Richard Kind, a prolific character actor whose face is instantly recognizable despite often playing supporting roles, is currently captivating audiences in London’s West Complete. The 69-year-old actor has stepped into the role of Max Bialystock in Mel Brooks’ musical The Producers, a part he previously played on Broadway in 2004 and at the Hollywood Bowl in 2012. Kind’s career, spanning decades, is a testament to his versatility and dedication, encompassing everything from animated features to critically acclaimed films and television series. He describes his function ethic simply: “Nobody works more than me.”
Kind’s ability to inhabit a wide range of characters has made him a familiar presence on screen, and stage. From the imaginary friend in Pixar’s Inside Out to a neighbor with a rather unpleasant ailment in Only Murders in the Building, his performances are consistently memorable. He’s tackled roles as diverse as a physics savant in the Coen brothers’ A Serious Man, a tormented figure in Joaquin Phoenix’s nightmarish Beau Is Afraid, and the famously irritating Cousin Andy in Larry David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm.
The role of Max Bialystock in The Producers, a flamboyant Broadway huckster scheming to produce a deliberately terrible musical, is a physically demanding one. Kind recounts losing 30 pounds during his initial run with the reveal, jokingly referring to it as “The Producers diet.” He’s currently immersing himself in the show’s rapid-fire musical numbers, including “The King of Broadway,” which he describes with a playful nod to The Exorcist: “Once you’ve learned it all, the words pour out of your mouth like pea soup out of Linda Blair.”
Kind’s interpretation of Max Bialystock leans towards the boisterous energy of Zero Mostel, who originated the role in the 1967 film adaptation, rather than the more refined approach of Nathan Lane, who first played the part on Broadway. “Nathan glides,” Kind explained, “I’m a big bear. I lumber.”
A story relayed to Kind by a friend illustrates his commitment to fully embodying his characters: “A friend once told him that only two things on Earth are visible from space: the Great Wall of China and every acting choice that Kind ever made.” Although acknowledging he’s become a better actor over the past 20 years, Kind recognizes the inherent scale of The Producers demands equally expansive choices. “Max is fun to play because he has appetites that cannot be sated. The more he has, the more he wants.”
From Second City to the West End
Kind’s journey in comedy began at Second City in Chicago, where he honed his improvisational skills. This foundation led to television work alongside comedy legends like Carol Burnett and roles in sitcoms such as Spin City, alongside Michael J. Fox. He even shared a living space with George Clooney during a brief stint on a failed comedy pilot, a friendship that continues to this day. Kind is notably protective of his friend, expressing dismay at public criticism directed towards Clooney, and dismissing commentary from former President Trump.
Despite his success in supporting roles, Kind doesn’t rule out a desire to lead on screen. “Sure. I’ve got an ego,” he admits. “But look. People may say, ‘Oh, I like that guy. Everything he does is good.’ Nobody says, ‘I’m going to spend £20 to go see Richard Kind in a movie.’ If you accept that, you can be happy and satisfied.” He embraces his niche, describing himself as “parsley on a plate of meat and potatoes. Really good parsley. As green and fresh as parsley can get.”
Kind’s theatrical ambitions are clear: he seeks challenging roles that demand his full commitment. He hopes to one day portray Roy Cohn, Trump’s controversial mentor, in Tony Kushner’s Angels in America. When asked if there’s any role he couldn’t tackle, he quips, “I’d make a terrible Blanche DuBois.”
Richard Kind is performing in The Producers at the Garrick Theatre in London from March 23rd to May 9th, with Andy Nyman returning to the role on May 11th.
As Kind continues to navigate a career defined by both versatility and dedication, his presence on stage and screen remains a consistent source of delight for audiences. His willingness to embrace challenging roles and his self-aware approach to his craft suggest a continued trajectory of compelling performances.
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