Close

Emmy Award-Winning Actor Tony Shalhoub On Craft

Tony Shalhoub is a prolific actor whose illustrious career has spanned television shows, theater productions, and major Hollywood films. His performances have earned him three Emmy awards and a Golden Globe for his work on the television show Monk, and a Tony nomination for his work on Broadway.

The characters he's portrayed have become cultural legends–from his award-winning performance of the endearing OCD-plagued criminal detective Adrian Monk of the hit television show Monk, to the cabdriver Antonio Scarpacci from Wings, to FBI agent Frank Haddad in The Siege. He's appeared in cinema classics like Barton Fink, Primary Colors, The Man Who Wasn't There, and Men in Black. But Shalhoub's talent hasn't been confined to the screen. The actor has performed numerous roles in theater, including critically-acclaimed Broadway productions like The Odd CoupleConversations With My Father, and The Heidi Chronicles, in addition to off-broadway productions of Waiting for Godot, Rameau's Nephew, and Shakespeare in the Park: Henry IV, Part 1.

A rare talent, Shalhoub embodies his characters with fierce authenticity, pitch-perfect wit, and awe-inspiring poignancy. The roles he plays resonate deeply–whether he's exploring the captivating neuroses of Adrian Monk, or the intricacies of kinship in the Broadway production of Conversations With My Father, which earned Shalhoub a Tony nomination.  Shalhoub's penchant for encapsulating the nuances of personhood have made him one of entertainment's foremost actors.

Of course, it's little wonder why: Tony Shalhoub is an actor whose commitment to the craft is simply unwavering. He boasts an extensive background in performance, including a master's degree from the prestigious Yale School of Drama. So when we spoke with Shalhoub about his excitement for the ground-breaking film education program Journeys in Film, we were also lucky enough to get his insight into the world of acting. In this intimate conversation, Tony Shalhoub discloses his love of the craft, the difference between acting on set versus acting on stage, and his invaluable advice for aspiring actors.

–Video footage shot by Evan Seplow, edited by Daniel Tarr.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Credits

The Credits is an online magazine that tells the story behind the story to celebrate our large and diverse creative community. Focusing on profiles of below-the-line filmmakers, The Credits celebrates the often uncelebrated individuals who are indispensable to the films and TV shows we love.

The Credits

Keep up with The Credits for the latest in film, television, and streaming.

If you are a California resident, California law may consider certain disclosures of data a “sale” of your personal information (such as cookies that help Motion Picture Association later serve you ads, like we discuss in our Privacy Policy here), and may give you the right to opt out. If you wish to opt out, please click here: