Cheryl Hines: Stories From “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and Sticking by RFK on His Way to the White House

Cheryl Hines reflects on her unexpected life journey, from a struggling actress to a successful comedian on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' to navigating the political complexities and public scrutiny of being married to presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., ultimately finding that family and personal integrity are paramount amidst changing fortunes.

• Cheryl Hines built her acting career through perseverance and a unique comedic voice, eventually starring in 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' for 24 years.

• Her marriage to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unexpectedly thrust her into the contentious political arena, leading to significant personal and professional challenges, including public scrutiny and lost friendships.

• Hines emphasizes the importance of family and love, and has gained new perspectives on politics and public service, finding value in learning and adapting to unforeseen life trajectories.

Cheryl Hines shares her challenging path to acting success in Hollywood, highlighting the perseverance required to overcome rejection and predatory industry encounters. Her career breakthrough came with 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' an improv-based show that was a perfect comedic match for her. Hines then discusses the profound and often difficult personal and professional shifts brought on by her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s, increasing political prominence and presidential campaign, emphasizing the societal polarization and personal sacrifices involved.

Early Acting Struggles

• 00:03:58 Moving to Los Angeles as an aspiring actress was a significant challenge for Cheryl Hines, who struggled to secure even a bartending job amidst numerous other hopefuls. She initially feared the inevitable rejection from agents, developing self-awareness and resilience to understand that her self-worth was not dependent on industry approval. This mental preparation was crucial before she sent out her headshots and resumes, eventually leading to a response from a smaller agency.

• 00:07:50 Cheryl Hines recounted an early career experience where she took initiative to get an audition for a Nancy Kerrigan role, despite her agent's inaction. She humorously described fabricating an ice-skating skill during the audition, which led to a callback. Her first actual acting role was on the TV show 'Swamp Thing,' where she played an evil scientist who dies of a heart attack, a role she initially believed would be her 'springboard to stardom,' only to realize later that it took ten more years to feel truly successful in Hollywood.

Hollywood's Predatory Side

• 00:16:01 Cheryl Hines detailed a disturbing encounter with director James Toback, who, under the guise of discussing a film, invited her to his hotel room. Her agent, unaware of Toback's predatory reputation, advised her to go, but Hines took the precaution of having friends wait downstairs. Toback's inappropriate questions about her body hair and request to remove a boot revealed his true intentions, prompting her friends to intervene and end the uncomfortable meeting. This incident highlighted the manipulative tactics used by some powerful individuals in Hollywood, which was later exposed through multiple lawsuits against Toback.

Joining Curb Your Enthusiasm

• 00:27:00 Cheryl Hines landed her role on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' after studying and performing at the Groundlings Theater, an improv and sketch comedy venue. She was initially called to audition for an untitled Larry David special, but the director, Rob Whitey, saw her perform a sketch she had written about an earthquake safety seminar and appreciated her unique sense of humor. This led to her being cast as Larry David's wife, a role she played for 12 seasons over 24 years, with the show's intermittent schedule allowing Larry David to work only when inspired.

Relationship with Larry David

• 00:33:13 Cheryl Hines describes Larry David as highly intelligent, very funny, and surprisingly caring about those close to him, despite his outwardly neurotic persona. She confirms that much of the character Larry David portrays on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' reflects his real-life personality, particularly his neurotic tendencies. Their professional relationship spanned over two decades, fostering a strong bond among the cast and crew, some of whom worked together from the show's inception.

Meeting Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

• 00:36:20 Cheryl Hines first met Robert F. Kennedy Jr. through Larry David at a Waterkeeper Alliance event, where she was initially struck by his powerful speaking ability but humorously noted his 'pleated khakis guy' aesthetic, which she associated with a non-creative type. Years later, after both were divorced, they reconnected and found a deeper connection. Their relationship evolved, initially seen as a 'fun situation' by her friends, but eventually leading to marriage, with Bobby moving to LA to be with her.

• 00:41:35 Cheryl Hines and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s marriage benefited from their distinct professional worlds; she was an actress, and he was an environmental attorney, minimizing career clashes. She humorously illustrates this by recalling an airport experience where he was lauded for his environmental work, and she was recognized for a 'diarrhea scene' on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' showcasing their different, yet equally impactful, public recognition.

Navigating Political Scrutiny

• 00:43:55 Cheryl Hines openly discusses the immense challenges and stress she faced after her husband, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., became a controversial public figure during the COVID-19 pandemic. She observed a significant divide in opinions, particularly in Los Angeles, where many disagreed with his stances on vaccines, leading to personal confrontations and professional repercussions. Hines was shocked by the "genocidal mindset" she encountered, where people were willing to punish her for her husband's views, even suggesting her career should suffer.

• 00:54:25 Cheryl Hines admits that she was worried and concerned about the profound impact her husband's political journey, particularly his presidential run, would have on her life. She acknowledged that it was indeed life-changing, disrupting her career and personal relationships, transforming her once-independent path. She specifically notes the divisive political climate, where conversations at work that were once 'pure joy' became fraught with strong opinions and emotional discussions, even ending long-standing friendships due to differing political views.

• 01:05:12 Cheryl Hines was shocked when Robert F. Kennedy Jr. first told her he might run for president, as she was not politically inclined and preferred focusing on her entertainment career. She struggled with the decision, recognizing it would be life-altering and impact her fiercely independent nature. The show 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' was still ongoing during his campaign, leading to difficult discussions and strong opinions from colleagues, particularly concerning his challenge against Joe Biden, with Hollywood largely unsupportive of a Kennedy running without the Democratic party's backing.

The Vaccine Controversy & Societal Division

• 00:46:10 Cheryl Hines describes the intense, almost religious, passion surrounding the vaccine debate, noting the illogical argument that vaccinated individuals were only safe if everyone else was also vaccinated. She found it deeply disturbing that people used others' deaths to score political points and judged individuals based on their vaccine status. Hines expressed sadness over the loss of friendships due to this polarization and questioned why open dialogue about potential vaccine injuries and improvements was met with anger and accusations, rather than curiosity or a shared desire for better public health outcomes.

Trump Meeting & Security Concerns

• 01:29:30 Cheryl Hines recounted meeting Donald Trump in Milwaukee shortly after an assassination attempt on him, describing him as a 'very genuine person' and 'charming' due to his comfort in his own skin, which was a surprising observation given the prevailing negative views in Hollywood. The meeting was particularly stressful due to the immediate context of Trump's assassination attempt and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s lack of Secret Service protection, despite his family's history of assassinations. Hines noted the rapid shift when Trump publicly advocated for Bobby's protection, leading to an executive order for Secret Service, though it was uniquely limited to Bobby himself, excluding his family.

• 01:19:08 Cheryl Hines expressed profound concern and bewilderment over the lack of Secret Service protection for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., especially given his family's tragic history of assassinations. She noted the administration's delay in responding to his requests and the political motivations to deny him protection, seeing it as a way to delegitimize his candidacy and drain his campaign funds through private security costs. Hines was particularly struck by the silence from many of Bobby's own family members regarding his safety, highlighting a disturbing lack of public support despite their political disagreements.

Life Lessons & New Perspectives

• 01:54:15 Cheryl Hines concludes that through her unexpected life changes, particularly the political upheaval, she has learned that family and love are the only things that truly matter. She has developed the ability to accept the end of friendships that couldn't withstand the political pressures without anger or sadness, appreciating the past connections. Hines has embraced a new phase of life at 60, finding fascination in learning about politics, campaign mechanics, and the workings of the administration in DC, appreciating the dedication of those striving for the country's best, a perspective vastly different from her former Hollywood bubble.