A transformative role
Jeffrey Tambor, in his latest role, is not the man you think he is. In “Transparent,” the latest original series from Amazon, the actor plays Mort, a person who late in life is ready to be themself— a trans gender woman named Maura. The10-episode, half- hour series scored high with critics, especially the performance of Tambor, best knownfor his roles in cult- favorites “The Larry Sanders Show” and “Arrested Development.” In more ways than one, this is a transformative role for you. Whatwas it like tackling a character like this at this stage in your career?
Well, here I am, I’m 70 years old. Maura is 70 years old. I guess in an actor’s life there is about half a dozen times where you go [ eyes widen]. This is one of those times. This wakes up every cell in my body. I read it. I met with [ show creator] Jill Solloway. I went and watched “Afternoon Delight,” which she directed, after we met. This is all I ever wanted to do as a young actor. I wanted to have a role this special. I feel very honored to bring this character forward. The secret in our business is towork with people who get you. [ Jill] gets me. Andthen the people she casts, dear God. I remember Iwas doing this dinner scene and I remember just listening and falling into their magic. In the making of that scene, I found myf amily. How was it finding yourway into Mort and Maura— and going back and forth between them in the beginning?
The pilot was a little different than the shooting. After we came back, I had to realize that I had to go further and deeper. I received wonderful help and advice fromour consultants, Jenny Boylan, who has written three out- of- the- park books that really, really helped me. Andthen I met with her andwe had one of the most special afternoons. Rhys Ernst and Zackary Drucker were also transgender consultants who helped me so much. They took m eout on my first field trip. They in doctrinated me into this. What did that entail?
They came to the hotel, andwe had a long, long talk. They taught me a little bit about makeup and things like that. Then we put on our wardrobe. I put on makeup. I put on a wig. And I can remember my legs were shaking, literally trembling— not somuch becausewe were going to a club, but Iwas so nervous about thewalk through the hotel lobby. And I remember telling myself: “Remember this. Don’t forget this. Let this instruct every single one of your shots and your days.” Andit did. It has nothing to do with the entirety of what being a transgender person is, by any means, but it informed me.
The psychology is what’s imperative. The other stuff— hair, wardrobe— is facile. When I went to have my nails painted, I just walked into this manicure place and did it. Acouple of people, though, in there had a problem with it and theywere looking at me, but I had no problem. Andmaybe thatwas odd, I don’t know. But the real thing is to look within and find your own, for want of a better word, femininity.
Another thing Iwanted to dowas go grocery shopping at Gelson’s. Iwanted to figure out what her life would be like alone, in transition, and what would she buy, how she would interact with strangers. I knowit sounds method- y, but actually, itwas just away to get to know her. Afterward, wewent to lunch and therewere a couple of people who looked at me: And I couldn’t figure out — “Are they looking at me because I look odd, or are they recognizing that I’m Jeffrey Tambor?” But I said, it doesn’t really matter because whatever I’m feeling and theway I’m being looked at is something that makes me feel judged. Then we went outside and therewere no tables available! And so that mean twe had to sit with people. We sat with this man. He looked up casually, kept texting, looked up, kept texting. Then hewalked away and said, “Have a nice day, ladies.” And I beamed. Did anything surprise you in the process of finding Maura?
I found that in away I get to handshake once again with my mom. Wewere fierce combatants in our life, but here we have a chance to agree and to have a nice hug. And I find that I’m doing gestures that she does. And she was quicksilver in her humor. Anda big surprise to meis that Maura is funny. I didn’t knowthat. I don’t know if we knewthat. She’s very funny. She’s very quick. I don’t knowif that sounds artsy- fartsy. But it’s been such a pleasure. Being where I am in my career and being my age, I’m able to put downa certain amount of luggage and just invest. I’m really having the time ofmy life.
Here’s the fail- safe built into this role: Maura, the beautiful Maura, is in transition. She’s very early on in her transition and shemakes mistakes. So the mistakes that I, Jeffrey the actor, made sometimes actually helped. And, in away, Maura was very clear to me. I just had to get to her. I took it day by day. And, I mean, I was very ignorant, especially politically. I had a lot to learn. And I’m so glad I did. And I’m still learning. Given that you saw her more clearly, did that make her almost easier to play than Mort?
I can’t say about easier, and I can’t say more difficult. What Iwas surprised at— and I had a conversation with my wife about it— was how much access I did have. I don’t have an ounce of prejudice. This is an area where there’s a lot of transphobia and trans prejudice. I mean, just plain ignorance. But into this area, Iwas able to have access. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the clarity of what Jill wrote. OK. Peoplewatch the episodes— maybe a few, maybe all. What do you hope the morningafter conversation to be?
My hope is for people to say to someone else, “I saw this show… Doyou have Amazon? I saw this showlast night, and that guy is in it. You know, that guy— you’ll knowhim when you see him? I gotta tell you, you gotta watch this show.” That’s what I hope happens, on an entertainment-level.
Ona personal level, Iwant the conversation tomove forward on this very, very important subject. It has tomove forward. It has to. This showis not the answer, but I hope we’re part of the answer in that conversation moving forward. There’s a great line from“... And Justice for All” when Al Pacino goes, “We’re just people. We’re just people.” Andthat’s the beat.