Bronson Pinchot’s Reflections on Acting and “The Residence”

Bronson Pinchot, a seasoned actor, recounts a pivotal moment in his career where a seemingly small directorial suggestion dramatically altered a performance. He shares a humorous anecdote about audience reaction immediately following the show’s conclusion.

Years of experience on stage, screen, and in voice acting (over 400 audiobooks) have given Pinchot a pragmatic perspective on his profession. He skillfully distinguishes between acting and authentic presence, although he playfully declines to divulge specific acting techniques.

In Netflix’s “The Residence,” Pinchot portrays Didier Gotthard, a restrained White House pastry chef with a hidden secret. This role offers a stark contrast to his more expressive portrayal of Balki Bartokomous in “Perfect Strangers.”

In an interview, Pinchot discussed the nuanced script of “The Residence,” describing it as “a playground for acting” due to its subtle storytelling. He expressed excitement at playing an unemotional character, a refreshing change from his typically demonstrative roles both on and off-screen.

Pinchot shared an anecdote from his theatrical past, where he unexpectedly improvised a scene with remarkable success, highlighting the effectiveness of authentic presence over overly demonstrative acting.

Pinchot further explained his approach to acting in “The Residence,” emphasizing his intentional choice to minimize his performance. He likened his character’s emotional reserve to a shopkeeper locking their store with an iron door. He contrasted this approach with his more overtly expressive past roles.

He praised his scene partners, highlighting the collaborative spirit and the focus on “being” rather than purely “acting.” He shared his belief that exceptional actors elevate performances, minimizing the need for elaborate acting.

Pinchot vividly described a particularly memorable scene involving a gingerbread house replica of the White House, shot with both Andre Braugher and Giancarlo Esposito, resulting in two distinct and memorable experiences.

Pinchot discussed the intricate plotting of “The Residence,” revealing the filming of multiple versions of each scene to create layers of ambiguity and uncertainty surrounding the characters’ motives. He mentioned that every character harbors some form of questionable behavior, increasing the suspense.

He described his own enjoyment of whodunits and his ability to quickly identify the culprit, despite not actively seeking out mystery plots.

Pinchot concluded the interview by expressing his current joy in creating and landscaping a personal oasis, a project born from a period of reflection following the passing of his mother. He draws a parallel between this creative endeavor and his acting career, emphasizing the skill of crafting a personal reality amidst chaos.