Bill Hader draws from his personal struggle with panic attacks to enhance acting in 'Barry'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Bill Hader's Emmy-nominated performance in the hit show 'Barry', which he co-created, starred in, and directed, was influenced by his personal experience with panic attacks. The 44-year-old actor and comedian shared in an interview that his own struggles with anxiety have helped shape his portrayal of the titular character.
"There's definitely been moments in the show where the character has gotten panicked and got a panic attack, and I definitely felt that before," Hader said to PEOPLE before adding "When I was on 'Saturday Night Live', I would get panic attacks pretty frequently. You know, Barry has a panic attack, and you go, 'I know exactly what that feels like.'" Hader's experience with panic attacks provided him with a deep understanding of the character's emotional state, which translated into a compelling and authentic portrayal. The show's success owes much to Hader's skillful blending of his personal life experiences with his artistic vision, resulting in a memorable and award-worthy performance.
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What is ‘Barry’ Season 4 about? Plot of HBO’s tragicomedy explained
Bringing Barry back
In an interview with Vulture following the conclusion of Barry's third season, Bill Hader revealed his thought process behind bringing the character back for one final season. According to Hader, he felt there was more story to be told and didn't want to end it prematurely. "Well, dying, the story's over, and I thought there was more story. There's only so long a guy can get away with this," he explained.
Hader also acknowledged the challenge of keeping a story going without it becoming ridiculous. "I know I feel watching shows sometimes, 'They're trying to keep the thing going and now it's getting ridiculous to keep the thing going,'" he said. "And so, I think [Barry] would get caught. He's not Jason Bourne or Walter White. He's not a genius. He's a very dumb guy." As for the plot of the final season, Hader hinted at the transformation his character and others will go through. "And it made sense, the idea of Gene Cousineau [played by Henry Winkler] wanting justice ... and then getting it by the end, but he has to go through a transformation himself to get it," he added.
Barry final season: An emotional rollercoaster
After leaving a lasting impression on 'Saturday Night Live' with memorable characters like Stefon, Bill Hader is bidding farewell to another iconic role. As Barry gears up for its fourth and final Season, Hader and his co-stars are promising fans an emotional rollercoaster. In a recent interview with PEOPLE in 10, Hader and his co-stars teased the upcoming season, describing it as 'scary,' 'heartbreaking,' 'astonishing,' and a 'gut punch.'
The trailer released earlier this month hints that Season 4 will follow the titular character, an anxious hitman, as he tries to redeem himself from behind bars. As Hader puts it, "It's really about Barry trying to come to terms with what he's done and trying to make things right." Stephen Root, who portrays the villainous Monroe Fuches, adds to the intrigue by teasing, "What you see is not what you get." With the show's reputation for unexpected plot twists and character developments, fans can expect nothing less than a gripping and unforgettable final season. You can watch 'Barry' on HBO every Sunday at 10 pm ET, and it's also available for streaming on HBO Max.