Features

Photo Credit: Kerry Brett

By Jonathan Soroff

Best known for his work on the long-running comedy Yes, Dear, Boston native Mike O’Malley, 43, is captivating new audiences as Kurt’s dad, Burt Hummell, in the wildly popular series Glee. O’Malley won an Emmy nomination for the role, and he returns next season as a regular castmember. His other TV work includes Life With Roger and the part of crazed sports fan “The Rick” in ESPN’s series of promos directed by Christopher Guest. On the big screen he’s appeared in Deep Impact, Pushing Tin, 28 Days, The Perfect Man, Leatherheads, Meet Dave and the locally made On Broadway. He’s also in the upcoming Julia Roberts movie Eat, Pray, Love, and in Cedar Rapids with Ed Helms and John C. Reilly. O’Malley is the artistic director of the Mineral Theater Company. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Lisa, and their three children.

Jonathan Soroff: Everyone’s still talking about the speech you give when you demolished Finn for making a homophobic remark.

Mike O’Malley: It was a great speech, because they were saying, “We’ve got to change the way we think and the way we treat each other, and part of that is through language.”

I smell a GLAAD award in your future.

That would be nice. What’s interesting about the character is that the writers have created a guy who isn’t like, “My son is gay; that’s fantastic. Let’s subscribe to The Advocate and go to a Broadway show!” He’s much more nuanced. I just love that the adults on the show aren’t just Charlie Brown parents going, “Wah wah wah.”

How is it joining such a juggernaut of a show?

Any time people are watching, you count your blessings.

What are the chances one of your kids is gay?

I have a hard enough time getting them up in the morning and out of the house on time for carpool. I have a hard enough time figuring out if my wife is attracted to me, let alone what my kids’ sexuality is going to be after they go through puberty.

How good is your singing voice?

This past year, at Hot Stove, Cool Music at the House of Blues in Boston, I sang “Musta Got Lost” by the J. Geils Band.

Your first gig was a one-line role on Law & Order. Do you remember what it was?

Of course, I do: “Sarge, we got a fresh one over here!”

Did you have any sense of what that show was going to become?

No. Not even close. It might’ve been the eighth or ninth episode. It was so early on. But that was my SAG card.

Is Christopher Guest the Monty Python of our generation?

No. He’s his own thing. His humor’s not broad in any way. There’s a subtlety to it that’s very unique. But in the sense that Monty Python influenced comedy and a ridiculous number of performers, yes. He’s that influential.

So what did “The Rick” do after Game 7 of the NBA finals?

Well, “The Rick” is still living in his mother’s attic, collecting useless materials that he thinks are worth a lot of money. But after Game 7, he didn’t do anything. He stayed in his room for over a week. His mother put food in front of the door and knocked on it. He was devastated, and so was I.

How many Red Sox games do you have tickets for this season?

I have season tickets, but I have three little kids, so it’s really hard to get back [to Boston] often enough.

How are the royalty checks from Yes, Dear?

Dwindling.

Who’s your favorite character on Glee?

I love Jane Lynch, like everybody, just because her outrageousness is just so hilarious. I’m looking forward to her getting some comeuppance.

What are the best perks from being on Glee?

I haven’t dealt with the avalanche of swag yet.

Are you learning things about parenting from being on the show?

Yes. And if I’m not learning it, I’m being reminded or made aware of the things that are coming along. When they’re little, all you do is keep a watchful eye on them. But what’s harder is when they’re a little older, and you have to let them out into the big, bad world.

Are you just totally blown away by the kids on the show?

Yes. I’m blown away by their level of talent and their work ethic. I think any actor would be. They’re working their tails off, 16, 17 hours a day, every day. When fans watch the show, they see elaborate production numbers. When an actor watches it, they’re thinking, “My God! They had to learn the lines, the song, the choreography, and then they’ve got to do all the publicity!”

How are they handling it?

They’re young, and I’m sure it’s very exciting. They’re the toast of the town. But they’re all handling it very well, and one of the things that really amazed me is how supportive they are of one another. On Glee, the actors stay and watch the others rehearse. That’s unheard of.

Do you feel parental toward them, or are they colleagues?

There’s nothing I can teach them about acting. The only way I would be parental toward them is trying to constantly remind the ones I work with that this is like getting hit with lightning. What they’re experiencing happens maybe twice a decade in this business. This is the first time I’ve been involved in something with this much acclaim.

A friend of mine said you should run for office because we need more people like Kurt’s dad in charge.

Maybe I’ll move back to New England and run for Senate.

Trick question: Why aren’t more teachers on Glee named after teachers at Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill? [The series creator, Brad Falchuk, is a Beaver graduate.]

[Laughs] Wait, did you go there?

I did! And if Brad’s head gets too big, tell him he might’ve given the commencement speech this year, but I gave the commencement speech last year, so you can tell they’re not too picky.

[Laughs] I will. That is hilarious.

My friend Mike Glew is the biggest gleek I know. Can he be on the show as maybe the mute uncle?

I have no control over that, but he can come out for a drink with you and me and Brad and pitch himself.

Last question: Will you write a play with a part in it for me?

Yes. I’ll get some scenes together and we’ll go over it. I’ve got your phone number.