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‘Somebody Somewhere’ changed Jeff Hiller’s life. He’s grateful, even as the show comes to an end

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'Somebody Somewhere' changed Jeff Hiller's life. He's grateful, even as the show comes to an end
NEW YORK —

As a fan of both theatre and heartwarming stories, I find myself deeply inspired by the journey of Jeff Hiller and his character Joel in the series “Somebody Somewhere.” The parallels between Hiller and his character are undeniable, yet it’s clear that the person they cast played a significant role in shaping Joel’s spiritual journey.

When Bridget Everett emailed Jeff Hiller to gauge his interest in auditioning for her TV show “Somebody Somewhere,” he was seated at a temporary job, wrestling with Excel spreadsheets. At that time, Hiller had already made some strides in the entertainment industry; he starred in the Broadway musical “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” and appeared on shows like “30 Rock.” However, financial stability continued to elude him.

He recalls Everett implying that he might not accept the role due to the production’s inability to offer him a substantial amount of money. “But I find that hard to believe,” he quips, followed by a familiar chuckle that would recur throughout our chat. “I’m earning $16 an hour at the moment. Can you beat that?

Later, he perused the script, and it left him astonished. Strangely enough, the character of Joel, who forms a close bond with Sam, the main character of Everett’s story, when she returns home to Kansas after her sister’s demise, bore an uncanny resemblance to him.

He exclaimed, “It seemed to me as if it was tailored for me,” he shared. “I marveled, ‘How could she guess I’m a theology major? How could she know I’m in the church choir?’ Yet, other men have revealed to me that they too tried out.” He chuckles heartily, a jovial sound emanating from within him.

In their creation, Everett, along with writers Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen, found a cosmic connection between Hiller and the character they devised. He secured the role, and now, as Season 3 debuts this Sunday, it signifies the start of the finale for this critically praised series.

In Season 3, Joel decides to share a home with his boyfriend Brad (Tim Bagley), who is also a devoted Christian. This new living arrangement brings up minor details such as whether to put magnets on the refrigerator and the correct way to load the dishwasher. At the same time, it coincides with Joel exploring his personal spiritual path separately from Brad, which deepens over the course of the season.

'Somebody Somewhere' changed Jeff Hiller's life. He's grateful, even as the show comes to an end

“Somebody Somewhere” changed Hiller’s life, so obviously he’s wistful to see it come to a conclusion. But he’s also grateful that it got to exist as it did. “I’m really truly just living in gratitude that it aired at all,” he says.

Everett credits the show’s success to Hiller, explaining that “the show wouldn’t function without Jeff portraying Joel because he is incredibly funny, subtle, heartwarming, and heart-wrenching all at once – qualities that make him perfect for the role.” She further emphasizes that “Jeff as Joel is indisputable,” highlighting his undeniable fit for the character.

The allure of Hiller is unquestionable as we sip rosé and indulge in beet hummus at a restaurant close to his Lower East Side residence. Our discussion meanders through various topics such as the sitcom “Designing Women”, the Oscar race, and the musical “Wicked”. Despite his deep passion for pop culture, Hiller originally moved to New York with the intent of earning a master’s degree in social work from NYU.

Hiller’s youth was significantly influenced by his connection with Christianity. Raised in San Antonio, he sought comfort within the Lutheran church he frequented. He recalls it as “the only environment where people accepted me, knowing I was genuinely gay.” Surprisingly, even though he now exudes a masculine demeanor, he acknowledges that this acceptance came at a cost: it wasn’t just casual bullying; it was deep-seated trauma.

While he was not yet out, he associated the place with social justice.

He expresses, “If I had been born heterosexual, I believe I might have become a pastor.” Or alternatively, “Perhaps, in truth, it’s hard to say for certain.

'Somebody Somewhere' changed Jeff Hiller's life. He's grateful, even as the show comes to an end

Instead of pursuing his dream of acting after college from Texas Lutheran University, he shifted towards a “spiritual equivalent” of AmeriCorps in Denver first. There, with a fellow volunteer, he dabbled in improv comedy for the first time in Colorado. Despite being admitted to NYU, he chose a different path and relocated to New York City on June 1, 2001. On that very day, he enrolled himself in classes at Upright Citizens Brigade theatre.

Despite enduring years of the harsh rejection typical in the acting world of New York, auditioning for web series in various apartments and being turned down, Hiller remains resilient, stating “This is nothing compared to what people used to say to me as a child.” With his characteristic chuckle, he adds, “You’re not even calling me the derogatory term? Let’s get started then.

When the chance to try out for “Somebody Somewhere” presented itself, Hiller and Everett were acquaintances rather than close friends. As he explained, they had each other’s emails but not their cell phone numbers. Notably, he had previously acted in a production she organized titled “Our Hit Parade” at Joe’s Pub, a music venue affiliated with the Public Theater located downtown.

Although Thureen recognizes numerous similarities between the character and Hiller – such as their shared stress rashes and fixation on a Vitamix blender – he emphasizes that Joel’s transformation throughout the series was significantly influenced by the actor chosen to portray him. In an interview, Thureen remarks, “Joel’s spiritual journey, Jeff’s interpretation of it, and Jeff’s ability to express his beliefs in such a unique way – these elements were unexpected yet incredibly impactful, and they weren’t something we anticipated before casting.

Hiller expressed that playing the character of Joel brought a sense of healing for him. He acknowledges that there are unpleasant individuals within religious organizations, but appreciates how the series focuses on their positive aspects. “I find it captivating and enjoy sharing this uplifting narrative,” he remarks.

Despite the somber undertones that pervade certain parts of the series, “Somebody Somewhere” skillfully incorporated opportunities for Hiller to showcase his knack for physical humor and discover genuine instances of humor.

'Somebody Somewhere' changed Jeff Hiller's life. He's grateful, even as the show comes to an end

Everett notes that Jeff possesses a gentle touch and has the ability to subtly incorporate humorous, enjoyable, and lighthearted elements into his work, not always obvious but cumulatively enhancing the depth and uniqueness of his performance.

Lately, Hiller has been crafting his own life narrative for an upcoming memoir slated for release next summer. He likens it to the works of Mindy Kaling and Tina Fey in terms of style. “I’ve gone through a stack of celebrity memoirs,” he notes, “so I’m skipping over the tedious parts.” In other words, he won’t delve into the details about his ancestors meeting or similar anecdotes.

Over the summer, he put together a one-man show titled “Middle Aged Ingenue” to aid in writing his upcoming book. Apart from his ambition to return to Broadway acting, Hiller aims to produce a TV series tailored for himself. At present, he’s dedicating his time to this project while considering fresh prospects that have emerged since “Somebody Somewhere.” Notably, Ryan Murphy requested a meeting and subsequently cast him in both “American Horror Story” and “American Horror Stories.

He remarks, “It feels like an entirely new existence.” He clarifies, “While I may not be widely recognized, I’d hardly label myself as famous. However, my name has become familiar to those who matter in the industry – gatekeepers, casting directors, and producers – in a way that it never was before.

Everett expresses her desire to watch Hiller in a significant film, possibly even a Marvel production. She further mentions, “I wonder if it will bring out his tough side, but I doubt it,” followed by “I believe he’ll always remain endearing.

After “Somebody Somewhere,” Hiller finds that the range of roles he might be suitable for has broadened. As he puts it, “Now I can audition for the role of a gay boss, which wasn’t an option before where I would typically have to play the part of a gay waiter.

Previously held roles primarily advanced the storylines for the central characters, which Hiller enjoyed acting out. However, he’s delighted to delve more profoundly into his character alongside Joel.

He expresses his eagerness to return to roles such as waiters, judges, or characters portraying a gay boss,” he states. “What truly captivated him was the opportunity to play a character with depth and a personal journey that the narrative centers around.

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2024-10-25 13:31

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