Sam Rockwell discusses The White Lotus role and Hollywood’s future as he reflects on a standout monologue that went viral, his belief in the power of unconventional films, and memorable moments from the set. Arriving at Variety’s office the day after an HBO Max panel, the 56-year-old Oscar winner shared candid insights about his career, recent successes, and the challenges facing today’s movie industry.
Rockwell on His ‘White Lotus’ Monologue and Its Impact
Rockwell’s portrayal of Frank in The White Lotus has attracted attention, especially for his episode five monologue about sex addiction and identity, which swiftly became an internet sensation. Fresh from participating in a panel promoting the series, Rockwell was thoughtful and open as he began recounting his latest journey in television drama. Behind him, a cover of Variety featuring Chadwick Boseman and Ryan Coogler caught his eye, prompting him to recall his own Bay Area roots and connection to the industry’s evolution.
“I just saw an interview with him,”
Rockwell remarked, gesturing toward Coogler.
“It was really interesting. I’m from the Bay Area, and he was talking about this experience watching a movie with his dad.”
—Sam Rockwell, Actor
Longing for Creative Innovation and Genre Experimentation
Turning conversation to recent films, Rockwell praised Sinners, noting its boundary-pushing style and box office clout. He recalled his own experience with visual effects during his performance in Duncan Jones’ Moon, where he skillfully played two versions of himself in a scene that stood out for its technical achievement.
“Yes, I did. I really dug it. And the technology with the twin thing has come a long way since I did a trick like that long ago.”
—Sam Rockwell, Actor
As talk shifted to trends in cinema, Rockwell expressed hope in projects that defy traditional expectations and find success despite being written off early on. He pointed to a history of unexpected hits, identifying Sinners as a beacon for daring filmmaking and highlighting the importance of stories mixing genres and breaking boundaries.
“I can’t help but think about ‘Sinners,’”
he continued.
“It was encouraging because it was rated R, you know? The sexuality felt palpable. And the fact that it made a bunch of money while mixing all these genres — ‘From Dusk Till Dawn,’ ‘Sounder,’ ‘Devil in a Blue Dress’ — I thought that was encouraging. It’s a big swing. And it made a lot of money, just like ‘Wonder Woman.’ That was a big swing, too. Made by a woman. Did very well.”
—Sam Rockwell, Actor
Rockwell expanded on the unpredictable nature of success in the industry, crediting the triumphs of Birdman and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest as proof that unique artistic visions can thrive despite early skepticism.
“‘Birdman’ is another one. On paper, you’d think, ‘That movie’s not going to do anything.’ But it was amazing. Same with ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.’ Everybody turned it down — Gene Hackman, James Caan. But look what happened. So yeah, I’m encouraged by certain things.”
—Sam Rockwell, Actor
Reflections on Hollywood and His Passion for Performance
Noting a Chucky doll in the room, which reminded him of Oscar nominee Brad Dourif from Cuckoo’s Nest, Rockwell injected a moment of humor.
“Is that Chucky? I’d get rid of that thing,”
he quipped, drawing a laugh. —Sam Rockwell, Actor
Rockwell reminisced about his peer group—a standout generation of actors including Billy Crudup, Michael Shannon, Jeffrey Wright, Liev Schreiber, Mark Ruffalo, Josh Brolin, and especially the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, whom he called “our Charles Laughton.” When discussion moved to his acclaimed roles, such as his Oscar-winning part in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and his turn as George W. Bush in Vice, Rockwell revealed discomfort with the country’s current turmoil.
“Man, I don’t even know where to begin. It’s not great.”
—Sam Rockwell, Actor
Asked whether he maintains hope, Rockwell acknowledged the challenging times, yet affirmed his commitment to providing relief and expression through his art:
“I wouldn’t know where to begin. It’s rough out there. I’m an entertainer. But hopefully, you can speak through your work and provide some kind of catharsis for people through movies and theater.”
—Sam Rockwell, Actor
Leslie Bibb’s Moment and What Makes Characters Stand Out
The conversation became more upbeat as Rockwell shared his pride in Leslie Bibb, his longtime partner and fellow White Lotus cast member. Noting her rising profile and nuanced approach to her character, Rockwell celebrated her Emmy buzz and artistic choices.
“This is a real moment for her. I think people are looking at her in a different way. She’s kicking ass. She made a character that could have been really unlikable into someone with a moral compass.”
—Sam Rockwell, Actor
Behind the Scenes: The Viral Leopard Underwear Scene Explained
Rockwell addressed a much-discussed scene in The White Lotus where his character chases Walton Goggins’ Rick while sporting leopard-print underwear—feeding internet speculation about the bold costume decision. He explained the inspiration and process behind choosing the memorable 1980s-style briefs, connecting it to an homage to Richard Gere’s look in American Gigolo.
“It’s a white-wall kind of thing. But you know, that was really an homage to Richard Gere in ‘American Gigolo.’ I remember the cheetah pattern. I think I was just being silly. It was kind of funny underwear — very ’80s briefs. I picked them out. There were five choices. That was the best one.”
—Sam Rockwell, Actor
Getting into Character: Preparation and Influences
To deliver his complex White Lotus monologue, Rockwell leaned on extensive preparations, noting similar demands in other recent roles. He had recently performed a lengthy monologue for a Verbinski film, and reflected on stage work with Darren Criss and Laurence Fishburne, alongside inspirations from legendary actors like Al Pacino and Robert Duvall.
“I did a series of monologues leading up to it,”
he said.
“In the Verbinski movie, I have a 10-page monologue that opens the film. Before that, I did ‘American Buffalo’ with Darren Criss and Laurence Fishburne. There’s a famous monologue called ‘Fucking Ruthie.’ Pacino and Duvall also performed in ‘American Buffalo.’ So, I was warmed up.”
—Sam Rockwell, Actor
At times of creative uncertainty, Rockwell turned to digital resources for inspiration, crediting the accessibility of legendary film speeches to the internet.
“I just Googled ‘great monologues,’ and all these popped up: Kurt Russell in ‘Miracle,’ Jack Nicholson in ‘A Few Good Men,’ Sylvester Stallone in ‘Rocky V.’ It’s amazing what you can access now. The internet is incredible for actors.”
—Sam Rockwell, Actor
New Projects on the Horizon
Rockwell is staying busy, with future work lined up alongside director Martin McDonagh on Wild Horse Nine, also featuring Parker Posey, Steve Buscemi, and John Malkovich. He expressed excitement for another project titled Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Zazie Beetz and Juno Temple.
“Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die.”
—Sam Rockwell, Actor
“I’m really proud of that one,”
he added.
“It’s kind of a Terry Gilliam throwback. I wear this 40-pound suit Gore designed; it’s wild. It’s about a homeless guy from the future trying to go back in time to stop AI from getting out of control.”
—Sam Rockwell, Actor
Rockwell continues to await progress on the long-discussed Merle Haggard biopic, underscoring his ongoing commitment to varied storytelling.
Recognition and Awards: Navigating the Emmys
Amid Emmy season, Rockwell reflected on his placement in the awards categories for his White Lotus role. Despite appearing in only four episodes, with his finale appearance lasting less than a minute, Rockwell found himself competing against performers often considered leads in the supporting drama category.
“I’m between a rock and a hard place,”
he confessed.
“It’s really up to the voters. It’s weird because I’m in the same category with Walt [Goggins], Jason Isaacs, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Sam Nivola — those guys are really leads going into supporting. And I’m really a guest, going into supporting. It’s not really fair or cool, but it is what it is.”
—Sam Rockwell, Actor
Film Memories and Enduring Love for the Medium
Before parting ways, Rockwell and his interviewer exchanged thoughts on classic movie trailers, singling out the haunting teaser for Ridley Scott’s Alien and the chilling promo for Magic with Anthony Hopkins. These formative moments reminded Rockwell of cinema’s lasting effect.
“I still have nightmares from the trailer,”
Rockwell observed with a smile.
“Just the sound of space and that tagline — ‘In space, no one can hear you scream.’ That’s all it needed.”
—Sam Rockwell, Actor
Departing to the East Coast, Rockwell reaffirmed his faith in film, retaining the intense passion that has marked his range from Moon to The White Lotus. By continuing to embrace challenging roles and cherish movie history—alongside a willingness to laugh at himself and learn from others—Rockwell embodies hope for Hollywood’s future, even amid turbulence.
