Natasha Lyonne is among my top list of actresses that I can watch in almost anything.  Whether she is in a comedy, a drama, or an in-person talk show appearance, I find her unique personality shining through.  That raspy voice, talking through her teeth and side of the mouth kind of thing seems like it REALLY is her! 

It's no wonder why Natasha Lyonne says that Chloe Sevigny is like her sister, because they are so close.  Each of them is a highly gifted one-of-a-kind thespians with shapeshifting quirkiness. I love seeing them onscreen together – especially as mother and daughter in Season 2 of “Russian Doll” and Chloe as the one-hit wonder rock star in “Poker Face”.  Chloe also got me with her restrained and perfect portray of C.Z. Guest in “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”.  She’s a chameleon and will always have a career because she simply can’t be stereotyped!

Regrading Natasha, I must admit ignorance of “Orange is the New Black” and haven’t even seen a single episode. And I didn't know until recently about her being on Pee Wee Herman’s Playhouse.  I’ll be digging into these things.  At the time that I met her at a screening of “But I’m a Cheerleader” at The Castro Theater, I only knew her from “Die! Mommie! Die!”  This is how late I was to the Natasha club!

I truly wish I had as much knowledge of her career and the serious appreciation of her at the time that I met her as I do now!  Here’s my dorky story about the time I met Natasha Lyonne 

It's been several years later, and I watch her in whatever I can.  I’m obsessed with “Poker Face” and the amazing array of guest stars (you go, executive producer Natasha!). “Russian Doll” is also fantastic, “His Three Daughters” was seriously deep and touching acting. As for talk shows, she had me literally laughing out loud when she was just her true and honest self on “Watch What Happens live with Andy Cohen”, sitting alongside Emma Roberts. Of course, Andy wanted to talk everything Bravo and Natasha was unabashed and shoulder shrugging in regard to the fact that she knew NOTHING about the Bravo Universe and Andy and Emma's banter. It was very clear that the vapidity, shallow questions, and reality TV is not a part of Natasha's life, and she was simply there out of necessity to plug “His Three Daughters” and then have dinner afterwards with Cleo Duvall. That honest appearance and bag of zero fucks for Bravo made me love her even more. 

It’s been said (and makes complete sense) that she's inspired by Cagney and Peter Falk. The way she talks is very similar to the former, and her role as Charlie Cale in “Poker Face” is basically a female version of Peter Falk in Columbo.  Even down to the tiparillo and "excuse me ma’am” approach.  But it is still uniquely and 100% Natasha Lyonne. And again, her casting choices are flawless!

Many of her guest stars are covered elsewhere in this blog (or will be coming soon), but I want to give a special shout out to Chris Cortez from the “Escape from Shit Mountain” episode.  I had heard about and was searching where I could watch the short horror film “Inked” … here’s the trailer: 

Chris Cortez is featured in “Inked” and I immediately recognized him when he played Charlie’s love interest in “The Shit Mountain” episode.  Great casting: he and Natasha had palpable chemistry and Chris was perfectly chill and right for his character.  I was able to find him and explained that I was looking for “Inked” and a fan of “Poker Face”.  He was immediately and kindly responsive.  It turns out that we both grew up in the same suburb of San Francisco and my autograph request to him was his first fan letter.  Chris is amazingly talented (you can see his stunt reel on IMdB) and I think he’s got big things coming his way.  Chris was very kind and thoughtful I   responding to my letter and answering a questionnaire. I loved that he said how wonderful Natasha as (of course!) and that hi most rewarding movie experience was “I was used in just about every fight in Wakanda Forever”.  An awesome stuntman/actor with a great future – not to mention franchises like Marvel and Star Trek under his belt (Fan expos, be on the lookout Chris Cortez!

Back to “Poker Face” and the Peter Falk/Columbo inspiration.  I thought I’d include my Peter Falk autographs here.  You can see that there was a standard “Columbo” headshot he would send TTM on the regular and I have multiple copies. I met him in person in the 90's when he was here in a play in San Francisco ("Glengarry Glen Ross"?) and had him sign the photos you see with blue sharpie.  One of them was a photo from “The Cheap Detective” which had already been signed for me TTM by Louise Fletcher.  Do you see where this is going? 

I can spiral OUT OF CONTROL with “Poker Face” spin-offs of guest stars, inspiration, etc. I’m just going to close out here with the fantastic Oscar speech given by Louise Fletcher when she won the Best Actress Academy Award for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”.  I remember watching this as a kid and being extremely moved; it’s still so touching.

P.S.  Just when I think I can't love Natasha any more than I do ... she (Charlie Cale) says the line "Leg Day, tomorrow!" in Season 2, Episode 10 of "Poker Face".  Natasha can be my gym bro anytime!