Interview: John Magaro Returns to Talk Fatherhood and the Joy of Making a Real Indie Movie Like ‘Omaha’

John Magaro is one of my favorite actors in Hollywood, only partly due to just how wonderfully nice of a person he is. That’s just a bonus. Mostly, it’s about his consistently stirring work on screen, where there’s an intensity and vulnerability to his work that few can match. Though he’s yet to be Oscar nominated (recently coming at least within the ballpark of a nomination with September 5), that day is coming, I’m sure of it. Last year at the Sundance Film Festival, he blew me away in Omaha, which is finally hitting theaters this week. My previous interviews with Magaro here (for First Cow) and here (for Laroy, Texas) are just some of the ones I’ve done throughout our careers. Today, he’s back to talk Omaha.

In my rave review out of Sundance here, I spoke of Magaro’s work like so:

John Magaro gives a career best performance here, while young Molly Belle Wright is a revelation Wyatt Solis is solid, too, especially for a child actor, but he’s asked to do so much less. Magaro is acting with his eyes and face, giving expressions of grief, pain, and sadness that portend a big decision. He’s never been better, which is saying something, considering how he’s never less than great in anything. It’s an award worthy turn. Wright has to do some very emotional beats, which she handles with aplomb. This young lady is going places, mark my words.

Below, you can hear my conversation with Magaro. Given how many times we’ve done this over the years, as well as just how well we get along, the chat is very casual. Here, you’ll listen to Magaro and I discuss what appealed to him about the movie, what it was like to get back to real independent cinema, and how he’s changed as an actor. There’s a joy in making a real indie film that permeates within him that I think definitely comes through in our talk. Omaha is a devastating yet rewarding flick, so especially if you want to see Magaro at the top of his game, this is a must see…

Here now is my interview with Omaha star John Magaro. Enjoy:

Omaha is in theaters this weekend!