Victoria Kelleher Interview

Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Victoria Kelleher, moved to Los Angeles in the late 90's to follow her passion for acting. In no time, she landed her first guest appearance opposite Jennifer Aniston on the hit NBC show "Friends". She didn't stop there, but became an anomaly, booking only the top shows in the industry. She has worked with such powerhouses as Steven Spielberg in "Minority Report", Sally Field in "Brothers & Sisters" and Patricia Heaton on "The Middle". Sometime during all of this, Victoria managed to marry her college sweetheart and have two wonderful children, but she didn't settle down. She continued to hone her skills through the ever-challenging craft of improvisation at the renowned Improv Olympic West, as well as remaining committed to exploring her craft through stage work, studying, and teaching with her amazing acting teacher Lesly Kahn. Most notably, she worked with Aaron Sorkin on "Newsroom", and shot a Super Bowl commercial for "The Walking Dead". Backstage West has called her "Adorable"! The L.A. times raved that she's a "Blissfully comic actor", and The Beverly Hills Courier stated that she is an "Incredibly talented up and coming actor". Kelleher is ready to take 2022 by storm, showing her range in "The Offer", "The Flight Attendant" and another upcoming project (TBA) with Chris Evans!

Interview with Victoria Kelleher

Question: Can you tell us about your role in 'The Offer', as well as your role in 'The Flight Attendant'?

Victoria Kelleher: I play Mario Puzo's wife who was a large influence on his writing The Godfather. She is a tough smart broad. :-)

In the Flight Attendant, I play Max (Deniz Akdeniz's) mom. And Zosia Mammot is not so excited to meet me.


Question: What or who inspired your love of acting?

Victoria Kelleher: I always love singing and I did speech and debate in high school, but it was never cast in a high school play. Then on a freezing cold day at the University of Minnesota, I cut through the theatre department to stay warm on the way to the library and saw a sign for auditions, spur the moment I auditioned and ended up getting in the MFA play there. That was the beginning of it all!


Question: How has moving to LA influenced your career?

Victoria Kelleher: If I was going to stay in Minnesota, I was going to do theatre. And while I love theatre, I've always felt more drawn to television and film.


Question: What moment in your career stands out the most?

Victoria Kelleher: Probably getting cast on 'Friends' since it was only my second or third audition. I was wearing pants that I called my friends pants for that audition, and then after I book the role, they wanted me to wear those pants on the show. I manifested with my pants!

Question: Did you always want to pursue a career in the entertainment industry?

Victoria Kelleher: No, I originally thought I would be an English teacher or a journalism major.


Question: What's your favourite part of your job?

Victoria Kelleher: The quote I've always loved is "they pay me to wait, I act for free. "I love acting and connecting with people, collaborating, and creating really fun stuff. Preferably funny stuff!


Question: What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

Victoria Kelleher: Get into classes and study study study! Meet people that you want to work with and make your own projects.


Question: If you could work with any actor/director, who would it be?

Victoria Kelleher: I did get to work with Steven Spielberg on Minority Report, so that dream has already come true. :-) I think if I could work with Carol Burnett or Bette Midler that would be the greatest experience ever.


Question: What's a typical day like?
Victoria Kelleher: I have a 11-year-old daughter so getting her to school in the morning. I'm working out on my peloton because I'm officially part of the peloton cult. And just general auditions voice-overs kind of grinding it out!


Question: What's next for you?

Victoria Kelleher: I did a role in an upcoming Chris Evans Ana de Armas movie. A comedy where I get to play and have fun with Chris Evans. He is certainly not ugly!


Interview by Gwen van Montfort