Jennifer Coolidge Wanted Out of ‘The White Lotus.’ Now She’s Emmy Nominated.

Jennifer Coolidge was loved by comedy fans even before the breakout performance on the HBO series The White Lotus. She is a scene stealer for hits such as “American Pie” and “Best in Show”, and her skills as a character actress (her whole body commitment, unparalleled comic timing) have been in movies and television for nearly 30 years. I have supported her for a long time. But no role was as juicy and complex as Tanya, a wealthy and bereaved resort guest she plays in “Lotus.” The ensemble-only series created by Mike White is associated with Ted Lasso, the second nominee of the year, following another HBO show, Succession. Seven co-stars from Coolridge have also been nominated, including Connie Britton, Natasha Rothwell, Alexandra Daddario and Murray Bartlett.

In a telephone interview, Coolridge talked about why she first tried to get out of “White Lotus”, filmed the second season of the show in Italy, and what she wanted to do next. These are edited excerpts from the conversation.

This is your first Emmy nomination. How do you feel

It feels good! I thought I had already lost. By 7am, when it didn’t happen, I said “OK. Well” because someone said that if you were nominated, someone would call you at 5:30 am or 6am It’s like letting go of it.Then when a publicist calls me Had What happened, I was very confused. But it’s even more thrilling. It’s a really incredible surprise.

You started on TV and played one of Jerry’s girlfriends in “Seinfeld” in the 90’s. Are you wondering what this means in the longer arc of your career?

As you know, I’ve never attended an award season, so I’m just used to it. I just thought, “Wow, that’s not my future.” For a million years I didn’t expect this to happen. can’t believe it. I can’t really believe it seriously.

What did you think of Tanya’s role when Mike first pitched it to you?

I certainly didn’t expect it to lead to this. It was a big risk for Mike to give me this big part. I’m sure he had to jump over the hoops to approve me, and they were thinking of a more famous actress. But he gave me this shot, and I’m excited because it could go another way. I was a little nervous and tried to get out. I really did. It didn’t look good and I was nervous about wasteful things such as not being able to deliver it. I just didn’t want to fail and I didn’t want to be the only person in the cast who didn’t pull. But that’s a great life lesson. When trying to get out of something, it may be the best thing you can get involved with.

How did you change your mind when you were in the stage of wanting to get out of your position?

It was my friend, Chase Winton. I was in her living room and she asked me, “Are you going to do that show in Hawaii?” I said, “No, I’m not. I’m sick. I look like hell.” I was eating pizza at Covid, but it wasn’t … “I’ll try again.” Just pizza. And she gave me this lecture. “”You’re kidding, Jennifer?? Do you know what kind of idiot you are at this moment? I have to talk so as not to make a terrible mistake. I wouldn’t have done it without her. I was going to tell Mike that he needed foot surgery or something, some ridiculous excuses. But I’m very happy she talked to me. Even if it didn’t reach the Emmy status, it was very positive to go just to do the job.

How was it about your friend’s lecture that rushed into you?

She said. “Jennifer, whatever you do, you just own it. You’re sick? Are you ready? You just own it. Show up anyway.”

Did the character feel different from the roles you played in the past?

There are other people in my life who have given me some cool roles. But this was really another level, as Mike knows me really well. He knew that I lost his mother in his early thirties, and that was a big deal, so he wrote this very cool part made for me. .. No one is as cool as Mike White. He loves actors and loves to write great things to them.

Have you talked to him yet?

No, he is in Italy. I’m sure he has received a lot of messages. But Reggie, you are my first phone.

I am honored. Please tell us about the next season of “White Lotus”.

I did it in Sicily for 5 months. I’m back like two weeks ago. I was told not to leak anything, but I wouldn’t be disappointed to see some of the new actors because I witnessed them. It was a very elaborate story that Mike was telling, and it was just incredible to be part of it.

What do you want to do next?

I want to play seriously. Some of the original ones I’ve heard may come my way, but it hasn’t been confirmed yet. I’m just excited because something like this opens the door to something cool. It’s hard to get things to happen when it’s not happening much. And the moment you’re a lot happening, the part of the sea. So who knows? The sky is the limit. Once you get used to thinking in a way, something like “white lotus” happens and you start to have bigger thoughts.

Who are you the first to celebrate after me?

I got FaceTime from Mike White when you and I were talking a minute ago. So I’m excited to call him back.