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Actor Taron Egerton joins the hosts to discuss his career trajectory, the psychological roots of his ambition, and his role in the action-thriller film Apex alongside Charlize Theron. The conversation delves deep into Egerton's upbringing in Wales, his relationship with an absentee father, and how early childhood insecurities influenced his drive for success and body image struggles. Later, the discussion covers working with intense method actors like Tom Hardy, navigating critical reviews, and experiencing unexpected synchronicity in landing life-changing roles like Rocketman after playing a singing gorilla in Sing.
The show opens with host Dax Shepard welcoming listeners, followed by brief sponsor plugs for Quince, YouTube Premium, and other brands before the main interview begins.
The conversation shifts to introducing the guest, Taron Egerton, as the focus of the episode.
Taron recounts his childhood, family separations, and the impact of his parents' divorce on his sense of self and masculinity.
Taron explains his Welsh heritage, family background, and the cultural distinctions between Wales and England, providing context for his personal narrative.
Taron describes how he found acting during a period of personal loss, joining youth theatre, and how it became a central part of his life.
The discussion turns to Taron’s audition for Kingsman, the challenges he faced, and how the role propelled his career forward.
Taron reflects on mentorship from Colin Firth, his work with therapist Barry Michaels, and the importance of confronting personal shadows.
Taron talks about the emotional impact of Kingsman’s success, his feelings of invincibility, and how he navigated life after the film.
The episode concludes with Taron’s thoughts on future roles, his ongoing creative journey, and a final thank‑you to listeners.
The hosts discuss how the guest’s fear of not deserving success leads to self‑sabotage, especially during the high‑pressure moments of filming.
The conversation shifts to the guest’s admiration for Tom Hardy, exploring themes of masculinity, intimidation, and the allure of hyper‑masculine roles.
The guest discusses the challenges of adopting accents for roles, the struggle for authenticity, and the broader theme of identity fluidity in acting.
The guest explains his early exposure to music in Wales, how singing shaped his identity, and the significance of musical roles in his career.
They debate the integrity of film criticism, the impact of reviews on creators, and the tension between personal taste and professional evaluation.
The hosts recount a prank that backfired, leading to a tense family dinner where a child’s playful aggression is addressed.
Pronouncing a 59-Letter Welsh Townstory
Egerton demonstrates his ability to pronounce the famously long name of the Welsh village he grew up near, explaining it as a contrived name designed to generate tourist interest.
Discovering the Tools Through Stutzstory
Egerton describes how watching Jonah Hill's documentary Stutz while filming in New Orleans led him to his therapist Barry Michaels, which fundamentally transformed his life.
Auditioning for Kingsman Without a Scriptstory
Recounting his audition for Kingsman: The Secret Service, Egerton explains how he received only two sides in a pub scene with Colin Firth and felt an immediate certainty that the role was meant for him.
Improvising an Unscripted Kiss with Tom Hardystory
While filming Legend with Tom Hardy, Egerton improvised a moment where he grabbed Hardy's face and kissed him immediately after his character committed a murder.
Brainstorming the Villain's Dance in Apexstrategy
Egerton explains how he reimagined his villainous role in Apex, pitching the idea to use a Chemical Brothers track and a creepy dance sequence to mark the beginning of his character's hunt.
“I don't even know why he's acting. I mean, he's got a fucking, he's got it all.”
“I was like, this makes sense. There's something large about this.”
“I think that the way we got injured and the way we protected ourselves was just like a match made in hell for the most part.”
“I think in that environment, I felt really excited to work with him.”
“I think there's a responsibility to say that sometimes. And also, it's diminishing returns.”
“I think the integrity of it is compromised by the means through which you consume the review.”
“I hate all those terms that once I learned them, I realized they really are useful.”
“I love the dude, you know, we have a great rapport.”
Taron Egerton (Apex, Rocketman, Kingsman) is a Golden Globe-winning actor and singer. Taron joins Armchair Expert to discuss growing up in a Welsh village with a 59-letter name, being raised by a single mother, and finding acting after being bullied as an artistic kid. Taron and Dax talk about Colin Firth mentoring him during Kingsman, expressing himself through Elton John in Rocketman, and transforming himself into a sociopathic villain in Apex. Taron explains embracing his shadow, smashing his idealized self, and believing in a benevolent universe. Check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds: https://www.allstate.com/ Take printer ink off your back to school list with HP Smart Tank | https://hp.com/SmartTank See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.
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