Tai Freligh chats with A Series of Unfortunate Events star Matty Cardarople…
A laid-back, quirky comedic actor, East Coast-born Matty Cardarople
Tell me about Orlando and how he fits into the A Series of Unfortunate Events show?
Orlando is also known as Henchperson of Indeterminate Gender. He is a henchman to Count Olaf. He is neither a man nor a woman.
What was the biggest thing you took away from working with Neil Patrick Harris?
His generosity and his immense talent.
Sometimes meeting your heroes in real life can be a disappointment. What was your experience like meeting and working with Jim Carrey after idolizing him so much before?
It wasn’t a disappointment at all. He is a good guy and very genuine. It was everything I dreamed and more. He was coming out of his makeup trailer and I was standing waiting for a ride back to my hotel. As he walked towards me, I was starstruck. I didn’t know what to say. I shook his hand and said, “I’m Matty.” I thanked him with my eyes. It was magic. He is my hero. He made me laugh when I really needed it as a kid. I had a rough childhood with being bullied and my parents’ divorce. I hope to work with him again someday.
How would you compare the experience of working on a blockbuster film like Jurassic World to a festival film like The Big Sick?
The craft service for Jurassic World was a lot better. Jurassic World was incredible but also scary. I played Josh “a gyro-sphere operator” in that I had to close down the ride to the park because the park had been taken over by dinos. I had to act in front of an enormous crowd of angry people. I was actually more scared of the people than the dinos. The Big Sick was definitely a smaller set compared to Jurassic World.
Describe the difference between working on a streaming Netflix show like A Series of Unfortunate Events and a regular network television show like Scrubs or a premium cable show like Ray Donovan?
It’s the same.
Tell me about your character on The Big Sick and what role he plays in the movie?
I play Stu, a fast food employee that helps Kumail Nanjiani with his order. That’s all I can really say without the NDA police coming after me. They are like the FBI and the CIA so I have to be careful.
Have you done Sundance before? What was that experience like for you?
Yes, I have and I can’t believe I didn’t bring the right shoes. I wear sneakers there and I may have gotten frostbite. My toes haven’t fallen off yet, but man. I’m wearing boots next time. But really, it’s a a ton of fun. The energy up there is great. Everyone is excited to be there and it’s just a blast.
Sounds like your Block Island character is a bit of a departure from other roles in that he’s not a quirky, clerk-type character. Was that on purpose?
Nope. I just auditioned for it and it worked out. That was a blast to play a party guy.
Speed Round Questions:
You like to play the clerk-type roles. What’s your opinion of Kevin Smith’s portrayal of clerks in the Clerks movies?
I love it. He portrays them perfectly. There were no dinos in it though. I think his next film needs to have at least one Dino in it.
“Henchman of Indeterminate Gender” makes me think of the “Rodents of Unusual Size” from The Princess Bride. Who would win in a cage match, Orlando or the RoUS?
Orlando. He would beat them by giving them a slice of cheese and become friends with them.
Where did this pizza obsession come from? Why not donuts? After all, you did work at Dunkin Donuts.
I’m Italian. It runs in my blood. I blame my ancestors.
Um, I think if I just ate donuts I’d die. I actually just got married and we had Pizza for our dinner and then donuts for Dessert.
Best cameo by a pizza delivery person in a movie- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990), Deadpool (2016) or Home Alone (1990)?
TMNT!! He delivers it to a sewer drain. That’s so cool!
Many thanks to Matty Cardarople for taking the time for this interview.
Tai Freligh is a Los Angeles based writer and can be followed on Twitter.
Originally published February 24, 2017. Updated April 16, 2018.
