Remember that hilarious mama’s boy, Buster Bluth, from Arrested Development? That was Tony Hale's breakout role, and it set the stage for a remarkable career filled with laughter and success. "Getting a sitcom was the dream," Tony recalls, now 49 years old. "And when I landed Arrested Development, it felt like my dreams had come true." But as it turned out, success wasn't quite what he expected.
His career only grew from there, with two Emmy wins under his belt for his unforgettable portrayal of a devoted yet bumbling aide to Julia Louis-Dreyfus on Veep. However, Tony admits that achieving such heights didn't bring the happiness he thought it would. In an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly, he reveals, "When I booked Arrested Development, I thought it would make me ecstatic, but it didn’t. It scared me because I realized that if you’re not content with where you are right now, you won’t be content when you get what you want. That was a huge life lesson, and it changed everything for me."
Tony channeled this wisdom into writing a children's book, Archibald’s Next Big Thing, which has now been adapted into an animated series on Netflix where he lends his voice. He’s also reprising his role as Forky from Toy Story 4 in the Disney+ series Forky Asks a Question. But the most rewarding part of Tony's life isn't his career—it's his family. "My 13-year-old daughter, Loy, is the light of my life," he shares. "She’s an incredible kid who teaches me something new every single day."
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Keep reading for more insights from Tony Hale's candid chat!
Missing the Magic of Veep
For seven years, the cast of Veep became more than just colleagues—they were family. "It was like a second home," Tony reflects. "Now that the show is over, I miss those people dearly. We had such a special bond." Even though the show ended, the connections remain strong. "We’re still in touch through text chains, talking about all the chaos in politics. Honestly, you don’t even need Veep anymore—CNN is like a real-life sitcom!"
Staying Connected with the Cast
Though the show may be over, the camaraderie lives on. "There’s definitely a sense of mourning," Tony admits. "It’s hard to accept that we’ll never be in that same space again. That’s why I don’t rewatch the episodes—I prefer to laugh at the gag reels. Those moments of cracking up and forgetting lines are what I remember most fondly."
Reuniting with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
When Tony collaborated with Julia again on Archibald’s Next Big Thing, it was a joyous reunion. "She plays a space monkey who’s terrified of space," Tony jokes. "She’s an incredible person, and she graciously said yes to being part of the project. Working with her in the booth was pure fun."
