Fitzdog Radio: Kevin Pollak (Episode 1118) – November 26, 2025

Episode Overview

Theme:
Greg Fitzsimmons welcomes the acclaimed actor, comedian, director, and podcaster Kevin Pollak for an engaging, laugh-filled deep dive into Pollak's prolific career, creative process, and personal stories from Hollywood. The episode is an intimate blend of industry insight, comedic banter, and honest reflection, offering listeners a front-row seat to the life and mind of a multi-hyphenate entertainer.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The State of Podcasting & Entertainment Economics

• Podcast Industry Frustrations:
  Greg opens with a comedic but pointed rant about the current streaming-model, how creators aren't compensated adequately by larger platforms like Spotify and YouTube, and the need for podcast hosts to organize for better revenue splits.

  • "We book, produce, perform, edit, deliver content to them, which they air and charge you for, and then don't pay us." — Greg [03:40]

• Pollak’s Nonexistent Hockey Career:
  Greg jokes about "Wikipedia" research mishaps, incorrectly referencing a Kevin Pollak who was a hockey referee, which leads to a humorous clarification.

  • "No, you grew up in Winnipeg, Ontario." — Greg
  • "I've shot three films in Winnipeg...but I didn't grow up with ice hockey." — Kevin [16:01]

Hollywood, Acting, and Staying Relevant

• Kevin's Chameleonic Career:

  • Fitz praises Pollak’s work ethic, noting his extensive filmography and persistent relevance in an industry with diminishing roles.
  • "The business has collapsed. There is no work and somebody forgot to give you the memo." — Greg [21:55]
  • Pollak notes his current work on Tulsa King (Season 3), highlighting how he still lands character roles that put him opposite legends like Sylvester Stallone.

• On Playing Intimidating Characters:

  • Pollak describes how camera angles, wardrobe, and direction allow a not-physically-imposing actor to carry menace on screen.
  • "Camera angle and the right words. Although I was allowed to play with them a little." — Kevin [23:42]

Showbiz Stories & Comedic Roots

• Stand-Up and Meeting Sly Stallone:

  • Pollak recounts his first meeting with Stallone, who instantly recalled Pollak's famous Peter Falk impersonation from his early Carson appearances. Greg highlights the full-circle “origin story” connection.
  • Pollak tells of teaching Johnny Carson how to move one eye like Falk, and about being accosted by Peter Falk in a store afterward, which was a surreal high point.
    • "Two weeks later, produce section at Ralph's, accosted by Peter Falk who had seen the appearance...and asked 'How do you do that with your arm?'" [28:41]

• Hollywood Bumps and Weird Gigs:

  • Pollak reminisces about being bumped from his first Tonight Show by Sammy Davis Jr. and from Letterman by Jack Lemmon, noting the added pain of having to inform friends and family.

Directing, Bulgaria, and "Late Bloomer"

• International Film-Making:
  • Pollak gives behind-the-scenes insight into directing a sex comedy in Bulgaria, wrangling stars like J.K. Simmons, Jane Lynch, and Kumail Nanjiani after multiple script rewrites.
  • The film, Late Bloomer, is based on a true story about a man experiencing puberty at 30 after a tumor is removed.
  • Pollak's directorial approach focused on balancing humor with heart, trying to elevate above pure “sex romp” tropes.

Dinner for Five: Dream Guests

At [35:17] the conversation drifts to the classic hypothetical: Who's at your ultimate dinner for five?
Pollak's evolving picks:

• Johnny Depp (despite confusion whether he's actually one-eyed)
• Bill Murray – "Anytime you have an interaction with him, it's thrill of a lifetime." — Kevin [41:42]
• Steven Spielberg – for his "blockbuster" legacy, having never met him
• James L. Brooks – a personal hero and poker buddy
• Jack Nicholson / later swapped for Albert Brooks, whom Pollak calls his "unicorn comedy hero"

Comedy, Diversity & Inclusivity

• Diversity in Casting:

  • The pair joke about being criticized for non-diverse comedy lineups, both noting the real difficulty in booking top female and POC comedians due to high demand and busy schedules.
    • "The problem I have is what you're suggesting is that I went out of my way not to be inclusive. And fuck you." — Kevin [55:28]

• On "Misery Loves Comedy":

  • Pollak recounts producing a documentary (available on Amazon) about whether misery is essential to be funny, interviewing over 60 comedic icons.

The Grind of Acting and Longevity

• The Numbers Game:

  • Pollak reflects on doing over 170 screen acting jobs—170 acting credits, many as himself (“talk shows count!”)—and how momentum, punctuality, preparation, and being fun made him indispensable.
    • "So that's 33 years...the 90s I did 40 movies...Sam L. Jackson, it was me...you had to have done four movies per year each year of the 90s." — Kevin [60:04]

• On Auditioning:

  • Since A Few Good Men (1992), Pollak gets almost exclusively offers, with The Usual Suspects (1994) being the last project he auditioned for.

Fastball Questions with Fitz (Rapid Fire, [66:43] onward)

• Who plays Kevin in his biopic?
  Considers Paul Giamatti, ultimately suggests Dylan O’Brien (with help remembering his name).
• Have you ever lent a lot of money to a friend?
  Yes—and never expected to see it again, referencing Dana Carvey’s advice. [68:49]
• If you could magically acquire any skill?
  To fly a plane. (Shares stories of being flown by Tom Cruise and Bill Burr.)
• How would you want to die?
  Instantly, but with a story people will remember at the memorial. [74:48]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "If we're not having fun, there's no point of any of this." — Rob Reiner’s lesson to Kevin on set [62:42]

• "On time, know your shit, be prepared, and be fun. Be fun." — Kevin Pollak’s advice to actors [63:20]

• Greg: "How many times during your program have you put a guest through this [dinner for five]?"
  Kevin: "Never before...If there is a comment section, you’re gonna get some comments...This takes up too much time." [46:44]

• Pollak on generosity and lending money:
  "Never see it. And you expected to never see it when you lent it?"
  "Yes." [68:56]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Podcast Industry Rant / Fitz Riffs: [02:00 – 07:00]
• Kevin Pollak Introduction & Career Overview: [13:00 – 15:00]
• Tulsa King, Stallone & Peter Falk Stories: [23:00 – 28:30]
• Directorial Adventures in Bulgaria, "Late Bloomer": [31:00 – 35:00]
• Dinner for Five: Dream Table: [35:17 – 47:00]
• Discussion of Diversity, Stand-Up, Misery Loves Comedy: [54:05 – 56:45]
• Acting, Career Longevity, and Showbiz Grit: [58:20 – 63:20]
• Last Audition / Usual Suspects Origin: [64:00 – 66:40]
• Fastballs with Fitz (Rapid-Fire Q&A): [66:43 – 75:30]
• Closing Reflections: [75:05 – End]

Podcast Tone & Style

Unfiltered, irreverent, deeply personal, and often self-deprecating. Fitzsimmons and Pollak blend industry war stories with offbeat asides, turning even mundane questions into hysterical set-pieces. Their chemistry is that of old comedy comrades with a mutual respect and a shared love for both craft and mischief.

Final Thoughts

This episode captures the hilarious, resilient, and insightful side of Kevin Pollak—showing both the sharp edge and warmth that have defined his career across decades. Less an interview and more a witty, rambling hang, it's a treasure trove of Hollywood history, practical advice, and unapologetic honesty for comedy junkies and fans of storytelling.

Listen if you want:

• Behind-the-scenes tales from stand-up, TV, and film
• A masterclass in longevity and adaptability in showbiz
• To hear two comedy veterans riff about everything from audition horror stories to acting legends, diversity headaches, and the real costs (and rewards) of a lifetime in entertainment