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Gil Birmingham
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Bobby Bones
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Bobby Bones
Void we're prohibited by law 21 + terms and conditions apply. Episode 5 of the Official Yellowstone Podcast. I am your host Bobby Bones. The first four episodes have gotten great feedback. Thank you so much. A lot of downloads, so thank you so much for that. This has been crazy at how much you guys wanted this and I think I've done an adequate job. So the fact that you guys are listening so much means you just you love Yellowstone, which is completely understandable. This episode has chief Thomas Rainwater, whose real name is Gil Birmingham, major character. And I just talked to him about how he's able to be like a bad guy and a good guy and obviously he's very cerebral as an actor, so he doesn't really see it like I do Watching where I'm like, bad guy, good guy, bad guy, good guy. But Gil, like the actual person, has a crazy journey getting into his career as an actor. He was an engineer, then he kind of got into acting and there's some bodybuilding in there. You're gonna hear about all this. Gil has been in a few of Taylor Sheridan's movies. Hell or High Water, Wind river, has had a role in a bunch of other big time shows. His character in Yellowstone, again, it's so awesome because he took you on the journey of I like him, I don't like him. I don't know if I do or not. I trust him. I don't trust him. So we were pumped to get him on the podcast. You can follow him on Instagram IL Birmingham. Here he is, Chief Thomas Rainwater, AKA real name Gil Birmingham. Hey, Gil, I'd like to say this, that why I'm such a fan of your work is because through Yellowstone in general, and I've seen you in other things too, but you were able to both be a bad guy and a good guy. And that there is some range to that that I don't even understand. And as an actor, whenever you're a. We think you're a bad guy, right? Because we're like, oh, the Duttons. Whenever you're a bad. Are you playing that at all? Different facial expressions. What's the difference in playing a bad guy and a good guy, even though it's the same person?
Gil Birmingham
Oh, I always find it interesting that people want to categorize the bad guys being the antithesis of who the. The anti hero. For example, in Yellowstone is. My approach to character development is always to come from the heart and from the intention of the agenda that character has. And when people come up and tell me you make such a bad. Such a great bad guy, I always remind him that I haven't killed anybody on the show who's really the bad guy here. That's the structure of the storyline. But I don't think any actor really to fully accept a character, and you probably know this to some degree in your own experience, that as you're playing the character, you can't judge them for whatever it is that they are. They think they're right. They think they're justified for what they do. But my development of that character was always for the interests of my people, to save the land. And this was just an obstacle the Dutton family in which I was going to approach that.
Bobby Bones
My theory about Chief was if you did his story from his perspective, he would have Been the good guy, much like in the Avengers, you know, whenever you got the guy with the rings and he's what. What's his name? Thanos. I think if you shot Thanos's story, he'd have been a good guy because he's trying to save the earth. I think had you shot Chief Rainwater, from his perspective, he would have been the good guy and the Duttons would have been the bad guys. Again, like you said, it's all perspective. There was that transition during the show where we start to warm because again, it's shot from the Duttons, and so we're like, oh, this guy could be against the Duttons, so we're against him. But then you became like this wonderfully warm guy without really changing. I loved your character. When they told you what you were going to do for the show, how did they approach you with the character?
Gil Birmingham
Oh, you know, Taylor, the brilliant writer, the show creator, he approached me with Yellowstone back in 2016. I had no concept of what his storyline was, but we were filming Hell or High Water, and he told me, I've got this character for this series that I'm developed, that I cast you as. So I didn't know the nature of the depth of the character or what it is he had in mind. But after Eller High Water, I did Wind River. I was all on board for all things Taylor Sheridan.
Bobby Bones
Whenever you are reading a script and you realize something big is happening with your character, something that is paramount to the storyline, were you ever shocked while going through the Yellowstone script, through all the seasons?
Gil Birmingham
I don't know that I was. Maybe not so much. And Thomas Rainwater's storyline outside, I think it was season three or four where we had Angela Blue Thunder trying to undermine his chairmanship. I wasn't expecting that. That's what great television is. Drama. I think a lot of the surprises really were in reference to the Duttons, because there was so much, so much more drama there, you know, in terms of people that were trying to take the land over. And the transition, as you were, you know, referenced was really the understanding that Thomas Rainwater had more in common with John Dutton than neither one of them maybe understood. And I think it was so much. It was as much summed up in a line where we want the same things but for different reasons, and that was the preservation of the land. I think that was the highest integrity of character for both of them. Those characters.
Bobby Bones
Can you explain to me, because you're a wildly intelligent guy, obviously, to play the character that you play with the nuance that you play it. But then a petrochemical engineer. Can you tell me what a petrochemical engineer is?
Gil Birmingham
That was back in the 80s and I got directed to a. A format that my parents thought was going to be something I could do, make a decent living. And it was in engineering and I just had an opportunity at the time. And when you're young you're just looking for something to support yourself. And that seemed like a good one at the time. It really didn't speak to me because I only did it for about five years. Most of my life has been windows or doors that were opened and I walked through them and we'll see what happens here.
Bobby Bones
It seems like you've had a like wonderfully amazing Swiss army knife of a life and career. You're so good at a lot of things. I was also reading about you like bodybuilding being just extremely ripped up. So not only smart, good looking guy, also crazy muscles. So what was the bodybuilding phase of your life?
Gil Birmingham
I think I've just. I had somewhat of a suppressed kind of upbringing. It was very isolating. I had a very religious mother and a military father and there was a lot of containment and it just wasn't my spirit. I was more of a, of an artist or a creative. I picked up the guitar at 10 and that's really what I, I thought I wanted to do with my life, was be a musician. I used to just train their goals. Gym, the Mecca Bodybuilding in Venice, California. And I had saved up a little bit of money and I wanted to explore something different. It just fascinated me that you could take the human form and shape it like a Greek statue. So it seemed like a healthy lifestyle for one. And I was there with all these examples of people that were doing that and I was intrigued by what, what you could do with the body. And it actually was the entry into my acting profession because I got scouted in the gym, did a couple of works on a music video, had a great time. My girlfriend at the time was an aspiring actress and she suggested I start taking some classes.
Bobby Bones
And that's where it started to do something in art. As I've learned through the years, it's ebbs and flows, really unsteady, also wildly rewarding. And for me I have a massive insecurity complex. Like I always think I'm not good enough to leave a job like an engineer to go into the world of the arts. The income is not steady. Was that ever a concern for you? Because there wasn't stability.
Gil Birmingham
We all, anybody in the arts has a level of insecurity, of feeling like you're not enough. I guess that's one of the great challenges of propelling yourself to do something that you're definitely scared initially, but the excitement of the potential is more compelling. I guess I saved up my money from the engineering and I knew I had some leeway there to be able to explore this other thing. And then it led to other work more along the lines of entertainment and understanding. I guess accepting that notion, how committed are you to this that you're willing to make all the sacrifices for who knows how long. It was a long time before I ever was able to support myself in my profession. Now a good 10 years, 12 years and learn to live very sparsely. I've always lived like I'm in a college dorm, so I didn't have big overhead expenses.
Bobby Bones
What is your favorite book?
Gil Birmingham
I would say the Power of Now.
Bobby Bones
Oh, I read again recently for like second time. Yeah, I love it.
Gil Birmingham
Oh yeah. That really was a pivotal conscious turnaround for me. And it's still. I've gone through it a couple of times and just the reminder of many of those things. Eckhart Tolle talked about being present and there's really nothing else that exists besides that.
Bobby Bones
That's. That's it. That's the only thing that exists is right this second. I had such a struggle with that until I. I read it the first time and I had a good experience with it. But then when I read it the second time, it' almost like watching a great movie with a ton of nuance in it. In the second time you catch a lot of the things and when I read it the second time, that was exactly what I was going to say was the only thing we actually have is right now.
Gil Birmingham
Yeah, it was a real transitional awareness for me that still I try to remind myself every day.
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Gil Birmingham
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Bobby Bones
What from your childhood did you bring into the character, if anything?
Gil Birmingham
Oddly enough, I had shared my life with Taylor to some extent and then I read the script and the characters for purposes of protection. My parents didn't really let us know we were even native, you know, until I was like 14. And that's exactly the way Thomas Rainwater was presented, that he didn't realize he was native until he was 18. He saw the adoption papers. That was an amazing parallel for me. This is my life, you know, Taylor's so great at that. He's such an observant person and he really knows how to integrate either personal history, his own experiences, the nature of the way he observes the world and the climate that we're in socially, politically, environmentally. I thought that was pretty interesting.
Bobby Bones
It seems to me that Taylor's very hands on in a, in a very positive way. Just from the other folks from either this podcast or in other areas that, that I know that have worked with Taylor, would you say that is accurate and, and what is his approach like person to person? Is it different for every single person I always see.
Gil Birmingham
I've known him since 2016 and they've had me out at the ranch there and their home several times. I don't really see him interacting any differently. He might have more of a heated debate if he's talking to a production company or other producers. He's a very strong willed individual and very straightforward shooting. I wish I could talk the way he does, at least in the way that he puts it down on paper. I have an appreciation of understanding in my own mind the nature of what it takes to be where he is and knowing a bit of history about where he came from. He's really one of those rags to riches story, you know, being an actor for 20 years himself. And it's such an inspiration to really see somebody that steps out and says I'm going to try something. Maybe that's what I related to from my engineering to my bodybuilding to my acting and just taking the risk and then finding out all the amazing kind of potential and talent you might. Was this latent there for. For the longest time and now you're actualizing.
Bobby Bones
How far in advance would you guys get scripts?
Gil Birmingham
Up until this last season, which we didn't get any scripts. We would get them probably a month before we started shooting. The last season was really odd because they were all redacted scripts. They were really keeping it undercover. So you would get the scenes you were in, but you wouldn't get the storyline of any of the other characters. That was fortunate for me because Thomas Rainwater didn't really have that many interactions with any of the other characters. But John Dutton, that was really a new experience for us for a group of people that spent seven years together. For the first time, we're not going to know what everybody else is doing.
Bobby Bones
At what point in the show did you start to get recognized as your character?
Gil Birmingham
Oh, it's interesting because it occurs in different regions. Not so much in Southern California, but I've traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Canada and I'll have these fan bases that approach me in these areas that I wouldn't think. I don't even know what the distribution of Yellowstone is globally, but I wouldn't think of them as being particularly familiar with the show. But oftentimes it's areas that are either as the industry in cattle ranching, oil, those are the big demographics for the show. Oddly enough, it seems to be growing even though the show has completed itself. I don't know if people are catching up to it now, but yeah, it's.
Bobby Bones
Been interesting now that the show is over, and it's time for you to go and find your next job. There have been some pretty cool opportunities that come across that. Do you read through a bunch? Do you audition? How does that work now? Now that you're a known entity and you're really good, so is that helping now?
Gil Birmingham
It's a real roller coaster, I think, for anybody in the industry. You can feel like you're really hot. You can be in a big show, and I reflect sometimes in what they call the Oscar cruise. You would think your career is just going to take off, right? And time after time, you'll hear of artists that things were dead for, like, a couple of years. For me, personally, I know the industry's changing. I know there's a big pullback in general across the board. There's all these AI concerns. Production companies are emerging and the financials are being pulled back. So not as many productions are being done. I just have to trust, have patience and trust that something will pop up that really attracts to me. Nothing in particular that I've read at this point has really made me feel like, yeah, I really want to do that.
Bobby Bones
Are you good at reading a script and knowing if something is great and grabs you?
Gil Birmingham
No. Remember reading Hell or High Water? And I was going, oh, yeah, this is a fairly good script. Working with Jeff Bridges now being Chris Pine. Ben, Fine. Okay. I don't know where this movie's gonna go, sitting there at the Oscars.
Bobby Bones
So you played Ben in Hell or High Water. What was that experience like? Just in. I have a hundred questions, so I just wanna ask a very vague one. Give me, like a, you know, a memory from Hell or High Water that I. I think was cool.
Gil Birmingham
I think. Well, there's several. One that sticks out to me is that Jeff and I had about two weeks. I mean, we shot that film in, like, five weeks. There was a really small window. And when I learned about all the machinations behind the scenes, it just amazes me that it got made originally. It got turned down from a bunch of people. And then a producer came on and said, the script right now is gonna. It's got a stag to it right now. Let's take it off the market and then we'll reintroduce it. And. And we had a producer that stepped in and financed it, but to develop a relationship that we had, like, good friends, had been working together for 20 years and how to develop that in a couple of weeks. It was the music, because Jeff is a musician, I'm a musician, and it was when we would jam together, there was really a connection, which was just perfect. And just our improv stuff. There was a bit of improv between us. It still tickles me. I just watched it. I guess it just got put on Showtime or HBO or something. And I'll just get drawn into it, not just for the experience of the memory, but just how really great a script that was and how great everybody in it was.
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Gil Birmingham
Your bill, ladies.
Bobby Bones
I got it.
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Gil Birmingham
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Bobby Bones
Shoot.
Gil Birmingham
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Bobby Bones
Talk music for a second. Mount Rushmore. A favorite artist. Give me your four favorite. It's gonna be impossible because somebody that knows music, loves music and plays music. It's a. It is an impossible question, but I'm putting it on you. Here. For your four favorite artists of all time.
Gil Birmingham
I think maybe number one would have to be this. Raging idiots.
Bobby Bones
No, you don't want that. Worst power washer to that. Fates. Out of there. Out of there.
Gil Birmingham
Cancel. Cancel. Cancel.
Bobby Bones
Cancel.
Gil Birmingham
Yes, I. Listen, I. I was a guitar player, you know. It was Jimi Hendrix who affected Me, I was so focused on and I have some, some regret to that because I wasn't. The ponder of lyrics and the power of the language was Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Joe Satriani or you know, Eric Johnson, all the guitar heroes, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page.
Bobby Bones
Such a geek of rock, classic rock guitar. There is a Stevie Ray Vaughan clips, one of my favorite ever where he's playing Austin City Limits and his guitar string breaks and he's able to change his string while he's still playing this solo. That to me is why I love Stevie Ray Vaughan because he was, he was so natural with his instrument. It was like a body part that he again he can change a string as he's playing me. If I'm changing a string, I need 10 minutes, I need to retune. I got to get my tuner, put it on my knee, I got to do the whole thing there. But yeah, and with Jimi Hendrix, I'm left handed, I play left handed. But Jimi Hendrix kind of screwed me up because he played upside down left handed. So I didn't. He played like in the most difficult left handed way where I actually bought a left handed guitar and switched it around. But yeah, no, I am, I am a. A music nerd. To where when you mention all those guys like that excites me a whole lot. How often do you play now?
Gil Birmingham
Not nearly enough anymore. You probably know this when you're playing in a band and you're digging out, that's when you play the most. That's when you're on top of your chops and everything. I always feel bad thinking about having a talent that I'm exercising more regularly. So I haven't really been playing outside of. Certainly not out of bands. Maybe on set it was jamming, but not like I really should or want to.
Bobby Bones
That's super cool that you're so musical. Was there a dream of being in a band? Were you ever in a band as a kid? I know you said you played but would you ever get together with friends and like think you'd make it for a second?
Gil Birmingham
Oh yeah, that was my dream. I still. When people talk about having a purpose in life or what was their dream? It was the moment I picked up a guitar at 10 years old. I said this is it. And in my naivete I said I'm going to be a rock star. So it's funny that I got detoured off into another direction. I live vicariously through these musicians. I met Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban the other night at a charity function we were doing. And I chatted with Keith. I was just sharing that with him. I said, you play with such joy and freedom. And it's everything that I imagine what music means when I play it. And he said the critical thing that he always remembers is to play the playfulness of playing like any other thing. Like you'll do something if it's sports or music as a kid and you did it because you loved it until if it became a profession, then there's all these other things and attachments and responsibilities and distract you from it. That really resonated for me.
Bobby Bones
Keith Urban is actually a really good friend of mine. And yeah, to watch him play if it's for 10 people or for 10,000. And did he play at the event? I guess that you were there. Did he play in front of you?
Gil Birmingham
No, he didn't. They. They were making the appearance. We were doing a charity wall down in Fort Worth, Texas. The celebrity cutting competition that they do every year always. Yes. Well, the. The sharing's actually. Right now. It's raising money now at this point, it was for kids with cancer. They're trying to build a hospital there in Fort Worth so people that have to come in and don't have to drive all the way to Dallas when there's a demographic of people that really use the hospital. So there was a number of actors that come to compete in a cutting competition from Yellowstone to the other shows. Linus 1923. Yeah, it was. It was a lot of fun.
Bobby Bones
And my point with that was that he does. He plays if it's 10 people. If it's in a room, he has so much fun. It's just like he lights up like a child. Even now when he plays guitar. And it's. You look at that and you go, man, the inspiration. Somebody who still loves what they do so much, even though they've done it at the highest level, but they still. Like, I've been to his house and he has a studio in his house. And to watch him create music, to watch somebody still love something that much and they've done it for that long, like, to me, that is inspiring. And I would think that as a creative yourself, it's really cool to see people love what they do even when they've reached really high levels doing it.
Gil Birmingham
It's this sense of belief we have in ourselves. Right. You can actually be really good at something and not have that confidence yourself. Everybody else around you can see it, but it hasn't embedded itself in you for you to step out and actually Take the risk of exploring exactly what your potential is. I'm talking to myself here.
Bobby Bones
You're talking to me too, though. Don't worry, you're talking to both of us. I have two final questions for you, and this is the most cliche question ever. But I just like talking to you. I feel like you're a super smart guy, so I'm going to follow your advice here. What's a good show now that you either just finished or you're in the middle of where you're like, man, this is amazing. I need to recommend it to everybody.
Gil Birmingham
Well, it'll sound like I'm biased. I love all of Taylor's shows. They're so unique, and it's incredibly amazing how he can create a world all separate from one another. And I just finished Landman with Billy Bob Thornton, who I'm a big fan of as well. That was really worth watching. And then Lioness.
Bobby Bones
Lioness was awesome.
Gil Birmingham
Yeah, it's just. You kick ass.
Bobby Bones
I really appreciate the time. I am a big fan. The agency, if you watch that, by the way, it is A plus elite as well. On Hulu, it's Taylor Sheridan. Oh, man, it is. It's CIA. It.
Gil Birmingham
Yeah.
Bobby Bones
Land manager starting for us because we don't like to wait week to week because we're creatures of. We like to have it all at once, so. But the agency just finished. That would be the one I would recommend back to you. Not recommendations, but I'm a big fan, so thank you for spending a half hour with me. This has been awesome. I hope you weren't totally annoyed by all my questions about your life in detail, but keep up the great work and I can't wait to see whatever you're in next.
Gil Birmingham
It was a real pleasure to meet you and chat with you as well. You're a great little interviewer there, Bobby.
Bobby Bones
Thank you, Gil. Have a great rest of the day.
Gil Birmingham
Thank you. You too.
Bobby Bones
The Yellowstone official podcast, hosted by me, Bobby Bones, and brought to you by iheartmedia Podcasts and MTV Entertainment Studios. Big shout out to executive producers Jason Reed, Lindsey Hoffman, Carl CADLE, and Kevin O'Connell. Also, our senior manager of podcast marketing, Ali Kanner Graber, for keeping the word out. And of course, a big thanks to Will Pearson, president of iHeartMedia podcast, for him supporting this show. We've also got special thanks going out to Whitney Baxter, Xavier Offride, Barbara Pareda, Emily Curry and Joe Flattery. You guys make this happen. This podcast is produced and association with 101 Studios. Over there, Executive producer Scott Stone and Director of Podcast development and Production Danielle Waxman. We also got to give a big nod to Michelle Newman, David Glasser and David Hutkin for their support. Thank you guys for tuning in. See you next week.
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The Official Yellowstone Podcast: Episode with Gil Birmingham – A Deep Dive into Chief Thomas Rainwater
Release Date: February 20, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 5 of The Official Yellowstone Podcast, host Bobby Bones engages in an insightful conversation with Gil Birmingham, the talented actor behind Chief Thomas Rainwater on Paramount Network's hit series Yellowstone. This episode delves into Gil's multifaceted career, his portrayal of Rainwater, and the personal experiences that shape his performances. Whether you're a die-hard Yellowstone fan or new to the series, this episode offers a comprehensive look into one of the show's most compelling characters.
Guest Background: Gil Birmingham
Gil Birmingham is renowned for his versatile acting skills, having appeared in several of Taylor Sheridan's acclaimed projects, including Hell or High Water and Wind River. Initially trained as a petrochemical engineer, Gil's journey into acting was unconventional, marked by his transition from engineering to bodybuilding, and ultimately, to the performing arts.
“I had no concept of what his storyline was, but we were filming Hell or High Water, and he told me, I've got this character for this series that I'm developing, that I cast you as.” [05:47]
Character Discussion: Chief Thomas Rainwater
Chief Rainwater is a complex character who oscillates between antagonist and protagonist, embodying both admirable and contentious traits. Gil discusses his approach to portraying Rainwater, emphasizing the importance of understanding the character's motivations and objectives.
“My approach to character development is always to come from the heart and from the intention of the agenda that character has.” [04:09]
Gil highlights that Rainwater's actions are driven by a genuine desire to preserve his land and heritage, positioning him as a character who believes in his righteous cause, much like the Duttons, albeit from a different perspective.
“We want the same things but for different reasons, and that was the preservation of the land. I think that was the highest integrity of character for both of them.” [07:24]
Gil's Career Path: From Engineering to Acting
Gil's transition from a petrochemical engineer to an actor was fueled by his passion for creativity and self-expression. Despite his technical background, he found solace and identity in the arts, particularly through music and bodybuilding, which eventually led him to acting.
“I was an engineer, then I kind of got into acting and there's some bodybuilding in there. You’re gonna hear about all this.” [01:40]
His decision to pursue acting was marked by financial prudence, saving money from his engineering career to support his artistic endeavors while living modestly to sustain himself during the initial years.
“I've always lived like I'm in a college dorm, so I didn't have big overhead expenses.” [10:53]
Acting in Yellowstone: Collaborating with Taylor Sheridan
Gil reflects on his collaboration with Taylor Sheridan, praising Sheridan's ability to create richly layered characters and intricate storylines. Their professional relationship began in 2016, and Gil has since been a consistent presence in Sheridan's projects.
“I have an appreciation of understanding in my own mind the nature of what it takes to be where he is and knowing a bit of history about where he came from.” [15:12]
He shares insights into the creative process, particularly the unique approach taken in the latest season where scripts were redacted to maintain secrecy around plot developments. This method allowed Gil greater flexibility in portraying Rainwater without prior knowledge of other characters' arcs.
“The last season was really odd because they were all redacted scripts. They were really keeping it undercover.” [16:16]
Personal Insights: Life and Philosophy
Beyond acting, Gil delves into his personal philosophies and influences, notably his admiration for Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now. This book has significantly impacted his consciousness and daily outlook, emphasizing the importance of living in the present moment.
“Eckhart Tolle talked about being present and there's really nothing else that exists besides that.” [10:57]
He also draws parallels between his own life experiences and those of his character, particularly regarding cultural identity and personal discovery.
“I had shared my life with Taylor to some extent and then I read the script and the characters for purposes of protection. My parents didn't really let us know we were even native, you know, until I was like 14.” [14:07]
Music and Hobbies: A Lifelong Passion
Gil's passion for music remains a significant aspect of his life. A skilled guitarist influenced by legends like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, he discusses how music served as both a creative outlet and a pathway to his acting career.
“It really was the entry into my acting profession because I got scouted in the gym, did a couple of works on a music video, had a great time.” [08:27]
Despite his busy schedule, Gil acknowledges the importance of maintaining his musical talents and the joy it brings him, even if he hasn't been able to play as frequently as he'd like.
“I always feel bad thinking about having a talent that I'm exercising more regularly. So I haven't really been playing outside of.” [24:08]
Advice and Recommendations: Embracing Creativity
Gil offers valuable insights into pursuing one's passions, emphasizing the necessity of self-belief and the courage to take risks. He reflects on his own journey from engineering to the arts as a testament to following one's true calling despite uncertainties.
“You can actually be really good at something and not have that confidence yourself. Everybody else around you can see it, but it hasn't embedded itself in you for you to step out and actually take the risk of exploring exactly what your potential is.” [27:26]
When asked about current favorite shows, Gil recommends Taylor Sheridan's latest works, showcasing his continued support and enthusiasm for Sheridan's unique storytelling.
“I love all of Taylor's shows. They're so unique, and it's incredibly amazing how he can create a world all separate from one another.” [27:47]
Conclusion
This episode of The Official Yellowstone Podcast provides an in-depth look into Gil Birmingham's life, his portrayal of Chief Thomas Rainwater, and the intricate balance between his personal experiences and professional artistry. Through candid discussions and thoughtful insights, listeners gain a richer understanding of the man behind one of Yellowstone's most intriguing characters. Gil's journey from engineering to acting, his dedication to his craft, and his philosophical outlook offer inspiration to aspiring artists and fans alike.
“It was a real pleasure to meet you and chat with you as well. You're a great little interviewer there, Bobby.” [28:45]
Notable Quotes
“My approach to character development is always to come from the heart and from the intention of the agenda that character has.” – Gil Birmingham [04:09]
“We want the same things but for different reasons, and that was the preservation of the land. I think that was the highest integrity of character for both of them.” – Gil Birmingham [07:24]
“Eckhart Tolle talked about being present and there's really nothing else that exists besides that.” – Gil Birmingham [10:57]
“You can actually be really good at something and not have that confidence yourself. Everybody else around you can see it, but it hasn't embedded itself in you for you to step out and actually take the risk of exploring exactly what your potential is.” – Gil Birmingham [27:26]
Connect with Gil Birmingham
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