Hollywood Obsessed

• Episode 146 – Chatting With Actress Anne-Marie Johnson About Hollywood, Fame & Her New Film “The Addiction of Hope” - Part 2

  In this powerful conclusion to their two-part conversation, host Tony Miros and actress Anne-Marie Johnson dive into the dramatic, complicated, and career-defining years she spent on “In the Heat of the Night.” She recounts her intense audition process, her memorable first meeting with Carroll O’Connor, and her surprise when she discovered who would play her TV husband Virgil Tibbs. She shares both funny & deeply personal stories about her co-star Howard Rollins—his humor, his struggles, and the challenges he faced as a gay Black man working in the Deep South during the 1980s. Determined to understand her character’s world, she even attended a Ku Klux Klan rally & immersed herself in local culture, an experience she describes with honesty & insight.She reflects on the fame that followed and the show's fearless storytelling, including the powerful two-episode arc in which her character is assaulted. She reveals why Carroll O’Connor was initially opposed to the storyline, how the cast convinced him it needed to be told, and why she considers it her strongest work on the series. Her memories of working with Howard are touching and bittersweet, especially as she recalls his demons, their joyful on-set chemistry, and the heartbreak of losing him years later.The conversation then shifts to her time on “Melrose Place,” where she stepped into the world of glossy, high-stakes soap drama. She shares behind-the-scenes insights about Aaron Spelling’s famously strict set, her fiery exit storyline, and the reason why her character was written off the show. She also talks about her groundbreaking work as the first African American Vice President of the Screen Actors Guild.Finally, she opens up about what she considers the greatest work of her career—her new film “The Addiction of Hope,” written and directed by her husband. ANNE MARIE JOHNSONLos Angeles–born actress Anne-Marie Johnson began honing her craft early, graduating from John Marshall High School and later earning her B.A. in Acting and Theatre from UCLA. She made her first on-camera appearances as a contestant on several game shows, including “Card Sharks” and “Child’s Play,” before landing her first major role on NBC’s “Double Trouble.” Guest spots on “Diff’rent Strokes,” “Hill Street Blues,” and a 3-season run on “What’s Happening Now!!” followed, along with standout comedic turns in the cult classics “Hollywood Shuffle” and “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka.”Johnson became widely known for her role as Althea Tibbs on the drama “In the Heat of the Night” (1988–1993), during which she also appeared in films such as “Robot Jox,” “The Five Heartbeats," and “Strictly Business.” After leaving the series, she joined the final season of “In Living Color." Her career continued with memorable roles on “Melrose Place” and “JAG,” along with guest appearances on a wide range of popular series including “Ally McBeal,” “Girlfriends,” “CSI,” “NCIS,” “Living Single,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”Beyond her acting accomplishments, Johnson served as First National Vice President of the Screen Actors Guild from 2005 to 2010 and continued building an impressive list of credits with roles in NBC’s “The InBetween,” OWN’s “Cherish the Day,” and ABC’s “How to Get Away with Murder.” She now stars in the powerful new film “The Addiction of Hope,” directed by her husband Martin A. Gottlieb.Tickets For “The Addition of Hope” - https://www.laemmle.com/film/addiction-hopeFilm Website - https://www.theaddictionofhopefilm.com Film Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theaddictionofhope/ The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠  Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠ Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

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• Episode 145 - Chatting With Actress Anne-Marie Johnson About Hollywood, Fame, & Her New Film "The Addiction Of Hope" - Part 1

  In Part 1 of this lively two-episode deep dive, host Tony Miros sits down with the always captivating Anne-Marie Johnson to explore her remarkable journey from a starstruck L.A. kid to a celebrated actress with decades of iconic credits.Anne-Marie takes us back to her days at John Marshall High School—where, yes, they were literally filming the carnival scenes of “Grease” while she was taking her class photo. Inspired by comedy giants Carol Burnett and Lucille Ball, she grew up devouring black-and-white movies and dreaming of working in films. After enrolling in UCLA’s acting program, she found herself competing on TV game shows to gain on-camera experience—and to win. And it worked: she booked her first job opposite Robert Urich, landed her SAG card, and quickly stepped into her first sitcom role on “Diff’rent Strokes”.From there, her career took off. She shares hilarious and heartfelt stories from “Hill Street Blues” (including the night an entire watch party was ruined by a pre-emption), her three joyous years on “What’s Happening Now!!”, and her surprising mentorship under Shirley Hemphill. She opens up about the thrill of working on “Hollywood Shuffle” and the heartbreak of learning she’d been edited out of “The Five Heartbeats”—at the premiere, no less.And then there’s the moment that changed everything: leaving “In the Heat of the Night” after six seasons—despite Carroll O’Connor’s protests—to join “In Living Color.” Anne-Marie reveals how Tommy Davidson convinced her to make the leap, what it was like shifting from drama to sketch comedy, and why working alongside Jim Carrey was both exhilarating and emotionally challenging.ANNE MARIE JOHNSONLos Angeles–born actress Anne-Marie Johnson began honing her craft early, graduating from John Marshall High School and later earning her B.A. in Acting and Theatre from UCLA. She made her first on-camera appearances as a contestant on several game shows, including “Card Sharks,” “Child’s Play,” and the pilot of “Body Language,” before landing her first major role as Aileen Lewis on NBC’s “Double Trouble.” Guest spots on “Diff’rent Strokes,” “Hill Street Blues,” and a three-season run as Nadine on “What’s Happening Now!!” followed, along with standout comedic turns in the cult classics “Hollywood Shuffle” and “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka.”Johnson became widely known for her role as Althea Tibbs on the long-running drama “In the Heat of the Night” (1988–1993), during which she also appeared in films such as “Robot Jox,” “The Five Heartbeats,” “True Identity,” and “Strictly Business.” After leaving the series, she joined the final season of “In Living Color,” delivering sharp celebrity impressions of Oprah Winfrey, Mary Tyler Moore, and Whitney Houston. Her career continued with memorable roles on “Melrose Place” and “JAG,” along with guest appearances on a wide range of popular series including “Ally McBeal,” “Girlfriends,” “CSI,” “NCIS,” “Living Single,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”Beyond her acting accomplishments, Johnson served as First National Vice President of the Screen Actors Guild from 2005 to 2010 and continued building an impressive list of credits with roles in NBC’s “The InBetween,” OWN’s “Cherish the Day,” and ABC’s “How to Get Away with Murder.” She now stars in the powerful new film “The Addiction of Hope,” directed by her husband Martin A. Gottlieb, playing in selected theaters.Tickets For “The Addition of Hope” - https://www.laemmle.com/film/addiction-hopeFilm Website - https://www.theaddictionofhopefilm.com Film Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theaddictionofhope/ The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠  Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠ Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

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• Episode 144 – Runaway Trains, Fame, and Real Life With Hollywood Legend Eric Roberts – Part 2

  In the thrilling conclusion of this two-part conversation, host Tony Miros continues his deep dive into the extraordinary life and career of Eric Roberts, one of Hollywood’s most enduring and versatile actors. Eric candidly opens up about his journey to sobriety—how one fateful night at a wrap party in New York introduced him to cocaine, sparking years of struggle that he ultimately overcame through the unwavering love and support of his wife. Today, he credits that love as the greatest force in his life, shaping both his personal transformation and his approach to his craft.Reflecting on one of his most deeply personal performances in “It’s My Party,” directed by Randal Kleiser and co-starring Gregory Harrison, Eric recalls delivering a portrayal so raw and truthful it moved the entire crew. The experience, he says, was a defining moment—one that tested his emotional limits and reaffirmed his belief in the healing power of storytelling.From “The Dark Knight” to “Inherent Vice,” Eric shares behind-the-scenes insights into working with visionary filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and Paul Thomas Anderson, his admiration for Heath Ledger’s brilliance, and the heartbreak of losing him too soon. With more than 700 screen credits—including “The Expendables,” “The Righteous Gemstones,” “Babylon,” and a reunion with Brooke Shields in “The Hot Flashes”—Eric reflects on a lifetime of embracing every opportunity, big or small, and finding gratitude in every creative challenge along the way.ERIC ROBERTSEric Roberts is an Academy Award nominee & three-time Golden Globe nominee, celebrated for his unforgettable performances in “Runaway Train”, “Star 80”, and “King of the Gypsies”. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he’s appeared in more than 700 film and television projects — making him one of the most prolific English-speaking actors in the world. His acclaimed work includes “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints”, “It’s My Party”, “La Cucaracha”, “The Dark Knight”, “Inherent Vice”,” Lovelace”, “The Specialist”, and “The Expendables.”Born in Biloxi, Mississippi, Roberts is the son of Betty Lou Bredemus and Walter Grady Roberts, founders of the Atlanta Actors and Writers Workshop. His sisters, Julia Roberts and Lisa Roberts Gillan, also pursued acting. At 17, Eric moved to New York City to train in theater and soon began appearing on daytime television before earning his breakthrough role in “King of the Gypsies” (1978), which brought him his first Golden Globe nomination. His later roles in “Star 80” and “Runaway Train” earned him further critical acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.Roberts’ wide-ranging filmography features standout performances in “The Pope of Greenwich Village”, “Best of the Best”, “National Security”, “Inside the Rain”, and “Babylon”. On television, he’s been equally versatile, earning a Satellite Award for “Less Than Perfect” and appearing in “In Cold Blood”, “Law & Order: SVU”, “Heroes”, “The Young and the Restless”, “Suits”, “Empire”, and “The Righteous Gemstones.” He also made franchise history as the only non-UK actor to play the Master in “Doctor Who” (1996).In 2024, Roberts joined Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars, partnered with Britt Stewart, and released his memoir “Runaway Train: Or, The Story of My Life So Far” through St. Martin’s Press, co-written with Vanity Fair contributor Sam Kashner. Runaway Train Memoir Website - https://read.macmillan.com/lp/runaway-train-9781250275325/ The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠  Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠ Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

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• Episode 143 – Runaway Trains, Fame, and Real Life With Hollywood Legend Eric Roberts – Part 1

  In the first half of this two-part conversation, host Tony Miros dives deep into the extraordinary life and career of Oscar-nominated actor Eric Roberts—a Hollywood legend with over 700 screen credits and five decades in the business. From his early years in Atlanta to chasing his dreams in the wild world of 1970s New York City, Eric’s story is filled with unforgettable moments and colorful characters. Along the way, Eric opens up about his newly released memoir Runaway Train: Or, The Story of My Life So Far, revealing the challenges of writing honestly about his past, his family, and his journey through Hollywood’s highs and lows. How his passion for performance began long before fame, and how his early roles in daytime soaps led to his breakout in “King of the Gypsies.” He reflects on the sudden rush of stardom and the pressures that came with it. He also opens up about the near-fatal car accident that almost ended his career, the haunting experiences that followed, and his recovery while working under the direction of the brilliant Bob Fosse on “Star 80.” The conversation captures both the vulnerability and resilience behind his performances—and the complex reality of living life in the spotlight. From “The Pope of Greenwich Village” to “Runaway Train,” Eric reflects on the intensity, artistry, and endurance that define his legacy. He shares how his bond with co-star Jon Voight pushed him to new creative heights and how it felt to earn an Academy Award nomination so early in his career. ERIC ROBERTSEric Roberts is an Academy Award nominee and three-time Golden Globe nominee, celebrated for his unforgettable performances in Runaway Train, Star 80, and King of the Gypsies. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he’s appeared in more than 700 film and television projects — making him one of the most prolific English-speaking actors in the world. His acclaimed work includes A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, It’s My Party, La Cucaracha, The Dark Knight, Inherent Vice, Lovelace, The Specialist, and The Expendables.Born in Biloxi, Mississippi, Roberts is the son of Betty Lou Bredemus and Walter Grady Roberts, founders of the Atlanta Actors and Writers Workshop. His sisters, Julia Roberts and Lisa Roberts Gillan, also pursued acting. At 17, Eric moved to New York City to train in theater and soon began appearing on daytime television before earning his breakthrough role in King of the Gypsies (1978), which brought him his first Golden Globe nomination. His later roles in Star 80 and Runaway Train earned him further critical acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.Roberts’ wide-ranging filmography features standout performances in The Pope of Greenwich Village, Best of the Best, Inside the Rain, and Babylon. On television, he’s been equally versatile, earning a Satellite Award for Less Than Perfect and appearing in In Cold Blood, Law & Order: SVU, Heroes, The Young and the Restless, Suits, Empire, and The Righteous Gemstones. He also made franchise history as the only non-UK actor to play the Master in Doctor Who (1996).In 2024, Roberts joined Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars, partnered with Britt Stewart, and released his memoir Runaway Train: Or, The Story of My Life So Far through St. Martin’s Press, co-written with Vanity Fair contributor Sam Kashner. Still in high demand, Eric Roberts continues to captivate audiences with his signature intensity, versatility, and dedication to his craft.Runaway Train Memoir Website - https://read.macmillan.com/lp/runaway-train-9781250275325/ The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠  Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠ Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

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• Episode 142 - My Jaw-Dropping Chat With Actor Turned Producer Jeffrey Kramer from JAWS 1 & 2 - Part 2

  In the thrilling conclusion of this two-part conversation, host Tony Miros continues his deep dive with actor-turned-producer Jeffrey Kramer, who shares more incredible stories from his multifaceted Hollywood career. Jeffrey recalls how his friend Rick Rosenthal cast him in Halloween II , and how his role as Deputy Hendricks in JAWS 2 was almost cut—until a change in directors saved it and expanded it. He paints a vivid picture of the challenges of filming on the open water, the freezing temperatures in Pensacola, & the chaos of shooting multiple cameras in rough seas, all while marveling at director Jeannot Szwarc’s calm leadership.Jeffrey also reflects on his time working on Santa Claus: The Movie with John Lithgow, describing their long friendship & the joy of filming at Pinewood Studios in London for six months. He laughs about his blink-and-you’ll-miss-it role in Clue & reminisces about his improv days with Christopher Lloyd. But it was his experience filming Hero and the Terror with Chuck Norris—combined with a terrifying fear of heights—that convinced him to step away from acting for good and take a leap behind the camera instead.That leap led to a whole new chapter in Jeffrey’s career as a television executive and producer at 20th Century Fox, thanks in part to encouragement from Richard Dreyfuss. His creative partnership with David E. Kelley produced hit series such as Chicago Hope, Ally McBeal, and The Practice, earning multiple Emmys, Golden Globes, and even a Peabody Award.But beyond his Hollywood success, Jeffrey is most proud of his extraordinary advocacy for the Tourette Association of America. Having grown up with a tic himself, he’s dedicated his life to raising awareness and compassion for those living with Tourette Syndrome. JEFFREY KRAMERBorn and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey, Jeffrey earned an acting scholarship to Ithaca College. His natural charisma and sharp comedic instincts soon drew him to Hollywood, where he made his television debut in 1975 on Barney Miller in the episode “Snow Job.”That same year, Kramer made movie history as Deputy Lenny Hendricks in Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. His portrayal of the earnest, slightly frazzled deputy made him an instant fan favorite, and he returned to Amity Island to reprise the role in Jaws 2 three years later. Throughout the late 1970s, Kramer became a familiar face on television, appearing in hits like MASH,* Laverne & Shirley, Baretta, Soap, and Chico and the Man. During the 1980s, Kramer continued building an eclectic résumé with appearances in Hollywood Boulevard, You Light Up My Life, Halloween II, Heartbeeps, Clue, and Santa Claus: The Movie, along with memorable guest spots on The Incredible Hulk and Happy Days.The 1990s marked a creative turning point as Kramer transitioned from actor to producer — and began a highly successful partnership with acclaimed writer-producer David E. Kelley. Together, they helped shape some of the most defining television dramas and comedies of the decade, including Chicago Hope, The Practice, and Ally McBeal. Over his producing career, he’s received six Emmy nominations and multiple Golden Globe honors alongside his creative partners.Now retired, Jeffrey has dedicated his energy to a new passion: his meaningful work with the Tourette Association of America. His ongoing advocacy has helped transform public understanding of the condition, continuing a lifelong legacy of empathy, creativity, and impact — both on and off the screen. Tourette Association of America  - https://tourette.org/  The Daily JAWS - https://thedailyjaws.com/  The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠  Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠ Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

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