Riki talks with actor Nate Corddry (Harry’s Law, The Daily Show, United States of Tara) about getting his start in theater, high pressure auditions, and brotherly love.
Making It #59: Nate Corddry
Episode 59:
Making It
Nate Corddry
Nate Corddry
Interesting to hear his take on New England. There are tons of creative people in Boston, but not in theater, and not necessarily in the suburbs. I hope he doesn’t think that Boston as a whole is devoid of any creativity, because if you look in the tech and design industries, it just ain’t true.
I had the pleasure of doing a few plays with Nate at that tiny NH college. He’s a great guy, very earnest and extremely talented, and it was nice to “catch up” on how he’s been as he’s navigated his way to Hollywood.
Also growing up in small-town New England I understood Nate’s points about this area, how “confining” it can feel. I don’t think it’s just here though, kids from the midwest and other places face the same challenges. Small town life can be tough if you truly desire “more.”
At the end of the day we are all responsible for our own lives, and nurturing our own creativity. Nate’s done just that, following his dreams, working hard, and finding a palace in life (and I mean this more then just geographically) where he can be himself, surround himself with folks more like him, and truly thrive.
Great interview Riki and Nate, thanks!
Nate Corddry’s attitude about his own background as a more or less regular person and not being a so-called creative family was puzzling to me for two reasons.
First there is no clear line between creative and non creative people. There are people in fields like science and medicine just as or more creative than many playwrights, actors etc.
But more importantly it bugged me that he doesn’t recognize the value in his background. Actors and writers and such often call on their own personal experiences for their work and someone from a more mainstream regular background will probably have a much broader view of the world and more to draw from than someone raised just mainly around “creative” types. He has a big advantage, an advantage of more perspective, but seems to view it as a negative.
Anyway, he’s a cool guy and this along with Jorge he were your best interviews, Nikki. Interviewing people you don’t know seems to work very well for you. Keep it up.
I really enjoyed Nate on Harry’s Law, so I am excited to hear this.
And correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t he the brother of Rob Corddry?