With ‘Real Housewives’ Gig, Jennifer Tilly Is Taking On the Toughest Role of Her Career

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As I delve into the captivating world of Jennifer Tilly, the enigmatic actress who effortlessly traverses the realms of film, television, and poker, I find myself utterly spellbound by her multifaceted personality. With her infectious smile and bubbly demeanor masking a steely determination and sharp intellect, she’s akin to a well-crafted character in one of her beloved animated series.

Jennifer Tilly, an actor who has earned an Oscar nomination and collaborated with influential filmmakers like The Wachowskis, Woody Allen, Terry Gilliam, and more over the years, not only lending her voice to popular franchises but also excelling as a world-class poker player at top tables, now finds herself in one of the most demanding roles in her 30-year career – a supporting part on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Tilly’s entree into Bravo’s world of wealthy women who work hard and fight with each other even harder comes in the currently airing 14th season of RHOBH, the franchise’s crown jewel. She appears in episodes as a “friend” of main cast member Sutton Stracke, the socialite boutique owner who rounds out the main group of Hollywood housewives. Their banter and genuine friendship rings true in Tilly’s initial onscreen moments and her addition to the cast gives a fun, loyal sidekick to Stracke, a pal for over 15 years; Tilly was even there to help Stracke with her final audition for the Housewives gig, attending the dinner party she threw to clinch the slot when Stracke joined in season 10 and became a full castmember in season 11.

Tilly expresses her enthusiasm about Sutton joining the show, stating that she’s been a dedicated fan of the Real Housewives franchise since its inception. She refers to herself as an ardent Housewives enthusiast. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she shares how it felt surreal to be so close to the show she’s been deeply invested in for years. “When Sutton got cast,” she says, “I thought, ‘This is quite peculiar; I’m a devoted viewer of this series now living its reality.’

Initially, producers proposed the idea of Tilly joining their established series, a suggestion that, as a prominent actress, she considers uncommon for someone in her position. Despite maintaining a robust acting career, Tilly felt drawn to this opportunity, which involves providing an authentic glimpse into her daily life by stepping onto the set of the reality TV show “Housewives.” Known for its catty arguments, long-standing feuds, and copious amounts of wine, this move carries significant risk. However, she found it incredibly tempting.

The cancellation of the TV series “Chucky” on SyFy, due to a actors’ strike, played an unfortunate role in Tilly’s career by prompting her to accept an offer from the “Housewives” producers. When asked if she wanted to be a main cast member or a supporting character, Tilly chose the latter, as a friend of Stracke, to minimize impact on her personal life. However, she later realized this decision was a mistake, comparing the attempt to protect her privacy while on the show to trying to swim without getting your hair wet.

Each of these ladies carries a past,” I note. In fact, it seems they barely take their seats before the verbal exchanges erupt. I’m quick to dodge and weave, trying to steer clear of the flying words. I appreciate each of them individually, but as a devoted friend, I’m not sure if I’ll ever manage to forge deeper bonds with these ladies who are, unquestionably, bitter rivals.

Transitioning from controlled environments like movie and TV sets, where everything is carefully managed, to the unpredictable realm of reality TV stardom, which Tilly likens to the wild, wild West, proved to be a demanding experience both physically and mentally. This experience left her with an enduring eye twitch during filming and, as she recounts, after production ended, she would often find herself awake at night questioning if she was still being recorded.

She describes that it’s quite simple to appear amusing and charming for just seven minutes on a talk show. However, when they film you for extended periods of up to 17 hours a day, the true, authentic version of yourself eventually emerges.

As a devoted admirer, I’ve been captivated by Jennifer Tilly’s extraordinary career spanning over three decades. Her distinctive breathy voice has opened doors for her, landing her enduring roles on “Family Guy” and the “Chucky” series, as well as performances on Broadway. Nowadays, she carefully selects the screen roles that appeal to her, revealing layers of her life that might surprise given her radiant smile and effervescent personality.

A shark at the poker table who in 2005 bested 600 entrants to win the Ladies’ No-Limit Hold ’em event at the World Series of Poker, TIlly is now back at the tables after years off from the game. “I like to play with the best in the world. I like the challenge. It ups my game,” she says. Poker is a great game for actors, she says, and the similarities between the green felt tables and the glass and marble ones where she’s been sitting on camera are not lost on Tilly.

She remarks, “Everyone seems to be engaged in some sort of competition. The question is, who’s excelling at it the most?” She continues, “The winner will likely emerge as the top contender. However, what makes this game unique on ‘Housewives’ is that you’re dealing with real-life relationships.

One of Tilly’s most important past relationships, one that viewers would never guess — unless, like Erika Jayne, they have a razor sharp eye for high-end jewelry — was revealed only a few episodes into RHOBH’s current season. Tilly’s backstory, and her sizable personal wealth — which vastly surpasses what a beloved working actress could accumulate — was drawn onto the table in a conversation among her new group of frenemies. On the Dec. 3 episode, Tilly revealed to those who didn’t know that she was married for several years to Sam Simon, the late television producer who co-developed The Simpsons. Simon died of colorectal cancer after battling the disease for three years. Now, she collects about one-third of Simon’s ongoing earnings from the animated series that is now in its 36th season. 

“Every day, honestly, every day I’m like, ‘Thank you, Sam!’” she said on the show. 

Tilly and Simon, who crossed paths while working on the brief run of the ABC series “Shaping Up,” tied the knot in 1984. Despite their divorce in 1991, they continued to maintain a strong bond. The affection for him is evident when she discusses their relationship, sharing stories about their shared passion for poker, as well as her introduction to Simon’s current longtime companion, renowned poker player Phil Laak. Furthermore, Tilly played an important role in Simon’s life until his passing.

For about two years, I stepped away from my profession to accompany him through his treatments. It was a profoundly difficult time for me when Sam eventually passed away. As I stand before his final resting place, adorned with a tombstone depicting Bart Simpson and Santa’s Little Helper, I recall those moments. Since I held power of attorney, I decided on the burial location. Given his fondness for being in the limelight, I chose the VIP section for him in the Westwood Cemetery.

As Tilly’s character unfolds further on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, her potential as a standout Housewife is becoming clearer. If the patterns of the long-running franchise hold true, things could get more intense, according to Tilly herself. In fact, a casual exchange between Tilly and fellow Housewives associate Kathy Hilton might hint at how much of Tilly’s backstory the show will disclose. Kathy, in a dry comment to Tilly, remarked, “You seem very cheerful. But everyone has a dark side. We’ll see.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills can be watched every Tuesday evening at 8 pm on Bravo. If you miss it, don’t worry! You can catch up on the episodes the following day by streaming them on Peacock.

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2024-12-18 05:25