Julia Louis-Dreyfus reflects on Veep and career success after witnessing an amusing encounter on a recent flight. On June 6, Louis-Dreyfus shared that she spotted a fellow passenger watching the HBO hit “Veep”—unaware its lead star was just seats away. The show, which aired from 2012 until 2019, has maintained a devoted fan base long after its finale.
“I just loved making that show,”
—Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Star Actress
Strong Bonds With ‘Veep’ Cast Endure Years Later
The camaraderie among the “Veep” cast remains strong years after the show’s conclusion. Tony Hale, well-known for portraying Gary Walsh, recently discussed his ongoing friendship with Louis-Dreyfus. He revealed that although their conversations do not generally revolve around the series itself, they have stayed connected by sharing personal life milestones rather than reliving on-set memories.
“It’s funny because when we text, we typically never talk about the show,”
—Tony Hale, Actor
“My daughter just graduated high school, so we always talk about stuff, life, and [enjoy] the simplicity,”
—Tony Hale, Actor
“We’ve lived so much life together, so we just kind of send each other [anything],”
—Tony Hale, Actor
Hale’s portrayal of Gary, the loyal aide to Louis-Dreyfus’ Selina Meyer, lasted throughout all seven seasons of the acclaimed series. Their off-screen connection showcases how their bond has grown beyond the roles they played on television.
Ongoing Screen Success and the Marvel Universe
Beyond “Veep,” Julia Louis-Dreyfus has continued to secure prominent roles in both television and film. Most recently, she appears in Marvel’s highly anticipated “Thunderbolts*” alongside Florence Pugh and Sebastian Stan, once again playing Val—La Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine. Louis-Dreyfus first stepped into this Marvel role in
“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,”
before recurring in “Black Widow” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” further expanding her list of acclaimed performances.
Shutting Down the ‘Seinfeld’ Myth
During an April interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Louis-Dreyfus weighed in on the persistent rumors of a so-called Seinfeld curse that she and her fellow sitcom stars—including Jason Alexander and Michael Richards—supposedly faced after their celebrated series ended in 1998. The media once suggested the actors struggled to find new success, a notion Louis-Dreyfus adamantly disputes today.
“Yeah, I’m having a laugh now. It was ridiculous then, and fortunately, it’s really been dropped,”
—Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Star Actress
“It was so silly. Like you said, it was a media invention, but it made no sense. It did not make logical sense,”
—Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Star Actress
Despite this label, Louis-Dreyfus has consistently demonstrated her resilience through numerous successful projects. In addition to “Veep” and “Thunderbolts*,” her credits span beloved comedies like
“The New Adventures of Old Christine”
and acclaimed films, such as “You Hurt My Feelings.”
A Lasting Impact on Television and Film
The continuing popularity of “Veep” among viewers, including unsuspecting airplane passengers, highlights the cultural influence of the series and its stars. Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s ability to move between television sitcoms, high-profile streaming projects, and blockbuster superhero franchises like Marvel demonstrates her remarkable and enduring versatility in entertainment. Her career trajectory and public dismissal of the “Seinfeld curse” reinforce her status among television and film’s most accomplished talents.
