Bronson Pinchot Discusses Acting, “The Residence,” and Personal Fulfillment

Bronson Pinchot, a seasoned stage and screen actor, reflects on a pivotal moment in his career where a seemingly insignificant pause in a play drastically altered audience reception. He recounts a humorous encounter with audience members who voiced their displeasure, highlighting the unexpected impact of seemingly small acting choices.

With extensive experience across various mediums, including audiobooks, Pinchot offers insight into the nuanced differences between acting and simply “being.” He cleverly avoids revealing specific acting techniques, demonstrating a seasoned performer’s understanding of his craft.

His role as Didier Gotthard, the enigmatic pastry chef in Netflix’s “The Residence,” provided a unique acting challenge. Unlike his famously demonstrative role as Balki Bartokomous in “Perfect Strangers,” Gotthard is a reserved character with a concealed secret, adding layers of complexity to his performance.

In an interview, Pinchot describes his initial reaction to the script for “The Residence” as one of immediate excitement. He recognized the script’s subtle depth and economical writing style, creating a rich canvas for acting. He appreciated the implied emotions and unspoken subtext, comparing it to a dancer finding the perfect stage.

Pinchot explains how this approach applied specifically to his character’s unemotional nature. He notes that while he often plays highly expressive roles and tends toward over-the-top performances, Gotthard’s restraint presented a welcome change and allowed him to tap into a different kind of intensity.

He shares anecdotes from his theatrical experiences, particularly a memorable moment in a musical where the failure of a prop forced an improvisation that unexpectedly resonated with the audience. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and being present over overt acting techniques, especially in the theater.

Pinchot contrasts his theatrical experiences with his work on film. He explains that the camera’s intimacy requires a more subtle approach, avoiding the tendency to overact, a lesson he had to continually remind himself of.

Discussing “The Residence” filming, Pinchot describes his approach to the character’s reserved nature, comparing it to a mental “iron door.” He was pleased with the director’s lack of intervention, suggesting his performance effectively conveyed the character’s emotional detachment.

He praises his scene partners, highlighting the collaborative nature of the production and emphasizing the importance of strong fellow actors. He emphasizes his preference for “being” over “acting,” stating that with talented partners, mere presence becomes the focus.

Pinchot recalls a particularly memorable scene involving a gingerbread house replica of the White House, shot with both Andre Braugher and Giancarlo Esposito. He describes the shared history and connection with Esposito as enhancing the scene’s emotional depth.

Pinchot reveals that multiple versions of each scene were filmed, adding layers of ambiguity and complexity to the narrative. He enjoyed the show’s exploration of multiple perspectives and the subtle layering of events. He also highlights the show’s clever construction, where every character is implicated in some form of wrongdoing.

Pinchot describes his own enjoyment of whodunits, noting his ability to often quickly identify the culprit, even from minimal clues.

Finally, Pinchot shares a source of personal joy outside his acting career: renovating and landscaping his properties in Pennsylvania. He describes the process as a restorative and fulfilling activity, comparing it to the creative focus required in acting.