Episode 115 – Beaming Down the Laughs: A Wild Ride with "3rd Rock from the Sun" Star French Stewart
Hold onto your antennas! In this hilarious and heartfelt new episode of Hollywood Obsessed, host Tony Miros welcomes the wonderfully quirky and endlessly talented French Stewart—the unforgettable Harry Solomon from the iconic sitcom “3rd Rock from the Sun!”
French dives into his journey from a small-town kid in New Mexico to becoming one of TV’s most beloved oddballs. He shares how a random nudge from his mom landed him in college, how he fell in love with comedy thanks to Steve Martin and Monty Python, and how a hilariously unexpected gig on “The New WKRP in Cincinnati “ helped him get noticed (plus lunches by the Gilligan’s Island lagoon—yes, really).
From big-screen blockbusters like “Stargate” with Kurt Russell to indie darlings like “Bob Trevino Likes It “(in theaters now, co-starring John Leguizamo and Barbie Ferreira), French recounts the highs, the surprises, and the downright absurd moments of his career. He spills on early Hollywood encounters with then-unknowns like Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Brendan Fraser, and what it was like learning the ropes from Alyssa Milano.
Of course, we dive deep into “3rd Rock from the Sun:” how he landed the role of Harry, why the producers told him to “just play him stupid,” and how he invented Harry’s signature squint and stiff-armed “antenna pose” to receive messages from the Big Giant Head. From hilarious on-set pranks (like a staged fight between William Shatner and John Lithgow!) to the physical comedy that once left him with a concussion—French dishes on all the behind-the-scenes madness.
He also opens up about working with comedy legends like Jane Curtin, reuniting with her on “Queen Bee”s alongside icons like James Caan, Ann-Margret, Christopher Lloyd, and Ellen Burstyn. And yes, he was starstruck by Ann-Margret zooming around on her motorcycle in her 80s.
This episode is packed with laughs, inspiration, and a whole lotta heart. Don’t miss the second half of the interview for even more outrageous stories and wise words from this uniquely talented TV treasure. Get ready to laugh your face off!
FRENCH STEWART
Stewart studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He toured in regional theatre for seven years before breaking into television with the role of Razor Dee, a spaced-out DJ on the final season of “The New WKRP in Cincinnati” in 1992. In 1996, he was cast on “3rd Rock from the Sun,” which lasted for six seasons. During 3rd Rock's height of popularity, he appeared in numerous commercials and as a spokesperson for the beverage Clamato.
Stewart's major film credits include “Stargate” (1994) as Lieutenant Louis Ferretti, “Leaving Las Vegas” (1995), “The Poison Tasters” (1995), “Magic Island” (1995) “Glory Daze” (1996), “McHale's Navy” (1997), “Love Stinks” (1999), “Clockstoppers (2002) as Earl Doppler, and “Wedding Daze” (2004) as Nathan Bennett IV.
Stewart has appeared in a number of minor roles, mainly in situation comedies such as “Just Shoot Me!,” “Becker,” “The Drew Carey Show,” “Less than Perfect” and “That '70s Show.” He also starred in the WB show “Charmed” as a genie at the end of season 2, “NCIS.”
In 2013, he joined the CBS series “Mom” as series regular playing ‘Chef Rudy.’ He has also guest-starred on the TV show “The Middle” as Principal Cameron (2013 to May 13, 2015). He recently guest starred on a three-episode arc of the police drama “Will Trenton” and is currently starring in the heartwarming indie film “Bob Trevino Likes It” alongside John Leguizamo and Barbie Ferreira.
Official Website For “Bob Trevino Likes It” - https://www.bobtrevinolikesit.com
The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/
Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST
Follow our Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/
Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - http://camfrierson.com/voice
Music by QubeSounds from Pixabay
French Stewart
Actor
Stewart was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on February 20, 1964. His mother was a homemaker, and his stepfather was a microfilm technician. He attended Del Norte High School and also studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Stewart toured in regional theatre for seven years before breaking into television with the role of Razor Dee, a spaced-out DJ on the final season of “The New WKRP in Cincinnati” in 1992. He earned his Screen Actors Guild card while working for Hanna-Barbera's Shakey Quakey tour, but was later released for removing the head of his costume in front of children. In 1996, he was cast on “3rd Rock from the Sun,” which lasted for six seasons, and where Stewart was noted for his talents at physical comedy and his characteristic "squinting" facial expression. During 3rd Rock's height of popularity, he appeared in numerous commercials and as a spokesperson for the beverage Clamato.
Stewart's major film credits include “Stargate” (1994) as Lieutenant Louis Ferretti, “Leaving Las Vegas” (1995), “The Poison Tasters” (1995), “Magic Island” (1995) “Glory Daze” (1996), “McHale's Navy” (1997), “Love Stinks” (1999), “Clockstoppers (2002) as Earl Doppler, and “Wedding Daze” (2004) as Nathan Bennett IV. His animation credits include the voice of ‘Bob’ in the short-lived animated series “God, the Devil and Bob” (2000), and Disney's animated series “Hercules” (1998) as ‘Icarus.’
Since 3rd Rock ended in 2001, Stewart has appeared in a number of minor roles, mainly in situation comedies such as “Just Sho… Read More
