Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist

Guest: Jeff Goldblum

Episode: WICKED STARS: Jeff Goldblum on His Career, Creativity, and the Joy of Reunion
Date: November 8, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Willie Geist welcomes the ever-delightful Jeff Goldblum to chat at New York’s famed Cafe Carlyle. Ostensibly focused on Goldblum’s return as Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic World Dominion, their conversation traverses the actor’s long, eclectic career, his philosophy of creativity, the deep joy of professional reunions, and his passion for music. What unfolds is a deeply engaging, often philosophical discussion ranging from early showbiz memories to the enduring impact of pop culture catchphrases and the art of living creatively.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. 29 Years of Jurassic Park & The Joy of Reunion

• Reflecting on the Original Premiere
  • The episode kicks off with Willie sharing that June 9th marked the 29th anniversary of the Jurassic Park premiere.
  • Goldblum expresses surprise at the date, recalling Laura Dern reminding him they were in Washington, D.C. for the first premiere ([02:17]).
  • On the passage of time:
    • "As I sit here right now, I'd say a long time ago… my standard answer is kind of both at the same time. Because time is what is time." — Jeff Goldblum ([02:52])
• Did Jurassic Park Change His Life?
  • Goldblum downplays any single, transformative moment:
    • "I don't have a recollection of feeling like, golly, my life has changed... Nor have I ever felt that any one thing has ever gone, wow, yesterday... What a difference a day makes." ([05:15])
• Careful Choices and the Metaphysics of Life
  • He muses on small choices, like navigating traffic, being potentially life-changing:
    • "The one thing you do today that could change your life substantially is being on the road... be careful how you walk down the street and how you... behind a car, you know?" ([06:43])

2. Returning to Jurassic & Creative Gratitude

• Working With the Original Cast

  • Goldblum is effusive about the creative joy of reuniting with Laura Dern, Sam Neill, and a new cast ([07:48]).
    • "To be in a movie that if nothing else... entertains them and means something to them here and there, you know, it's awful fun. And to work with creative people now that's the thing that I really did focus myself on." ([07:48])
  • On the pandemic 'bubble' production:
    • Tells a heartfelt story about arriving with his family and being greeted by Laura Dern and Sam Neill ([11:09]).
    • Spielberg’s emotional response to seeing the trio back together:
      • "Colin sent that picture to Mr. The great Mr. Steven Spielberg who said back... that he was emotional." — Jeff Goldblum ([12:16])

• Reintroducing Dinosaurs to a New World

  • On what audiences can expect:
    • "Dinosaurs are all over the world... it's kind of an epic in scope little story that takes us all over the place... we have nice little parts so we're all over it if that interests anybody." ([14:05])
  • Bringing his kids to see the movie in theaters for the first time ([14:43]).

3. Parenting, Technology, and the Social Media Landscape

• Goldblum and Geist share candid exchanges about raising kids in the age of screens and social media ([15:46]).

  • Both express concern over exposure and celebrate their efforts to keep their children grounded and off social media for as long as possible.
    • “It's tough. I can imagine you got an almost 15-year-old daughter, you want her to be safe in all the ways you can keep her safe. And that’s one, is keeping her off places like Instagram, but we'll see how long it lasts.” — Willie Geist ([16:33])

• Goldblum reflects on the unknowable, long-term effects of social media—likening it to the printing press in terms of potential societal impact ([17:07]).

4. Early Acting Influences & Philosophies

• Discovering Acting as a Child

  • Goldblum shares memories of finding his calling during drama camp in his early teens ([22:00]).
    • “I was obsessed by it... I got a shocking realization: Hey, I've got to pick. There's life outside Mommy and daddy... and I've got to figure it out and kind of do something like that.” — Jeff Goldblum ([22:11])
  • Credits his parents for encouraging his passion—his father’s advice:
    • “If you find something you love doing, that might be a vocational guide...” ([22:13])

• Moving to New York & Breaking In

  • Discusses the leap of faith in moving to NYC at 17 and his parents’ surprisingly supportive approach ([24:30]):
    • “So anyway... they were okay with it and supported it. And then before long, I started to get jobs and, you know, make a living at it. And there you go.” ([24:42])

5. Notable Career Moments & The Myth of the “Big Break”

• On Breakthroughs:

  • Goldblum resists the notion of a single ‘break:’
    • “Nothing felt like the day after. Or, hey, I got my break... I was continuing to learn, happy that, gee, I hope nobody finds out that I'm not an actor yet.” ([28:05])

• On The Fly as a Creative Landmark:

  • Discusses how The Fly was formative creatively, but not necessarily a neat career linchpin ([29:47]).
    • “The main thing for me is that it was a creative landmark... I had a juicy and growth-producing time of it.” ([29:47])

• Pop Culture Legacy: “Life Finds a Way”

  • On the viral endurance of his Jurassic Park line:
    • “It's a little bit of a good resonant phrase. So, yeah, that's nice that I got a chance to utter that.” ([32:19])
  • Philosophical perspective on fame’s fleeting nature:
    • “It'll be forgotten soon enough and all this, all our activities here will be fleeting and will turn to dust.” ([32:57])

6. Curiosity, Creativity, and Presence

• Being Present

  • Geist compliments Goldblum for living in the moment and exuding authentic joy ([33:27]).
    • Goldblum agrees, connecting it to his acting training and overall life philosophy:
      • “You have to be open to really live optimally under imaginary circumstances or in life. You've got to be interested and available perhaps to some new, interesting, infinitely...” ([35:29])

• On Curiosity & The Value of Experience

  • Comparing life’s moments to the lessons in “Our Town:”
    • “Look, I didn't appre—Look, there's the last time I saw. I didn't realize that was the last time I was going to see my grandfather.... There's something about here on Earth, you know, we live on a special that we could easily take for granted.” ([38:18])

7. Side Adventures: “The World According to Jeff Goldblum”

• Discusses his experience with his Disney+ reality series:
  • “I got a chance to talk to people like this and then amongst the wheat and the chaff, they nicely... cut out the stupid parts and make me look as good as possible.” ([39:27])
• Hints at a noncommittal possibility of future seasons ([40:03]).

8. Music as Joy and Meditative Practice

• Jazz & Childhood Influences
  • Started music lessons young, drifted to jazz by age 10 ([40:42]).
  • Audaciously cold-called piano gigs in Pittsburgh at 15, finding joy and community in music ([41:04]).
• Music as a Daily Tonic
  • “When I play music in the morning, it changes my... molecules... it is a tonic. It is kind of, you know, a sweet, pleasant thing.” ([46:58])
  • Views music as “overlapping” with acting and life:
    • “Life itself is musical and at its best, it's kind of musical, you know, and vibrational, you know, even... and pulse, pulse-driven and, you know, breathing in and out.” ([45:06])
  • Recounts the fun of playing live jazz in intimate settings like the Cafe Carlyle ([44:27]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Returning to 'Jurassic Park':

  • "It was very focused kind of playtime, you know, work time to kind of get it right... And Colin [Trevorrow]... the crew and they were all kind of interested and a little bit, you know, emotional and like that and made her emotional... it was emotional. I... remember... it was very sweet being with them. They're great actors, and great people. They changed my life really." ​— Jeff Goldblum ([12:16])

• On the Impact of Acting Teachers:

  • “Sandy Meisner... said, you know, here's a worthwhile way to spend your life, you know, and you can keep getting better at it forever.” ([07:48])

• On the Fleeting Nature of Fame:

  • “It'll be forgotten soon enough... but for now, fleetingly, it's sweet that... through 30 years... things pop up... That's cute.” ([32:57])

• On Living in the Present:

  • "You've got to be interested and available perhaps to some new, interesting, infinitely... The big bang is in you and I don't know everything about you... And then you gotta pretend moment to moment. That's the acting part of it." — Jeff Goldblum ([35:29])

• On Childhood Support:

  • “My dad... said, if you find something you love doing, that might be a vocational guide…” ([22:13])

• On Music and Joy:

  • “This, I kind of, is just for fun. I really don't have to try too hard to just have fun without concern for... just for its own sake. And that kind of bleeds over... into my life... where I'm going, there's no place to get. This is not gonna get me anything. It really is just fun for its own sake or a chance to rejoice for its own sake. Anyway, music does that for me.” ([45:06])

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jurassic Park Anniversary & Time Reflection: [02:17] – [07:34]
• The Joy of Reunion & Pandemic “Bubble” Filming: [10:52] – [14:43]
• Parenting in the Digital Age: [15:46] – [17:38]
• Early Acting Inspiration: [22:00] – [27:06]
• Career “Breaks” & The Fly: [28:05] – [31:16]
• Iconic Line “Life Finds a Way”: [32:14] – [33:06]
• Presence, Curiosity, and Acting Philosophy: [33:27] – [38:16]
• “The World According to Jeff Goldblum” Reality Show: [39:12] – [40:03]
• Musical Beginnings & Role of Jazz: [40:42] – [46:58]
• Philosophy of Music & Daily Practice: [45:01] – [48:27]

Conclusion

This conversation, as playful and unpredictable as Jeff Goldblum himself, is a celebration of creative living, meaningful connection, and the delight of rediscovery. Goldblum’s deep gratitude—for creative opportunities, for family, for the music and mentors that shaped him—shines through at every turn. Whether discussing Jurassic Park, parenting, or improvising on the piano, Goldblum embodies a rare openness, ever-curious and reverent for the present moment.

To experience more, catch Jurassic World Dominion in theaters, and don't miss future episodes of Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist!