Paul Giamatti on Oscar Nomination for The Holdovers, In-N-Out After Golden Globes & First Audition

Paul talks about playing John Adams, why he was a bad President, having a lazy eye in The Holdovers, being nominated for an Oscar, attending the nominees luncheon and ruining the group photo for the writer standing next to him, living in Seattle after college, auditioning for America’s Most Wanted, going to In-N-Out after winning at the Golden Globes, and why New Haven pizza is the best.
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Jimmy Kimmel serves as host and executive producer of Emmy®-nominated “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” ABC’s late-night talk show. “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is well known for its huge viral video successes, with over 15 billion views and more than 18 million subscribers on the show’s KZbin channel. Some of Kimmel’s most popular comedy bits include “Celebrities Read Mean Tweets,” “Lie Witness News,” “Unnecessary Censorship,” “Halloween Candy KZbin Challenge,” and music videos like “I (Wanna) Channing All Over Your Tatum.”

[@michaelhowardrosskrh74]

Deserves every award there is for acting. Absolutely one of the best of all time.

[@gobirds4362]

BFL will always be my fav

[@gobirds4362]

I know it’s kid movie but he made that movie

[@davebarton6824]

Before I knew who Paul was I knew who his father was. Paul father was the Commissioner of Baseball for a few years. In 1982, I attended the All Star Game Home Run contest Practice session at what we used to call the Big A in Anaheim, California. I had a seat in the right field stands 10 rows from the field and caught a ball hit by Wade Boggs that had the OFFICIAL All Star Game Logo and Paul's father's signature imprinted on it. A. Bartlett Giamatti. Btw... I enjoy Paul's work as an actor. He does take on interesting roles.

[@clips65]

Yes !!

[@ayhay4686]

Everytime I see him in a movie or TV series I know it's going to be world class entertainment.

[@dee_dee_place]

I love Paul Giamatti. He usually acts in these 'slightly off' movies, in these 'slightly off' roles, & he does such a wonderful job. He is so believable in all his roles. It doesn't matter if his parts are big (Duets, Barney's Version, Sideways) or small (My Best Friend's Wedding), he just makes the movie shine.

[@jasonchambers4495]

Off? What does that mean?

[@ccwalker050]

Agreed... to your point, like the movie Sideways and Lady in the Water. Excellent movies.

[@dee_dee_place]

@@jasonchambers4495 They aren't blockbuster films. They are more like 'art films' with a much smaller following (eg: Bagdad Cafe).

[@marydauby5229]

John Adams was a series that Paul and Laura Linne as Abigail Adam’s breathed life into one of Founding Fathers and the 2nd President of our country. David Morse was a convincing George Washington. It gives great insight at the risk the Founding Fathers were put in and how they argued over writing the Constitution. Paul won a Golden Globe award Screen Actors Guild and Emmy in Lead Actor Categories for this one role. He was that good.

[@Anaerobic07]

Isn't life itself slightly off? That's why his roles work so well.

[@AmericanHorse-sg9oc]

Lifetime achievement award for that guy.

[@Timien]

Paul Giamatti's acting just seems effortless. I mean, it doesnt really look like he is putting much effort into it but comes across as an amazing performance. Whenever I watch him I get the feeling that is what he is really like. Even though he is acting. That is true talent.

[@rdelrosso1973]

I saw him in an Earthquake movie, where Giamatti played the Lead Seismologist, alongside Duane ("The Rock") Johnson! They were BOTH great!

[@jasonbean2764]

This guy can play any character.:)

[@justnahayo8490]

Even Batman? 😂😂

[@PatrickKelly-lz3pv]

He was great in the Sound of Music, third goat from the left.

[@MrBuketman]

Him during the end credits of Private Parts is great. He should wear that miserable contact lens for a laugh at some point.

[@The_Infamous_Boogyman]

Not the rhino

[@titusmccarthy]

@@justnahayo8490 Who cares? Comic book crap is DONE.

[@kathybell6268]

Paul Giamatti seems like the nicest person. Thank you for your terrific acting in The Holdovers

[@setnsun21]

Great interview. When Paul laughs it makes everyone laugh.

[@skyry101]

You should check out his interview with Marc Maron, one of the best interviews Marc's had yet (and the two couldn't stop laughing)! 😂

[@buddafingahz9057]

Just watched The Holdovers last night. Loved it. A good old fashioned movie that really felt like it could have been made in the 70s. Paul Giamatti, this generations Dreyfus.

[@Ceerads]

Dreyfus? Oh, please. Dreyfus is nothing.

[@suzannefarrington4143]

This is what I want in an interview. A genial host who’s seen the movie, a guest who is present, funny, and articulate (whose work I like is a bonus). Stellar job.

[@maryhurst4663]

I agree. I quit watching the other Jimmy a long time go. Inserts himself into games and skits constantly instead of shutting up and interviewing his guests.

[@tretower57]

Ugh! I *hate* those idiotic games they do on that show, and he’s always so overly effusive. It comes off as forced.

[@MajorMlgNoob]

​@@maryhurst4663 Kimmel isn't always the best either, but generally he's pretty good with actors

[@kevinmichaeljoy8074]

Fallon is the kinda guy to laugh at ur joke before the punchline

[@villanessa]

I'm so glad Paul is getting the credit he deserves. He's one of the greats.

[@migueltrejo9570]

He always does very well in any movie he's ever played in. Absolute great actor.

[@PRLIBRE_SOBERANO]

One of the best actors in Hollywood

[@loveforeignaccents]

Really? Never even heard of him.

[@PRLIBRE_SOBERANO]

@@loveforeignaccents Congratulations

[@justnahayo8490]

@@loveforeignaccentswatch more film

[@loveforeignaccents]

@@PRLIBRE_SOBERANO Thank you. And congrats for your own thumb's up for yourself. Self-esteem issues?

[@PRLIBRE_SOBERANO]

@@loveforeignaccents Yes.

[@luishumbertovega3900]

Enjoyed his collaborations with Jim Carrey in The Truman Show and Man On The Moon. I hope he wins the Oscar. His father died at age 51 (being cigarettes a big factor), he would be so proud of him, he's such a nice guy !!!

[@sclogse1]

And the Beach Boys film..

[@bigmon19]

His father was also president of Yale and the Commissioner of Baseball.

[@neo8004]

Love him too but this should be Cillian’s oscar.

[@luishumbertovega3900]

@@bigmon19 Yeah, I know that, banned Pete Rose.

[@Smart-Alex]

Loved him in “Billions”, amazing job on “The Holdovers”. Congrats, Paul!

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

What a cool guy he is. Talented but warm and relaxed about it all.

[@ThompterSHunson]

Top-notch actor, he deserves every award coming his way. I believe his work in the TV show "Billions" is the pinnacle of his career.

[@RockyBhai-eq2pe]

I just watched the last season! This show is amazing, and Chuck Rhoades is KING! 👑

[@ThompterSHunson]

@@RockyBhai-eq2pe Apex predator!

[@RockyBhai-eq2pe]

@@ThompterSHunson Paul Giamatti is so underrated as an actor!! He was amazing in Billions, and Billions is a must watch!!

[@Amir_rahmani_23]

He was hell of an actor in BILLIONS ❤

[@ZoranaV7]

Yes!! He carried the show! I will miss it so much!

[@einundsiebenziger5488]

@@ZoranaV7 The show was just pointless gibberish after season 4.

[@gwick358]

He's a great underrated actor. It's good to see him getting some recognition!

[@vermontkm1490]

I saw the Holdovers and loved it. Giammatti is one of the best actors of his generations.

[@daringabler8352]

Great to see a successful actor who isn’t just in love with themselves.

[@gypsyskyy9451]

I love Paul Giammati! The first movie I saw him in was American Splendor and he was great. A truly great movie too. I saw The Holdovers, and YES he should get an Oscar for it! We need more of those kind of movies, it was beautiful.

[@tmo7734]

I met Paul recently at one of his events in San Francisco. He is a kind, talented individual. None better.

[@babilabub]

This fine man deserves every award there is. Such a talented actor

[@percypercerton2125]

He’s a gem. Always has been.

[@sunnyside9273]

There is a small group of actors for me, if I looking up the description to a movie. Certain names give me an automatic yes to watching. Mr Giamatti is one of those names, he always does good, smart stories.

[@h7opolo]

13:19 pizza talk. this goes in my playlist. pizza is life, love, and peace on earth.

[@jameso321]

Yeah baby, New Haven County native here... yum yum Apizza

[@Bob-lh4mg]

This guy, we love Paul Giamatti brilliant actor one of the best for sure.

[@dgrancastillo]

He's a master. I hope he wins the oscar.

[@rares_21]

"The holdovers" is one of the best and profund 2023 movies, and Paul Giamatti.s role is outstanding...highly recommended!

[@debbyfronke3227]

this was my new years eve movie...fell madly in love with the characters...and discovered the most beautiful song- called crying-it was a great way to start off the new year with pure emotional..thank you mr.Giamatti..and Good luck!

[@EST84x]

He's still so passionate about John Adams, a performance from about 15 years ago.

[@alisonm7554]

“Im not drinking any fkn merlot”. From the movie Sideways. One of my favourites of his.

[@mellocello187]

It was merlot.

[@alisonm7554]

@@mellocello187 I stand corrected. I couldn't remember 😄

[@mellocello187]

@@alisonm7554 They both end in “O”. 😂

[@evancodsworth2]

Paul Giamatti was absolutely incredible in The Holdovers.

[@Yourmission9]

I’m rewatching billions currently, Paul Giamatti is awesome

[@spiveym]

This interview flows so well. Jimmy does a great job. Paul is an excellent guest and storyteller. A+

[@lawrenceparkmaven7411]

My favourite actor - incredible talent and a kind soul ❤

[@andrewwilliams9599]

Amblyopia--lazy eye. I learned that from a Peanuts strip when I was 10.

[@scottmelville3476]

He's one of those guys who's always that best thing about the movie he's in.

[@samuraijake07]

13:55 "Don't you think it's true, though, that whatever pizza you're exposed to growing up is the pizza that for the rest of your life you think is the best one?" I think that's very true and probably why I still eat Totino's Party Pizza to this day 😅

[@alexaales7937]

that man has one of the sexiest voices, especially when he goes very low! love him!

[@carollflanery9723]

I could watch Paul Giamatti all day!!!!

[@Minifiguresandstuff]

Jimmy and Paul were talking about the In-N-Out drive-thru line Jimmy: It’s more “out” than “in” Paul: Yes, yes it is.

[@jacovawernett3077]

I live by Jimmy Kimmel. That In n Out Burger by Hollywood High is like a daily parade. It's delicious.

[@laurakali6522]

Win Win is a great one with him. Underrated little movie.

[@NewMessage]

I want Paul and Colbert to start a scifi podcast.

[@Dr_Bombay]

YES. please.

[@Fluuuv]

The Holdovers was such a good movie!!

[@1fattyfatman]

Has enough brain cells and stage presence to get through these shows. Old school star charisma vibes.

[@marcojoserevilla7600]

"I didn't get the job!!" 🤣🤣🤣

[@KreepaweedZ23]

I really thought his eye was like that in the movie but happened later with age. Haha

[@marvinmartin4692]

He’s got to be one of my favorite actors!!!!

[@user-CatherineDodd]

The incomparable Paul Giamatti. I hope he wins the Oscar.

[@ludonymous526]

Well. This is a steep competition. Paul is all the way up there, but then you throw Cillian Murphy into the picture and it's a duel that comes very close.

[@lkuypers3680]

Great feel good movie, he’s such a great actor. He puts 100% in all his roles.

[@marybarry2230]

I always enjoy listening to him when he’s interviewed he just seems like a real down to earth kind of guy!

[@helaynelehman668]

What a lovable guy 😊

[@123benny4]

He's a great guest! I laughed out loud when he described his first audition in Seattle!

[@vultan2000]

A beautiful performance in a gorgeous film. ❤️

[@staceyannjustus8245]

I thoroughly enjoy everything he is in. I would watch him read the phone book, he is so talented!!!!

[@ccwalker050]

I've always liked Paul's movies. A great actor!!

[@marydauby5229]

The Holdovers is the movie that was perfect for Paul. And it will be a must watch Christmas movie similar to It’s a Wonderful Life that families can view together 😊😊

[@karenwagner6880]

I’ve always loved his work, but The Holdovers led me to a deeper dive and turned me into an official G-head. I even subscribed to his awesome podcast. ❤️❤️❤️

[@robinreder6510]

I like that “a G head”, good one!

[@gimpinmypants]

Jimmy didn't mention Giamatti's podcast. I didn't know he had one until recently and it's as weird and wonderful as Giamatti is. It's called Chinwag and he and his co-host Stephen talk to some amazing people like Ken Burns, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Vowell, and that's just recently.

[@ZoranaV7]

Yup, they should promote it more, it’s hilarious too

[@HarisNadeem]

Love the dramatic voice! 😂

[@brownkemosabe]

My favourite roles of his are in The Holdovers, Private Parts, and Sideways. Paul is amazing.

[@duket.8598]

I've always been a fan, but i suppose I've never seen him like this. What a great guy. Like a nextdoor neighbor (but insanely famous)

[@1969EType]

For a guy who has made a life in art playing schlubby, off-beat characters, he is all class.

[@Thespyan]

I saw "The Holdovers" twice in screenings. It's a really good film!

[@setnsun21]

Ever see him in Duets? Omg! He’s so good. Just natural funny guy. His eyes 😂

[@trick351]

I love PAUL!!! 🙌🏼❤️🙌🏼

[@lashendawest7509]

We love paul Giamatti

Sideways is one of my best all-time favorites. Brilliant performance in that movie.

[@renegomez3061]

Love love him. Especially as john adams. And saving mr. Banks.

[@sisiwasabi81]

what a lovely man!

[@autumnstarrs]

He's easily one of my favorites. You don't realize it until you do. It's weird, he kinda sneaks in there. 😊

[@elizabethcarrington5819]

He’s one of my favorite actors. He’s amazing in every role. Great show❤️

[@Friaspordias]

Pual Giamatti is one of the fav actors!

[@ajnormandgroome]

Dad was Pres of Yale and very nice to my granddad, a maintenence worker at Yale.

[@mellocello187]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@noreenconstantine4612]

Paul giamatti is brilliant

[@jpjordan90]

My favourite actor and he always seems like just a lovely guy. Would love for him to win the Oscar but expect it will go to Cillian. Anyway at least Paul has already been widely recognised for this movie.

[@Trina_White]

You make me giggle Jimmy❤😂!

[@yvonnecamperriovista225]

Great fun interview, that had to be fun for both of them.

[@katebriscoe6103]

The holdovers is my favorite movie of the year 😊 totally carried by this wonderful man 😊

[@ofaz6300]

Giamatti is a smart must watch performer

[@corvettestories4349]

Paul is an absolute treasure on all levels.

[@bessmahaneypilates8638]

The Holdovers is my new favorite film ❤

[@jeanetteschock4744]

He is so effortless love him ❤❤❤❤

[@danielvillalobos4265]

He seems like a very warm hearted human being

[@j.kevvideoproductions.6463]

He's pretty amazing. Was great in Love & Mercy!

[@IsoscelesKramer]

He should take his '61 Cheval-Blanc to In-N-Out!

[@kujessie06]

This guy is an American treasure

[@marlisamiller]

He's the best, I watch everything he's in.

[@jessw51]

Loved him in sideways, great actor

[@calebhall383]

First saw him in Ironclad! Absolutely love him!

[@bendavies2129]

Deserves everything he gets. Sideways,American Splendor and this are absolute classics.

[@robertpolka630]

You must see Paul in Lodge 49 TV show. He is in season 2, the last 4-5 episodes. Awesome

[@TheEnnisfan]

I love Giamatti and even more now that I know he sticks to the #1 with no silly animal style nothing! Excellent choice, sir.

[@maryfarwell-uragallo2373]

Love Pepe's, thanks for the shout out Paul. It's a small place, line is long, so worth it.

[@fleece192]

Watched the movie last night.. Very good.. The eye thing was spooky

[@Ceerads]

It’s many years since I’ve seen a current movie, but I had to see The Holdovers. What a great film! I love Paul Giamatti and the director Alexander Payne (my favorites are The Holdover, Election, and Citizen Ruth). And I once saw Paul Giamatti entering the turnstile at the Clark Street station. Will never forget it!

[@barbaram5214]

I’m happy for him. The Holdovers was great. I watched him for years on Billions. Seems like a down-to-earth guy.

[@dennyo3992]

One of my favorite actors!

[@Springbok314]

He comes across as an approachable and gracious guy. Real talent as well; his portrayal of John Adams was epic.