20 years after walking off of the Red Carpets of the world, Steve Kmetko is back behind the microphone and talking to the biggest stars of Film and TV, along with some stars that we haven't seen in a minute. Steve is STILL HERE HOLLYWOOD, and this time he's sticking around.
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Anson Williams became a television icon as Potsie Weber on Happy Days, but his Hollywood story goes far beyond Arnold’s Drive-In.
Anson joins Steve Kmetko for a revealing look back at more than five decades in show business, including how he stumbled into his first acting job with a young Steven Spielberg, what Garry Marshall taught the Happy Days cast about surviving Hollywood, and the extraordinary day John Lennon secretly showed up on the Happy Days set with his son Julian.
Anson also tells the remarkable story of how his connection to Dr. Henry Heimlich helped bring the Heimlich maneuver to national television, remembers his late Happy Days co-star Erin Moran, talks about working with Bette Davis and Hollywood legends including Milton Berle and Ethel Merman, and explains how Ron Howard helped inspire his second career as a television director.
Plus, Anson discusses his newest project, Crazy Mama, starring Linda Purl.
It’s an hour of Hollywood history from someone who was there for an astonishing amount of it.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Anson Williams joins Still Here Hollywood 01:00 Growing up in Los Angeles and trying to break into show business 04:00 The disastrous audition that launched his career 07:24 His first real break 09:00 How a sit-in at a talent agency changed everything 12:00 His first acting job, directed by Steven Spielberg 14:22 Would social media have changed his career? 17:05 Happy Days becomes his big break 17:26 The real story of the original Happy Days pilot 19:37 Why the Happy Days cast became so close 21:03 What made Garry Marshall special 22:11 How Anson turned Potsie into a second career 25:46 How Happy Days helped spread the Heimlich maneuver 30:34 Who made Anson laugh hardest on Happy Days? 33:23 John Lennon secretly visits the Happy Days set 35:43 What changed after Ron Howard left 37:19 Working with Bette Davis 41:47 Remembering Marion Ross 42:43 Becoming a television director 45:35 Growing up around Hollywood legends 49:38 Working with Ethel Merman 50:28 Remembering Erin Moran 52:19 The most important lesson he learned as a director 53:37 Learning to direct science fiction 56:03 Crazy Mama and Linda Purl 1:01:07 Anson Williams looks ahead
Show Credits
Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko
All things technical: Justin Zangerle
Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein
Music by: Brian Sanyshyn
https://stillherehollywood.com
http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood
Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com
Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Linda Purl "Happy Days" / "Matlock"
Episode 162
Monday, September 28, 2026 • Duration 01:04:43
Linda Purl has spent more than five decades building an extraordinary career across television, film, Broadway and music. In this episode of Still Here Hollywood, Linda joins Steve Kmetko for a funny, candid and surprisingly personal conversation about Happy Days, Matlock, The Office, Andy Griffith, Garry Marshall, aging in Hollywood and the unexpected love story that brought her and Dallas star Patrick Duffy together.
Linda reveals what The Office was really like behind the scenes, why Happy Days had only one bathroom for the cast and crew, and the remarkable story Andy Griffith told her about fighting for his role in A Face in the Crowd. She also opens up about reconnecting with Patrick Duffy during COVID, their nightly Zoom conversations and the moment he finally drove from Oregon to Colorado to see if their friendship could become something more.
Plus, Linda talks about returning to the stage, her lifelong love of music, handling criticism, getting older without “giving up,” and how she and Patrick turned a 70-year-old family sourdough starter into Duffy's Dough and a mission to help fight food insecurity.
It's Linda Purl, still working, still laughing, still singing and very much Still Here.
00:00 Linda Purl Is Still Here 01:02 Growing Up in Japan 07:34 Becoming an Actor 10:42 Auditioning for The Office 12:17 Garry Marshall and the Happy Days Family 14:49 The Truth About Improv on The Office 16:20 The Lasting Bonds of Happy Days 18:26 Returning to Happy Days as a Different Character 20:16 Working With Andy Griffith on Matlock 21:58 Andy Griffith's Wild Elia Kazan Story Linda's Advice for Young Actors Criticism and Bad Reviews Social Media and the New Hollywood Aging in Hollywood Linda's Other Career as a Singer Her New Album, From My Heart Reinvention and Gregory Harrison's Life Lesson Playing 16 Characters in Crazy Mama Falling in Love With Patrick Duffy Patrick's 70-Year-Old Sourdough Starter Turning Duffy's Dough Into a Business What Linda Hopes People Remember
Elisa Donovan "Clueless"
Episode 159
Monday, September 21, 2026 • Duration 56:51
Elisa Donovan became forever recognizable as Amber, Cher Horowitz's fabulously overdressed rival in the 1995 classic Clueless. But behind one of the most memorable characters of the '90s is an actress, writer and mother whose life took turns she never could have imagined.
Elisa joins Steve Kmetko for a candid conversation about landing Clueless, creating Amber from the mean girls she knew growing up, working with Alicia Silverstone, and the Clueless joke she didn't even understand when she delivered it.
She also opens up about Brittany Murphy, sharing a hilarious memory from the Clueless set and revealing the troubling signs she says she witnessed the last time she saw Brittany before her death.
Elisa talks about nearly landing the lead in Showgirls, climbing into bed with Jason Priestley on her first day of Beverly Hills, 90210, her frustration during Sabrina the Teenage Witch, losing her father to cancer, and the extraordinary dreams that changed the way she thinks about grief and death.
Plus, Elisa explains why she believes Hollywood is losing the kinds of movies that once gave actors and storytellers room to take chances.
This is Still Here Hollywood. I'm Steve Kmetko. Join us with today's guest, from Clueless, actor Elisa Donovan.
00:00 Elisa Donovan joins Still Here Hollywood
01:54 Knowing she wanted to become an actor
04:04 The personality trait that helped her survive Hollywood
05:32 Her first television break on Blossom
07:01 The Showgirls role she desperately wanted
10:14 Learning from rejection in Hollywood
11:41 Did anyone know Clueless would become a classic?
13:19 The intimidating Clueless audition
15:34 Learning how television really works
Michael Chiklis "The Shield" / "Commish" / "Fantastic 4"
Episode 156
Monday, September 14, 2026 • Duration 01:10:52
Emmy and Golden Globe winner Michael Chiklis joins Steve Kmetko for a remarkably candid conversation about The Shield, Fantastic Four, The Commish, Hollywood, artificial intelligence, reinvention, family, failure, and the future of the entertainment business.
Chiklis opens up about the dramatic changes he's witnessed in Hollywood and why he believes the industry has contracted far more than many people realize. He discusses his concerns about AI, actors losing control of their own likenesses, and what happens when technology companies become some of Hollywood's most powerful players.
Michael also reveals how his wife helped convince him to completely reinvent himself after The Commish, how he developed Vic Mackey for The Shield, and why he still proudly defends his Fantastic Four movies and his portrayal of Ben Grimm, The Thing.
Away from Hollywood, Chiklis gets emotional talking about finally visiting Greece, becoming a grandfather, his family, and what he's learned about failure after decades in show business.
And then there's Elton John.
Michael tells an extraordinary story about randomly encountering Elton John in a Boston Versace store, discovering Elton was a fan of The Commish, and ultimately watching Elton change his concert for Michael's wife and perform "Candle in the Wind" especially for her.
It's Michael Chiklis, candid, funny, thoughtful, occasionally profane, and completely unfiltered.
This is Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko.
00:00 Michael Chiklis Joins Still Here Hollywood 01:02 Growing Up in an Artistic Greek Family 04:32 The Moment Michael Knew He'd Be an Actor 07:01 Surviving Hollywood and a Changing Industry 09:00 Michael Sounds Off on AI and Owning Your Image 11:32 Tech Giants, Mergers and the Future of Hollywood Why AI Worries Michael Chiklis Finally Visiting Greece "A Hard Guy With a Caramel Center" Becoming a Grandfather The Commish vs. The Shield Creating Vic Mackey How Michael Reinvented Himself Fantastic Four and Becoming The Thing Michael Chiklis, the Musician Why Failure Is Necessary What Makes Michael Happiest The Incredible Elton John Story What's Still Left on Michael's Bucket List Why Michael Won't Talk Politics Remembering Telly Savalas
Richard Kind "Spin City" Encore
Episode 160
Monday, September 7, 2026 • Duration 01:04:10
Richard Kind has seemingly worked with everyone, and he has the stories to prove it. The beloved character actor joins Steve Kmetko for a hilarious, candid conversation about his unlikely path from Second City to Mad About You, Spin City, Scrubs, Pixar and beyond. Richard remembers working alongside Michael J. Fox and Charlie Sheen, explains what Christopher Walken taught him simply by watching him act, talks about his experiences with Disney and Pixar, and reveals why he still considers himself an actor rather than a comedian.
And then there is George Clooney.
Kind shares a hilarious prank involving Clooney's Oscar, a TSA agent and a very heavy suitcase, before telling a far more revealing story about the man Clooney was before ER made him a superstar. During the Los Angeles riots, Kind planned to leave town with friends. Clooney had another idea.
It's funny, thoughtful, wonderfully unpredictable and very Richard Kind.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Richard Kind Is Still Here 01:17 The Character Actor Dining Society 03:40 George Clooney's Oscar Prank 06:13 Richard Kind's Second City Years 08:08 "The Harvard of Comedy" 09:19 Chasing the Dream of Acting 11:07 Did His Family Think He'd Make It? 13:20 Why Li'l Abner Should Come Back 14:12 Songs That Have Aged VERY Badly 16:17 Richard's First Television Job 18:38 Learning Television With Mary Tyler Moore 21:40 How Richard Met George Clooney 22:39 "I'm the Luckiest Guy in the World" 24:04 Richard Says He's NOT a Comedic Actor 27:02 Why He Prefers Single-Camera Acting 28:45 Remembering Linda Lavin and Tony Roberts 31:30 Spin City, Michael J. Fox and Charlie Sheen 32:59 What Actors Actually Do The Torturous "Drive Home" Mid-Century Modern and James Burrows Why Fans Still Love Him on Scrubs Richard Kind Calls Bill Lawrence a Genius Recording Family Guy and American Dad The Truth About Working for Disney Richard Kind vs. Marvel Movies What Richard Really Thinks of Amal Clooney George Clooney Before He Was Famous The Incredible LA Riots Story Richard Says Goodbye
Gail O'Grady "NYPD Blue" Encore
Episode 155
Monday, August 31, 2026 • Duration 35:34
Gail O’Grady became one of television’s most recognizable faces as Donna Abandando on the groundbreaking ABC drama NYPD Blue. In this encore episode of Still Here Hollywood, Gail joins Steve Kmetko for a candid conversation about the role that changed her career, why she decided to leave the hit series, and why she now wishes she had stayed longer.
Gail also remembers legendary producer Steven Bochco, reveals the unusual way she created Donna for her NYPD Blue audition, talks about working with Sharon Lawrence, and shares stories from Desperate Housewives, Law & Order: SVU, Boston Legal and more.
She opens up about becoming a mother in her 40s, moving back to Chicago to care for her father, the confidence she wishes she had when she was younger, and the advice she has passed along to her son.
Plus, Gail recalls getting actually slapped while filming Desperate Housewives, being starstruck by Henry Winkler during her first days in Hollywood, meeting one of her acting heroes, Anne Bancroft, and working on J.J. Abrams’ Duster.
00:00 Gail O’Grady on Still Here Hollywood 01:03 Success and Emmy Recognition on NYPD Blue 02:06 Why Gail O’Grady Left NYPD Blue 02:49 The Decision She Now Regrets 03:05 Remembering Steven Bochco 04:10 How Gail Landed NYPD Blue 06:18 Sharon Lawrence and the NYPD Blue Cast 07:03 Leaving Los Angeles 08:34 Advice for Young Actors 11:30 Becoming a Mother in Her 40s 12:56 Behind the Scenes of Desperate Housewives 14:39 Working on Law & Order: SVU 15:32 The Career Gail Might Have Chosen 16:14 Moving Home to Care for Her Father 17:20 Career Highs and Lows 18:56 How NYPD Blue Changed Everything 19:56 Meeting Anne Bancroft
Alfred Molina "Spiderman" / "Raiders of the Lost Ark"
Episode 158
Monday, August 24, 2026 • Duration 01:05:15
From Raiders of the Lost Ark to Spider-Man 2, Boogie Nights, Frida and Broadway, Alfred Molina has built one of Hollywood's most extraordinary and versatile careers.
In this revealing conversation with Steve Kmetko, Molina looks back at making his movie debut for Steven Spielberg, and admits he was so inexperienced he didn't even understand the marks on the floor. He shares the story behind becoming Doctor Octopus, explains how Doc Ock's famous mechanical arms really worked, and reveals the nickname he and the puppeteers gave themselves.
Molina also takes us behind the scenes of Boogie Nights, including the line he improvised that Paul Thomas Anderson kept in the film, and talks about Salma Hayek's extraordinary fight to get Frida made with the cast she wanted.
Then the conversation gets personal. Molina discusses the times he considered giving up acting, being told he wasn't leading-man material, therapy, his unusual theory about what drives actors, his feelings about awards and the role he'd still love to play.
After five decades on stage and screen, Alfred Molina is very much still here.
00:00 Alfred Molina: Still Here Hollywood 01:01 His First Movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark 02:17 Alfred Molina Was Completely New to Filmmaking 04:52 Why Spielberg Told Him to Stop Watching Dailies 07:18 Why Raiders Changed Adventure Movies 08:43 Auditioning for Steven Spielberg 10:22 Learning From Hollywood's Greatest Directors 12:20 The One Director He Couldn't Understand 14:33 Regretting Not Paying Attention in School 15:08 Classical Acting Training at Guildhall 17:08 Did Classical Training Help in Hollywood? 19:01 Becoming Doctor Octopus 20:00 The Secrets Behind Doc Ock's Tentacles
Jeff Kober "The Pitt"
Episode 157
Monday, August 17, 2026 • Duration 52:27
Jeff Kober has spent more than four decades disappearing into some of television’s most unforgettable characters, from China Beach and The Walking Dead to Sons of Anarchy, General Hospital and now The Pitt.
Today, Kober joins Steve Kmetko with something remarkable to celebrate, Emmy recognition for both The Pitt and General Hospital.
Kober reveals how a last-minute self-tape nearly went completely wrong before helping land him his role on The Pitt, what it is really like working opposite Noah Wyle, and why the acclaimed medical drama feels different from almost anything else he has done.
But this conversation goes far beyond Hollywood.
Kober opens up about the anxiety and darkness he experienced earlier in his life, the unusual path that led him from Montana to acting in Los Angeles, his relationship with his son, the transformative role meditation has played in his life, and why, after decades of pl
00:00 Jeff Kober Has Two Emmy Nominations 01:11 Joining The Pitt 02:09 What Noah Wyle Is Really Like 04:20 The Audition Disaster That Landed The Pitt 05:37 The Truth About Self-Tape Auditions 07:40 Why Jeff Initially Avoided Watching The Pitt 09:40 What Makes The Pitt Different 12:08 Why Jeff Connected With His Pitt Character 16:10 Does Jeff Kober Want to Win the Emmy? 18:12 How Jeff Kober Accidentally Became an Actor 19:40 Finding His Way Out of an Emotional Mess 23:53 China Beach and Dana Delany 25:14 The Walking Dead and Andrew Lincoln 26:30 Bringing Darkness Into the Light 29:51 General Hospital and the Brutal Pace of Daytime TV 33:40 The Most Fulfilling Role of His Career 35:30 What Jeff Kober Still Wants to Playaying dangerous and troubled men, he finally feels comfortable being himself.
Maria Conchita Alonso "Moscow On The Hudson"
Episode 151
Monday, August 10, 2026 • Duration 56:00
Maria Conchita Alonso has lived one of Hollywood's most fascinating lives.
She joins Steve Kmetko to discuss escaping Cuba, growing up in Venezuela, becoming an international music star, starring alongside Robin Williams, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sean Penn, Danny Glover and Nicolas Cage, and why she sacrificed career opportunities to stand up for her beliefs.
She also reflects on aging, fame, animal rescue, Broadway, activism, and what truly matters most after four decades in entertainment.
00:00 Opening
00:37 Cuba, Venezuela and finding home
03:30 Lessons from her parents
06:47 Beauty pageants and Hollywood
10:08 Arriving in Hollywood
11:39 Robin Williams memories
15:29 Arnold Schwarzenegger and The Running Man
18:03 Venezuela today
20:55 Why activism changed her career
23:16 Her animal rescue foundation
27:09 Rescuing Cookie
29:49 Colors, Sean Penn and Danny Glover
35:42 Hollywood memories
38:47 Hollywood then vs. now
40:46 Social media and today's entertainment business
42:10 Acting vs. music
44:49 Her new album Caliéntame
47:50 Politics and career consequences
49:21 Aging and growing wiser
51:00 Regrets and forgiveness
53:02 Legacy and helping others
Tim Matheson "AnimalHouse"Encore
Episode 153
Monday, August 3, 2026 • Duration 54:59
Before Animal House became one of the greatest comedies ever made, Tim Matheson was already building one of the longest and most fascinating careers in Hollywood.
In this episode of Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko, Tim shares unforgettable stories about John Belushi, Lucille Ball, Steven Spielberg, Henry Fonda, Ryan Reynolds, Mel Brooks, Anne Bancroft, Meghan Markle, Aaron Sorkin, Clint Eastwood and many more.
He reveals what Belushi was really like before fame changed everything, how Spielberg personally tracked him down in Las Vegas, the acting lessons he learned from Henry Fonda, directing Meghan Markle on Suits, working opposite Mel Brooks, starring in Animal House, The West Wing, Fletch, Van Wilder and Johnny Quest, and why he finally decided to write his memoir.
If you love classic Hollywood, behind-the-scenes stories and the golden age of film and television, this episode is packed with incredible moments.
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00:00 Intro, Tim Matheson arrives
00:46 Knee replacement and getting older
01:46 Leave It to Beaver and becoming a child actor
04:02 Working with Steven Spielberg
07:18 The Hollywood legend who influenced him most, Lucille Ball
11:03 Henry Fonda's unforgettable acting lesson
13:48 John Belushi and making Animal House
16:50 Belushi's death and Hollywood's cocaine culture
20:30 Directing Meghan Markle on Suits
21:47 Why Tim finally wrote his memoir
Ivan Reitman, Animal House and comedy history
24:30
27:43
29:21
32:37
34:20
38:55
41:33
44:22
47:55
53:05
56:36
1:03:33
Show Credits
Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko
All things technical: Justin Zangerle
Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein
Music by: Brian Sanyshyn
https://stillherehollywood.com
http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood
Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com
Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
37:15 Life, Purpose and Finding Meaning
40:02 How Meditation Changed His Life
41:43 Is Jeff Happier Today?
42:40 Why Acting Gave His Darkness Value
44:44 The Fear He Finally Let Go
45:17 Why He Still Loves Walking Onto a Set
47:34 Was Jeff Kober a Good Father?
49:03 Would He Ever Revisit China Beach?
50:12 Jeff Kober Is Writing a Memoir
Plus, memories of China Beach, Dana Delany, Andrew Lincoln and The Walking Dead, the brutal pace of General Hospital, and why The Pitt allowed Kober to let himself be seen in a way he never had before.
Show Credits
Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko
All things technical: Justin Zangerle
Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein
Music by: Brian Sanyshyn
https://stillherehollywood.com
http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood
Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com
Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com
