In a world of his own
Jay Pharoah does impression of oblivious husband in ‘Private Property’
Jay Pharaoh has gone from superlative impressions as an “SNL” cast member to standup, voice work, writing and acting.
“Private Property,” now streaming, casts Pharaoh as Richard, a Hollywood producer who could but doesn’t boost his actress wife’s (Ashley Benson, “Pretty Little Liars”) career, believing it’s better if she does it on her own.
That leaves her vulnerable to the new gardener (Shiloh Fernandez, “Euphoria”), whose interests go beyond trimming vines.
This marriage is, Pharaoh, 37, said in a Zoom interview, “disconnected. She wants Richard to pay attention to her. Actually, she really wants him to just put her in a project.
“But his whole deal is, ‘I want you to be able to work for it.’ He’s so stuck in his world, he’s forgetting about his wife. And it causes this invitation for Shiloh to come in and kind of ‘Show us some love. Give us some TLC.’ So this is a disconnected marriage.”
As hubby is away on business, this gardener is more than ready to play — in the pool, kitchen, even the bedroom.
“That’s what happens when two people who are married stop communicating. Or one doesn’t pay attention to the other one. You’re not husband and wife anymore. You’re just roommates. You’re just going through the motions,” Pharaoh said.
“And I’m oblivious. There should be no reason that another man should be that comfortable in my house with my lady. Really, how did this all happen?”
Richard’s situation where people, including his wife, see him for what he can do for them is all too familiar for Pharaoh.
“There’s always folks who hit you up, that want handouts. I mean, a lot of them being my cousins! People will ask you for things. They’ll try to assert themselves and go, ‘Hey, man, you owe me.’”
Pharaoh shakes his head. “How did you say that? I owe you?! Just because I made it and we’re from the same area is that what you mean?
“Hard work and consistency is a theme of my life that I’ve always catered to. That’s what I was taught.
“I used to work at the Burlington Coat Factory, man. So to come from that and going to ‘SNL’ and then doing studio movies and being on tour and everything, it shows people, ‘Yes, you can get it.’
“So, do I feel like he should be like that to his wife? I don’t know. If I was, just me personally, married to somebody and they was as beautiful as Ashley Benson, I know that they’re going to get a lot of looks. Why not help them?”