Bronson Pinchot’s Acting Career and His Role in “The Residence”

Bronson Pinchot, a seasoned stage actor, recounts a pivotal moment in his career where a seemingly innocuous directorial suggestion backfired spectacularly. His director asked him to add a pause before a crucial monologue. Although he felt it was wrong, he complied, and the result was a complete flop. His immediate reaction involved fleeing the theater and visiting an ATM; however, this was where the full impact of his mistake truly hit home.

An unexpected encounter with theatergoers quickly followed; they voiced their disappointment about the extended pause in his performance. Pinchot’s spontaneous and honest response to their criticism led to an unexpected shared laugh, showcasing his ability to adapt and embrace the unpredictable nature of his profession.

With an extensive resume that encompasses stage, screen, and voice acting (he’s voiced over 400 audiobooks), Pinchot offers insights into his craft without revealing his acting secrets. He maintains a practical outlook on his acting, while remaining tight-lipped on his internal character development process.

Pinchot’s performance in “The Residence” as Didier Gotthard, the White House executive pastry chef, stands in stark contrast to his earlier iconic role as Balki Bartokomous in “Perfect Strangers.” Gotthard is portrayed as a reserved French or Swiss chef concealing a significant secret.

In an interview with Shondaland, Pinchot discussed his initial response to the script for “The Residence”, his approach to acting versus simply “being,” and a playful warning about avoiding his murder-mystery parties.

The Script and its Impact on Pinchot’s Performance

Pinchot described his immediate recognition of the script’s unique quality; the writing left much unsaid, allowing for a layered and nuanced acting performance. He viewed the script as a highly engaging space for acting, citing the economical writing style and the potential for emotional subtext.

The character of Gotthard, who is unemotional and reserved, appealed to Pinchot as it presented a departure from his typically expressive roles. This provided him with the opportunity to utilize a different approach to his craft.

He reflected on past experiences in the theater, recalling instances where he learned to prioritize “being” over “acting.” He discovered that fully embodying a character’s emotions and circumstances, rather than overly emphasizing dramatic gestures, is what truly resonates with the audience.

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Filming “The Residence” and the Art of Understatement

Pinchot discusses choosing to underplay his character in “The Residence”, contrasting his approach to his earlier role in “Perfect Strangers.” His choice to adopt an understated acting style was accepted by the film’s production team.

He highlighted the importance of great scene partners, emphasizing that they enabled him to focus on “being” rather than overtly acting. He explained that with talented co-stars, acting becomes secondary to embodying the character authentically.

Pinchot recalled a particular moment during filming with co-star Giancarlo Esposito that highlighted a genuine connection. They shared photos from the start of their acting careers, which added depth and authenticity to the scene.

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The Mystery, the Mischief, and Current Joys

Pinchot revealed that multiple versions of each scene were filmed, reflecting different perspectives on the events. He enjoyed the narrative’s complexity and the ambiguity surrounding the characters’ actions.

He expressed his love of whodunits, but also his knack for quickly identifying the culprit. He emphasized that the show’s characters are all guilty of some form of misbehavior, enriching the overall intrigue and adding layers to the narrative.

Finally, Pinchot shared his current source of joy: he described landscaping his property and creating a personal oasis, highlighting a parallel between this process and the focused concentration needed for his acting work.