Interview: Richard Kind On “Only Murders In The Building” & Working With John Mulaney

Richard Kind on Only Murders In The Building Season 4. Courtesy of Hulu.

The man is never not busy. He has over 200 IMDB credits under his belt. That’s certainly a feat fitting of someone who has become one of the most reliable character actors of his generation, with credits that go back to the early 1980’s. He’s got his own style. His choices can be subdued or broader or simultaneously both. That is the beautiful thing about his work: No matter what you get, it’s going to be a brilliant choice that nobody else could possibly deliver. There’s no “Richard Kind type.” There’s just Richard Kind.

We discovered how busy he is during our scheduled interview a few weeks back. After a little bit of phone tag, Richard and I got on the line at 10:30 PM his time, as he is driving back home to New York from New Jersey, where he had been golfing with friends all afternoon. Accompanying him is Ben, the son of one of his best friend’s. Not only is Kind a great actor, but his ability to multitask is also apparently second to none.

Kind has had a pretty productive year so far. He was part of John Mulaney’s live experimental Netflix talk show mini-series, Everybody’s in LA. He also performed in a production of Bye, Bye Birdie at the Kennedy Center. Now he is co-starring on the hottest comedy show on television, Only Murders in the Building. Kind plays a neighbor from across the courtyard, whom Charles (Steve Martin) always got a weird vibe off of. The fact that it took so long for the show to find a place for Kind - who lives in New York and has known Martin Short for decades - is surprising. But alas, here he finally is. From what we’ve seen so far, he’s got a nice and crucial part, at that.

“Alright, what do you wanna know,” Kind asks up top. With that, we were off and running. We tackled the widest range of subjects imaginable, including Only Murders in the Building, his love of murder mysteries, Mel Brooks, The Producers, Beau is Afraid, and trying to get acid at the Hollywood Bowl, among countless other topics.

I’ve seen the first seven episodes so far…

You have?? How is it?

It is excellent. I’m on the edge of my seat. And you are so good as well, might I add.

Well I am so happy, because I haven’t seen it. I’m doing an episode of Poker Face now. And because of that, I was supposed to go to the premiere in LA next Thursday, and they switched around the shooting schedule, so now I can’t go to the premiere. And I can’t begin to tell you how upset I am.

Because I loved everybody. I wanted to see everybody. Hell, just to be in the same room with Meryl Streep, which I wasn’t because I’m not in [the scenes with her] and to see how the show is. So I’m really happy to just hear I’m good, because you never know. And I loved doing it, but I didn’t know if I was any good or not.

Well you are. I figured it was only a matter of time before you’d get on the show, because it seemed to be pulling from a lot of New York-based actors.

The thing is, logic does not always feed into showbiz. It’s very nice of you to say that. Don’t think people don’t come up and go “Why aren’t you on Only Murders in the Building?” What if it only went three years? I would not have been on Only Murders in the Building. But after four years, you figure “Ah, they’ve gotta use him eventually.” So they did.

I’m assuming you must have been a fan of the show prior.

You have to understand I have three children, and watching TV doesn’t… I have too much to do. Am I a fan of the show? When I got offered the show I started watching it, and now I’m a fan of the show. Am I a fan of those two guys? If there were as many Eskimo words for fan as there are for blubber or whatever that is, that’s what I am for Steve Martin and Martin Short. Marty has been a friend for a long time. Of course through Second City, and he was very kind to me. He put me in Clifford, and we see each other at events and I love him. He’s really always been kind to me.

Steve Martin, I had no idea what he was like. And he was just so kind to me and so interesting and doesn’t try to be funny and is funny. He was great. All I can say is he’s Steve Martin. That’s enough.

You had some great scenes with him. You had a great scene with him and Kumail Nanjiani. 

Kumail! Is that good?

It was great. 

How about the scene where they’re trying to get me to put the eyedrops in? How was that?

That was so good. Speaking of the eyepatch, it felt a little bit like an homage to Young Frankenstein, because at one point the eyepatch jumps to the other eye. 

Yes it is. However - as I thought - it’s also an homage to Steve as Ruprecht in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. And he’s got it on, too. And I’m going “Oh my god!” All I can see is Ruprecht. And I did the musical version on Broadway of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. It just made me laugh.

There’s a great moment - without giving too much away - where you got to show off acting range in a bit of a bizarre-o short film. What can you tell me about working on that? 

Because of the nature of who all of the suspects are in the building, I don’t want to say reality but truth is always suspect. I think that’s what they wanted. And so in order to make things suspect, you have to make things weird. So that’s what we tried to do. I think we had to always ask questions. That’s the nature of the show.

Absolutely. This show also has this incredible ensemble… 

Great ensemble!! Not just the regulars, but the people I got to work with. Oh my gosh. And then, of course - although I didn’t work with them as much. I got to work with Eugene [Levy] - but the people playing the doppelgängers of the three leads. You know I was never in the same room as Zach Galifianakis. And I so wanted to be there. I wanted to go out to the premiere and meet Zach. And I hate that I didn’t. I hate it, I hate it. But I’m not going to be there.

And it is a shame you didn’t have any scenes together, because I could really picture you two playing off each other very nicely.

That’s very nice of you to say. I met him years and years ago, before he had any fame at all. No fame whatsoever. It was about the time when nobody would remember the name Galifiankis. And I just couldn’t remember it. Then all of a sudden, he gets great fame through The Hangover. And I feel terrible! I’m such an admirer and I couldn’t tell him. And it’s been years and years and years.

Also, what I’m taking away from this call is that I’m any good in the show. Because as an actor, when you go onstage and you get laughs and you get applause, they tell you immediately ‘You’re good!’ And as an actor who’s a little insecure, you want to hear ‘Oh you’re good! You’re good!’ Well, what else are the writers and producers going to tell me? Of course you’re good! But you want to hear from somebody else. ‘Oh, you’ve done a good job!’ So this makes me very happy.

I know you haven’t gotten to watch much TV, but let’s talk about murder mysteries in general. Are you a fan of the genre? What’re some of your favorites from over the years?

Richard: Let me tell you a little something. (Hearty laugh, then turns to the passenger, Ben). You mind if I mention you?

Ben: Go ahead.

Richard: In the car, is the son of a VERY, very dear friend of mine. A guy that is as kind as all get out and his imagination is so twisted. Do you know the writer Harlan Coben?

It sounds very familiar.

Well you’re in the minority.

I’m sure I’ll know once I hear what he’s done.

Well, Harlan Coben has about six shows on Netflix right now based on novels of his. He’s a mystery writer. Go IMDB Harlan Coben and see all the shows he’s created.

I’m looking now and I know every one.

Harlan writes faster than you can read. And he happens to be a great mystery novelist and crime novelist. And he - as I say - keeps me healthy because I read his books on Kindle on the elliptical. So when I’m on the elliptical, I’m getting heart healthy and I’m reading his books. I just played golf with him, and his son Ben is sitting right next to me. He lives in New York and I’m driving him home.

So, am I a fan of mysteries? Not only am I a fan of mysteries, but I’m a fan of the people who write them. Harlan Coban and Michael Connelly, who created Bosch, are my two favorite writers.

So you doing this show is a perfect match.

 
It is. I love mysteries. Sleuth is one of my favorite plays. But these two authors do not need my PR, but I adore them. And I happen enough to be a… I can’t say friends but I know Michael Connelly. If I were to see Michael, he would say “Hello Richard,” and I would say “Hello Michael.” Harlan, I hug.

Let’s jump around a little bit. So what was your reaction to the internet wanting to see you play Tim Walz on SNL?

Oh, they made me laugh. Made me laugh, made me laugh, made me laugh. It makes me laugh. That’s all I can tell you. It’s so funny. Whatever they want. I mean, I have his smile. Otherwise, I wouldn’t choose me. He is as white bread as any many you’d ever want to meet. And I am not. But if they come knocking at my door, I’ll open it and say “Hey it’s me, Tim Walz!!!”

But of course, it should be Steve Martin because of the white hair - although he’s not really as heavy as he should be. Who should it be… There’s got to be somebody out there. I’m pretty good with casting, and I can’t think of who it would be. Maybe should it have been… Who’s the guy who was in Cocoon? With the mustache…

Wilfred Brimley?

Wilfred Brinley! He’d be a good Tim Walz. I don’t think I have the entire girth for it, nor would I find it. I’ve spent too many years trying to lose weight.

I know in addition to acting on TV and in films, you’re also a gifted stage actor. There’s one role you did almost 20 years ago now I would’ve loved to have seen you do. And that’s play Max Bialystock in The Producers. 

I was very different. I love Nathan Lane, my god. He was brilliant. He created the role, he was fantastic. I loved watching him. He was phenomenal. He’s always phenomenal. I was very different. He was a smooth talker, he’s Jackie Gleason. He glided. He was magnificent. I clomped around the stage. I was heavy handed with oil in my hand. Much closer to Zero in the film. Watching Nathan in that role - which I was of course lucky enough to do - I was just very different.

To tell you a story, I was once asked to audition for Hairspray, after Harvey Fierstein left. And I turned it down because I didn’t think I could do it justice. Harvey WAS Edna.  And then when they were replacing Max, I said “You know, let me give it a shot. It’s not going to be what they originally cast, but maybe they’ll like this interpretation.” And I was lucky enough to do it at the Hollywood Bowl. That I really loved.

What was that experience like, playing it at the Bowl??

Unbelievable! When I did the show, it was 2 or 3 years into the show. And we played for Asians and Iowans. There were a lot of tourists, and not New Yorkers. So when I did it at the Hollywood Bowl, we got the Angelenos. And it was like I got hit in the face with laughter. It was fantastic.

So I have to ask, do you have a story from getting to know Mel Brooks?

I have none from working with him. But my favorite one was when Producers as a musical first started. Somebody walked up the aisle and saw him at the back of the theater and said “How dare you! I found this completely tasteless. I was in World War 2 and I find this very tasteless.” And Mel Brooks said to him “I was in World War 2. I never saw you!”

Nobody else could get away with that but him. 

Richard: He couldn’t get away with it today. Hold on. (To Ben). Have you seen The Producers?

Ben: I haven’t.

Richard: You haven’t seen the movie The Producers??? Not the musical. The original movie?

Ben: I haven’t. I’ll have to check it out.

Richard: Tonight! Check it out tonight.

Ben: I’ll look at what streaming service has it.

Richard: Oh yes! They all have it!

One of the greatest movies of all time. 

Of all time!! It’s the best! And you still will be insulted. It’s in very bad taste. Keep going. What other questions?

Speaking of Nathan Lane, you both popped up in a film last year - though you didn’t have any scenes together - Beau is Afraid.

 
I love Ari Aster. I loved Ari. He let me be wild and free. He knew exactly what he wanted. He would push me into little areas. “Do this. Do this.” I loved him. He’s shockingly gentle for such a weird filmmaker. He’s shockingly kind. He’s giving, he’s gentle. He knows what he wants. He’s just wonderful.

That scene is so chilling. 

It’s great! I loved it! I remember auditioning for him. And he said “No, no. You don’t have to audition.” I go “You know, let me read this.” He goes “You don’t have to.” “I know. I just want to do it.” About a page and a half into it, he goes “Okay stop, stop. You got it exactly.” I got the job on a Friday. Then I was on set having memorized a six page monologue, performing it 30 feet up in the air - and I’m afraid of heights and there’s no rails - and I was terrified. Patti LuPone, a diva of diva’s, is sitting right next to me. I couldn’t believe it.

We did it for two days. Six pages, over and over and over and over. From every angle. It was tough. It was a blast.

You nailed it. 

You’re very nice. They cut about 2 minutes out of it, which I don’t blame them because I think I made my point within the first 30 seconds. Nevertheless, I was very proud to be in that scene and be in an Ari Aster movie. Very proud.

Last thing I have to ask you about is John Mulaney’s Everybody’s in LA. 

First of all, my love for John goes beyond everything. As a performer it goes without saying because everybody loves him. He’s not snarky, he’s not mean spirited. He’s incisive, he sees through it all with his lens, but he’s not mean. And his criticism is just sweet. His view of the world is something we laugh at because “Oh my gosh. He’s so right.” 

His bit about a horse in a hospital. Who would’ve ever thought of that analogy? There nothing mean about it. He takes Trump down a peg or two, but still, he’s not mean. And Trump deserves mean. I love John so much. He’s such a nice man. And you know what the nicest thing is?

What? 

He likes me. And he uses me. Have you seen Co-Op?

Of course! 

Oh my god. Can you imagine? That’s going to live through the ages! Unbelievable. The theater folk who stop me on the street still? It’s genius!

And what was it like doing a show like Everybody’s in LA where it’s all live? 

They said we were live all over the world every night. And somebody asked if that’s the biggest audience you’ve ever played to? And I said yes. The world is the biggest audience I’ve ever played to. It was unbelievable. It was live. I’ve got to admit when the show was over, my neck and my back were sore because I couldn’t believe what I was doing. I couldn’t believe it. It was terrifying. But we did it.

And I joke about this but the thing I did best on that show was I kept my mouth shut. There were so many things that I wanted to say that I just said “Nope. This is John’s show.” John is such an intelligent man, he knows what he wants from a show. “Shut up, Richard! Let him talk!” And if there was a question to be asked, usually I’d ask one per guest. Just to break it up a little bit, so that John could catch a breath. And I loved it. I just loved it.

You had so many moments to shine, one of my favorites - which kind of went viral a bit - is you looking for acid at the Hollywood Bowl.

Oh yeah. Yeah. I didn’t know it went viral. I know this is your business, but I don’t go on the internet or go on social media that much. That was a blast. And that night I put on a tuxedo, John wrote me an introduction at the Hollywood Bowl. It was thrilling. I loved doing that.

He told me about it, and I was supposed to have another gig that weekend. But when I heard about this, I cancelled that other thing - we postponed it to another date - and I got to do it. And I loved it. Made me laugh. Oh my god, I’m running around the Hollywood Bowl going “Anybody have any acid??” Who gets to do that?? Crazy!

I love seeing the looks you’re getting. Asking a security guard if she has acid. Genius! 

I know. But you don’t know all the people that DID have acid. It was crazy. Having never done acid before.

Did people actually try to offer it to you?

Oh god yeah. I had one guy who said “I don’t have any here, but I have some at home. You want to come over?” I’m like “No. no thank you.” It was nuts.