Jean Smart – Fargo

Q) Is Floyd based on anyone?

A) She’s not based on anybody real. There is a true story aspect. There was an event that happened that Noah [Hawley] decided to use as the inciting event of the story. I was given so much in the lines that it was clear to me where I wanted to go with her. I did not ask Mr. Hawley why he named her Floyd. I decided to go with my own ideas of why, based on the kind of father and childhood she had. It’s kind of fun to come up with your own ideas. It was very easy and the script was my roadmap for her. 

Q) What did you add to her that wasn’t originally in the script?

A) I would like to take credit for it, but I can’t really. When I first read the first script, the scene I auditioned with gave me so much of the character that it was clear to me what I wanted to do with it and we had terrific directors. I felt very comfortable in what I had to do with her. Noah emailed me and I was drinking wine at the time! and asked me what I would think of Floyd smoking a pipe.  I said “Sure!” But I wasn’t sure the next morning. What the heck? Yes.  It was just a perfect; I don’t know why he thought of that perfect unexpected personal thing about her.

Q) Floyd says she is sixty-one years old and that was considered “old” for 1979. How did that sit with you?

A) In 1979 in that part of the country you probably were thought of as old. In LA today, it’s not considered old. They refer to her as the “old broad” and I took offense.  She says to her eldest son, “It’s not your time. I’ll talk to you when it is your time. I will hand the reigns to you and turn my thoughts to the grave.” She’s lived a long life, but she’s not done yet.  She knows people would see her as old. What do we say now, “60 is the new 40?” But certainly in the 70’s in a farming community she would be sort of old.

Q) How did you develop that distinct Minnesota accent?

A) We had a terrific dialogue coach. They wanted us to keep it subtle, especially the Gerhardt’s slightly different accent, which was perhaps a little more German.  The “Fargo” and Minnesota accent has been described as the “friendliest” accent around and probably in its usual form would not sit well with Floyd Gerhardt. Too chummy. I grew up in a community in Seattle that was Scandinavian so I hear my friends’ parents and grandparents had heavy Scandinavian accents. That’s part of the flavor, not an unfamiliar sound to my ear.

Q) Floyd’s wardrobe in 1979 was sensational, especially that red wool coat!

A) I can’t overemphasize how important, more than any role I did, were the hair and makeup people. Actors often talk about the “method” or working from the inside out, but there were important things working from the outside in like how you feel about yourself and how you interact with other people. The first time they put on me the Floyd look – the first cut and dying my hair – it was quite startling…that classic poodle hairdo that women wore then at that age. The wardrobe was amazing, not overdone, and it was subtle. We had such fun putting together outfits. We’d howl with laughter! OMG! We remembered those things and couldn’t believe we actually wore them. There was so much polyester. My feet and head never got warm. I’d beg for hats every time we were shooting outside, but they said no because it made her look less strong. The coat was warm! And there is something about red – it stirs people’s feelings. Wish I’d kept it.

Q) Talk about working alongside Michael Hogan.

A) Michael Hogan is wonderful. Originally, the Gerhardts were not in the first episode so the only time we got to see him was in the wheelchair with the blanket. It was frustrating, but he was game. I was very pleased in the one that Michael had that wonderful scene with the boys in the kitchen because he is obviously respected. He’s a lot of fun, too.

Q) Are you enjoying watching along with the show?

A) When I started watching I was so taken. I knew it would be good and the cast was amazing. I was so thrilled with the editing and music. Those were particularly brilliant and enhanced the style of the show and the look and feel. It’s consistent and I’m constantly amazed even though there were three different directors that they nailed it. It was important to Noah they would have tone meetings before an episode was begun and it paid off.  It was fun to watch scenes I wasn’t in because I wasn’t privy to those and the humor, especially the Gerhardt clan. They’re a great bunch. I’m a fan of the extremely dark humor of the show. 

*CONFERENCE CALL*