Advertisement
Taylor Sheridan, now hailed as the ultimate TV supremo for his exceptional work in expanding the Yellowstone universe, had a diverse journey in the entertainment industry before becoming a prolific writer and showrunner. Despite his current success, Sheridan’s earlier experiences included acting and screenwriting for movies.
One standout film in Sheridan’s repertoire is “Hell or High Water,” where he not only served as a writer but also made a cameo appearance on screen. The movie, featuring Chris Pine and Ben Foster as siblings resorting to bank robberies to save their family ranch, showcased Sheridan’s ability to craft compelling narratives.
In a revealing roundtable discussion with The Hollywood Reporter, Sheridan made a surprising admission about his feelings towards acting. Despite sharing a scene with the legendary Jeff Bridges, who portrayed a Texas Ranger in the film, Sheridan expressed, “I can’t stand acting.” Even the opportunity to engage in a cowboy-hatted scene with someone as incredible as Bridges didn’t alleviate his discontent.
Sheridan recounted a particular incident during the filming of “Hell or High Water,” where he had written a monologue about the death of a way of life for a cowboy character. Struggling to find an actor who could both deliver the monologue and ride a horse, director David Mackenzie turned to Sheridan, stating, “Congratulations buddy, we can’t find anyone that can say the monologue and ride the horse, so get down here.” Despite the apparent privilege of sharing a scene with Jeff Bridges, Sheridan’s primary concern was when the filming would conclude so he could return to his hotel and head home.
It seems that Sheridan’s aversion to acting runs deep, as evidenced by his limited on-screen appearances since transitioning to a writing career. Before achieving widespread acclaim for films like “Sicario,” he had roles in TV series such as “Veronica Mars,” “CSI,” and “Sons of Anarchy.” However, his focus has largely shifted towards creating and overseeing his own projects, solidifying his status as a dominant force in the realm of television, with numerous successful endeavors for Paramount Plus.