Harvey Guillén

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harvey Guillén on The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Date: March 9, 2026
Host: Stephen Colbert
Guest: Harvey Guillén

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Episode Overview

This episode features Harvey Guillén, celebrated for his role in What We Do in the Shadows, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and Blue Beetle. He joins Stephen Colbert to discuss his Broadway debut in The Rocky Horror Show, personal anecdotes about New York, his friendships with Hollywood icons (including Susan Sarandon), behind-the-scenes stories from What We Do in the Shadows, and his encounters with Lord of the Rings stars. The tone is candid, playful, and filled with mutual admiration.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Broadway Debut in The Rocky Horror Show

• Harvey’s excitement: Harvey shares his enthusiasm for playing two roles (Eddie and Dr. Scott) in the star-studded cast at Studio 54.

  "I grew up, you know, wanting to do musicals... I used my first scholarship check that I got to buy a ticket to New York and did not buy my books or my tap shoes. And I recommend every kid use that money to travel."
  — Harvey Guillén [02:14]

• On working at Studio 54:

  "You can feel the energy... It was just like magic in the air. You could feel maybe it was the residue of leftover cocaine or just like poppers in the air, but something was in the carpet, and I loved it."
  — Harvey Guillén [03:18]

• Reflecting on the musical’s legacy:

  "Over 50 years ago. Half a century ago. This musical's been around for a while, and it still resonates with audiences because of the message. You know, when you're made to feel like you're an alien, it's because it's okay to be different."
  — Harvey Guillén [03:52]

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Friendship with Susan Sarandon

• How they met:

  "We met during Blue Beetle, which is a great movie. Get a chance... And we became friends. And every time I'm in town, we have dinner."
  — Harvey Guillén [04:29]

• Memorable story:
  Harvey recounts the night Susan Sarandon spotted his Rocky Horror Show poster and insisted they take a photo together, demonstrating her warmth and support. A passerby recognized both actors and asked for a picture.

  "She says, 'I just wanna say I'm a big fan of both of you.' And it was really nice. And she's become really supportive, and it's really nice. Yeah. So I love her. So I love you."
  — Harvey Guillén [04:29–05:00]

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Rocky Horror Memories

• First time watching:

  "I was pretty young, and it was at a neighbor's house, I'm pretty sure. And I thought I was watching porn... I grew up in a very religious household, so I was like, they're not supposed to be in their undies in the pool."
  — Harvey Guillén [05:03]
  Everyone laughs at the candid admission of the film’s shock value to a sheltered kid.

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Life in New York

• Feeling like a New Yorker:

  "I feel like people think I'm a New Yorker now because I walk down by Times Square and I see, you know, Elmo getting ready for a shift without his head taking the swig. And we just look at each other... I just have this moment of, like, girl, who's gonna be okay?"
  — Harvey Guillén [05:36]

• On New York hustle:
  Harvey pokes fun at the archetypal “New Yorker” resilience, culminating in a bit about hailing a cab:

  "You get in a cab and you're like, where to? Home, bitch. I don't know where you live."
  — Harvey Guillén [06:09]

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What We Do in the Shadows Finale

• Final day on set:

  "That's a cake with all the characters on there. Cause Matt Berry's birthday's May 2nd... we wrapped on May 2nd... and around 11:30, we wrapped and we sang Happy Birthday. And midnight came around, and my birthday's May 3rd, and so we were all crying, drinking champagne... And it was a perfect way to end, like, eight years of my life with a show that... has changed my life completely. And it was my birthday, so I was, like, closing a chapter and starting a new year."
  — Harvey Guillén [06:27–07:07]

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Fanboy Moments: The Lord of the Rings Connection

• Comic Con encounter:
  Harvey gleefully recalls meeting Elijah Wood and Sean Astin at a Comic Con in Belgium, and mentions their genuine friendship and graciousness.

  "They're the nicest guy[s]. And Sean Astin, like... I just saw him at a war show... And they're so close... These guys are real, real good people and really friendly to everyone they meet. So, highly recommend them."
  — Harvey Guillén [07:19–07:54]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On creative upbringing:
  “I grew up, you know, wanting to do musicals... and I recommend every kid use that money to travel.”
  — Harvey Guillén [02:14]

• On Studio 54's ambiance:
  “You could feel maybe it was the residue of leftover cocaine or just like poppers in the air, but something was in the carpet, and I loved it.”
  — Harvey Guillén [03:18]

• On the enduring message of Rocky Horror:
  “It’s okay to be different, you know? And sometimes you have to go back to your home planet.”
  — Harvey Guillén [03:52]

• Susan Sarandon friendship
  “I’ll introduce you, then she’ll dump me, and then she’ll have dinner with you, and that’s okay.”
  — Harvey Guillén [04:24]

• First Rocky Horror viewing:
  “I thought I was watching porn... I grew up in a very religious household, so I was like, they're not supposed to be in their undies in the pool.”
  — Harvey Guillén [05:03]

• Becoming a New Yorker:
  “I see, you know, Elmo getting ready for a shift without his head taking the swig... Girl, who's gonna be okay?”
  — Harvey Guillén [05:36]

• Show finale emotions:
  “It was a perfect way to end, like, eight years of my life with a show that from beginning to end, has changed my life completely.”
  — Harvey Guillén [06:27]

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Important Timestamps

• [02:14] Harvey on his early passion for musicals
• [03:18] Studio 54 anecdotes and excitement
• [03:52] The legacy and message of The Rocky Horror Show
• [04:29] Susan Sarandon friendship story
• [05:03] First Rocky Horror viewing memory
• [05:36] On feeling like a real New Yorker
• [06:27] What We Do in the Shadows wrap day
• [07:19] Meeting Lord of the Rings stars at Comic Con

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Summary

This lively, heartfelt conversation captures Harvey Guillén’s excitement about his Broadway debut, his appreciation for the quirky spirit of New York, the importance of support and friendship in showbiz, and a nostalgic look back at his breakout role. The episode weaves together humor, warmth, and a genuine celebration of theater, friendship, and the magic of being yourself.

Transcript

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[Stephen Colbert]

Ladies and gentlemen. My next guest is an actor, you know, from what we do. In the Shadows, Puss in the Last Wish and Companion. He's about to make his Broadway debut in the Rocky Horror Show. Please welcome back to the Late Show, Harvey Guillen.

[Harvey Guillen]

Wow. I'm really honored. Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's not only great to see you, but I'm so happy for you because you get to make your Broadway debut soon.

[Harvey Guillen]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

And that's a big deal for any actor.

[Harvey Guillen]

I mean, I grew up, you know, wanting to do musicals. And I remember when I was in college, I used my first scholarship check that I got to buy a ticket to New York and did not buy my books or my tap shoes. And I recommend every kid use that money to travel.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, there you go.

[Harvey Guillen]

Education.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, you're playing two parts. You're playing Eddie and Dr. Scott in Rocky Horror alongside Rachel Dratch the Great, Juliette Lewis, Stephanie Hsu and super sexy Luke Evans.

[Harvey Guillen]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Who's Frankfurter?

[Harvey Guillen]

Yes. Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

So does it feel. What do you guys open?

[Harvey Guillen]

We open April 23rd.

[Ryan Reynolds]

OK.

[Stephen Colbert]

Does it feel real yet?

[Harvey Guillen]

It doesn't, and it does because this cast is so amazing. I mean, the talent that you just mentioned, and besides everyone else is in the cast. It's just like going to summer camp with people that you like and doing what you love every day, which is singing and dancing. It's just been incredible. And it hasn't hit me. I think it's gonna hit me. We're right next door. We're at Studio 54.

[Stephen Colbert]

Iconic.

[Harvey Guillen]

Yeah. So iconic.

[Stephen Colbert]

How's that feel in there? I've never. I mean, I've been in, but I've never performed or been backstage.

[Harvey Guillen]

You can feel the energy. We went to visit and I could feel, you know, Sam, our amazing director, Finkelton took us, and we could feel like the ancestors. It was just like magic in the air. You could feel maybe it was the residue of leftover cocaine or just like poppers in the air, but something was in the carpet, and I loved it. You felt the energy, and I'm really excited and I hope you all enjoy it. It's gonna be so fantastic.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, I love this shot. Here it is, by the way, there's the Playbill. The Rocky Horror show, which many people don't know started as a musical in London.

[Harvey Guillen]

Yes. Over 50 years ago. Half a century ago. This musical's been around for a while, and it still resonates with audiences because of the message. You know, when you're made to feel like you're an alien, it's because it's okay to be different, you know? And sometimes you have to go back to your home planet.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, I love this photo. Here's a picture of you with. Damn it. Janet herself. Susan Sarandon.

[Harvey Guillen]

Susan Sarandon.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did you just run into her on the street? How did this come back?

[Harvey Guillen]

No, we're actually friends.

[Stephen Colbert]

How did you become. I'm not friends.

[Harvey Guillen]

Listen.

[Stephen Colbert]

Way more famous than you are.

[Harvey Guillen]

You are way more famous than I. I'll introduce you, then she'll dump me, and then she'll have dinner with you, and that's okay.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Great.

[Harvey Guillen]

We met during Blue Beetle, which is a great movie. Get a chance. Blue Beetle was what brought us, and we became friends. And every time I'm in town, we have dinner. So we were having. We went to a show that night. We saw a show and we were having dinner at Sardis, and then she and I were walking. She was like, there's your poster. And I was like, oh, my gosh. And she's like, well, we gotta take a picture. Excuse me, can you take a picture of us? She asked this stranger on the street, and she says, I just wanna say I'm a big fan of both of you. And it was really nice. And she's become really supportive, and it's really nice. Yeah. So I love her. So I love you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Susan, do you remember the first time you saw Rocky Horror?

[Harvey Guillen]

I do. I was pretty young, and it was at a neighbor's house, I'm pretty sure. And I thought I was watching porn.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Oh, yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

It was pretty racy for the day.

[Harvey Guillen]

Yeah. And I was like, whoa, what's going on? And I grew up in a very religious household, so I was like, they're not supposed to be in their undies in the pool. And I just remember. And as I got older, I was like, wait, you can be in your undies in the pool.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Wait.

[Harvey Guillen]

And it started to resonate with me. And here we are.

[Stephen Colbert]

You came out here. Did you live in New York for a while?

[Harvey Guillen]

I lived a little bit in New York, but I never felt like I was an actual New Yorker. Like, I felt like, what does it

[Stephen Colbert]

feel like to be back here?

[Harvey Guillen]

I feel like people think I'm a New Yorker now because I walk down by Times Square and I see, you know, Elmo getting ready for a shift without his head taking the swig. And we just look at each other. He doesn't ask for a picture, he just goes. And I just have this moment of, like, girl, who's gonna be okay?

[Stephen Colbert]

Who's the girl who's gonna be okay?

[Harvey Guillen]

It's somebody who, like, stops in the middle of a moving traffic street.

[Stephen Colbert]

Like in a movie.

[Harvey Guillen]

Like, in a movie, you know, you see men, like, they stand up and they're just like. And they go on their day.

[Stephen Colbert]

Right?

[Harvey Guillen]

Girl, who's gonna be okay.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah, sure.

[Harvey Guillen]

And then you get in a cab and you're like, where to? Home, bitch. I don't know where you live.

[Stephen Colbert]

Like, what we do in the Shadows ended a little over a year ago. What a great series. Here you are with the cast on the last day of filming.

[Harvey Guillen]

That's a great.

[Stephen Colbert]

What's going on? This looks like a board game or something.

[Harvey Guillen]

No, no, that's not a board game. That's actual cake. That's a cake with all the characters on there. Cause Matt berry's birthday's May 2nd. And we wrapped on May 2nd, and we're supposed to wrap, like, at 6pm but we were running late, of course, in production. And around 11:30, we wrapped and we sang Happy Birthday. And midnight came around, and my birthday's May 3rd, and so we were all crying, drinking champagne. So, hey, isn't it your birthday, too? And I'm like, yeah, cheers. And it was a perfect way to end, like, eight years of my life with a show that from beginning to end, has changed my life completely. And it was my birthday, so I was, like, closing a chapter and starting a new year, you know? And, you know, you're only 21, like, eight times, so that's great.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did you get your own cake?

[Harvey Guillen]

No, I did not. I did not get cake.

[Stephen Colbert]

We're both big Lord of the Rings fans.

[Harvey Guillen]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

And you got to hang with these two guys. With Eliza and Sean.

[Harvey Guillen]

Yes, that's us. In Belgium.

[Stephen Colbert]

What were you doing?

[Harvey Guillen]

What were you doing? We were at a Comic con in Belgium, and I got.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, because you were there for what to do in the shadows. Yes, for Goonies.

[Harvey Guillen]

Those Goonies, those go together so well. Yes, they're the nicest guy. And Sean Astin, like, you know, he. I just saw him at a war show.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh, there's also John Monahan, the background.

[Harvey Guillen]

They are the nicest guys. Like, the nicest guys. And they're so close. And then, you know, we think when people work together, they might not be friends, but these guys are real, real good people and really friendly to everyone they meet. So highly recommend them.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, Harvey, thanks for being here. Thank you for listening to the Late Show POD show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives.

[Harvey Guillen]

I'm back. I'm really back.

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[Harvey Guillen]

Why am I here? Not dead, right? This place is an absolute death trap. We need to get out of here.

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School Spirits new season. Now streaming only on Paramount plus.

[Stephen Colbert]

Me and my brother, we grew up off the grid.

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A new Paramount plus original documentary explores the wild true story of two brothers.

[Harvey Guillen]

They were dubbed the Wild Boys.

[Stephen Colbert]

There's no driving records, nothing tangible.

[Harvey Guillen]

What's their story?

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Who shook a small town after they emerged mysteriously from the Canadian wilderness?

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Are they criminals? Maybe they're in a cult.

[Stephen Colbert]

Who are these guys? Why are they here? It's not my job, to tell you the truth.

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Wild Boys, Strangers and Town. Now streaming on Paramount plus.