Simon Pegg Breaks Down His Career, from 'Shaun of the Dead' to 'Star Trek' | Vanity Fair

[@cherylchaffin2436]

The cornetto trilogy has always been imminently re watchable. top of tha list of my Favorite comedies ever . So great

[@MaximusJohal]

every times these are on tv i watch them, they are so british on an American level.

[@ThatKomik]

imminently does not mean what you think it does

[@belleosler1395]

Ruben inconceivable

[@DDog09]

@@belleosler1395 immensely?

[@imansfield]

They were running out of ideas by Worlds end tho. Just going through the motions.

[@gillianc592]

I had a friend who knew his mother in law and this proves how lovely he is. Him and his wife relocated to LA for his career, his wife got a bit homesick and missed her family. He surprised his wife by flying her entire family out to LA. That is an amazing gesture hes an amazing man and very talented. I love anything hes in.

[@ListingViews]

I love how honest he is. The feeling of loss when a shoot wraps up, the slight hurt when J.J. left for Star Wars. It’s a glimpse into the social side of filmmaking that makes an actor seem like a real person, not just a superstar for whom everything is perfect.

[@sarahandrews4580]

He's so normal and easy to relate to. I would love to meet him

[@SuperBC1975]

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have such great chemistry together. Love all the films they have been in together. It is no surprise that they are good friends in real life. I hope to see them in more films together.

[@brendansheehy8124]

They are doing a tv series together which will be coming soon.

[@vetlerradio]

@@brendansheehy8124 Noice!

[@lwaves]

@BE C Yeah, they're great together and he seems to develop great relationships with quite a few people. There's also Jessica Hynes, Edgar Wright, JJ Abrams, Tom Cruise and probably several others not mentioned in the video. I guess that comes with being a nice, down to earth person.

[@gianni_descalzo]

I truly love Sean of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Sean of the Dead has the distinction of not only being one of the best zombie movies to grace the genre, but also one of the best comedy-horror movies of all time. If there were any award for those two categories I would fully expect it to be in the top two of each.

[@markonline2166]

I believe they were friends first at university before starring together.

[@meu02136]

Who would've thought that one day Tom Cruise would get to meet Simon Pegg.

[@paulspeaks9362]

Lol and vice versa

[@drampadreg1386]

@@paulspeaks9362 I didn't see that coming either, but then again I never though Keith Richards would out live Micheal Jackson among others.

[@paulspeaks9362]

Hahaha

[@TheOmegaRiddler]

And that Tom Cruise would be the reason Simon Pegg looks jacked

[@Dante_S550_Turbo]

when simon pegg was talking about those actors who are just rude. Tom cruise was the only 1 i could think of. XD

[@hwren9845]

So nice hearing him talk about Jessica Hynes. I feel like her contribution to Spaced always gets overlooked when people discuss it.

[@SuperBC1975]

To me, "Shaun of the Dead" is bloody brilliant. A classic. Ed: Purple Rain. Shaun: No. Ed: Sign o' the Times. Shaun: Definitely not. Ed: The Batman soundtrack? Shaun: Throw it."

[@lzasyr]

Yeah all the films in the trilogy are one of my favorite comedy’s ever

[@thestuffmikedoes2309]

agreed, absolutely brilliant

[@lzasyr]

TheSkyWhale I don’t know if your joking but i meant the cornetto trilogy

[@weened1]

Ed: Stone Roses? Shaun: No. Ed: ...Second Coming? Shaun: I LIKE it!

[@jodiestewart93]

@@freelikeyve that's lizzies

[@GrindhouseFunhouse]

He just seems like the most down to Earth bloke you can imagine.

[@Outland9000]

He's a nerd living a nerds best life.

[@thedarksaber]

@paint 67 what is wrong with you? No one is the same and I assure you that there are people in Hollywood that are genuinely nice. Just like any other group of people

[@eyeballpaul700]

I don't think a multi-millionaire can ever really be "down to earth" but he seems as genuine as he can be, definitely

[@hjhall1985]

His story about Carrie is incredible and it sounds exactly how she was.

[@baylasosa5957]

Who would've thought that one day Tom Cruise would get to meet Simon Pegg.

[@GeezNutz]

The finest woman to ever live..

[@TiffanyDesign]

I've always liked Simon, but after this, I like him even more, just really down to earth, humble and grateful for his opportunities but also clearly very talented.

[@nurzafirahjamaludin9589]

It felt more personal when the actor explaining his career journey in his space, just him and the camera. Love this! what a brilliant human being, Simon Pegg.

[@theodoro3188]

*Simon's voice sounds like he should be voicing a nature documentary*

[@TL-of1vy]

I think he has done some docs

[@teruphoto]

He narrated a Doctor Who docu

[@dennisbarahona3306]

Sir David won't be around forever, someone's going to have to take us through the age of global warming nature docs, Pegg would certainly be a comforting voice in that.

[@theodoro3188]

@@dennisbarahona3306 Exactly, I also believe he could go neck to neck with Steve Irwin's voice

[@JustinGrays]

He even looks like a professor right now. 🧐

[@mrpurple2943]

Hot Fuzz was and still is the best movie ever!

[@jermyhopkisn9654]

Certainly one of the greatest parody films.

[@louisanelson7948]

It’s absolutely hilarious, I can watch it over and over again!

[@SaiyanQuad92]

@@jermyhopkisn9654 What is it parodying?

[@edabakb]

@@SaiyanQuad92 clichè cop movies.

[@shanda1219]

@@SaiyanQuad92 all of the films mentioned like Bad Boys and Point Break.

[@mdaydj]

In my radio career, I've had the pleasure of interviewing this Superstar and he really is every bit as "normal" as he comes across, such a humble and yet brilliant actor. Thanks Simon for so many amazing performances

[@HelloKittysFriend418]

I’ve never been more excited about having the same printer as someone

[@lukebeaulieu3794]

I’m bothered that”Run Fatboy Run” wasn’t on this timeline. It’s an underrated gem!

[@jaspersheridan1710]

Also "How To Lose Friends And Alienate People".

[@boiledelephant]

...but is it, really? 😬

[@lukebeaulieu3794]

You don’t like it?

[@augusts1]

No, no it's not a gem imo. I could barely get through it & almost turned it off 1/2 way through. Was really disappointed that Simon did it. It's very overwrought w/sappy sentiment & cheesy bad acting. Glad you like it though.

[@LOCKEYJ]

Happy for that to be forgotten.

[@EthanButler]

Simon is one of the most underrated actors we've ever had. He's so talented

[@jamieclarke1834]

"I shouldn't eat Twiglets, they make me violent" Spaced is the greatest show ever.

[@kumquatmagoo]

I do the slow mo gunfights all the time. 'lright briiiiiian

[@Fivehotdogsplease]

Are Twiglets an English treat? They look like pretzel sticks.

[@kumquatmagoo]

@@Fivehotdogsplease they're like little crunchy sticks with marmite flavouring on em. They're delicious.

[@beeman2075]

@@Fivehotdogsplease The Twiglets marmite flavour is quite mild and a variation on the flavour of Australian vegemite, a savoury bitter, salty, yeasty flavour. Twiglets have a slightly softer texture than pretzel sticks. And they are a delicious snack.

[@Fivehotdogsplease]

I don’t thing they sell them in the states here. I’ll have to look for them. Maybe special order them.

[@LCW0531]

Simon Fegg and Nick Frost were hell of a super dynamic duo. I hope these two get along again, especially in Edgar Wright's next movies.

[@jani3095]

simon egg

[@mikeharman4257]

Simon and Nick co own a production company, they are working together on a bunch of stuff.

[@JamesonWilde]

The World's End is my favorite of the trilogy also. Gary is such a great character

[@chrisriley6972]

He didn't even talk about Paul. I feel cheated.

[@nms7872]

Paul was funny and enjoyable but it was extremely forgettable. Makes sense that he wouldn't mention it

[@Heypistola]

I really liked Hector but he skipped that as well, bummer.

[@Sand_Salad]

Ikr

[@randgate]

@@nms7872 Did better than Run Fatboy Run

[@springrollwang4441]

@@nms7872 How dare you, Paul is my spirit animal.

[@Roihan54]

The Cornetto Trilogy is a masterpiece

[@erikadowdy686]

I dont think he realizes hes an icon

[@strausbaughsegarra4988]

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have such great chemistry together. Love all the films they have been in together. It is no surprise that they are good friends in real life. I hope to see them in more films together.

[@canadian_linz6102]

I'm so obsessed with Spaced...and Shaun of the Dead...and Hot Fuzz. lol

[@ismaelcantujr9016]

All gold that's why lol

[@SmileyySmiley]

Worlds end???? That movie is so hurley underrated.

[@cobblery3276]

I hate how they skipped movies I want to see him talk about all of them

[@therickman1990]

Agreed, Band of Brothers, or Paul

[@christopherharper2093]

The second he said “enabled“ I instantly though ‘enabler’ in Gary kings voice.

[@raghavmehta8568]

Gary King. You're barred

[@8ulls3y3]

Gary King and the Enablers. That's a good band name.

[@DavieTheRay]

The World's End is amazing. Its definitely Simon's best role. Still my 2nd favorite Cornetteo flavor, but all 3 are my favorite movies at this point. Still hoping for a new trilogy with Edgar, Simon, and Nick.

[@idigdiggs274]

Gary King is the BEST character Simon has ever played in my opinion.

[@sandythemaster6898]

Underrated movie. The reveal of the character's psyche is something really intense and serious... How the story is crafted is brilliant. I've never seen a ''mirror'' type of scenario as well crafted as that, asides from Memento (which is really different but still)

[@EDFilmsUK]

Not a patch on Nicholas Angel. Gary King was an annoying man child, Hot Fuzz was Pegg’s coolest performance ever.

[@studio-flash]

@@sandythemaster6898 see my comment, on here...yes love hot fuzz but his best character is Gary King.

[@katex7087]

ED Films Yes, Nicholas Angel is the coolest character, but Gary King is the most complex and interesting to see and probably even more exciting to play, and that's why I think he is the best character he's played

[@Guccibear100]

It's my Second fav Edgar Wright film, only, IMO, is Hot Fuzz better.

[@SavageBunnyGetMoney]

So bummed out they didn't get a 3rd season of Spaced I feel like that show influenced Community in many ways especially that paintball battle

[@Guccibear100]

Spaced is my favorite show ever. I eve designed my Fight Stick after it.

[@NinjaXavier]

While a nice thought and shared, looking at it in a different light, they captured that moment in time perfectly and after being busy with other projects it may have not been the same to come back to. Leaving the show on a solemn note.. Writers over the pond did try though! Not sure what kind of meat hacking establishment this was. Somehow the series is still an infamous gem.

[@deedreamerify]

I was only a toddler when Spaced came out so I've just recently watched it but I have to say it ends so well, we can all always wish there was more of the shows we love and loved but at least this show didn't end on a sour note or have a cliff hanger situation, it just ends and that's kind of nice yknow?

[@SavageBunnyGetMoney]

@@deedreamerify yeah when I saw the reunion I was more chill with it Daisy and Tim got a Baby I thought that was nice " Shirley voice *

[@SavageBunnyGetMoney]

@@NinjaXavier I still get goosebumps watching this in College this was unreal when I saw it on Netflix I always been a fan of Hot Fuzz and Shawn of the Dead so this was a true Gem

[@sapphire962]

i had never thought of associating actors with abandonment given their presence in the public eye but it makes total sense. It must be a sad reality though i'd hope the forged friendships amass until most people working in that genre bump shoulders more often than not. Simon is so insightful, i appreciate that he has been so successful, he completely deserves the love and recognition

[@isaacthomas6544]

Feeling incredibly vindicated at Simon saying The World's End is his favorite Cornetto film after being like one of the few people who think that The World's End is the best of the trilogy

[@LadyAmalthea86]

Isaac Thomas you’re not alone. It’s my favorite too, not even just in the trilogy. I could never explain it, but I love it. :)

[@spyfalls_]

The worlds ends the first movie I watched out of the trilogy and it’s how I discovered Simon, love it 🥰

[@FramesPerSecond]

It’s my second favourite but they’re all masterpieces.

[@ieuanhunt552]

But Hot Fuzz tho

[@Epicurus341]

It might be that the problem for some is that Gary King is completely unlikable at the start of the movie, unlike Shaun or Nick Angel who are more straight-forward heroes with minor flaws. Shaun is an underachiever who becomes more proactive, and Nick learns to focus on other things outside the Police Service, but neither of their journeys come anywhere close to the complexity of Gary King's. I love all 3 films, but if you forced me to choose a favourite, it would be The World's End by a whisker.

[@RijackiTorment]

I fell in love with him in Shaun of the Dead and have never stopped loving him. His comedies are brilliant and the rest are, too.

[@RebeccaBane]

I wish he would've talked about each of the Mission Impossible & Star Trek sequels. Especially because he got so much more screen time in MI:4-6

[@TwoLeftThumbs]

I first discovered him on Big Train. So many comedic talents in that series.

[@Bevtone]

The staring contest with cricket-esk commentating is utterly brilliant 👏

[@samuelgault7118]

This is great but why is the zoom jumping every ten seconds

[@tom7728]

This was incredibly annoying editing, I couldn't finish the video.

[@Daedrex]

I wish it was every 10 seconds...

[@Zack-dk3pt]

because the editor war a highschooler that was told not to leave the camera static for too long and so their best solution was to just add constant and completely random zooms/cuts

[@hannahschu9664]

It's probably because they had to do it on video chat, so they didn't have a second angle to cut to when they are cutting out "Umms" and "ehhhs" and some other sentences they wanted to be edit out.

[@coffeetea8577]

I adored him in Mission Impossible but I really loved him in Man Up! Do yourselves a favour and watch it, it's such an underrated rom com!

[@karlj.claridge7949]

Absolutely, Man-up was a fabulous film!

[@kathleenclark5877]

Coffee Tea So true. Great fun. Simon and Lake! ‘Nuff said!

[@cinemagnolia]

Second that! Absolutely love this movie!!

[@jt.5431]

That Carrie Fisher story was so endearing.

[@JustLukeMorgan]

Such a genuine man. I'd love to sit down and chat with him.

[@rangerwhite7091]

Spaced was brilliant. All the characters were superb in it.

[@OnlyElshafto]

He interviewed himself.... Its actually the best one i have watched.. Talented and funny... Always spaced for me.. Mike and jess.. The whole cast.. Pure fried gold.. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💯

[@caroldevaney7630]

I can't stop staring at the flashing light on his printer.

[@Zareena23]

Carlie Devanney look behind it at the photo and you’ll see Stalin

[@A-FELIX]

Lol i have that exact same printer.

[@WallaceWednesday]

Im so sad, i had a dream i was in birmingham with my mom and simon came in the shop and i followed him till he finished buying a pack of cigarettes and left the shop, i tapped him on the shoulder and asked for a selfie, he gave a wholesome smile and we took the selfie and i remember the feeling of warmth i felt in my heart in the dream and i actually cried when i woke up and found out it was a dream. He is my favourite actor on the planet.

[@aebhosor4835]

You should also try Peter Serafinowicz, Bill Bailey, Nick Frost and Dylan Moran as well

[@captainjackamerica1743]

Makes me so happy that MY favorite Simon Pegg character is the same as his. Love live the King!

[@shakey3258]

Just can't get the picture out of my mind he's doing this in his underpants as his jeans are on the table

[@quackerzdb]

Didn't you watch? He wears six pairs of pants.

[@luvcirii]

I would probably too. 🤣🤣

[@TheFitzyTV]

Simon is one of my favourite actors and seems like one of the nicest people on earth, love him more in every interview and film I see him in

[@endless2082]

Personally, Simon's Best movies are Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy. The trilogy consists of Shaun of the Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007), and The World's End (2013). Simon Pegg is AMAZING❤❤ specially collaborate with Nick Frost😆😆

[@davekennedy6315]

Spaced is the greatest British sit com of all time! It is funny, sad, poignant, silly, serious and gave a very accurate portrayal of lost twenty something's stumbling blindly into the new millennium. I dread to think of how many times I have watched that incredible series haha! An incredibly talented cast, each delivering very individual characters that in most cases wouldn't even be friends. But by the end of the second series they have become a weird and wonderful family (the end brings a tear to the eye) And then you have the direction and amazing editing style of Edgar Wright. Truly lightning in a bottle the likes of which I don't think we'll ever see again. Unbeatable.

[@ohnoestheydidnt]

Where's Run Fat Boy Run?! That's Simon Pegg's Citizen Kane

[@CCerOss]

Hot Fuzz is the only perfect movie I have ever seen. The sheer number of lines and jokes referenced back is amazing. Brilliantly written, acted, and directed.

[@ZValenT]

Should've covered Big Train. One of the funniest sketch shows to come out of the UK

[@jacintacint9643]

I really like how you can tell how passionate he is about film

[@SyntheticFuture]

It's such a shame there isn't more Spaced out there :( Such a great series :)

[@trudycolborne2371]

When 2020 went rancid. I was thinking of Shawn of the Dead when I said "at least if it was zombies it would be more interesting".

[@huntergirl7275]

The zoom-in-zoom-out editing of this is super-annoying. There is literally no need for it.

[@sonofham85]

There's usually a 2nd camera angle when they're able to film this kind of thing professionally, which feels more natural to cut to. The other options would be cutting without zooming, or not cutting at all. I think they made the best with what they had.

[@theosamd]

Why are you defending it? It's abhorrently annoying.

[@MrRowskey]

Are they afraid we'll get bored if he speaks more than one sentence in the same shot? Is the D of P getting electrical shocks every few seconds while his hand is taped to the zoom ring? A camera movement or cut must be motivated, not chopped without reason. Is there a fly I can't see that you are trying to avoid? A family member of his that jumps in and waves, removed by a quick cut? Cut to more pictures of each production if you want your constant cutting - or, you know, let the man speak without changing the size of his nose like a 5 year old that can't hold still.

[@PTizzleAusGN]

It's driving me nuts. The content is great - it'd be nice if they trusted the attention span of their audience.

[@LOCKEYJ]

It’s to hide bits they cut out for time Umms and asides etc. Then you just throw some extras in and hope no one notices. This is egregious though

[@ThatShyGuyMatt]

Simon is often underrated. I've always loved him.

[@TheFunnyBaba]

Love you Simon ..your films have come to define my personality in ways more than one

[@nourinsh1969]

Simon, your fan since I watched shawn of the dead

[@hellojonnyhoskinghello]

I love how Stalin’s just chilling out on the door

[@clementmartinez121]

On a whim I gave spaced to my brother Jerome for his birthday and he loved it. So wonderfully inventive and entertaining. Bravo 👏👌

[@brodhax6148]

And his best career performance: Wee Hughie in The Boys

[@suNn.K.O]

Close.

[@Kinghenhog39]

Lol he should've played him but I like that he's Hughie's Dad

[@Allonjr]

Thank you for such a pleasant time with you on a stroll through your history! Agape my brother.

[@carissaoday9208]

One of my favorite actors of ALL time. ❤

[@deepfriedgamer5586]

They way he talked about Carrie Fisher was so emotional. I think she was a very nice and sweet lady.

[@marasmusine]

I like how it was someone's job at Vanity Fair to toggle the zoom on Simon's face every time he finishes a sentence.

[@rl3977]

Simon Pegg is absolutely one of my favorite actors ever!

[@hotsebulba]

Those constant zoom in zoom out jump cuts are really distracting.

[@wesleyhermanus6646]

Was about to comment the same thing

[@mattj1829]

I didn’t even notice it until you said, now I can’t stop noticing it and it’s driving me insane haha.

[@thejenmath]

Would've liked to hear more about the MI and ST series, but I'll take it. Absolutely adore him.

[@winking2raven221]

JJ texts: "Hey. Wanna play Scotty?" Simon reply: *thumbs up* So that's how the big stars get roles in movies.

[@tyrannostoragerex3637]

I didn't think I could like Simon Pegg any more than I do, but then I saw that huge library. What a great dude!

[@smalls9852]

That sounds exactly like Carrie Fisher lol.

[@ddberes1031]

I would’ve

[@cordwoodruff]

At a certain point you will become aware of the folded up blue jeans sitting off to Simon's right. Immediately thereafter you begin to wonder whether he took them off before this interview, and is now trouser-less, or if they were there prior and are entirely unrelated. Perhaps is it was a deliberate placement designed to have us consider his relative state of undress. After all we are talking about Simon Pegg and he is known to be playful with subtext. Or maybe it's just laundry day. Whatever the case may be, we're left with Simon's lower half existing in a quantum superposition where he is both clothed and unclothed simultaneously. So.. Schrödinger's Pants. Yeah, just try not noticing those jeans now.

[@moonblink]

"I'm just spit balling, it's not always going to be gold."

[@djpure705]

Love him, got the spaced box set, and most of his films. Seems like a lovely guy.

[@jacobnichols4907]

I feel so left out what about PAUL... dud what the hell..

[@noimandersen]

Jacob Nichols yes! i was waiting for him to talk about the scene at the door when he became a dad (in real life) in the middle of a cut.

[@gracemorris8915]

@@noimandersen well he talked about that in another vanity interview rather recentish so

[@BorisBerlin]

I was waiting for that too and disappointed it was left out. It was a great flic and amazing role for him.

[@beaumorris5289]

I'm always Excited to see Simon on the Screen.... It's Like WOW.....

[@1337Higgins]

But like, what's with the pic of Jo-Stalin on the door behind him? XD

[@ThePreacherPlays]

Its a limited Damien hirst painting, that was commissioned for comic relief, he has a red nose on him.

[@madeye___3415]

Shaun of the Dead is still one of my all time faves! I will watch anything with Simon Pegg in it 🙌🏻

[@paultaddayphotography7205]

Simon Pegg - massively underrated talent! Love everything he's done!

[@jero3295]

i love how you can plainly see how down to earth he is

[@AllenParkerGarcia]

they wrote Shawn instead of Shaun in the thumbnail

[@yourshadowself]

At the sydney premiere of The World’s End, Edgar, Simon and Nick did an audience Q&A after the movie and Simon told the most hilarious story about an elaborate prank he pulled on Karl Urban on the set of Star Trek. Karl was so set on revenge that when he did the Q&A for Dredd he mentioned it on stage and and said “You’ll keep, c**t.” 😂

[@naomiazul.]

What about man up? I loved that film x

[@glenryerson4553]

I was hoping he would talk about Paul. That's still one of my favorite movies.

[@mattd1659]

He always seems to have his best roles when he’s personally invested in the source material. He’s done a lot of films (most of which not mentioned here) and quite a few of them are just middling to bad Hollywood stuff - run fat boy run for example. But then his good stuff is really good

[@markosgraveyard]

Seeing this face and Shawn of the Dead always makes me smile, that movie was legendary comedy.

[@floraflora3955]

A Fantastic Fear Of Everything was nice.

[@alinats4802]

Spaced is so underrated, one of my favourite shows ever

[@LvWeeb]

"Let's just get this on DVD then we can give it to our mums" LOL

[@mrrolandlawrence]

come on... nick frost giving it d-large in spaced to the a-team. a glorious moment of our times. bike courier guy was always hilarious. we lived those times with you man. also the rent prices in london, every time you drop that in the dialogue - man decades on, the room of aspirational sighs.

[@Jon.A.Scholt]

He better talk about being the Chamberlain in Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

[@raxelleon8189]

I know, I wanted him to go there too.

[@lindax8604]

love the way he talks about worlds end

[@ketchup016]

Simon Pegg: "... so then someone else offered me my dream role ..." 😂 Good things happen to good people?

[@AycliffeGardens]

This interview convinced me that Simon Pegg is a national treasure.

[@mcnamaraky]

Hey Simon if you ever read these, just know that Star Trek: Beyond, is the only new Star Trek that had any brain or heart. Hope you get to write a hundred more movies.

[@henryintheuk]

Simon is the child that lurks inside all of us, he just brings it to life with a smile

[@savethedandelions]

ha! the 'anti-Friends' is how i refer to It's Always Sunny In Philidelphia.

[@LOCKEYJ]

Always sunny is by no means anti friends. I’ll give you anti-good

[@adamraad8445]

Hot Fuzz is my most rewatched movie ever, literally everytime I set to watch a film with somebody, Hot Fuzz is the first thing to pop in my head.

[@miles3908]

Please stop with the rapid fire cuts, this is an interview, not an action movie

[@IngotAU]

Not only quick cuts. The zoom-in-zoom-out bullshit's going to give me a Pokemon seizure

[@l692]

I love his works so much and hearing him talk about them. An incredible actor and human being.