -
On life in Idaho:
“If I can shoot an elk, they would have been like, ‘Oh my God, you’re the star of this town.’ No, but that’s not what it was...we fully committed...because we made a choice authentic and true to us, positive things happened.”
— Ali Larter, 12:20 & 13:14 -
On the Esquire hoax:
“Hollywood bit it...I got a manager, and other doors opened...I was charging through like a bull in a china shop my whole life.”
— Ali Larter, 35:28–36:06 -
On Billy Bob Thornton’s approach:
“He just doesn’t want anything to happen [off camera]. He wants it all on camera...He does like three or four takes, and then the man is out.”
— Ali Larter, 27:55–28:16 -
On aging and authenticity:
“I look at a lot of the women aging so beautifully and gracefully...that’s the path: Julianne Moore, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jessica Lange.”
— Ali Larter, 38:23 -
On staying present:
“You have to be extraordinarily present...you can throw me in with a pack of wolves, and I’m gonna find my way.”
— Ali Larter, 29:24
Fun & Memorable Moments
- Seafood Tower Revelry
- Lively eating, especially the “atomic” horseradish:
“That’s the new trick...get the Maestro’s Atomic horseradish. Yum.” (22:34 — Ali)
- Lively eating, especially the “atomic” horseradish:
- Parenthood Comedy
- Jesse shares a story of his son’s dry wit with Nathan Lane and Pam Adlon:
“Nathan goes, ‘hepatitis?’ Beckett’s like, ‘no, a car.’” (46:44 — Jesse)
- Became a running family joke:
“I said, ‘Pam, it didn’t look like you were having fun.’” (47:36 — Jesse)
- Became a running family joke:
- Jesse shares a story of his son’s dry wit with Nathan Lane and Pam Adlon:
- Dinner Table Bonding
- Shared joy about Maine summers, family dinners, and favorite dishes.
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00-03:30 — Jesse’s intro, ambiance of Mastro’s, setting up the meal
- 03:34-13:28 — Welcoming Ali, “Landman” talk, moving to Idaho
- 18:51-24:42 — Meeting her husband, work/life balance, Taylor Sheridan
- 24:56-29:24 — Billy Bob Thornton’s methods, acting processes
- 30:26-38:23 — Early career, Esquire “It Girl” story, authenticity in Hollywood
- 39:01-43:05 — “Heroes,” “Legally Blonde,” impact and legacy
- 44:35-47:29 — Marriage, family humor, heartwarming stories
- 47:45-49:11 — Desserts, closing meal
Episode Takeaway
This episode is a testament to the importance of authenticity—both on screen and in life. Ali Larter opens up about navigating Hollywood’s superfice, finding happiness away from the limelight, and thriving both professionally and personally by holding on to her roots and values. Full of wit, warmth, and wisdom—this conversation is as nourishing as the meal they shared.
Next episode tease: Jesse chats with Eric Stonestreet (“Cam” from Modern Family) about their years working together.