Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson (Sometimes)

Guest: Kate Mara

Date: September 3, 2025
Podcast Description: Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson—opposites and longtime friends since “Cheers”—reconnect, dig into life’s experiences, and chat with fascinating guests. In this episode, Ted sits down with actress Kate Mara for an in-depth, charming, and honest conversation.

Episode Theme & Purpose

This episode features a warm, personal interview with Kate Mara, touching on her creative journey, family connections, experiences working with her sister Rooney Mara and legendary director Werner Herzog, balancing life and career, family football dynasties, activism, and more. Ted and Kate's banter reveals deep ties and industry insights, offering listeners both behind-the-scenes stories and reflections on life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Serendipitous Family Connections & Reunions

• Pilates & Doula Stories (01:44–03:35)

  • The conversation opens with Ted and Kate reminiscing about their Pilates routines and the many connections between their families.
  • Notable Moment: Ted learns Kate’s daughter was Kate Mara’s doula for two of her children.
    • Kate Mara: “Your daughter was my doula for two of my three children... She’s the best.” (03:17)

• First Meeting & "The Open Road" (03:50–04:49)

  • Their first meeting occurred during rehearsals for "The Open Road," held at Ted’s Ojai home.
  • Memorable anecdote: Recalling nights of impromptu music, running charades, and the late Bill Paxton joining festivities.

• Cross-family friendships:

  • Discussion of close friendships with Ted’s family, particularly Charlie McDowell and Lily Collins.

2. Working with Rooney Mara and Werner Herzog on "Bucking Fastered"

• Sisters Acting Together for the First Time (05:02–08:22)

  • Kate and Rooney co-starred as sisters who speak in unison in Herzog’s film, a unique and intense experience.
  • Kate on preparation: “We were eating the same things when we weren't on camera... dressing the same even when we weren't on camera, just to really do it, you know.” (07:09)

• Inside Herzog’s Process (08:38–13:46)

  • Werner Herzog’s directing style discussed as highly specific but also deeply collaborative and trusting.
  • Kate on Herzog: “He doesn’t allow phones on set...He’s the one that says action. He’s the clapper.” (11:17)
  • Strict set: silence between takes, minimal crew, rapid shooting pace, and no unnecessary footage captured.

• Shooting Locations & Family Balance (13:47–14:35)

  • Filming took place in Ireland and Slovenian caves. Both Mara sisters brought their children to set; Herzog was accommodating.
  • Kate on set-life: “There was a day once where we wrapped at 2pm... We finished a week early. Have you ever finished a week early on any job ever?” (15:23)

3. New & Recent Projects

• Apple TV+ Series "Imperfect Women" (19:07–19:18)

  • Cast includes Kerry Washington and Elisabeth Moss. Kate is still filming.

• Comedy Movie "Friendship" with Tim Robinson & Paul Rudd (19:32–21:08)

  • Kate discusses the fun of shooting a comedy "like a drama," with direction focused on authenticity over typical comedic delivery.

• Balancing Career Choices with Parenthood (21:43–22:24)

  • Kate admits her kids can’t yet watch her work and hopes to do something family-friendly one day: “God, put me in an animated movie or something.” (22:13)

4. Reflections on Acting, Early Career & Family Influence

• Early Roles: "Brokeback Mountain" & Acting with Heath Ledger (23:07–25:26)

  • Insights into working with Ang Lee and feeling “convinced he was going to fire me for sure.”
  • Sweet memory: “Heath was so sweet... He was like, ‘This is how [Ang Lee] is with everybody, and don't worry about it.’” (24:32)

• Starting Out as a Teenager & Not Going to College (25:52–28:16)

  • Kate started acting at 14, got her first manager through a family friend, and repeatedly deferred NYU/Tisch to pursue work.

• Growing Up in Two Football Dynasties (Mara & Rooney Families) (31:03–36:46)

  • Family ties to NFL teams (Giants, Steelers); stories about attending games, reserved seating in the owner’s box, and the intense energy of her grandmother.
    • “I never sat anywhere near her because it was too scary.” (32:56)
  • Traditions: dressing up for games, treating football with church-like reverence, and childhood adventures finding knickknacks in empty stadiums post-game.

• Family Opinions on Her Work (36:49–39:51)

  • Grandparents were proud but opinionated—sometimes upset by risqué roles.
    • “If a character that I was playing did something that they do not approve of, they were mad that I played that character.” (37:44)

5. Celebrity, Recognition & "Character Actor" Joy

• Fame/Recognition Experiences (41:39–43:15)

  • Kate rarely gets recognized; most attention is for her children’s flame-orange hair.
  • Attributes this to her "chameleon" quality and different looks for roles.
    • “It makes me feel like a chameleon, you know, I'm like, oh, maybe it's because I can change.” (43:16)

• Preferring Character Work (43:23–44:40)

  • Both Kate and Ted embrace being character actors for career longevity and diversity of roles.

6. Marriage, Family, and Juggling Two Actor-Schedules

• Relationship with Jamie Bell (44:57–52:37)

  • Both spouses are actors; describe differences in professional approach (Jamie: in his head, Kate: not).
  • Humor: Kate joined her high school’s juggling club for a crush—never learned to juggle, true both literally and for balancing life.
  • The couple met at a screen test (for a film neither got), reconnected on "Fantastic Four," and fell in love on the press tour.
    • “We fell in love on the press tour of that movie because it was sort of like... trauma bonding.” (51:37)

• Plans to Relocate to New York (53:33–54:06)

  • After more than two decades in LA, Kate’s family is moving upstate to be closer to relatives.

7. Reflections on Watching One's Work & Producing

• Watching Their Own Performances (56:10–59:13)

  • Ted and Kate discuss the process and discomfort of watching themselves on screen, with Ted humorously explaining his four-phase viewing technique: self-critique, reluctant acceptance, noticing other actors, and eventual enjoyment.
    • Ted: “When I watch it, I'm a judgmental dick.” (59:13)
  • Kate’s experience producing ("The Teacher") shifted her perspective, focusing less on vanity and more on the end product.

• Jamie Bell's Different Approach:

  • Jamie refuses to watch his own work, which Kate finds a pity given his talent.

8. Activism & Documentary Work: "The Smell of Money"

• Factory Farming Awareness (61:29–67:58)
  • Kate produced "The Smell of Money," a documentary about the human and environmental toll of pig factory farms in the Southeast US.
  • Motivation came from her best friend Michelle Cho and early activism post-"Blackfish."
    • “The fact that human beings are actually having to live next to these factory farms... they're getting sick and dying... I just was so horrified by it.” (64:02)
  • Describes activism as “storytelling”—about sharing situations for awareness without telling people how to think.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On working with family:

  • “We play sisters who are so close that they speak in unison...the most bonding experience of our lives, truly.” – Kate Mara (06:15)

• On Werner Herzog’s style:

  • “He’s the clapper. He’s literally...right there next to the camera at all times.” – Kate Mara (11:17)

• On family football traditions:

  • “You weren't allowed in that box if you were dressed in jeans. Like, that was not allowed. You had to be dressed like you were going to church.” – Kate Mara (34:08)

• On character acting:

  • “I’d rather be a character actor.” – Kate Mara (43:30)
  • “That's what allows you to work now for the rest of your life...because you're a character actor.” – Ted Danson (43:39)

• On animal activism:

  • “It was kind of like it was impossible to ignore after I saw it. And I could not stop thinking about it.” – Kate Mara (64:01)

• On partnership:

  • “We fell in love on the press tour...because it was sort of like, you know, trauma bonding.” – Kate Mara (51:37)

• On watching herself act:

  • “It just made it so much easier for me to look at it in a totally different way...it takes the vanity out of it.” – Kate Mara (57:19)

Highlights by Timestamp

• Family & Pilates Connections: 01:44–03:35
• Meeting for "The Open Road": 04:00–04:49
• Herzog, "Bucking Fastered", & Rooney: 05:02–15:35
• Recent projects (“Imperfect Women”, “Friendship”): 19:07–21:08
• Acting, Early Career, Family Dynasty Stories: 23:07–36:46
• On Fame & Recognition: 41:39–43:15
• On Marriage & Partnership: 44:57–52:37
• Relocating & Family Life Changes: 53:33–54:23
• Watching Their Work & Producing: 56:10–59:13
• Activism & “The Smell of Money”: 61:29–67:58

Tone & Style

The tone is candid, humorous, and affectionate. Ted and Kate’s easy rapport, with family as a recurring motif, is underscored with showbiz anecdotes and honest admissions about parenting, fame, work, and their hopes for the future.

This episode is a must-listen for fans of character-driven storytelling, insider tales from Hollywood, and reflections on life’s intersections with art and activism.