So many people called Judy Greer the “sidekick” that she almost believed she’d never play anything but. Name-calling is one of the oldest power plays in the book: It’s just as cutting in the boardroom as it was on the playground, but since it never causes physical harm, it’s easily dismissed. And while we all know the "stick and stones" rhyme, anyone who’s been called a bitch or a slut (or stuck with any label she doesn’t identify with) understands just how damaging name-calling can be. In Mislabeled, Glamour talks to some of the most interesting women we know about the role name-calling or labels have played in their past—and how it’s shaped the women they are today.
For much of her career, Judy Greer was the actor you called when you needed someone to shake your protagonist and say, “Go get your man!” She was there for witty one-liners and to bring over a comically large vat of ice cream when the perky brunette with main-character energy got dumped. From The Wedding Planner to 27 Dresses—with a mean girl pit stop in 13 Going on 30—Greer was the quintessential Movie Best Friend™ of the early 2000s.
The label was so prevalent that Greer even starred in a Funny or Die comedy sketch called “Judy Greer Is the Best Friend,” which told the story of what happens to a classic Greer character after she successfully encourages her BFF to chase the love of her life to the airport. “I guess I started to see myself as not deserving the lead roles or that the lead roles would never be written for someone like me, or I was missing something other actresses had,” Greer told Glamour. “I think most actors would agree that it can be difficult to get out of the box we get put in early in our careers.”
Twenty-five years since starring in her first gig in the college slasher movie Stricken, the 47-year-old character actor is finally entering her long-overdue Main Character Era, starring in the new Hulu series Reboot, which drops on September 20 and follows a cast of washed-up actors given a second chance to star in a gritty version of the sitcom that made them household names. In the new series from Modern Family creator Steve Levitan, Greer stars as Bree Marie Jensen, an insecure actor who ditched Hollywood for life as a duchess in a “small Nordic country” after a bad breakup with her Step Right Up costar Reed Stirling (Keegan-Michael Key).
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, Greer has also been tapped to star in Eric Larue, which promises to be a heartwrenching directorial debut for Michael Shannon about the sweeping aftershocks of gun violence. It’s called range—and Judy Greer has always had it.
In Mislabeled, Greer opened up about breaking out of the best friend box, Reboot, and more.
Glamour: Is there a label you were stuck with throughout your career that impacted the way you felt about yourself?
Judy Greer: I guess I’ve been considered the best friend or sidekick, but I never thought it was a bad thing. I was grateful for the work. But I guess I started to see myself as not deserving the lead roles or that the lead roles would never be written for someone like me, or I was missing something other actresses had.
Maybe because I didn’t look like the typical “leading lady”? Because I was funny? I got cast in those roles early on and the films were successful, so it kinda stuck….
Did you ever actively try to push against this label in your career?
Not push against the label necessarily, but I actively tried to expand the kinds of roles and kinds of projects I did. That’s when I did Jurassic World and Ant-Man. I think most actors would agree that it can be difficult to get out of the box we get put in early in our careers.
Is there a specific role you auditioned for or really wanted but didn’t get because of this label or this “box”?
I’m sure there is; I just can’t think of it because I’m very good at telling myself that wasn’t the universe’s plan for me and that wasn’t the role. I don’t tend to hang on to the loss because I know whatever came along instead was right for me at that moment…. I really, really wanted Maggie Gyllenhaal’s role in Stranger Than Fiction.
You’re definitely not the sidekick in Reboot. What attracted you to the project?
Steve Levitan was the first thing, and the rest of the cast was a very close second. I always wanted to work with Steve and I really wanted to do something that was funny and smart. I pretty much always want to align myself with people that are funny and smart.
.png)
Is there something about Reboot that you felt you’ve never done before?
I get to be very glamorous and it’s been a long time since I’ve gotten to wear such a nice wardrobe and makeup.
What's your favorite rebooted TV show?
Your Reboot costar, Paul Reiser, told Entertainment Tonight that he’s mostly “against” rebooting old shows. How do you feel about the subject?
I heard Paul say in an interview that just re-creating the same show is less interesting than picking up where the characters left off and where they are present day. I would agree with him, just remaking something is less interesting than reimagining what these people are doing now.
The show is very much poking fun at Hollywood while having empathy for each of the characters. How do you relate to Bree and how do you differ?
Bree and I are both actresses—she’s nervous to get back in the game and she might have some impostor syndrome, which I can certainly relate to. She is aging, which I can certainly relate to. And she really badly wants to be loved, which I think we can all relate to. The only thing about Bree is she hasn’t worked in 15 years, and I haven’t had a day off in 15 years.
How do you deal with criticism, both in your personal life and online?
I appreciate criticism from people I love and respect. I appreciate it more when I ask for it than when it’s given, I try not to read too many reviews or comments on social media because it does send me on a spiral.
Do you have a habit or routine that helps you hit “reset,” mentally, when you start doubting yourself?
I like to take a long walk and get some fresh air.
What’s the song you play when you need to snap out of a bad mood?
Most recently Renaissance by Beyoncé, the whole album in its entirety.
What’s the last great book you read?
I just finished this book two days ago called Heaven by Mieko Kawakami. And it’s all about bullying, coincidentally.
What’s the last thing you bought?
A pair of vintage rose gold aviator glasses this morning at Jess James + Co. in Wilmington, North Carolina, where I’m currently shooting a movie. She buys vintage glasses and puts fun color lenses in them.
What’s the product you don’t leave the house without?
What do you wear when you want to feel confident?
A double-breasted blazer.
What’s the beauty product that helps you fake a good night’s sleep?
What’s the best advice you’ve gotten from a woman in your life?
To put sunscreen on my hands when I drive. Thank you, Suzan Mischer.
What are your five “life” essentials that boost your mood?
My Wile Un-Worry tincture. I keep a bottle on my nightstand for when I can’t sleep. I take two droppers of it. My LEK fit app. Spotify. I’m one of those annoying people that has to have music playing all the time. Christie Kidd Renewal Serum. Sitting and knitting really grounds me; it’s the best affordable hobby.
