Vince Vaughn Talks New Netflix Movie, "Nonnas"

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist" Featuring Vince Vaughn

Episode: Vince Vaughn Talks New Netflix Movie, "Nonnas"
Host: Willie Geist
Release Date: May 4, 2025

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1. Introduction to Vince Vaughn and "Nonnas" ([01:30] - [03:33])

Willie Geist opens the episode by introducing Vince Vaughn, highlighting his illustrious career that began with the iconic 1996 film Swingers. Willie emphasizes Vince's transition from comedic roles in movies like Old School, Dodgeball, and Wedding Crashers to his latest project, the more dramatic and heartfelt Netflix film Nonnas.

Notable Quote:

"Vince Vaughn doesn't need much of an introduction. You fell in love with him in 1996 with Swingers, that classic independent that made him a star." ([01:30])

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2. Exploring "Nonnas" – Inspiration and Real-Life Roots ([03:33] - [06:53])

The conversation delves into Nonnas, a film based on the true story of Joe Scarravella, portrayed by Vince Vaughn. The movie centers around Joe's tribute to his late mother, Maria, by opening Enoteca Maria on Staten Island in 2007. The unique concept involves hiring real Italian grandmothers—nonas—to prepare authentic family recipes, fostering a sense of community and preserving cultural traditions.

Key Points:

• Authenticity: Vince expresses his admiration for the genuine approach of featuring nonas who are excellent home cooks rather than professional chefs.
• Community Impact: The restaurant serves as a familial hub, connecting diverse communities through shared culinary experiences.
• Emotional Resonance: The film not only honors Joe’s mother but also sheds light on the broader theme of community and cultural preservation.

Notable Quote:

"It was refreshing that his driving force was creating an experience and to create an atmosphere that he was, you know, interested and curious in with not really any kind of plan to monetize it, which is sort of odd in today's culture." ([05:04])

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3. Building an Esteemed Cast and Collaborating with Legends ([06:53] - [10:10])

Willie and Vince discuss the assembling of an impressive cast for Nonnas, including renowned actors Lorraine Bracco, Susan Sarandon, Talia Shire, and Brenda Vaccaro. Vince highlights the honor and excitement of working alongside such esteemed talents, drawing parallels to classic films like The Godfather and Goodfellas.

Key Points:

• Art Imitating Life: The ensemble cast brings authenticity and depth to the narrative, enriching the film’s portrayal of familial bonds.
• Shared Experiences: Vince reflects on his past collaborations and how working with seasoned actors has influenced his approach to storytelling.

Notable Quote:

"It felt like art imitating life. I mean, here you have these incredible actors and the movie really is highlighting and showcasing them in a lot of ways." ([07:05])

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4. Personal Reflections: Cooking, Family, and Cultural Heritage ([10:10] - [13:29])

The discussion shifts to Vince’s personal relationship with cooking and his Italian heritage. Although not a natural cook, Vince shares how his upbringing around his grandmother’s cooking influenced his appreciation for food and family traditions. He also touches upon his grandfather’s immigrant background from Naples, emphasizing the importance of cultural roots in shaping his character both on and off-screen.

Key Points:

• Cultural Influence: Vince’s Italian-American background plays a significant role in his life and the authenticity he brings to Nonnas.
• Family Dynamics: Reflecting on his own family, Vince appreciates the balance of humor and love, reminiscent of the relationships portrayed in Nonnas.

Notable Quote:

"Having that, I guess it feels like family because you're cooking family recipes." ([04:50])

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5. Vince Vaughn's Early Career and Breakthrough with "Swingers" ([15:01] - [24:28])

Vince recounts his journey from participating in musical theater during his youth to struggling as an actor in Los Angeles. Despite facing numerous rejections and financial constraints, Vince’s resilience and passion for acting led him to collaborate with Jon Favreau on Swingers, which ultimately catapulted his career.

Key Points:

• Persistence: Vince highlights the importance of perseverance in the face of setbacks, illustrating how Swingers was born out of necessity and creativity.
• Friendship and Collaboration: The strong bond with Jon Favreau was pivotal in creating a film that resonated with audiences, emphasizing the power of collaboration.
• Cultural Impact: Swingers not only launched Vince’s career but also influenced the slang and cultural vernacular of the time.

Notable Quote:

"We were crazy enough to think that people would really like it." ([25:28])

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6. Transitioning Between Genres and Evolving as an Actor ([24:28] - [33:56])

Vince discusses his deliberate shift from light-hearted comedies to more substantial roles in films like Jurassic World and television series such as Cool, Dry Place. He reflects on the challenges and rewards of breaking away from his established comedic persona to explore diverse characters.

Key Points:

• Versatility: Emphasizing his desire to not be typecast, Vince explores different genres to showcase his range as an actor.
• Creative Control: By choosing projects like The Breakup, which he wrote, Vince takes control of his narrative, aiming to subvert typical romantic comedy tropes.
• Impact of Early Roles: While his comedic roles were pivotal, Vince values the depth and fulfillment gained from more dramatic performances.

Notable Quote:

"I wanted to do something different in the genre. And I also knew I had this kind of Persona. And so it was a way for me to kind of also break that Persona and give an odd twist of what your expectations would be." ([33:56])

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7. Parenting Philosophy and Encouraging Diverse Interests ([33:56] - [44:12])

Vince shares his insights on parenting, emphasizing the importance of allowing children to explore varied interests without societal pressures to conform. He encourages nurturing a child's curiosity and embracing failures as part of their growth, drawing parallels to his own diverse experiences during his youth.

Key Points:

• Encouraging Exploration: Advocating for a well-rounded upbringing where children can engage in multiple activities, fostering creativity and resilience.
• Balancing Expectations: Vince warns against the current societal pressures for academic and extracurricular perfection, promoting a more relaxed and supportive environment.
• Learning from Experiences: Sharing his own childhood experiences, Vince underscores the value of diverse activities in shaping a confident and adaptable individual.

Notable Quote:

"Don't try to fit into what's accepted by the group in the moment. Be curious and allow yourself that permission to explore." ([17:00])

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8. Future Projects and Personal Growth ([44:12] - [54:14])

In the later segments, Vince talks about his upcoming projects, including Season Two of Bad Monkey, and reflects on his personal growth and the cyclical nature of the entertainment industry. He discusses the challenges of maintaining authenticity while evolving his craft and the continuous learning process involved in storytelling.

Key Points:

• Upcoming Work: Excitement about Season Two of Bad Monkey, anticipating new storylines and character development.
• Industry Cycles: Observing how genres like comedy and horror ebb and flow in popularity, Vince remains optimistic about the future of diverse storytelling.
• Personal Connections: Emphasizing the profound impact his work has on audiences, Vince cherishes the genuine connections formed through his films and series.

Notable Quotes:

"I think resilience is the best thing anyone can have. If you like something and you're willing to keep going at it." ([23:00])

"It was a one-way street. His face is blank." ([42:25])

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9. Meeting Joe Scaravella and Final Reflections ([54:08] - [54:54])

The episode concludes with Vince and Willie taking a stroll outside Enoteca Maria, where they meet Joe Scaravella, the real-life inspiration behind Nonnas. Joe shares anecdotes about the restaurant's early days, the community's overwhelming support, and the emotional impact of seeing his story portrayed on screen. Vince expresses his admiration for Joe's resilience and the heartfelt nature of the film.

Key Points:

• Community Support: Joe recounts the heartfelt response from the community, showcasing the genuine connections fostered by Enoteca Maria.
• Emotional Resonance: The film’s ability to capture the essence of Joe’s journey and its universal themes of loss and community is lauded.
• Vince’s Gratitude: Vince extends his appreciation to Joe and the nonas who made Nonnas a reality, celebrating the film's success and its cultural significance.

Notable Quote:

"When you first opened, was it challenging to get people to come or do people like it? Pretty immediately." ([48:12])

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Conclusion

In this engaging episode of Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist, Vince Vaughn offers an insightful exploration into his latest project, Nonnas, while reflecting on his diverse career and personal philosophies. The conversation underscores the importance of authenticity, community, and resilience both in the film industry and personal life. Vince’s candid discussions provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the man behind the characters, his dedication to meaningful storytelling, and his commitment to fostering genuine connections through his work.

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End of Summary

Transcript

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[Willie Geist]

Hey guys, Willie Geist here with another episode of the Sunday Sit down podcast. My thanks as always for clicking and listening along. I am thrilled to bring you my conversation this week with a true icon of American comedy. He is Vince Vaughn. Vince Vaughn doesn't need much of an introduction. You fell in love with him in 1996 with Swingers, that classic independent that made him a star. Written by his buddy Jon Favreau, who also co starred with him, it launched a career that includes movies like Old School Dodgeball, Wedding Crashers, the Breakup, Fred Claus, Couples Retreat, Four Christmases, cameos in Anchorman, Anchorman 2, all those quotable lines that you know so well. And now the 55 year old father of two, Vince Vaughn is starring in a movie that's a little more dramatic, a little sweeter in its tone. It is called Nonnas. It's based on the true story of a man named Joe Scarravella, who he plays in the movie. Joe's mother, Maria, was a true Nona, an Italian grandmother, an incredible cook. He wanted to honor her after her passing, so he started and opened a restaurant called Enateca Maria on Staten island in New York. The idea behind it, when he opened it 18 years ago in 2007, was to have Nonnas in the kitchen just like he had at home. So he hired grandmothers who were great cooks just at home, not professional chefs to make these meals. And it's been a hit. It's a beautiful story. Vince plays the lead. So he and I got together where else to sit down but at Enoteca Maria. So we are sitting in this conversation right in the scene of this film where he plays Joe himself. So I won't say anything more. You know Vince Vaughn, you love Vince Vaughn. You know his career. Really thoughtful guy, really smart guy. Obviously a really hilarious guy. So sit back, relax, and enjoy. Now my conversation on the Sunday sit down podcast with Vince Vaughn.

[Vince Vaughn]

Vince, thanks for doing this, man. Good to be with you two guys. A little table in an Italian restaurant.

Small Italian restaurant table. That's exactly right.

Kind of tucked into a two top.

Makes us feel comfy.

But we're here for a really good reason. Yeah, for your movie. We're just talking about Nona's, which is. Man, I loved it. It was so sweet. So much heart. Comes at a good time. Amazing cast.

Amazing cast.

Were you familiar with what is a true story or how did you come to it originally?

Yeah, you know, I wasn't at all. Joe's here, we're at his restaurant. This is in Staten Island. And the concept was to have real grandmothers, Italian grandmothers, to be the chefs. And so it was so moving to me when I read it that you had these older women that got a chance to come and do something they had done to nurture their families through cooking and their history and to get a spotlight put on them and to be appreciated at a stage of life where sometimes that isn't happening.

Yeah. And it is. It's a true story. And he's been here a long time. This is. We're just saying this isn't like a gimmicky thing. This is an established restaurant. That model really works to have the nonnas in the back. People really connect to it.

Yeah. It's like a fabric of the neighborhood because it's been here and. That's. Right. Having that, I guess it feels like family because you're cooking family recipes.

So do you. When you were talking to Joe, did you. What's it like, I guess to play a guy who has this real life story? In other words, how do you approach that differently than a fictional role?

Yeah. So where this was concerned, I was just really curious, like, what was his passion and what was his plan behind it? And so it was refreshing because I remember I came, I sat at that counter with the other actor who plays my best friend, Joe Manganiello, and his friend Bruno was here. And so I was asking him, and he was so not concerned with the business plan. I think the place is only open three days a week. And I was saying, are you going to do other stuff? And he was on to his next idea. It was really about creating the experience. He wanted that experience. You know, the highlighting of the nonnas, but also the feeling that the restaurant created. It's since progressed from being Italian grandmothers to be called nonas of the world. So he'll have a Greek grandmother come in, a Japanese grandmother come in and sharing their recipes. And it was just sort of refreshing that his driving force was creating an experience and to create an atmosphere that he was, you know, interested and curious in with not really any kind of plan to monetize it, which is sort of odd in today's culture. And that's what I took from him was someone who had a vision for something in the film. Stephen Chbosky, the director, and his wife Liz actually wrote it. And she put some of her own experience being an Italian American, but also the grieving of a parent. And so it's that stage of life where you lose a parent, someone you're close to, and then you're searching to create that family or that community. What does that look like now? How do I keep that love and that feeling that I was raised with and sort of share that with other people? And I think in a version of that, in Joe's life, it was that how do you. With food and with restaurant and community, how do we create something that feels connective and not just a place where I'm just, you know, going to eat.

A movie called Nona's has to have a bunch of nonnas.

[Unknown Guest]

Yes.

[Vince Vaughn]

And my gosh, the cast that you guys assembled, I mean, Lorraine Bracco, Susan Sarandon, Talia Shire and Brenda Vaccaro.

[Unknown Guest]

Yes.

[Vince Vaughn]

Icons across the board. You had to be thrilled when you heard those four names on the call sheet.

Yeah, it was Murderous Row. And it felt like art imitating life. I mean, here you have these incredible actors and the movie really is highlighting and showcasing them in a lot of ways. And so I just had a ton of questions. Thelma and Louise, Godfather, Goodfellas. Yeah, I just was. They were so lovely and fun to work with, but I was really just, you know, a fan trying to get some behind the scenes info.

Yeah, that's interesting. So do you do that? Like, even when you're like getting ready.

For a scene, you're like, I just worked with Pacino. And so the whole time I was like. Because I had worked with Robert Duvall before and the stories from the Godfather, which are now more known are so funny to me because they were laughing and joking. They were mooning each other. You know, like, you see these powerful scenes and they were like, oh, no, we've heard this is happening. Or there was cue cards over here for Marlon. So I always love hearing kind of the, you know, the process and how do they go about doing stuff. And I think there's something for our generation. We were always really had a lot of respect for the people that came before us. I felt like I learned a lot. You know, we loved the movies that were prior to us and how things were done. And so I've never lost that. I still have a great respect and curiosity for, you know, the generations prior.

Yeah, I mean, it was just fun to watch them together too. It was like watching an All Star game or something. Right. Sitting around a table or in the kitchen together. It was really fun. Do you cook? I mean, is this. Was this a natural for you?

No, I had to do some lessons for this to get the technique down. My mom would laugh, actually. But I do some now. Having kids, I'm sort of forced to. I was sharing with you. My mom would cook and my grandmother was raised in the house with me, so she would cook too. And I remember like getting called in from playing outside and never really wanting to go in. And I'd always be late. They'd be so mad at me. How did I let the food sit? And then as you get older, if I just make a grilled cheese sandwich, I feel the same way. I'm like, guys, this thing's getting cold. You know, because you realize, I mean, I think in a way filmmaking is a little bit like. Like being a chef or cooking because there's so much time and energy and detail to go into the preparation and then it's kind of over. Right. The reason you do both, I think, is to share it with people and for people to enjoy it. But there's a lot of energy that goes into doing it. Right. So it is annoying when someone's not putting the energy to eat it at the right time. How about you? Do you. Do you cook quite a bit?

I do grilling. I wouldn't say I'm a great cook. My wife's a good cook. She has. My mother in law is a. No, no. So she's got that. She's got that Italian energy in the kitchen.

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah.

[Vince Vaughn]

There's like black magic going on.

Yeah.

They don't want you around.

No, no. When they're stirring the bubbling pot, you better back away.

Right? Yeah.

So I'm okay out on the grill, but in. In the kitchen, not as much. Yeah. Did you have. I know your father's an immigrant from Naples.

My. My mom's dad is from Naples.

That's what I meant to say. Sorry. Your grandfather. I meant to say my grandfather is.

Yeah. First generation from Naples.

So do you have sort of a Nona or. No, no. Figure in your life, somebody you look to in this way?

Yeah. It was interesting because I had such a different. I think a lot of us Americans, I had very different pieces of my background. So I definitely. Her side of the family was very unique. He had the big tie, like to go to the race track, you know, was a pawnbroker, you know, so there was. I definitely was around that as a kid and my mom definitely as a big hand talker. And I would know if she was mad, but we would get past it very quickly.

Right?

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah.

[Vince Vaughn]

Right.

Is your mother in law the same?

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah.

[Vince Vaughn]

Yeah. Oh, yeah. You know, when she has the floor.

Yeah, right. But then it burns off. It doesn't linger.

It's all right.

Which is kind of nice.

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah.

[Vince Vaughn]

And also when she has the floor, it's kind of nice. She's telling a story or sharing something with family or what? It's. You let the Nona at the head of the table. She made the meal, she's got the glass of wine. It's her show.

That's right.

You're just kind of like supporting actors.

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah, exactly.

[Vince Vaughn]

In that broader show.

Exactly.

I'm curious. You must have so many things that come across your desk in terms of projects you could do. You're in the middle of Bad Monkey right now. Incredible movie ideas. What was it about this that made you say, yeah, I'm gonna stop, maybe be away from my kids for a while and take this on?

You know, I do think being raised with my grandmother, I felt so fortunate to get her wisdom. It's an interesting relationship because they're not really parenting you. There's just. It's a different stage of life. So I don't know if we talked a little about this. I've always felt so connected to a lot of the sacrifices that came before me. I think that even being an actor, like, who would have thought that you could have a career? You know, you just did a job to feed your family. So I always felt so grateful for the journeys that they went through, and I was aware of it. So I really got moved when I read the script and the way that it was really focusing on these grandmothers, these Matriarchs of a family that did so much and loved people and that they get to continue that process, this craft that they're great at, which is cooking and still loving to feed people and create that atmosphere. So I really like movies that are stories. I'm not much on message stuff like a movie that says littering is bad. You know, we all know littering is bad. I don't need to go learn that littering is bad. But I like something that's dealing with a stage of life and trying to explore it authentically. And in this case, you're dealing with someone who loses his mom and is trying to figure out, you know, what's next. And I think that's something that everyone can go through. And one of the, Stephen Chbosky who did the movie wonder, he's got a great touch with these, with these kinds of things. I think there's something that we connect to in seeing someone go through that, in the laughter, the pain. You know, if you go through that in a way where you're exploring it, I think there's something like a campfire story where we learn a little bit about ourselves or that experience or at least share. See someone else sharing something that we, that we understand.

By the way, the Littering is Bad movie bombed at the box office.

Yeah, I know. It won a lot of awards. People, people really were impressed with the, with the production value. The editing was amazing. It turns out audiences didn't need to know that littering was bad, but it.

Was an important film.

It was an important film.

[Willie Geist]

Hey guys, thanks for listening to the Sunday Sit down podcast. Stick around to hear more from Vince Vaughn right after the break.

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[Willie Geist]

Welcome back. Now more of my conversation with Vince Vaughn.

[Vince Vaughn]

Okay, so we're talking about family here.

Yes.

I want to go back to your early days in the Chicago area.

[Unknown Guest]

Yes.

[Vince Vaughn]

I'm curious where this idea of performance and acting came for you and what excited you about it.

Yeah. You know, both my parents worked, so they put me in stage. I played sports and acting. I was in, believe it or not, it was musical theater, but it was all kids playing the parts. So I would play Daddy war books. There wasn't as many guys and Annie would be older than me. So it was crazy, you know, but it was just. I kind of enjoyed it. And for some reason I thought it was going well. I get a good response. So I just kept doing it. And then I started, you know, going to the city and training more seriously, and I got some parts. I cut school one time and got a part in this audition for this, like, what would have been almost like an after school special. Then I did commercials. And so eventually I just said, After 18, I really liked it. And it seemed to be going well because I was working. I thought, well, go to Los Angeles because that's where they're making these. But I never had a plan like, well, I'm going to strategize and be in movies. I just thought, I'm getting paid and I like it. And each, like when I got a Chevy commercial, that felt like a major break.

Teenager.

And then when I called my. If I could call my mom and say, I have a line on 21 Jump street, you know, that felt like a big deal. So I don't know for you if it was similar, but wasn't it always just the next step?

Incremental?

Incremental. Well, you start off as a producer behind the scenes.

People always think there's some great plan. How do I do it? What's the road? You can't replicate what either of us have done to get to this.

Once you get excited in an area, you'll meet people.

[Unknown Guest]

People.

[Vince Vaughn]

You'll find jobs you didn't know exist. But you just have to commit to the area that you're interested in.

One of the things I've heard you talk about, which I find interesting and so true, and I Think I have some of this, too, I'm trying to give to my son. Is that sort of diversifying a little bit who you are as a kid? Which is to say you did play sports. You were the president of your class.

[Unknown Guest]

Yes.

[Vince Vaughn]

But you were also in theater. In other words, you don't have to pick the lane and be that. You can be all those things, and it benefits you in the long run, does it not, to know those different.

Pockets of people so much so. And I played Dungeons and Dragons. I mean, I was fortunate that I think I realized at a young age that a real friend let you be who you are. That there was pressure sometimes. Like, why are you doing that? But most kids I remember as a kid, I don't know if you ever had this feeling. I was a little late maturing, so I would be like, in a store with my mom, and I would still be. Go to the toy aisle. And you kind of, like, get excited for a toy. But then if boys that were older than you came down the aisle, you, like, put it back quickly or be like, mom, are you sure this is the one? My younger brother wants? Like, you know that feeling. And I think if you can avoid that and say yes to the things that you're curious about and it's good advice for your son. Don't try to fit into what's accepted by the group in the moment. Be curious and allow yourself that permission to explore. And everything doesn't have to be connected to how am I gonna make a living or have a job. It can just, you know, it's like wax on, wax off. You thought you were exploring something and enjoying it, and it turned out that that became useful when you. When you did pick a lane.

That's right.

That's right.

Yeah. I think it can be hard for a kid in the moment to have that kind of perspective that you and I are talking about, because it's socially important to be with these kids or.

At that point, party, whatever, once you've done. And I understand it, you know, we all feel that way. But we were talking a little bit before filming, and I have kids. Yours are just a little bit ahead of mine. I have one entering high school. You have one going in the next phase, the time that they have to check the boxes. I didn't have any of that. And I tell my kids, I don't know how you were. I'm like, you don't have to get a straight A. Like, if you try to do your work, that's great, but it's an Opportunity cost to the stuff that we're talking about. I felt like I had so much more grace.

Yes.

To just discover stuff. But we also had jobs, which I really enjoyed. Did you have jobs in the summer?

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Deliver pizza. Renato's pizza. Went to New Jersey.

Yeah.

In my jeep. CJ7.

Didn't you love that feeling?

Of course.

Did your kids have jobs?

Yeah. They're lifeguarding.

I did lifeguard camp.

Counselors.

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah.

[Vince Vaughn]

That's great.

Yeah. I did landscaping for three years.

Something about getting a check is different than getting a good grade because you actually did a job.

That's right.

And it gives you a self confidence.

Yes.

You get a paycheck.

Yes.

You have to sit and talk about the value of a dollar.

That's right.

If you say, well, this is your money. Do what you want this summer. So I feel the one thing as a parent I'm conscious of is it's like an arms race to get into college. And you don't want to be so results driven.

Totally.

It's a challenging time. I think our parents were not. We didn't even talk to our parents about this.

No. And it's also like, slow down and enjoy high school. This is not an end. It's not a means to an end. Enjoy the experience. Take it all in. Say yes to things.

But the movies were saying that to us.

Yeah.

The John Hughes movies told us that it all goes by quickly. You better have some fun.

That's right.

Now the messaging's different. You better sacrifice everything to get that a right.

[Unknown Guest]

Right.

[Vince Vaughn]

Like, but our movies were saying, go play hooky.

Yes.

Breakfast Club. You're not so different from the person. Realize you have more in common than not.

Yeah.

Right. There was a humanit connective humanity to the journey that at least the art at the time was saying, it's okay to be a person. And.

Yeah.

Wasn't that the whole thing with Cameron?

Yes.

That he was happy that the car got destroyed because now his dad was going to have to see who he was and have an honest conversation.

Yes.

I mean, I don't know. I still kind of. I still believe those things.

Yeah. I miss those movies.

I.

Maybe they exist and I'm old enough that I don't see them.

But I don't like that way. I was fortunate enough to know John. He was a terrific guy. And he was from the area, Lake Forest. But those messages. I think we're celebrating and telling kids it's okay to be an individual.

Yeah.

You know, it was such a different Message. But everything around where I live is all about almost competing with your neighbor.

That's right.

They're nervous to get into the right high school.

I know.

It's so crazy.

Kindergarten, depending where you live.

Isn't that true? True. Who's interviewing a 5 year old?

It's happening.

At least be a background check before that happens. Like I'm not allowed in the room for my 5 year old to talk about what they want for their future. Like, it's crazy.

I know. And they got like a, you know, a legal pad out watching them play. What are you writing down?

What is going on?

[Unknown Guest]

It's so true.

[Vince Vaughn]

It's crazy.

It is crazy.

Well, I let us down that path, but I just thought it was such an interesting and important thing.

Yeah. Well, how was it for you? You didn't come from a background where journalism would have have been.

Well, my dad was a writer, so.

[Unknown Guest]

Right.

[Vince Vaughn]

He was at the trip. Chicago trip, the New York Times. So I had that. But there was never a push toward that.

Do you think part of it. Were you very close with your dad?

Very. Yeah.

Do you think part of it was because you dug your dad? You were excited by what he did?

Yes.

I think that's nice.

And not in a way where he was applying pressure, but in a way where I watched his life.

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah.

[Vince Vaughn]

And he liked traveling and meeting people and talking to people, all those things. So it was something that, you know, I guess subconsciously, like a family. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's very nice.

Yes. He'd be very proud of you.

Oh, thank you. I hope so.

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah.

[Vince Vaughn]

He's a good dude.

Has to be.

You too. Your parents, I'm sure, right? Do they ever.

Yes, but not really. Was your debt the same way? Maybe that's why I worked so hard.

[Unknown Guest]

No.

[Vince Vaughn]

They were very loving, both my parents, but it wasn't like they were fawning over me at every stage. No, no.

My mom or so dad's a Midwestern guy from downstate Illinois. You know, it's like that would be.

A lot supportive if he gave you a thumbs up. Like you'd hold back tears because you never got like. That was an incredible piece. You know what I mean?

The lip would quiver.

I know. Totally.

I did it. I finally did it. Yeah, totally. So back to you. So you get to la.

[Unknown Guest]

Yes.

[Vince Vaughn]

You got a little bit of money in your pocket from the commercials. You could go do the LA thing at a pretty young age.

[Unknown Guest]

Yes.

[Vince Vaughn]

But I was doing the math and there's a pretty good stretch of time before you Get Rudy.

Right.

So what are those three, four, five years like for you, finding your way in la?

Well, it was a wake up call. I was able to get an agent right away, but I wasn't booking stuff as regularly as I was in Chicago. And Chicago was more of a blessing than I realized because the training in Chicago was really good. But it wasn't like you were going to get discovered to be on a pilot. It was really just about being good in what you were doing that night or the classes. But I think resilience is the best thing anyone can have. If you like something and you're willing to keep going at it. I was happy. Like there was a lot of rejection, but I was doing what I liked. I look back now, I had an apartment that I paid 500 bucks a month. I mean, you couldn't find that nowadays, you know, for rent. So I was in acting classes, I was going on auditions. I had a Thomas Guide before you could put stuff in Wayne. So I was trying to figure out neighborhoods. I made friends with people that were in the same industry. So it was about six years or so, I think, before Rudy and then Swingers. But I was just committed to getting better. I don't know, there was times I screen tested for stuff and didn't get it. And of course that's hard. But thankfully, for some reason, I don't know why, looking back, I don't know if you do. I kind of was just, no, plan B. I'm gonna keep trying to get better at this. And then obviously with Swingers was something that we created because we weren't necessarily getting hired.

Right.

So it sort of motivated us to create our own thing, which turned out to be, you know, a good thing, ultimately.

Isn't that interesting that the thing you had to do to move things along was the thing that became the movie that changed your life?

[Unknown Guest]

Yes.

[Vince Vaughn]

Because it was real and authentic and you guys were doing it the way you wanted to do it.

Correct.

When you were making that sort of Run and Gun style, making that movie.

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah.

[Vince Vaughn]

I'm sure you thought it was good and funny, but did you have any sense that it would connect the way it did? You couldn't have.

Well, it was crazy. We were crazy enough to think that people would really like it. I think you have to think that. But there was a moment we had rehearsed it, trying to raise money for it for a couple years. So we had read it out like a stage play. So we shot in bars that were open. We couldn't afford to close It. A lot of that movie was made, you know, without permitting, but we knew our material so well that we could perform it. But there was a moment when we were feeling like we were doing pretty good. And there was a sound guy who we got, who I think might have worked in the sound department in the adult film industry, but yes, who we could afford to do the sound on ours. And I remember at some point it came up about how the movie was going and he said, well, no one's going to see this. Like, this is fun for you and your friends. This is like a home movie. And we thought, what is he talking about? This isn't a home movie. Like this is going to be a movie. And it was a little bit of a perspective of these odds are crazy. Like, how do you even think that this could end up selling and translating? So I do think you have to have a strong belief in the moment, but you are a little nuts, I think, to think that obviously this movie's gonna go and actually connect with people.

You had met Jon Favreau and Rudy, you guys become buddies and kind of dive in headfirst on this project. At what point, Vince, did you realize Swingers was connecting? That something was happening out there that was maybe gonna change things for you guys?

Yeah, it's how I evaluate stuff. It's when it gets into the culture. You know, when the, when this. When the sayings or the. Or the lingo becomes part of the everyday vernacular. Or ESPN started saying, he's so money he doesn't even know it, or a big bear with claws, her fangs, or beautiful babies. So when these things started being used within the culture, you said, oh, we connected something, you know, something landed here with these conversations. And I do think, you know, going through a breakup and being a friend and inspiring someone to move on is something that's relatable.

But there have been other movies that have attacked that and you guys connected in some other way. I think you're right. It was just performances, for one thing. Right. Like your character was such a. Such a charming, charismatic draw that I think people came to that for sure.

I think the music was interesting. Like when we went to make it, they wanted us to have it be grunge music because that was popular at the time. But in Los Angeles, what was authentic was a bunch of these ex punk rock bands formed like these 12 piece swing bands and started writing original music. So it's just what we knew. When we would go out at night, we would go to these swing clubs and go hear these Live bands. And so we just said, no, it can't be that. It has to be this. And I think the. For whatever reason, it struck a chord with the country at the time.

So, like, Brian Seltzer Orchestra, all that stuff. Yeah, yeah.

Big bad voodoo Daddy, of course.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I was kind of looking at your stretch after that, and the. You get into some, like, heavier roles after that. Right. You do Jurassic, which was right after that.

Right.

But then you get into cool, dry place. You play Norman Bates in Psycho. There's a long list of. It's almost like four or five years before you go back to that kind of comedy. Was that a conscious thing? Like, I made a name for myself, because I remember watching as a fan, I was like, oh, we. Okay. Like, you were the guy Vaughn from Swingers. And then I was like, okay, he's going for, like, leading man stuff now.

Right?

Was that something you thought through?

[Unknown Guest]

No.

[Vince Vaughn]

You know what it was is comedy always kind of came easy. I enjoyed it, but I was always interested in acting and doing different stuff. And Swingers was independent, so I actually turned on a lot of big movies. I didn't know any better, and I just was interested more in doing these character stuff. And then. And none of the comedies were really. I wasn't liking the comedy scripts that I was seeing at the time. And then Todd Phillips came to me with Old School, and I thought, this is really cool. This is fun. This is a little bit defiant. And then the odd thing was, at the time, I hadn't done Swingers was a while ago. The studio said, I don't, you know, he's a good actor, but is he funny? Can he do comedy? Because, you know, Swingers was this smaller movie from years ago, and Todd had to really fight for me to be an old school. I think he showed him a clip of me on a talk show to convince him that I could be light and funny. Yes. And then, of course, then the door was open where there was this great run where the young people were in charge without anyone telling us not to do it. And it became this run of, you know, Wedding Crashers or, you know, Dodgeball and the Breakup, which is kind of a hybrid of, like, you know, drama and comedy, where we were kind of left alone to explore stories, which is what I'd love to see today with. When you talk about, you don't have those high school movies now, I just don't think they're letting these young people go and tell the stories and they should leave them alone and let Them, you know, express whatever it is that the culture is saying for them at this, at this age.

Which is so crazy to me because if you look at those movies you just listed, those are $300. Excuse me, those are 300 million, 200 million, 150 million dollar movies.

[Unknown Guest]

Yes.

[Vince Vaughn]

That were comedies, like wildly popular. Which raises the question, wouldn't you want to go back to something that had succeeded so well not that long ago?

You know, I was talking to some of the guys now that the studio stuff. But the one genre that never. The genre that was always made for not a lot of money that could hit and do well was horror and comedy, because you could make it for a price. Horror never went away. People still would go see a horror. It's the jump scares. But the comedy they got nervous about for some reason trying to make sure that they were not offending anyone. The stand up comics, now they'll pay a lot of money for the comic special. Stand up comedy has kind of filled that void. But it'll come back. Someone will have the courage to make a comedy. Don't forget, before old School there wasn't a lot of our comedies being made. But when we were young, we grew up with, you know, Blues Brothers and Stripes and all those great movies and the John Hughes movies we, you know, weren't our. But we grew up being inspired by those. And then there was a time where it wasn't happening. So these things go in cycles.

When I think about that run of movies, starting with old school, actually I'll go back to Maid, which I think is a very underrated movie.

Yeah, I love that movie. The first movie Favreau directed and I produced because we had, you know, Swingers. Doug Lyman came in and made that.

But I don't know why that's underrated because it's really good and really funny and I own that DVD and about melted it, including with the outtakes. When you and Favreau were sitting across from Peter Faulk trying to get through that scene.

[Unknown Guest]

Yes.

[Vince Vaughn]

When he's giving you the plane ticket and you're trying to. Cardiff Giant and all that stuff.

That's right.

Oh, my God.

That's what made for us was like Swingers was so light and optimistic. We wanted to do something different. We didn't want to make the same album. So we did a darker, odder version, which we really liked. And it's found its place as far as occult, but it never had the mainstream popularity in the same way. But I quite. I quite love that people should go.

Back and check that out. That's a really, really good movie. So you, through that run of movies, you represented almost an archetype of a kind of guy in that time. By that, I mean somebody who's funny and charming and good with the ladies and talks fast and all that. Do you recognize that? For a while there, there was an entire generation of guys who kind of tried on your personality for a little while.

And then I went. And I consciously went to destroy that with the breakup. So the breakup was my idea, and I wrote it, and I was sort of in that space, and I thought, well, this will be interesting. What if I do a movie about a relationship where that guy actually goes to the girl, feeling bad about the dynamics of the relationship and sees things differently and really has changed in a genuine way, but the girl has moved on at that point where she loves that he got there. Would have died for that earlier, but now too much has passed in. She can't go back. You can't put the genie back in the bottle. And so part of the breakup, when I had the idea, I kept getting offered romantic comedies, and it was always the same thing where there'd be some problem, the guy would change, and then they would accept him, the girl would accept him, and they'd go on and have a better life. And I thought, well, what happens if she doesn't? And I had played that character. Who was that character? And I don't know why I did that, but I thought, I want to kind of. I want to kind of break the expectations of that and show maybe a side where he's not and it lives separately. Like, the character from Swingers is a fun, optimistic good friend. So it's not connected. It's not. You know, Trent is not that character of Gary. Even in old school, he is fun and out there, but he doesn't cheat on his wife. He values his family. He says, you know, hey, but here's my number. If my wife gets cancer, I'll give you a call. But he's not going to cross the line. But I was conscious with the breakup that I wanted to. I wanted to do something different in the genre. And I also knew I had this kind of Persona. And so it was a way for me to kind of also break that Persona and give an. An odd twist of what your expectations would be.

That's so interesting. So it was a conscious thing. Was it ever hard, Vince, to be that guy in that era out in the world? Which is to say, like, when you go to a bar.

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah.

[Vince Vaughn]

People Are expecting Trent?

[Unknown Guest]

Yes.

[Vince Vaughn]

Was that ever. I don't want to say a burden because I don't think you would ever say that. Was that ever odd to have to be that guy all the time?

Well, it takes you a second to figure out being known. I was lucky because I really like people and I, I, you know, I was always, you know, hanging out and so it wasn't that much of a problem. I think the thing that became interesting was just realizing that people are in pain. And I didn't know that younger in the same way, like people have a problem with a sibling or a family member sick or they're having trouble at work and the comedies make them laugh. So I would have people come up to me later and say, when my mom was dying, you know, super heavy, we would watch Dodgeball over and over because it would really make her laugh. I wasn't aware of that. So some of that. Of the guys coming up is you've already, you're a friend that they've already spent time with.

Right.

They share a connection with you that you're just not aware of. And so it takes you a second to figure out that, you know, they're, especially with comedy, I think their response, responding to something and, and you learn how to kind of appreciate that and be connected to it. Does that make sense?

Yeah, yeah. And I'm sure that reframed it for you. Oh, okay. Yeah, yeah.

And you know, you realize sometimes if you don't have the energy, you don't put yourself in that situation. But if you, but if you're out, you know, most times and it's nice, especially kids or something want to, you know that, that part's easy. So you just, I think it takes a second to figure out kind of how to interact in that space. Right. I'm sure you've had that in.

[Unknown Guest]

Sure.

[Vince Vaughn]

Right. Because you're, you're, you're, you're, you're bringing information and discussing stuff and it's in a great conversations. And so people start with you probably in that space, and you're like, I haven't even said hi to you.

Right, right, right. Or especially when you cover the news, especially these days, they go right at something, an issue, which is fine.

Yeah.

I mean, I don't want to go too deep on. I want to with my kids, but.

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah, yeah.

[Vince Vaughn]

But you know what if someone watches the show all the time and they have a thought about it, you engage a little bit.

I don't want to get into screaming in the. Right. With some boundaries. Yeah. It's not a green light.

No, no, no. Not a green light.

It shouldn't be.

No.

[Willie Geist]

Stick around for more of my conversation with Vince Vaughn right after a quick.

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[Willie Geist]

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[Vince Vaughn]

At home or anywhere you are.

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[Willie Geist]

Welcome back now to the rest of my conversation with Vince Vaughn.

[Vince Vaughn]

So you can't play those characters you played without actually having a lot of the charisma that those characters had. So how close is Vince Vaughn to that guy that we all loved through those movies?

You know, I think all of us have different back to the Breakfast Club. I think we all have different sides to ourselves. We just get rewarded for whatever gets the most approval, I guess from others, right? Like we have the academic, we have the jock, we have this. I just think a sense of humor served me well in life. I had a lot of, you know, I had areas I had success in, like you mentioned, but I also had failures. There was things I wasn't good at. And I found that having a sense of humor about stuff. Stuff. Not taking myself seriously was just a way that I enjoyed my life. And I like people, you know, I find myself to be optimistic. So, you know, helping a friend pass the breakup or this. I think I just. I think most of us with our friends are that way, so. And I don't know, I always liked language was fun to me. And thinking of original ways of expressing stuff was just fun to me. Like, just like being a smart ass in class.

Right.

You know, find a way to bring a perspective that. That was funny to something and mix.

It up a little bit. Put some energy in the room.

[Unknown Guest]

Yes.

[Vince Vaughn]

That kind of stuff. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I had your friend Will Ferrell on the show a few weeks ago, and I asked him what are the quotes from his movies that people yell at him the most? He had a pretty long list of them.

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah.

[Vince Vaughn]

I have to imagine you do too. Is it swingers number one, top of the list, or. It's all over the place.

It's all over the place. I mean, I don't know if some of them are fitting for.

Go ahead.

We've got to be. Well, you know, I hear just the tip, you know, ass out, hug, of course. Your money, baby.

Yep.

Yeah, you know, it's. It's different. It's funny now when I have younger, you know, is that those things are discovered, but yeah, some of them are like, just like part of the language.

Yeah.

I think people don't even remember where they're from sometimes.

Earmuffs is part of Ear muffs is exactly right. People do that.

I've had people do that in front of me, not even realizing that it was from old school.

But I don't think they even know it's from old school.

No, they may not.

Part of the lexicon.

Yeah, just part of the lexicon. That's right.

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah.

[Vince Vaughn]

You've got some deep cuts too, though. I mean, the breakfast with Owen and Wedding Crashers.

Right.

I'm gonna choose not to eat with you.

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah, that one. Yeah.

[Vince Vaughn]

So you're setting healthy boundaries. Like you, you're. You're accepting the fact that we're coming back together. But I'm gonna need some space because the wound is. It's so crazy. Right.

I'm gonna recharge my end.

[Unknown Guest]

I'm good.

[Vince Vaughn]

I got some time for me. I'm gonna do some self care is what I'm gonna do. And then I'm back in the game being a friend and a supporter.

Right.

But I'm overwhelmed and I need a second to catch my breath. It's nuts.

You have your back to them while you're eating. Just jamming the waffles.

I love you, buddy. I love you too. Right? And that I think is the core of what we all want.

Yes.

Those friendships.

Same kitchen table sitting with the priest and wedding crashers.

That was improvised.

A lot of that was. It felt that way.

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Vince Vaughn]

A little bit of sacrament.

It's so crazy. It was. It was knowing where the scene needed to go, where I have to give up information that's going to cost Owen. That we're not who we said we were. So how do you find that in a way that felt honest in the moment and hide from the audience that we're not just giving away the plot. So it's this kind of state that you're in where you're this cracked open wound and you're connecting with this guy in a one way conversation and you're supplying all the emotion. I think I kiss him at some point.

On the lips at the end.

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah.

[Vince Vaughn]

I give a big like. I like God, we really. Although I'm the only one that cheered, I make it like God, this was like a great moment between two people who may not have ever hung out or known each other.

Right.

But we're so, you know, honoring this moment and then really, you know, kind of blew it. From my friend.

It was a one way street.

Yeah, it was a one.

His face is blank.

Yeah, he was great. That's a tough performance. He did a great job of listening and reacting and not giving it away. Yeah.

He called him a beautiful man. He said I love you and kissed him on the lips. I don't know what this is.

How did we go from this guy telling me his problems to feeling like we're soul mates? That's exactly right.

That was amazing. You mentioned your kids. Do they appreciate your movies yet? Too young. Don't care. Like where do they fall?

I never showed them my movies, but I've had it happen where they've gone to friends houses and then for some reason these parents would show them the movie and they would come home and know what it is. But they don't track it too much. You know, I do show them a lot of movies. Not mine, but I. I don't mind showing them our movies and you know, I show them stuff. But yeah, I don't, I don't. I don't really show them my films. I don't really watch my films, to be honest.

Is that right?

Yeah, I like them. I enjoy them. My stuff comes on, I'll go, oh, yeah. And I remember that day. But I think once you go through sometimes a festival process or you've gone through screenings of it, that you've kind of seen it and done it and so you don't really share it. But no, I don't. I don't have pictures up of myself or those things in the house. I don't. I don't want that dynamic.

I'm with you, dude.

You know what I mean? I have a good thing with my cause. Like, my daughter's 14 and people always say, you're lucky she talks to you. I can't understand her not. Are you the same way with your daughter?

Same way, yeah. I always say it's not inevitable just because they're a teenager that they become a jerk.

Yes.

You have some control in saying that you create a good family and it's just not that way.

And you want to have fun and enjoy it. And I can recognize, like, we can step out and recognize the moment. You're going through changes. This feels emotional and I can appreciate that. But now we got to take a step back and think about, you know, what's going to work for you.

Yes.

And so I don't know. I think it's most relationships in life, you know, if you have an idea in mind for what you want to get to to, then you're going to be better than just landing there. But I don't pretend to have the answers of what's right as far as what my kids do. But I do feel that there's basic things like, you know, being thoughtful will give you better friends, you know, treating people kindly. You'll have a better group of people to hang out with and, you know, over talking or being mean to somebody. So there's basic things like that that, I don't know, maybe your dad sounds like was the same as mine that way where we were just conscious of other people, which I think is a.

Good thing for kids, 100%. It starts with your brother or sister. Totally.

That's challenging.

That's the hard part. But it's like, have a little laboratory attempting to be nice.

You think you nailed it and someone's getting hit.

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah, exactly.

[Vince Vaughn]

Did we talk about this? Did we talk about walking away when it escalated? Just talked about that.

Nodded your head. Got it.

Yeah.

Last thing before I let you go. One talk bad monkey.

[Unknown Guest]

Yes.

[Vince Vaughn]

We got a season two coming, right? Yes, that's official.

100%.

What a fun. Cool. Visually Cast, all of it. What a cool series. That's. How much fun has it been for you?

So much fun. I mean, Carl Hiason wrote these incredible books, and he's done it before, but they never quite translated as well. And I think it's Bill Lawrence. I mean, obviously, there's no secret with Ted Lasso and shrinking and all the great stuff that Bill has done. He's a very talented storyteller. You know, mixing comedy and action and these genres can be hard. He's really the key behind it. And I think it was fun. You know, you.

[Unknown Guest]

You.

[Vince Vaughn]

It's a comedy. You're told that it's entertaining, but there's some dark turns and some. Some surprising stuff, and I think it's. We don't see it. Those things put together so well. So I think that's why it really resonated with people.

[Unknown Guest]

It's. It's fun.

[Vince Vaughn]

It's fun. And season two, I know you're probably just beginning to think about it.

No, we're gonna start shooting it here in September.

Oh, you are?

[Unknown Guest]

Yeah.

[Vince Vaughn]

So we've been. We've kind of known longer than was announced that season two was coming.

Right.

So it's just been figuring out the schedule, so we're excited. Yeah, it's. It's gonna be.

It should be fun and fun to have. Like, I guess, you know, you think about one season when you start, but now it's like, oh, where else can we take these characters? Right. It doesn't have to end at the finale of season one. It's like, there could be a whole new world for them.

Yeah. I always think, like, there would be three of these, and that's probably it. Like, I still don't. I like the idea of having a story to tell, and I don't know that I can understand the next stage of it and maybe a third stage. And then after that, I don't know, like, maybe go find something new to do. It's nice to have the time to explore it more in storytelling, like you have with these 10 episode streamers. And then depending on the show, you know, obviously something like I Love Lucy or Sanford and Son is timeless because it's the situations, but in these stories, I don't know how much it'll go past that, but there's definitely a fun place for the character to go and for the world to go after the conclusion of the first season.

Well, congrats. I know a lot of people are psyched to see you back in, like, in a series like that. It's really good.

Appreciate it.

Congrats on Nona's.

Thank you, man.

And on your upcoming film about littering, which will be.

Yeah, that's an important one. And I just want to get that message out there not to litter. And I think everyone needs to be reminded. Keep it in the car. Don't. Don't throw it out the window and.

Hit me over the head with it.

But I had to, because I know better than you.

I had to thank you for signaling your virtue.

Good to see you, partner.

[Unknown Guest]

Thank you. Great to see you.

[Vince Vaughn]

I really enjoyed it.

Thanks.

[Willie Geist]

After Vince and I sat down in the restaurant, we went outside in Staten island for a bit of a stroll and caught up with Joe Scaravella himself, the man he plays in the new movie Nonus.

[Vince Vaughn]

When you first opened, was it challenging to get people to come or do people like it? Pretty immediately.

[Unknown Guest]

So it was very funny. We put an ad in the Italian newspaper, the American OG and was written in Italian. It was casalinga cucinade, Regional. Difficult looking for housewives to cook regional dishes. And so the restaurant was being built out, so I invited them to my home. So they all came to my home and they came with their husbands and they came with their children and they came with their grandchildren. And it was amazing. Amazing.

[Vince Vaughn]

That's amazing.

[Unknown Guest]

They were all chasing me around the house with plates of food. They wanted me to try their food. So what happened was when we had first opened up, none of the ladies wanted to be in the upstairs kitchen. So we had three or four Nona's in the downstairs kitchen and the restaurant was empty upstairs. So one of the ladies, and her name was Maria and she wasn't a good cook, but she liked to hang around with the ladies, so she would help them in the kitchen. So she got down on her hands and knees and she prayed to Padre Pio that we should have customers. Fifteen minutes later, we had a half a restaurant full of customers. She brought that picture of Padre Pio in the next day and we put it there. It's been there ever since.

[Vince Vaughn]

So for people who don't know, Joe, the genesis of this idea, we see the story in the film, but for people who haven't seen it, where did it come from for you?

[Unknown Guest]

So for me, it was. It was really. I was just trying to comfort myself and basically a lot of people related to that and a lot of people are going through different things in their life with losing family members. And so I think that's the big attraction.

[Vince Vaughn]

And how do you get the Nonnas in The door. You sort of talked about it. A little audition process almost, and you've changed it. It's not just Italian nonnas anymore. They're from around the world. What's the process by which you get the nonna's here.

[Unknown Guest]

So, you know, we'll get an email or we'll get a phone call, or it could be a family sitting at a table and they'll volunteer their mother or they volunteer their grandmother. And, you know, we'll pick a day and we sit down and we talk about the menu and we talk about the ingredients, and then we put them on the schedule. And that's pretty much it. But it was so accurate when, you know, basically they almost burnt down the restaurant in the movie.

[Vince Vaughn]

Right.

[Unknown Guest]

And you were outside and you were like, you ladies are killing me. And it. I, you know, that vibrated. I went through that so many times.

[Vince Vaughn]

That was an improv. I improvised that because they were going. I said, oh, so killing me. What are you going to say to them? I could have yelled to notice.

[Unknown Guest]

No, you can't yell to notice. And they don't listen to you anyway, Right, Exactly. They're not used to listening to anybody. So it's.

[Vince Vaughn]

They've earned that at that age, right?

[Unknown Guest]

Oh, yeah. Trying to. Trying to direct them to, you know, follow a health code or, you know, whatever other. Yeah, it's. Yeah, they're not interested in that.

[Vince Vaughn]

No.

[Unknown Guest]

So my grandmother would. She would cook. She would make a pot of sauce, and she would make a few things, and she would put it on top of the stove. It would stay there all day, and you got a little hungry, you went back and you grabbed something and you picked a little bit. You can't do that. Health department frowns upon that.

Yeah.

[Vince Vaughn]

What did you think when you heard Vince Vaughn was going to play you in a major movie on Netflix?

[Unknown Guest]

You know, it's just. It's too unreal to think that. That Vince would. Would play me. But, you know, I still don't believe it. Really. It's. It's. I can feel it welling up inside now. I'm starting to get anxious, but really, I've been just keeping it in my back pocket the whole time, trying not to think about it because it's too much to digest.

[Vince Vaughn]

But it also started with you. I mean, what a. Unbelievable. I don't know where it came from. You were coping with your own pain, but to give these women the spotlight and to bring attention to them, it's like all. Everything rippled from that moment.

[Unknown Guest]

Right. In that moment, you saw other Things were happening aside from me just trying to comfort myself. You saw these ladies being comforted. They lost their. Their husbands and their family would bring them in as part of a bereavement group and have them get out of the house. And we had a very interesting moment with our Greek knowner, Plomitsa. You'll meet her tonight. And so they brought their mom to us, and she was all dressed in black, and she was visibly disturbed by the loss of her husband. And so we did the interview and we talked about the dishes that she was going to cook and the ingredients she was going to need. And we were doing something a week out with CNN or BBC or something, and I said, how would you like to come in and be part of this? And so, you know, she reluctantly agreed. So when she came in and they had mic'd her up and they were giving her all that attention. And so I was in the front with her children, and the children turned to me and they said, you know, we haven't seen our mom this happy in a long time. So there was. There's that.

[Vince Vaughn]

That's nice.

Yeah, that's great.

That's great.

What went through your mind when you watched the movie?

[Unknown Guest]

I cried through the whole movie. So, you know, it's such an amazing cast and director and, you know, it just is too much.

[Vince Vaughn]

Did a good job with the story, Vince.

Yeah, the director really did. Who's here? Stephen Chbosky. He's got a great tone. So much of a movie ish tone.

[Unknown Guest]

He agrees onto your heart so much.

[Vince Vaughn]

Real moments that you laugh but also have the weight of the situation, which is, you know, mourning a mop.

[Unknown Guest]

And so many people are going through that same thing, or it's on the horizon and they're getting ready for it.

[Vince Vaughn]

Well, you had a beautiful idea, and I'm so glad it's worked out and continues. You're almost 18 years.

[Unknown Guest]

You just had 3-1-18 years.

[Vince Vaughn]

Congratulations.

[Unknown Guest]

Thank you.

[Vince Vaughn]

Thanks. Yeah, thanks, Joe.

[Unknown Guest]

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Appreciate you, buddy.

[Vince Vaughn]

Congrats.

[Willie Geist]

My big thanks again to Vince for a great conversation and to Enoteca Maria on Staten island for hosting us. The film Nonas begins streaming on Netflix on May 9th. My thanks to all of you for listening again this week. If you want to hear more of these conversations with our guests every week, be sure to click follow so you never miss an episode. And don't forget to tune in to Sunday Today every weekend on NBC to see these interviews in living color. I'm Willie Geist. We'll see you right back here next week on the Sunday Sit down podcast.

[Vince Vaughn]

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