Bronson Pinchot Discusses Acting, “The Residence,” and the Importance of “Being”

Bronson Pinchot, a seasoned actor, recounts a pivotal moment where a seemingly small directorial suggestion—a pause before a key monologue—resulted in a significant stage flop. The unexpected negative audience reaction and a subsequent chance encounter solidified the impact of that single decision. Pinchot’s experience highlights the nuances of his craft and the difference between acting and simply “being.”

With a prolific career spanning stage, screen, and voice acting (over 400 audiobooks), Pinchot offers pragmatic insights into his profession, carefully avoiding divulging trade secrets. He playfully deflects questions regarding his character’s inner monologues.

Pinchot’s role as Didier Gotthard in Netflix’s “The Residence,” stands in contrast to his iconic, highly demonstrative character, Balki Bartokomous, from “Perfect Strangers.” Gotthard, a reserved White House pastry chef, adds layers of intrigue and complexity to the layered script, presenting a more restrained persona.

In an interview, Pinchot described his initial reaction to the “The Residence” script as one of excitement. He highlighted the script’s economical yet impactful writing style, allowing actors to express much through what is left unsaid.

He further explained how this approach resonated particularly well with his character’s unemotional nature, providing a stark contrast to Pinchot’s inclination toward demonstrative performances. His experience highlights a vital lesson learned through years of stage work: that genuine emotional depth, or “being full,” is more effective than overt demonstration.

The actor emphasizes that film acting demands a different approach. He says less is more for the camera; he avoids overacting, as the camera often captures inner emotions naturally. This contrasts sharply with the audience’s desire for demonstrative performances in live theater.

Discussing his role in “The Residence,” Pinchot describes his character as guarded, like a shopkeeper securing their store against intruders. He explains that this internal “locking down” of emotions was crucial to portraying Didier Gotthard, an approach apparently well-received by the film’s directors.

Pinchot expresses his gratitude for the quality of his co-stars, emphasizing the importance of strong scene partners. He notes that in such situations, effective collaboration allows the actor to focus primarily on “being” rather than explicitly acting, a technique he honed through his extensive career.

A particularly memorable moment on set involved a scene with either Andre Braugher or Giancarlo Esposito, discussing a gingerbread replica of the White House. Sharing personal photographs with Esposito, emphasizing their shared career beginnings, enriched their scene and resulted in a powerful, emotionally resonant performance.

Pinchot discusses the multi-layered approach to filming. Multiple versions of events were shot, reflecting the varied perspectives of the characters and adding to the intrigue. The script’s unique quality highlighted the inherent ambiguity, with almost all characters engaging in some degree of wrongdoing, adding another layer to the mystery.

He concluded by sharing his current joy: creating an oasis-like garden room. This reflects a skill honed through years of acting; the ability to create a personal space amidst chaos, applicable both to stage performance and to his private life.