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Double-Emmy Nominated Actress Mindy Sterling Talks Comedy And Characters

We interview beloved actress Mindy Sterling, up for TWO Emmy nominations for ‘Con Man’ and ‘secs & EXECS’ about how improv carved a path to success.

With the summer winding down, we turn our gaze to television for fall premieres and the 2017 Emmy Awards. This year boasts some very talented nominees, with a few receiving multiple Emmy nods (Alec Baldwin, Matthew Rhys, Ty Burrell, Donald Glover, Riz Ahmed, for example), but only one actress has received two nominations…in the same category!

The legendary actress and comedienne Mindy Sterling has been nominated for her role as Bobbi in Alan Tudyk & Nathan Fillion’s web series Con Man, which has just been picked up by SyFy for two seasons, and for her role as Shirla in the tello films program secs & EXECS. Both nominations are in the Outstanding Actress, Short Form Comedy or Drama category, a newer category only in its second year. Most people know Sterling for her role as Frau Farbissina in the Austin Powers films, but she has never been one to rest on her laurels. Throughout the years, she has amassed a body of memorable work over her long career and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Sterling’s hard work, perseverance, and the breadth of her inventiveness have all positioned her as a true contender at the Emmys and the recognition is certainly justified.

We had the immense pleasure of sitting down with Sterling to talk about her thoughts on the nominations and working on the projects that received the honors. We also discussed how her involvement with The Groundlings helped pave her way to stardom and the importance of growing up in a family filled with laughter.

 Mindy Sterling: Seeing Double

PopWrapped: Thank you for joining me, Mindy! First of all, congratulations on your two Emmy nominations! And in the same category! That’s amazing and rare, isn’t it?

Mindy Sterling: I think it’s very rare! No one has been able to come up with another person that has been in that situation. I think it’s pretty darn cool!

PW: It really is cool and to have overcome so many phases in order to get nominated is a feat of its own, for sure!

MS: It feels so good, totally! You have to go through a nomination just to be put into the nomination for an Emmy. There was a list of wonderful women that worked hard and so, the idea that it came to me doing it twice in two different projects is pretty thrilling and exciting, I’ve got to say. There are lots of actors and short-form is a newer category. There are a lot of people doing web series and things of that nature. I’ve been doing a lot of that, myself, and a lot of indie films. So, you never know what will happen from those projects or where they’re going to go. To be recognized twice in one category. I already feel like I am a winner. 

 PW: Yes, you are! And we hope that you do win the award! 

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MS: Thank you! 

PW: So, since you are up for two Emmys, how would you play that out on the night of the ceremony? Would you do something silly like wearing a gown split into two different gowns, or something a little more low-key? 

MS: [laughs] There have been so many ideas that have crossed my mind. I mean, I could be completely elaborate with it and be creative and inventive, or just enjoy the moment of, “It’s the same girl doing two different roles!” [laughs]

PW: You’re currently on Con Man and secs & EXECS. As an incredibly dynamic character actress, you’ve always managed exceptionally in balancing projects and characters. How do you maintain that level of accessibility when tapping into your different roles?

MS: Oh! That’s just what I do! It wasn’t tricky because I didn’t do the projects at the same time during the week or anything. But that’s the fun of it! You get to do one character here, and then you’re off doing some other character in something else that has a different story and different perspective. My Groundlings training, and my experience in improv and sketch comedy helped greatly. That’s the fun part. It’s what I strive to do and I am that character actress and I can do a lot of different things. So, I feel lucky to have the opportunity to not only do them, but to be recognized. It is very exciting to me. 

PW: That’s amazing, absolutely! Luck is being prepared for when an opportunity presents itself and you are right there. There are so many actors and actresses, and other artists for that matter, that strive for that kind of success. Everyone starts at the exact same place and through hard work, circumstances – being in the right projects with the right people and the right time – all of these things have to align. That’s what is so amazing about your situation! Then to be recognized on top of it! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. For some, it’s more than once. For you, it’s twice at the same time! 

MS: Absolutely! It’s very true! 

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PW: You mentioned The Groundlings and I wanted to talk more about that with you. That company has been the incubator for so many brilliant comedic minds. When did you discover that you wanted to be a part of that? What inside of you said, “Hey, I want to become a character actor and a comedian? I’m meant to be silly and be successful at making people laugh.”?

MS: Well, my dad was a comedian, singer, and an actor in Miami. Though, my mother and father divorced when I was young, I still had a great relationship with my dad. He was funny. It’s interesting, because Jerry Lewis always reminded me a little bit of my dad. My dad wasn’t as goofy, but my dad would do characters and he would act out situations that were just funny! He had this incredible, beautiful, deep baritone voice. He was partners with Shecky Greene, then he was partners with Sammy Shore. So, we always just kind of did this stuff and I’m sure that watching it and being around it influenced me in a lot of ways. When I came to L.A., I was turned on to improv by a group, and then I met people that were part of The Groundlings. They were the ones who said, “Hey, you’re funny! You should come over to The Groundlings.” and it continued from there. I loved doing different characters and voices and looks. It’s just what I did.

 

PW: That sounds like a great start to a life of laughter! It is so important to have that fun and grow closer as a family and laughter is one of the best ways to do that and create memories that can be passed on to future generations. Even if we are a little nutty!

MS: [laughs] It’s fun to be brought up in a home that cherishes laughter. I grew up in a family that was so supportive of me making this choice in wanting to become an actress and going to a two-year junior college as opposed to going away to school and realizing, “Oh, I didn’t need to take all of this. I just want to act.” They couldn’t have been more supportive. I was in plays and they were always there. I never was ignored or misguided. They just enjoyed everything that I did. 

PW: And that is the key, isn’t it? Having the love and support paving the way for you to do what you were meant to do. Laughter is especially important now, and as a parent, I’m sure that you have passed on the love and support to your son.

MS: Yes. I’m a single mom of a 22-year-old son and if I can make him laugh at any given time, I treasure that so much. He will remember that, as well. I think it’s so important to laugh and make your children laugh. 

PW: I completely agree. Besides yourself, of course, there have been several other members that have made names for themselves. Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz, Kristen Wiig, Paul Reubens, Maya Rudolph, Cassandra Peterson, Will Ferrell, to name a few. Have you worked with any of these people at any point?

MS: In the very beginning, when I went to The Groundlings to see them, I saw people like Phil Hartman and Edie McClurg. You saw these amazing and larger-than-life characters. They wrote all of their own stuff and put together the costumes. That’s what turned me on to what it was that they did. I taught at The Groundlings, so I taught a lot of people that have moved on and became very successful on Saturday Night Live and MADtv and other places. There are also writers and producers that have come from the program, as well.

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PW: Wow! I mean, that is really special to be part of something so instrumental in the development of so many great talents we’ve seen blossom throughout the years. I remember growing up watching SNL and seeing Phil Hartman as Frankenstein and thinking that he was so funny! I love that you saw that firsthand and that you, yourself, were a part of that company. 

MS: I got to be around all of that! It’s still my home away from home. They’re family. Once you’re part of this organization, this company, it never leaves your system. You grow within that family. I sometimes go back and improvise with them. It’s really wonderful!

PW: Since you’ve moved on from The Groundlings, you’ve amassed a huge list of credits in film and television. I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask about your role as Frau Farbissina in the Austin Powers films. There were so many great moments and the writing was phenomenal. There were clever moments like when Dr. Evil returned 30 years after he escaped and Farbissina looks the exact same way. She didn’t age! Even the description of Frau as the “founder of the militant wing of the Salvation Army” was hystercial! How was it to work with so many amazing people like Mike Myers? That must have been a major highlight in your career, too.

MS: [laughs] Oh, absolutely! Myers was an SNL star. I loved his scripts! They made me laugh out loud! He was just really kind and generous to me. He was a workhorse and came up with all of these amazing ideas. We just sort of clicked. He allowed me to be what I wanted to be and loved what I brought to the part. It was really really special. 

PW: How much of that part was improvised? Did you plan on the hilariously iconic shouting in that role? The prolonged countdown scene in The Spy Who Shagged Me comes to mind. [laughs]

MS: Well, I think it’s just my scream. It just becomes very shrill and people find it funny! I don’t really remember if he said scream them all, or if the script said that. I didn’t do a whole lot of improvising, but we played a lot off of each other. It just sort of worked when he would cringe every time. [laughs]

PW: [laughs] Those movies were so perfect and still crack me up! It’s been 20 years, but those movies never lose their charm. Do you have any favorite characters that you’ve played? 

MS: Well, I love all of the characters I’ve played. Each project brings something different. I really love my character [Bobbi] in Con Man. I love how irresponsible she is. I love that she has no boundaries. I love that she is all out for herself. I love that she will go any lengths to get what she wants, but in a kooky way, not in a mean, malicious way. I loved doing the show Legit, as the mother in that. Of course, Austin Powers was wonderful! Yeah, there’s a lot of good stuff I’ve enjoyed doing. Hopefully, I can continue doing them and creating new loves. 

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PW: That is so great to hear! I’m sure you can take lessons from each experience and every character helps you grow as a person, too. Not only have you been acting on camera, but you’ve also have quite the experience with voice acting, as well. What is that like? 

MS: Sure! Usually, the character is described beforehand, or you see the copy. Things like, “She’s no-nonsense,” or “She’s the leader of the army,” and maybe you’ll try something and they might say, “Make her a little younger, bring up your voice.” And a lot of things these days aren’t really “cartoony” voices, but rather your original voice or a variation of that. You kind of play with it and go from there. The voices are recorded and then the animation takes time. Sometimes you’ll go into the studio solo or with a group of people. These voice actors know their stuff. I love to be in the room with voice actors who do this for a living. I listen to what they do and learn from them. They are pretty spectacular people. I’m fortunate to now have been doing some good voiceover work and have now gotten into that program. I would love to do more because it is some of the most fun and very rewarding things to do, as well. 

PW: That sounds like a lot of fun! So, what does the future hold for Con Man and secs & EXECS

MS: Con Man is going to start airing on SyFy on September 9th. So, that is a nice home for the show. Before it was picked up, it was on Vimeo and then it was on Comic-Con HQ, which you have to purchase. So, with it being picked up by SyFy, it will be easier to find. And then secs & EXECS, they are trying to find a home for that show, which is lovely. If you go on their site, you can see it. So, hopefully they will get placed and I can do both of them. [laughs]

PW: Well, it sounds like both of those shows have a bright future! I’d like to thank you for your time and for talking with me. We are rooting for you to win an Emmy this year!

MS: Thank you so much! And thank you for taking the time to interview me and for all of the great questions! 

The Road Ahead

Mindy Sterling has certainly proved herself and continues to shine! We hope that she takes home a much-deserved Emmy award!

Be sure to watch secs & EXECS on the official tello films website. Con Man airs on SyFy, September 9. Tune in and watch the 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Stephen Colbert, airing live September 17 on CBS. 

Follow Mindy Sterling’s journey on Facebook and Twitter.

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