IN CONVERSATION WITH ABBY ELLIOTT

interview by MAREK BARTEK

Abby Elliott is best known for her roles in FX’s phenomenal hit series ‘The Bear’, Bravo’s hit series ‘Odd Mom Out’ and NBC’s legendary ‘Saturday Night Live’. In addition to SNL, her TV credits include guest starring on ‘How I Met Your Mother’, ‘Happy Endings’, ‘Difficult People’, and ‘2 Broke Girls’ amongst others. We will soon see her reprise her role in the fourth season of ‘The Bear’.

blazer, shirt and pants BROOKS BROTHERS
tie TIE BAR
shoes ROGER VIVIER
ring RETROUVAI

I’d like to start with ‘The Bear’ and its huge success. The third season aired in 2024 and season 4 is on the way. What drew you to the role of Natalie Berzatto, and how did you prepare to embody her character? 

When we first meet Nat in the pilot, she is the protective, concerned older sister to Carmy. She just wants what’s best for him. We get to know her as this nurturing, stable fixture in the restaurant. Then we meet Donna. We get a better understanding of Nat’s role as the middle sister and the trauma she’s endured. What’s so beautiful about the writing of the show is that the layers are constantly being peeled back. You get to know the characters more and more as time goes on.   

As an older sister, I related to Sugar. However, she is a number cruncher, and as an actor that is something that I did not relate to. To fully embody that side of her, I had to imagine that the love she has for her brother is strong enough to drive her to work so hard at the restaurant.

top and pants TIBI
bra STYLISTS OWN
shoes CHURCH’S
socks COMME SI
necklace and earrings RETROUVAI
bracelet TIFFANY & CO
ring FIAMETTA

How would you describe ‘The Bear’ to those who haven’t had the opportunity to watch it yet? 

It’s a show about family— both biological and chosen. The show examines every facet of the human experience. Heartbreaking at times, and then hilarious. Just like real life.

Getting a Golden Globe nomination for ‘The Bear’ is a huge milestone. How has this recognition impacted your career or approach to your work? 

It was such a wonderful surprise! The biggest takeaway was that my character resonated with people. It hasn’t changed the way I go about my work per se, but it’s nice to have a reminder from the universe that this job can be important and is impactful. 

Personally, as a huge fan of ‘Saturday Night Live’, that was where I recognised you from instantly. How do you navigate finding humour in so many different characters? What do you normally look for to shape each one of them in a unique way? 

It makes me feel good to be silly and funny. I can be a really serious person and sometimes that feels…dark. I started out wanting to be a very serious dramatic actress. When I did UCB and sketch comedy, I got out of my own head and started to kind of find the lightness in acting. The characters became more interesting and dynamic. As humans we’re just trying to get by and maybe find joy along the way. So, I try to think about how each character I play would do that.  Does that sound pretentious? I actually don’t know shit. I’m a big idiot.

Well, the love for comedy clearly runs in the family. You were the first second-generation cast member on ‘SNL’. How did your father’s legacy influence your approach to comedy on the show?

My dad had a unique experience on SNL. He was already established as a performer when he got there. He’d had his own sitcom and had been performing regularly on Letterman. It wasn’t a perfect fit for him there. But my dad really taught me to not take things too seriously. When I got there, I was really young and hadn’t figured out what I was even good at. My dad reminded me of all the impressions I did as a kid and gave me confidence to work on impressions. So when I got there, I made that my main focus.

suit ANINE BING
bra STYLISTS OWN
shoes CHURCH’S
socks COMME SI
ring and earrings RETROUVAI
sunglasses CELINE
watch ROLEX

What would you say was the most challenging sketch or character you worked on during your time on ‘SNL’? 

I loved playing Rachel Maddow. I did her once for a cold open which was terrifying to maintain my composure and keep my nerves at bay.

Transitioning between comedy and drama is no small feat. Do you approach these genres differently as an actor?

I don’t really. At the end of the day, I’m still trying to service a story, in an honest way. With comedy you can definitely have a little more fun and go to absurdist places. But it’s not going to be funny at all if it feels fake.

Looking back at your time training at The Groundlings and Upright Citizens Brigade, what skills or lessons have stayed with you throughout your career?

I really love improvising. It’s incredibly challenging for me to get out of my own head and “yes and.” It taught me to build a character, build a story, build a world with the information you have.

sweater GUEST IN RESIDENC
jeans VINTAGE LEVI’S
shoes CHURCH’S
ring TIFFANY & CO
watch ROLEX

blazer THE ROW
jeans LEVI’S
shoes CONVERSE
collar, bracelet and ring TIFFANY & CO

You’ve worked with an impressive range of co-stars. Are there any collaborations that stand out as particularly inspiring or transformative?

We’re lucky to have incredible guest stars on the Bear. Jamie Lee Curtis was an unbelievably giving, generous scene partner. I’ve never felt so intimidated and yet so comfortable with anyone. She is larger than life, but also your mother and your friend. She genuinely wants everyone to succeed. And to create the most beautiful art in a most connected way. 

What’s been the biggest surprise about working in the entertainment industry, given your family’s deep ties to it?

My family has always had a realistic, grounded perspective of the entertainment industry. My dad’s had ups and downs in his career and has always been transparent about how hard it is. We grew up on the East Coast, so I never felt like I lived life as a “Hollywood child of an actor”.  I don’t feel surprised by the heartbreaks anymore. We keep going for the successes and I take them wherever I can get them. We keep going for the relationships we make along the way.

But I am surprised that we would even entertain the idea of AI in the industry. That shocks me.. that humans are actively choosing robots to do our jobs. A robot will probably come for me for saying that.

sweater THE FRANKIE SHOP
jeans VINTAGE LEVI’S
sunglasses KAREN WAZEN
ring RETROUVAI
watch ROLEX

As someone who has successfully balanced a career in comedy and drama, where do you see yourself focusing more in the future? 

I really love doing both. And I love doing projects that incorporate both.

What advice would you give to aspiring actors, especially those who want to break into both comedy and drama? 

Find a community of actors with similar taste and interests as you, and watch how they work. Your peers and the people you admire will be your greatest teachers. Watch old movies. Find the actors that inspire you and figure out why you’re drawn to them.

TEAM CREDITS:

talent ABBY ELLIOTT
photography RETO STERCHI
styling ERICA CLOUD at THE WALL GROUP
makeup DENIKA BEDROSSIAN at FORWARD ARTISTS
hair BARB THOMPSON at FORWARD ARTISTS
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial direction JANA LETONJA
interview MAREK BARTEK