The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast: Cheryl Hines On Acting With Larry David, RFK Jr.’s Vision, & Advice For Non-Toxic Living

Hosts: Lauryn Bosstick & Michael Bosstick
Guest: Cheryl Hines
Release Date: January 16, 2025
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 12 minutes

Introduction and Guest Background

In this engaging episode of The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast, hosts Lauryn Bosstick and Michael Bosstick sit down with Cheryl Hines, an Emmy Award-nominated actress best known for her iconic role as Cheryl David on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Beyond her acting career, Cheryl is the wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., bringing a unique blend of entertainment and political insight to the conversation.

Michael Bostick: "She's a lifestyle blogger extraordinaire."
Lauryn Bosstick: "Get ready for some major realness."
(01:11)

Cheryl's Early Life and Acting Career

Cheryl delves into her early passion for acting, recounting how she and her sister would perform sketch shows inspired by Carol Burnett. Her dedication intensified during middle and high school, leading her to pursue theater seriously. After high school, Cheryl initially pursued cosmetology but eventually shifted her focus to acting by attending college in Florida, majoring in television production with a minor in theater. This decision culminated in her move to Los Angeles, where she faced the typical struggles of breaking into the acting industry without an agent.

Cheryl Hines: "I always knew when I was young, I mean, my sister and I would do sketch shows for my parents inspired by Carol Burnett."
(02:37)

Joining Curb Your Enthusiasm and Working with Larry David

Cheryl discusses her serendipitous casting in Curb Your Enthusiasm. In 1999, she auditioned for the show without knowing much about Larry David beyond his creation of Seinfeld. The audition was entirely improvised, and Cheryl was thrilled to land the role that would define her career.

Cheryl Hines: "They wanted to hire an unknown actress. Thank God I hadn't gotten any work until then. And I went in and improvised with Larry and then they told me I got the part later that day."
(11:13)

Improv Experience and Show Dynamics

A significant portion of the conversation centers around the improvisational nature of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Unlike traditional scripted shows, Curb operates on a loose story outline, allowing actors to improvise their dialogues and interactions. Cheryl highlights how this approach lends authenticity and a unique rhythm to the show, making it feel "real" and distinct from other television programs.

Cheryl Hines: "All of it is [improvisation]. We didn't have a script. We had a story outline which was about five or six pages long."
(14:04)

Lauryn Bosstick: "That's why the show is so good and it has such a different essence than other shows because it really feels real."
(14:26)

Working with Larry David

Cheryl shares anecdotes about her collaboration with Larry David, emphasizing his commitment to "radical honesty" and how their real-life personalities often intertwine with their on-screen characters. This blend sometimes leads to humorous and candid moments both on and off the set.

Cheryl Hines: "Larry always says that's the version of him he'd like to be all of the time. But he is a lot like that, you know?"
(15:39)

Cheryl Hines: "It is Radical honesty. It's refreshing."
(17:17)

Personal Life: Marriage to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Transitioning from her acting career, Cheryl opens up about her relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The couple met through mutual friends at a Waterkeeper fundraiser. Initially, Cheryl did not anticipate a romantic spark, but over time, their connection deepened, leading to marriage. Cheryl reflects on the blending of her entertainment world with the political arena, highlighting the challenges and unique experiences that come with being part of the Kennedy family.

Cheryl Hines: "Robert is very charming. He's very smart. And he's funny."
(30:30)

Cheryl Hines: "He's unafraid of almost everything. I can't even tell you one thing he's afraid of."
(37:18)

Navigating Political Differences and Public Scrutiny

The conversation shifts to the intersection of Cheryl's personal life with the intense political spotlight surrounding her husband. Cheryl discusses the difficulties of maintaining friendships amidst political polarization and the added pressures of public scrutiny. She recounts an incident where she felt threatened, underscoring the personal risks that come with her husband's political involvement.

Cheryl Hines: "When things are unfolding like that and you're in the middle of it, it can be a lot."
(45:12)

Cheryl Hines: "Someone call 911."
(36:52)

Health and Non-Toxic Living

Cheryl and the hosts delve into the importance of maintaining a healthy and non-toxic lifestyle. Cheryl speaks passionately about her commitment to clean living, which extends beyond her personal habits to her business ventures. She emphasizes the need for transparency in product ingredients and the benefits of using non-toxic, environmentally friendly products.

Cheryl Hines: "I like to think I lead a pretty healthy lifestyle. So it wasn't like I was eating at McDonald's every day and then suddenly it's like, well, I gotta pull it back."
(55:04)

Cheryl Hines: "It's all really clean stuff. And the number one ingredient in our ultra luxe body cream is organic aloe."
(63:47)

Wellness Practices and Product Creation

Cheryl introduces her entrepreneurial venture, Heinz and Young, co-founded with her daughter. The company focuses on creating clean, non-plastic products such as candles and body creams inspired by beach fragrances. Cheryl explains the motivation behind the business, aiming to reduce plastic use in the cosmetic industry while providing aesthetically pleasing and safe products.

Cheryl Hines: "We thought, why can't we make a really clean product and do it in a cute way that doesn't use single-use plastics."
(61:54)

Cheryl Hines: "The candle that we have, see, it's supposed to smell like vacation."
(63:06)

Lauryn Bosstick: "The Ultra Luxe Body Cream just because it's amazing."
(68:34)

Wellness Habits Together

Discussing personal wellness, Cheryl reveals her balanced approach to health. While she enjoys Pilates, yoga, and dance classes, her husband Robert maintains a rigorous routine that includes daily hiking, gym sessions, sauna, and cold plunges. Cheryl appreciates the benefits of these practices and occasionally joins in, finding activities that suit her preferences.

Cheryl Hines: "I like Pilates, I like yoga. I do a little dance class."
(55:04)

Lauryn Bosstick: "It does something for my nervous system... It's the hardest thing I'm gonna do all day."
(56:11)

Closing Remarks and Future Insights

As the episode wraps up, Cheryl emphasizes the importance of open conversations about health and wellness, free from political biases. She envisions a future where people can discuss and make informed decisions about their health without fear of judgment or backlash. Cheryl also teases future collaborations and encourages listeners to explore her clean living products.

Lauryn Bosstick: "We have to get to a place where we're able to ask these questions. It's a no-brainer."
(41:23)

Lauryn Bosstick: "Shop HeinzYoung.com's code skinny for 30% off."
(68:49)

Cheryl Hines: "After things get started in January, let's do a little check-in, see where we are, what progress has been made."
(72:35)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Cheryl Hines: "I always knew when I was young, I mean, my sister and I would do sketch shows for my parents inspired by Carol Burnett."
  (02:37)

• Cheryl Hines: "All of it is [improvisation]. We didn't have a script. We had a story outline which was about five or six pages long."
  (14:04)

• Cheryl Hines: "It is Radical honesty. It's refreshing."
  (17:17)

• Cheryl Hines: "Robert is very charming. He's very smart. And he's funny."
  (30:30)

• Cheryl Hines: "We thought, why can't we make a really clean product and do it in a cute way that doesn't use single-use plastics."
  (61:54)

• Lauryn Bosstick: "We have to get to a place where we're able to ask these questions. It's a no-brainer."
  (41:23)

Conclusion

This episode offers a comprehensive look into Cheryl Hines' multifaceted life, from her successful acting career and collaboration with Larry David to her role within the Kennedy family and her commitment to healthy living. Cheryl's insights on improvisation in acting, navigating political landscapes, and fostering open dialogues about health provide valuable takeaways for listeners. Additionally, her entrepreneurial spirit shines through her collaboration with her daughter in creating Heinz and Young, promoting non-toxic and environmentally friendly products. Overall, the conversation is rich with personal anecdotes, professional experiences, and actionable advice on maintaining a balanced and health-conscious lifestyle.