Podcast
Hey, an Actor!
Hosted by The Brothers Wilson · EN
Every month, genuine British brothers Ian and Andy Wilson look at a trio of entries in an actor's filmography to gauge their range, talent, and shoe size.
11episodes
Episodes
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Danny DeVito
Apr 502:57:00Tap to summarizeThe 2026 slate for Hey, an Actor! inevitably starts with a well-known comedic actor of Hollywood pedigree: New Jersey's greatest short man, Danny DeVito. The Brothers Wilson skillfully navigate his Taxi sitcom days by covering his film dedicated to his former co-star, Andy Kaufman, in Man on the Moon, as well as one of his first post-Taxi cinematic supporting roles in Romancing the Stone, and his directorial effort in bringing Roald Dahl's Matilda to the silver screen. Along the way, Pandy introduces a new character, Ian learns a new synonym for "taint," and Jerry Lawler is discussed just enough not to worry the podcast's legal budget. Oh, and there's a song parody that sounds unintentionally Muppet-esque.
Transcribe →John C Reilly
Feb 2202:23:49Tap to summarizeYou know how Christmas comes later each yeah? Well, The Brothers Wilson take this concept to the extreme with Hey, An Actor's End of Year 2025 special in mid-February 2026! With customary apologies, the episode contains what you've come to love and expect with outtakes, Christian's Casting Challenge, and the Tomlinson Awards. Beyond that, the hosts also set the episode around the filmography of the multi-faceted John C Reilly. On the docket are the music biopic mockumentary Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and his most famous double team project with Will Ferrell in Stepbrothers. How do the actual brothers feel about these films and life in general? Find out by listening in before normal service resumes!
Transcribe →Robert De Niro
Dec 2002:44:41Tap to summarizeA rare sighting of The Brothers Wilson means it's time for another Hey, an Actor! And the podcast finally returns to a true Hollywood heavyweight as it scratches the surface of the illustrious career of the legendary Robert De Niro. In a triple-helping of collaborations with his directing soulmate Martin Scorsese, Ian and Pandy examine the poorly received King of Comedy, the career milestone of Taxi Driver, and the gangster paradise represented by Goodfellas, as chosen by the listeners. Along the way, discussion veers between dream sequence endings, Scorsese nepotism, Jim Bowen, and Pandy profiling a little-known pop culture figure known as The Joker. Also, which of the three featured films receives Pandy's special ire, Halloween-style?
Transcribe →Jamie Foxx
Sep 2802:31:34Tap to summarizeAfter a shock hiatus, The Brothers Wilson have returned to not only bring you up to speed with their summer, but also to shine their latest spotlight on Jamie Foxx. There are some unfortunate turns of phrase by the hosts when assessing Foxx's Oscar-winning turn in the Ray Charles biopic Ray, then one host waxes lyrical about the moral shades of grey on display within crime thriller Law Abiding Citizen. And, to finish off, the podcast returns to the oeuvre of Quentin Tarantino as Foxx takes on the titular role within Django Unchained. There's a new jingle based upon Ian's insistence that film critics be referred to, whilst Pandy tries to get some new phrases off the ground and into the popular zeitgeist. Also, we head into the next episode with only two films firmly in mind.
Transcribe →Catherine Zeta-Jones
Jun 2201:58:26Tap to summarizeHey, an Actor! covers the Welsh legend Catherine Zeta-Jones. On the eve of commencing his 5th decade, Ian joins Pandy to discuss three of her Hollywood films that kicked off and cemented her stardom, having escaped Wales for fear of being typecast. There's the spooky (?) thriller The Haunting, the swashbuckling Mexican folktale The Mask of Zorro, and her Oscar-winning crime musical Chicago. They also discuss how Ian plans to celebrate his (then) upcoming birthday in a way that links to a previously covered story, and there's a brand new catchy jingle that is sure to be the hit of the summer. Plus: which character in Chicago was Pandy referred to as a teenager? What adjective is used to describe Bob Kane? And, what month is it anyway?
Transcribe →Gene Wilder
Feb 23, 202502:34:25Tap to summarizeThe first episode proper of 2025 is dedicated the legendary comic actor and chocolatier Gene Wilder. As well as referring to previous films covered on HAA, Ian and Pandy examine the classic spoof horror Young Frankenstein, prison-rodeo comedy Stir Crazy, and iconic children's book adaptation Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Along the way, they discuss how important a performer he was to various groups, his amazing legacy in comedy, and his notable collaborations with Mel Brooks and Richard Prior. What links one of the covered films to Breaking Bad? Where do all these ghosts keep coming from? Does anyone else remember Scratchy and Co.? Plus: in this episode, The Brothers discuss Oompah Loompah slavery issues, and there's a callback to a certain someone's favorite actor.
Transcribe →Sir Ridley Scott
Jan 26, 202503:15:32Tap to summarizeHey, an Actor! caps off 2024 in 2025 (whoops) by looking at the Tomlinson award-winner for 2024 in 2023, however confusing that might be: Sir Ridley Scott. Subject to one or two thousand bad Geordie impressions by the host who doesn't live in the north east of England, The Brothers Wilson specifically review 1985 fantasy nonsense film Legend, as well as 2012 Alien franchise prequel nonsense Prometheus, before turning the spotlight on the man who directed Alien, Blade Runner, and House of Gucci. As an end of year special, your favorite features are included: outtakes, The Tomlinson Awards, and Christian's Casting Challenge. But the hosts also find time for firing a semi-regular character (and facing recriminations), Ian's memories of podcast reviews from 2012, and Pandy's research into how well AI really knows about the podcast. Listen in and enjoy. If you don't, the hosts may well be replaced by Michael Bell and Paul Salt.
Transcribe →Dame Maggie Smith, Part II
Dec 29, 202402:38:49Tap to summarizeDid someone say Dame O'clock? No? Well, either way, Maggie Smith is The Brothers Wilson's final subject in The Year of Redux. This time, they delve more into her early work that brought her acclaim and awards in the form of problematic Shakespeare adaption Othello, her Oscar-winning performance in the multi-story showcase California Suite, and one of her high-profile later-life turns in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Along the way, The Brothers discuss just how far a black-face performance impacts a critically acclaimed piece, get their Errols mixed up, and prepare for their upcoming 2024 recap episode. Get your Tomlinson votes in!
Transcribe →Tom Hanks, Part II
Nov 23, 202402:30:46Tap to summarizeAs The Year of Redux begins to wind down, The Brothers Wilson revisit America's favorite actor: Tom Hanks. Since his last Hey, an Actor! appearance, he's been acting more, producing more, and become one of the earliest celebrities to contract COVID ahead of the pandemic. Rather than dwell, this episode focuses upon his sophomore Oscar win as the titular Forrest Gump, portraying the famous man in The Da Vinci Code, and embodying Mr. Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Along the way, Ian offers up a treat for fans of niche British comedy from the mid 90s, Pandy reminisces about educational toys, and the acceptability of the name Gavin is contemplated. Also brace yourself for feedback both foul and fair, a Junior Wilson once again making a cameo appearance, and a major announcement of a new tentacle of HAA audio goodness!
Transcribe →Faye Dunaway, Part II
Oct 12, 202402:30:00Tap to summarizeThe Year of Redux carries on apace as The Brothers Wilson revisit the career of Faye Dunaway. Rather than look at the decline of her career, Ian and Pandy choose instead to review why she was such a star in the first place by considering her New Hollywood breakthrough role within Bonnie and Clyde, her rubbing shoulders with the biggest British stars of the 1970s in the comedic retelling of The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers: Milady's Revenge, and her starring role opposite Jack Nicholson in the famed detective noir flick Chinatown. Amongst the serious critical reviews for which the podcast is famous, this episode also boasts cameos from Pandy's children, recalls Ian's favorite memories of watching the films in question, and delves into Thai wedding celebrations!
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