Pop Culturalist Chats with Nathan Lee Graham

Nathan Lee Graham knows his stuff. Not only is he a familiar face on screen (in such films as Zoolander and Sweet Home Alabama) and on stage (from The Wild Party to Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on Broadway), he’s also an accomplished singer (he’s won a Grammy!).

Right now, though, he is bringing a hilarious, sassy, and seasoned flight attendant to life on the comedy LA to Vegas. So, we were really excited to chat with him about his newest role as Bernard, what his dream role is, and his upcoming album.

PC: What is your favorite part of being on LA to Vegas?
Nathan: My favorite part of being on the show is that it’s almost like doing theater. You wear the same costume, basically, and the theater has a stage, and, well, I have an airplane. I’ve discovered that flight attendants are very much like actors because they have to deal with the ins-and-outs of people’s emotions. They have to help them in ways that they thought they wouldn’t because they’re in a contained, confined space for a certain amount of time. You have the audience held captive in the theater and on the plane. It’s kind of fun because I never correlated the two.

It’s been very very interesting having a sort of steady set on television. Because of that, the casting people, the producers, and the network chose the cast very well. We all have similar temperaments; we’re all very giving to each other and play off each other. It’s been very harmonious that way, and I’m recognizing how special that is—because that does not happen very often, let me tell you.

So it’s been a wonderful experience to work with people who are all good and great and have a similar goal. It’s been really special.

PC: Has it been a little more difficult or challenging because the set tends to stay the same?
Nathan: What’s wonderful is that we have off-shoots now. We’ve been able to get off the plane, and we’ve seen our lives off the plane. What’s comforting now is that it’s flipped. The plane has become so comfortable—it’s difficult to shoot on because of small, tight spaces,  like in the galley—it’s become our touchstone. In a way, it’s so ironic that it’s become even more freeing to be on the plane because you know what the constraints are and it’s familiar territory.

PC: In creating Bernard, are there similar qualities or experiences of yours that you’ve drawn upon for him?
Nathan: Well, my love of Old Hollywood is so evident in this character. Speaking with the writers in our initial meet and greet, they really listened to what I was talking about and my loves and my hobbies. I really was born at a time when a lot of the Old Hollywood people were still alive and active. I fell in love with that era. As Bernard I can attempt to be the best flight attendant and bring back all of those memories. When I speak about Bette Davis, Judy Garland, Gregory Peck, or any of these people, I can speak about them with some authority as Nathan as well as Bernard. That’s what so cool about it. All of my geeky, nerdy things have become chic in this show for me. It’s so exciting to live my best nerd life out on national television!

Kim Matula and Nathan Lee Graham on LA to Vegas. Photo Credit: FOX

PC: Has playing a flight attendant changed how you interact with flight attendents when you fly now?
Nathan: I will say that I’m more observant than ever. I was always observant because I’m an actor and thats my job—but even more now. I always appreciated them before because I’m not, excuse the expression, an asshole; I was raised properly. I don’t get on a plane demanding and horrible. But, I am more gracious and hyper-aware now. They really are there for your safety.

Some people are just nasty when they get on a plane; partly because they’re nervous and partly because they’re just neurotic and mean [so] I’ll do extra things to make [flight attendants’] lives a little easier. I’ll get to my seat faster; I’ll put my bag inside the bin faster; I’ll fasten my seatbelt as soon as I sit down; I’ll have my tray table up and my seat in the upright position [laughs]. It’s just being hyper-aware of what they go through. Since I’ve done so many scenes in the galley, which is so small and tight, [I found] a new appreciation for those people that do the same route over and over again.

PC: Do you have a preference between doing stage work or screen work? Or is one easier than the other?
Nathan: Well, they’re both difficult if you’re good at your job. You want to be the best, and I’m hard on myself. I don’t let myself get away with anything. They’re both difficult because I approach them in the same sort of way, with the same sort of discipline and work ethic. Sometimes the process can be slightly different prep-wise because of what the demands are. But, because I’ve done stage more than anything—and that’s what my degree is in and what I started in—that will certainly be a part of my life forever. Stage is my first love.

As far as enjoying it concerns…for film and TV, it depends on what the show is. You can say the same about stage too, but the stage is really the only medium for the actor solely. Once the director’s done what [they’ve] done and the choreographer has done what [they’ve] done, then everyone leaves. It’s up to the actor to make sure that the show is a success at that point. They can make or break it every night. If I want to ruin what the director’s vision was, I could. Film is a director’s medium. You have to do what they want; they’re going to cut and edit the way that they want. Then, TV is a writer’s medium. They can change the writing on a dime. They’ll give us alternate lines that very day [of shooting]. You have more people to please in television, too. So, stage is my first love, but TV and film have been so great to me too. It reaches a lot of people and is special in that way. I really enjoy whatever I’m doing.

PC: Do you have a dream project?
Nathan: Yes! I would love to play a villain in a Marvel or DC Comic film. I say that because I know I can. I never put out stuff I can’t do; so many people do, but I’m like, “Not me!” I don’t want to embarrass myself. So, a villain. And as a caveat, as a parenthetical, I would love to play a gay villain. That would be super cool—and even more of a challenge. I would love to play a villain who doesn’t die right away. I want him to have an arc and [be] a nemesis-type villain.

PC: You’re also developing an album. What inspired you to come up with it?
Nathan: I’m on several Broadway albums and the Grammy-winning album for Best Classical Album of 2005—with several other soloists—which was an amazing project to do. But, I’ve never done a solo album, and I love “The Great American Songbook.” I was introduced to all these wonderful songs by Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, etc. by my grandparents. I had a love for Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald early on. I wanted to celebrate [my grandparents]; they’re both passed away now, but I wanted to honor them by honoring the music that made me fall in love with music. It’s really music that I understand so well, and it’s great music for an actor because there’s so many great lyrics and storytelling.

The name of my album is NLG NYC Le Jazz Classique so there’s a little bit of a French twist there because I’m high falutin. Dylan McDermot likes to call me “Black and Fancy” which I love. That will be the name of my memoir. I love that he calls me that [laughs].

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

Guilty Pleasure TV Show
Gotham

Favorite Movie
All About Eve

Favorite Book
Memoirs of a Geisha

Favorite Musical
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Favorite Play
Six Degrees of Separation

Favorite Place You’ve Been to
Rome

Place You Most Want to Travel to
Australia

Artist or Musician You Could Listen to on Repeat
Shirley Horn

Person You Most Want to Meet Someday
Do they have to be alive?
They don’t.
Ok, well, this is so difficult. I’m going to say becuase I’ve already met my idol—she was my mentor and friend—Eartha Kitt. I’ll say James Baldwin.

For more information on Nathan Lee Graham, visit his website or follow him on Instagram, or Twitter.

Photo Credit: Bradford Rogne