PORTLAND, Maine — Back in the 1970s, long before he got his first big break on the NBC sitcom "Wings" and before he starred in "Monk," "Big Night," "Galaxy Quest," "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," and many, many other TV shows, movies, and Broadway plays, Tony Shalhoub was an insecure theatre student at what was then known as the University of Maine at Portland-Gorham.
The idea of becoming a full-time professional actor after graduation intrigued him. It also seemed deeply unrealistic.
"I fantasized about that," Shalhoub told 207 as we talked at his alma mater, now known as the University of Southern Maine. "But I didn’t really quite understand what a viable path might be."
As a senior at USM, Shalhoub decided to keep studying acting and applied to the Yale School of Drama.
"By some miracle," he said, closing his eyes and shaking his head in disbelief, "I got accepted."
After Yale, he worked in theatre, first in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and later in New York where he eventually landed work on Broadway. His fortunes soared when he was cast in the 1986 film "Heartburn," a dream project starring Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep, directed by Mike Nichols.
"I told everyone in the known universe I was in this movie," he recalled.
Tony Shalhoub interview Pt. 1
Tony Shalhoub interview Pt. 2
Lightning round with Tony Shalhoub
How Tony Shalhoub became part of 207's DNA
When the film was released, Shalhoub’s performance was neither good nor bad—it was nonexistent. His scenes had been eliminated, left on the cutting room floor.
How did he feel?
"Crushed," he said with a laugh. "The first of many crushings in this business. I’ve been cut out of more movies than I’ve ever been in."
Since then, of course, Hollywood and Broadway have rewarded him with rich, meaty roles that actors dream of and seldom receive. But his journey began on the stage at USM, and Shalhoub has shown his appreciation by serving as honorary chair of the university’s fundraising campaign for its new Crewe Center for the Arts.
As he looks back, Shalboub can recall when his passion for acting suddenly caught fire. The turning point was an advanced acting class taught by USM Professor Tom Power, who remains a friend and mentor.
"That was it," he said. "After that, we were just off to the races."
Note: The first part of 207's interview with Tony Shalhoub will air on Nov. 13, and the second part on Nov. 14.