"Jeremy Allen White" - SmartLess Recap

Podcast: SmartLess

Published: 2025-12-22

Duration: 1 hr 7 min

Guests: Jeremy Allen White

Summary

Jeremy Allen White shares his journey from growing up in Brooklyn with a theater family to starring in hit shows set in Chicago, like 'Shameless' and 'The Bear'. The episode covers his career evolution, personal anecdotes, and passion for real estate.

What Happened

Jeremy Allen White, known for his role as Carmy, discusses his early life growing up in Brooklyn, New York, and how his parents' involvement in theater influenced his career. He started performing through dance, which led him to his first acting experiences in middle school. Encouraged by a dedicated drama teacher, Jeremy's acting career began with an off-off-off Broadway play and a role obtained through an open casting call.

The conversation highlights his 12-year tenure on 'Shameless', starting at age 18 and finishing at 30. This long period brought both stability and challenges, as Jeremy experienced a panic attack after the series ended, stemming from uncertainty about his future. The transition from 'Shameless' to 'The Bear' was marked by initial hesitation due to its Chicago setting, but Jeremy was ultimately convinced by the show's quality script and his relationship with creator Chris Storr.

Jeremy shares an interesting anecdote about learning guitar in six months for a role, taught by a guitar teacher. Although he can play specific songs, he struggles with other music due to his non-traditional learning method. He also recounts a memorable gift from Bruce Springsteen - a 1955 Gibson J200 guitar - during the making of a movie.

While discussing his personal life, Jeremy talks about his two daughters, Ezzi and Dolly, and his family's ongoing presence in Brooklyn. He expresses a desire for a slower-paced lifestyle, considering buying property in places like Bisbee, Arizona, while maintaining a smaller place in Los Angeles or New York.

The episode also delves into Jeremy's unique hobby of browsing real estate listings without the intention to buy. He finds joy in exploring potential properties and occasionally considers cross-country moves, having driven across the U.S. multiple times.

The hosts, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett, inject humor by expressing their acting aspirations. Sean jokes about wanting to play a maniacal serial killer, while Will fantasizes about taking over Matt Damon's role in the 'Bourne' series.

Key Insights