
Greg Kinnear on Acting, AI, and Why Movies Still Matter
From American Masters: Creative Spark by American Masters | PBS
May 22, 2026 · 28 min · Season 9 · Episode 2
About this episode
Greg Kinnear discusses his career, the impact of AI on Hollywood, and the essence of acting.
Oscar-nominated actor Greg Kinnear has been a fixture of film and television for decades, bringing warmth, wit, and emotional depth to beloved classics like “As Good as It Gets,” “You've Got Mail,” and “Little Miss Sunshine.” Most recently, he stars in “Margo's Got Money Troubles,” the acclaimed new television series that recently wrapped its first season. In this episode, Greg Kinnear reflects on his circuitous path from radio and talk shows to becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors. He explains why he believes that same path may no longer exist in today’s entertainment industry. He opens up about the changing economics of Hollywood in the age of AI and the collapse of the industry’s “middle class.” Funny, thoughtful, and philosophical, Kinnear shares why he still believes there’s something fundamentally human about great acting that technology can’t replicate.
People in this episode
Guest: Greg Kinnear
Topics covered
- acting
- AI
- Hollywood
- entertainment industry
- human experience
- film
- television
Keywords
- Greg Kinnear
- acting
- AI
- Hollywood
- entertainment
- film
- television
- Margo's Got Money Troubles
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Hollywood
Books & works: As Good as It Gets, You've Got Mail, Little Miss Sunshine, Margo's Got Money Troubles
More episodes of American Masters: Creative Spark
- Why Atsuko Okatsuka’s Comedy Connects Across Cultures · June 5, 2026 · 30 min
- Chris Fleming Embraces the Chaos · May 8, 2026 · 39 min
- How Leslie Jones Became a Comedian · December 19, 2025 · 31 min
- Phoebe Robinson Shows Her Work · October 17, 2025 · 32 min
- Fantasmas: Julio Torres on Art Surviving in Late-Stage Capitalism · October 3, 2025 · 34 min
- Sarah McLachlan: Making Music to Connect and Heal · September 26, 2025 · 37 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the American Masters: Creative Spark podcast page.