Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Side Dish: More with Angourie Rice
Date: March 19, 2026
Guest: Angourie Rice (Actor – Mean Girls musical, Spider-Man trilogy, The Last Thing He Told Me)
Location: Crossroads Kitchen, Melrose, Los Angeles
Episode Overview
In this “Side Dish” episode, Jesse Tyler Ferguson shares a relaxed meal and a lively, vulnerable conversation with Angourie Rice. The discussion ranges from starstruck moments with legends like Nicole Kidman and Dolly Parton, to behind-the-scenes experiences on film sets in both Australia and the U.S., personal ambitions, and life as a young actor navigating school and show business. The tone is warm, witty, and peppered with candid admissions and laughter as both actors reflect on their craft, career milestones, and memorable run-ins with Hollywood icons.
Key Points & Insights
1. Being Starstruck and Working with Icons
- Both Jesse and Angourie share stories of meeting or working with some of their idols—including Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Garner, and Dolly Parton.
- Angourie discusses her process for overcoming her nerves and functioning professionally alongside legends.
- Notable Quote (15:09) – Angourie Rice: “You have to let that [starstruck feeling] go in order to, like, do your job properly… But if I saw her again, it would, like, happen all over again.”
- Angourie praises Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Garner as “incredibly kind, open and trusting” (16:40–16:50).
2. The Unique Thrill of Seeing Movies on Film
- Jesse describes a nostalgic experience at the Vidiot’s theater watching Magnolia on actual film, amused by his husband Justin’s generational gaffe about not knowing the word "film" (03:08–04:44).
- Memorable Moment (04:38) – Justin: “What do they call it? …Movie tape?”
Jesse: “It’s called film. Which is also what we call it. We call it a film.”
3. Shooting on Film vs. Digital & Stunt Work
- Angourie recently shot an indie movie (Loser, not yet released) on film, discussing the heightened stakes and lack of playback compared to digital (04:56–05:29).
- Both talk about doing their own stunts:
- Angourie contemplates trying wrestling in 2026, inspired by the physicality of her recent roles (05:48–06:39).
- Jesse tells of climbing trees and embracing intense training for “Cocaine Bear,” and enjoying being pushed outside his comfort zone (07:17–08:20).
- Notable Quote (08:20) – Jesse: “I’ve always thought it would be fun to have to transform my body for something… to push the limits.”
4. Creative Growth, Risk-taking, and Roles
- Angourie admits to usually playing restrained, risk-averse characters but savors opportunities to play messier, freer roles, like in her upcoming rom-com Finding Emily (09:28–10:28).
- Memorable Moment (09:28) – Angourie: “I’m quite a restrained, risk-averse person. That character was so, like, messy and all over the place— which I loved.”
5. Family, Homes, and “The Dolly House”
- Angourie talks about her parents’ support and the experience of living in “the Dolly House”—a home once owned by Dolly Parton while filming (12:22–12:43).
- She recalls being “chosen” by a Dolly impersonator in an audience for “Jolene”—a highlight of her theatergoing (13:18–13:49).
- Memorable Quote (13:41) – Dolly impersonator: “‘I knew this woman once… her name was Jolene. She looked a bit like you.’ And she pointed at me!”
6. Navigating Stardom and Stage-Frontal Experiences
- Jesse describes the unique, secret bond the Modern Family cast formed due to sudden fame:
- “We all became very recognizable very quickly…there was only that group who really understood what it felt like to be the front-facing version of that show” (19:21–20:29).
- Both reflect on the process of grieving when long-running creative projects end:
- Jesse: “I was ready to let that person [character] go and move on… But the relationships last forever.”
7. On-set Differences: Australia vs. US
- Angourie notes in Australia, parental presence is more relaxed for young actors, while in the US, strict rules govern on-set schooling and adult supervision (21:49–23:00).
- Jesse shares about working closely with child actors’ parents on Modern Family to ensure their wellbeing.
8. Schooling as a Young Actor
- Angourie and Jesse both marvel at young actors’ ability to switch from acting to academics between takes:
- Memorable Moment (24:04–24:39) – Jesse: “They would do these scenes and then go off…learning to read or do math or algebra. I would go back to my trailer and… fall asleep. They were learning!”
9. Reflections and Relatable Anecdotes
- Angourie’s story about being driven from school to a movie fitting—a “Beyoncé” moment that elicited zero reaction from her classmates (25:08–25:38).
- Notable Quote (25:26) – Angourie: “I feel so cool right now… I’m basically Beyoncé. …No one cared.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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(04:38) Jesse, about his husband: “It was such a horrid… He’s ten years younger than me—he really couldn’t think of the word. ‘What’s that word again?’”
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(13:41) Angourie, on being singled out in a Dolly musical: “‘She looked a bit like you.’ And she pointed at me, and I was like—me?”
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(15:09) Angourie, on working with legends: “You have to let that [starstruck feeling] go in order to, like, do your job properly.”
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(19:21–20:29) Jesse, on the Modern Family bond: “I had a full-time job for 11 years, which is just unheard of… Only that group really understood what it felt like to be the front-facing version of that show.”
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(24:04–24:39) Jesse, on child actors: “They’d do these scenes and then go off and… do math or algebra and then hop right back into a scene. I would go back to my trailer and fall asleep. They were learning!”
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(25:26) Angourie (on her ‘celebrity’ moment): “I’m basically Beyoncé. …No one cared.”
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Timestamp | Segment Highlights |
|------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 03:08–04:44| Jesse and Angourie discuss the lost magic of watching movies shot and projected on film; generational misunderstandings. |
| 04:56–06:39| Angourie shares about filming a new indie movie on film, the challenges, and her new goal: trying out wrestling. |
| 08:20 | Jesse discusses the thrill of doing his own stunts in “Cocaine Bear.” |
| 09:28–10:28| Angourie reflects on risk-taking in acting and playing messier roles in new projects. |
| 12:22–12:43| Angourie’s story about the “Dolly House” and the aura of Dolly Parton. |
| 13:41–13:49| Angourie’s “Jolene” moment in the audience at a Dolly musical. |
| 15:09 | Letting go of being starstruck to do your job on set. |
| 19:21–20:29| Jesse on the unique family and connection on Modern Family and what it felt like ending. |
| 21:49–23:00| Differences between US and Australian film sets for young actors, especially regarding schooling and parent presence.|
| 24:04–24:39| Young actors balancing scenes and schooling, “I would go back to my trailer and fall asleep. They were learning!” |
| 25:08–25:38| Angourie’s “celebrity” moment at school—“I’m basically Beyoncé. …No one cared.” |
Tone & Style
Playful, open, and self-deprecating, the conversation is welcoming and full of mutual admiration. Both actors revel in swapping stories about Hollywood’s absurdities and their personal ambitions. There’s a through-line of humility and gratitude, especially regarding family, fandom, and the privilege of making art together.
For New Listeners
“Side Dish: More with Angourie Rice” is a charming, candid conversation perfect for fans of celebrity culture, behind-the-scenes insights, and the realities of balancing personal ambition with a demanding industry. Jesse and Angourie delve into the anxiety and excitement of star encounters, the technical nuances of film vs digital, and the support systems that ground them—be it family, old castmates, or a home once graced by Dolly Parton. The episode offers plenty of laughs, wisdom, and relatable moments from two working actors at different points in their journey.
Listen to the full episode for even more stories, warmth, and insight from Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Angourie Rice!
