“Inconceivable!" I am actor Wallace Shawn. AMA!

Hello! I always remember you from my childhood as having a role in Clueless! What was your favorite part of having a role in that film?

hello! it's a very respectful portrait of a teacher and I deeply admire teachers. It also expresses a loving view of life versus a ruthless view of life.

Do you ever get annoyed when people say that (Inconceivable) to you, thinking you haven't heard it a million times already in every possible joking way?

well... I'm sure they mean well but nobody likes to be reduced to something smaller than what they really are.

First off please let me say I have absolutely loved your work and roles through out the years.

Which role was your absolute favorite to portray and if you could play said role in a sequel/new episode would you?

Thank you! I quite enjoyed playing myself in My Dinner with Andre and i'm doing the sequel right now as I'm talking to you in real life!

I love your essay on how acting inspires you to imagine radical social transformation -- how do you imagine humanity changing in the decades to come?

i would be happy if humanity learned to preoccupy itself with love and beauty rather than chasing for supremacy and wealth.

Who are some of the role models and inspirations in your life?

these days, I'm thinking a lot about Johan Sebastian Bach.

Are you more proud of your acting or voice acting career?

well acting with your whole body and remembering your lines and being visually observed is very challenging. I'm proud that I can do any of it.

What's your favorite kind of pizza?

haha. sausage!

You've found a way to source scripts and projects in a way that seems both fun and successful. Do you have any tips for actors on how to choose projects?

i imagine how I would feel if I or my friends saw the completed work and I don't do things that I find nauseating or things that I think will make the world a worse place.

Do you play chess?

i don't have that kind of talent.

I’ve wanted to get into your theatrical career, as ive had theatre friends rave about the plays you’ve written. In your opinion, what should I read first?

what about The Fever? it's a one person play and a good one to read.

How do you take your coffee?

heavy cream

As a fellow "Wally" even though my first name is Walter, how awesome is our nickname?

Umm - it's an electrifying nickname! CONGRATULATIONS!

What's your favorite dessert and why?

Alternatively, what's one piece of life advice you would want to pass forward?

i like a lot of desserts but I'm particularly fond of flan because it reminds me of Spain and Mexico, where I've been happy. But I also like Indian icecream Kulfi because it reminds me of India where I was also happy.

What question do you always wish fans would ask but never do?

that's a great question!

What's the best kind of sandwich?

i suppose a BLT if it's properly made.

My household adores you. Me, from Princess Bride and the husband loves you from the Sheldon show.

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Question: How much did you enjoy the character development on Sheldon and did you have any input on it?

well the writers make up the story of how Dr. Sturgis changes but they're writing the character with an awareness that I'm playing the part -- so i contribute to their fantasies although I don't contribute to the writing.

If you weren't an actor, what would you do for a living?

i supposed I could be a teacher or a social worker.

Have you been approached to be in a Marvel Universe movie? Would you consider it?

unfortunately, i haven't ever seen one so i'd have to read the script. But they've never asked me to be in that sort of movie.

When you have free time, what is your go-to, fun activity?

reading

How do you approach the differences between live action and voiceover work? Do you have a different process for one or the other?

when i act with other actors, I don't have to do anything except respond to them. With voice work, you have to pull it all out of your imagination.

Hello! What was the origin of A MASTER BUILDER film with the great Jonathan Demme? Is that something you wanted to do on stage, or was it always intended as a film?

it was intended as a film but we also did it for a very small audience as a play. I have always loved Ibsen and I told Andre we should do something by him and Andre picked the Master Builder.

Thanks for doing this! We all know of Andre the Giant’s 16 seconds of glory on the set of The Princess Bride. What was the most memorable part of working on Rifkin’s Festival?

i suppose entering into the world of Woody Allen's imagination and into the world of the rather depressed Mort waking up and connecting with a more joyful side of himself.

I adore My Dinner With Andre and Vanya On 42nd Street (as well as you and Andre Gregory raiding the Criterion closet together), I was wondering if there's any thought to doing another production in that vein?

we also did a master builder, which is also in the criterion collection. that was directed by Jonatha Demme. It was based on a play by Henrik Ibsen.

did you learn any yiddish from mandy patinkin, or from your family while growing up?

haha. i think my grandparents on my father's side spoke yiddish to each other but Mandy and I stuck to English.

Every character you played gets in a no-holds-barred cage match. Who do you see coming out on top?

i don't believe in losers and winners or the quest for domination. I hope we all win.

I am really excited about Rifkin's Festival. Woody Allen writes some of my favorite interpersonal dialog, and I am thrilled to get to hear you read it!

What is it like working with Allen? Was it overall a good experience?

It was one of the nicest experiences I have ever had. It was both frightening and thrilling to play such an important part in that movie.

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only if we go to Hutches, Left Bank or Bacchus