Guy Pearce on Cults, The Vow, Acting, Lying and Truth.
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- In this Episode: Guy Pearce talks about why he reached out to me. We had an amazing, deep, and honest conversation covering cults, groups, his fascination with The Vow, and his take on acting and being human.
Guy Pearce was born October 5, 1967 in the UK to Margaret Anne and Stuart Graham Pearce. His father was born in Auckland, New Zealand, to English and Scottish parents, while Guy's mother is English. Pearce and his family initially traveled to Australia for two years, after his father was offered the position of Chief test pilot for the Australian Government. Guy was just 3-years-old. After deciding to stay in Australia and settling in the Victorian city of Geelong, Guy's father was killed 5 years later in an aircraft test flight, leaving Guy's mother, a schoolteacher, to care for him and his older sister, Tracy.
Having little interest in subjects at school like math or science, Guy favored art, drama and music. He joined local theatre groups at a young age and appeared in such productions as "The King and I," "Fiddler on the Roof," and "The Wizard of Oz." In 1985, just two days after his final high school exam, Guy started a four-year stint as "Mike Young" on the popular Aussie soap Neighbours (1985). At age 20, Guy appeared in his first film, Heaven Tonight (1989), then, after a string of appearances in film, television and on the stage, he won the role of an outrageous drag queen in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994).
He has amazed film critics and audiences, alike, with his magnificent performances in L.A. Confidential (1997), Memento (2000), The Proposition (2005), Factory Girl (2006), The Hurt Locker (2008), The King's Speech (2010) and the HBO mini-series, Mildred Pierce (2011). Next to acting, Guy has had a life-long passion for music and songwriting.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
Guy is such a genuine person. My late mum, who was very unwell and vulnerable, was shopping down at our local shopping centre in Melbourne, feeling very downcast at the time. She saw Guy getting into his car and just stopped in her tracks. He smiled and winked at her and it made her absolute day. Just the tiniest thing but it made a HUGE difference to a very fragile lady’s world. I’ll never forget her face telling me about it. He’s lovely❤️
Great story 😊
@@aileenmac1 thank you! He’s good people.
What a lovely story! Thanks for sharing and I'm very sorry about the loss of your Mum. Best wishes.
That’s sweet.
My favourite actor
I escaped a toxic relationship about a year ago and I want to let Mark know that watching the Vow and specifically his relationship with Bonnie gave me the strength to finally pop smoke and leave. Escaping a narcissistic partner is so much like leaving a cult.
Well done!!!!!
@@markvicente7 Thank you Sir! the road to recovery is a long one but at the end you get yourself back. You two are really good people.
Word!!
The entrapment is real, not with physical chains but the same result
I agree with that idea of being alone, yet again being interested in being or feeling a part of a group structure. It’s tribalism from day dot.
very interesting conversation, i was in a cult for 25 yrs, my wife and i are out now but she has lost her entire family as they now shun her as part of the cults policy for those who leave. The biggest obstacle to learning the truth about the organization you are in, is giving yourself permission to research things that cults label as taboo. And yes, learning the truth is initially devastating as you realize your entire belief system was a lie. You would be surprised to learn just how common it is to have a belief system that is not in any shape or form related to reality. One advantage about waking up from a cult is that you become aware of the mechanism that controls through FEAR. It's everywhere...
Guy Pearce is one of my fave actors ! ❤from Australia 🇦🇺 😍
I wonder if you've ever seen him in this Australian movie from early on in his career ... it's very good and it's actually still here for free on some weird name channel but just type in the name , it comes up instantly :
THE HARD WORD
I'm an American so I never heard of it until I found it on the internet yrs ago but maybe it's very well known in Australia ?
I would say it's more of a man's film .
@@gardensofthegodsyes it has Rachel Griffiths in it too
This was such a great conversation. As a ex Jehovah's Witness(born into) I found deep connection to both Bonnie and Mark. My decision to leave at 22yo meant great loss of family and my friends/community. A deer in headlights at that age now nearly 50 yo I'm finally coming tp know my authentic self. Mark your vulnerability has truly helped me. Thank you both
Good for you!! Hang in there, I think you have some wonderful adventures ahead of you.
Ah yes, the NEW personality!! Thank "god" I left in 2000😊
Listening to Guy speak about himself and his fascination with groups vs being self sufficient was like therapy for me. Avoident attachment case right here staring with wild obssession at cults...who are like the family I never had.
Realizing the "disconnect" between who you are, and who you pretend to be, is a PROFOUND personal growth milestone. It is a very difficult process for anyone who is striving for an authentic self and an authentic life. Families often thrive in delusion...and cannot survive taking steps toward truth. Breaking out of delusion is a gift. It does, however, require bravery and strength. I have walked away from many (family and friends) because I could not "fake" my intentions anymore. Honesty and truth can be lonely...until you connect with others like the two of you on this podcast. The path toward your "true self" is not a journey for the faint of heart. Support and love to all who are on this incredibly complex journey!
Wow I am blown away on how good this interview really is. Guy Pearce is a legend and I think so is Mark. Thank you men.
Great episode! A genuine privelige to listen to two incredible humans have a conversation. I'm 4 years post-mormonism (after 50 years in) and can totally relate to having a "BS alarm". I just can't stand fakiness. I'd rather be alone than ever again participate in the dance of societal artifice. Finding friends after leaving a cult is so hard! So glad you found an authentic friend in Guy.
I'm 3 yrs post Mormonism 😂 what a journey.
I've never been Christian, but I grew up in a small town, that was predominately Mormon. I know about the brainwashing.
Good for you to see through it, I'm sure it's not easy after so many years of indoctrination.
Don't know about finding friends locally ,wherever you are. But there is quite a few facebook sites, and youtube programs helping people leave, mainly christian churches. Quite a few Atheist sites on Facebook, that has been very helpful to those just leaving the church. I forget the names, but there's 2 programs on youtube that are specifically about Mormons having left their church. You might want to look into those. Or possibly be a guest on the shows.
I'll see if I can find the names Good luck in your life. It's so much more freeing not being a part of those things
I have watched Mormon Stories, with John L. Interesting .
The other ones I just googled ex Mormons, didn't realize how much is out there.
Hope some of these will help
how incredibly brave of you. I hope you are flourishing!
I met Guy in a bar in Cambodia some years ago and he was warm and very fun to be with.
I’ve had a massive crush on Guy, forever! I seek out everything he’s done and watch it over and over. I’ve never watched BB either, now I know it was meant to be… love you, you beautiful unbelievably great actor, please do more and more movies!
Please please have Guy on again! I could listen to you 2 talking for days...! Thank you both for taking the time to have this conversation and for sharing it. It made my heart smile 💛
I truly adore the moment when Mark describes the realization that the values and qualities he was seeking in leaders was already within him as :"like coming home." Just beautiful. That the journey of all of us. ❤
What a great conversation!! I love how genuine Guy is and when he said he felt like he was meeting a celebrity 😆
I was in a movie with Guy 🤭 I was 15 and he and Claudia karvern were filming in Paddington markets where I got to be an extra on a puppet stall 🎉
Years earlier I met him with Jason Donovan and Craig McLaughlin when they were in neighbours and doing a trip around the same markets ..... He's so lovely....
This was a total pleasure to watch. So stoked to hear Guy Pearce being his authentic self, but this was an incredibly insightful conversation with a mutual love fest on the side. 🥰
I realised as he started speaking I have only ever heard him speak in his (*pitch-perfect) American accent! It was almost disconcerting hearing his real voice 🙂
@@Humvee369us Brits remember him from Aussie soap opera Neighbours 🙂 so it’s the opposite for me
Sublime and honesty, that is rare and precious in these times we live in... Thank you and Mr. Pearce ❤
What a wonderful conversation! I am a diehard guy pierce fan and like him, I’m someone who finds organized groups fascinating and so nice that he reached to you. Also because you mentioned him, I’m a fan of Jason beghe because of his openness about leaving Scientology (and the movie monkey shines which wonderfully weird). I love the open conversations you have on your pod.
Loved this…two wise men having a conversation…thank you for allowing me to observe. I think forgiveness is your key now…forgiveness of self. You deserve that 💕
I was an extra on neighbours and met guy many times when I was 14.. he was always a nice guy!.. it’s inspiring to see a blast from the past doing such large work and having such great open conversation…. Thank you 🙏🏻
Such an interesting conversation. Guy Pearce is one of the very best actors out there right now for sure!
I felt the same way about breaking bad, I thought it was not going to be good so I avoided it for years, and one day I decided to watch one episode and realized how incredible the show actually was.
Guy Pearce what an absolutely stellar human being. Talented, warm, i cant wait to watch this episode!
It's so nice to hear that Mark, you are now totally healed from the NXVIM shit. I loved this interview. Guy is fascinating. One of the most valuable things he shared was that one has the ability to change one's mood: brilliant!
Beautiful conversation between two genuine people, a pleasure to watch! Thank you
During the conversation Mark says that he subconsciously knew something was off with the organisation. Two points on that: The first is that if something is subconscious, it's out of reach for us to act on (unless we are very finely tuned to our intuition/instincts, which obviously he wasn't because he had been continuously shamed out of them for 12 years).
More importantly, they controlled his language. If any person or movement (and this is happening a lot at the moment) redefines the meaning of words, or tells you what words you can and can't use, they are effectively controlling your thoughts, and therefore your actions. Dark stuff, and bless you Mark and Bonnie, for getting through it.
I absolutely adore Guy Pearce….so great to see him and hear him. Thank you for sharing.
Thx to both of you for this beautiful conversation. Guy i adore you, i still remember your great performance in Melbourne when you sang your second album live THE NOMAD. Beautiful voice and beautiful soul. Thank you for all your wonderful creations you have given out to us in this world. Mad respect to you both.
What a brilliant, brilliant conversation. Thank you Mark and thank you Guy. Guy is such an authentic, down to earth, honest individual and, Mark, your interview style allowed for so much natural conversation to happen. I'm so glad your experience has led to positive, productive outcomes and I am especially happy that you and Bonnie have found your way through together.
Through some of my own experiences I realise I have been close to 3 charismatic type cult leaders, which thankfully never grew further, but I do understand how people become convinced of the possibilities without seeing the danger.
You really nailed it at the end, all the bs you went through was in the end was to wake you up to your own self and finally see the worth within yourself instead of looking for it in other people.
I could listen to you guys talk for hours. The authenticity you both have is just so calming and lovely 🫶🏻✨💖
Guy Pearce needs much more recognition, incredible actor.
Interesting talk. Clicked here cos I love the Jack Irish series. Guy Pearce is so personable. Now Im off to see where I can see The Vow.
Great conversation!! Both of you brought such deep and intriguing questions and answers to the table! I would love to see a Part 2!
I loved this honest conversation and thanks.
That was soo cool. As someone who watched the vow to many times to count, I guess it’s power for me was every time I watched it, I learned something different about Human Nature and come to terms with that type of toxicity from my own past. Well done Mark. And Guy Pearce keep up the good work mate. Aroha from NZ.
Thank you both for sharing how you've dealt with anxiety and vulnerability and getting to know oneself in uncomfortable circumstances. You both are so genuine, and I appreciated the honesty about your life experiences.
What a great conversarion! My fave movie with Guy is Dating the Enemy, i must have watched it 4000 times. Thank you so much for bringing him on!
Yes that one is a gem totally 90s
This was amazing! Do it again! Por favor 🙏😉
These are my favourite kind of conversations; many thanks Mark and Guy.
These are the discussions I love to have with my friends and family. It was a joy to hear from you both; two thoughtful men being curious and genuine! More, please!
Keeping in a place of well being is difficult but when you are in the flow it is worth all the greatest challenges that brings you peace love and light..❤
I really enjoyed this interview with you both. I’ve always loved Guy Pearce in films, but never seen an interview with him. He seems such a genuine and down to earth person. Very articulate, asked very straight to the heart questions and this while interview was really enjoyable to listen to. I’m away to watch the Vow and the Clearing now. 🙌🏼❤️
You might want to see this Australian movie from early in Guy Pearce's career ... it's free on some weird name channel... just type in
THE HARD WORD
and the movie comes up .
Very good story .
I look at how the world has changed so much over the last 50 years for me, and I would love to recapture that feeling of genuine connection that comes organically from not being afraid of it. I think so many of us are just afraid now. It’s quite sad, and I often feel ripped off…especially when I see how it seems to be playing out in younger generations.
I love this interview so much. My favorite moment is when Guy Pearce explains his quest for emotional honesty as: "I just wanna be true!" Lovely. I hope Mark interviews Jason Beghe as well.
I'm a long time fan of Guy Pearce the actor. I watch anything with his name on it. I'm meeting Guy the person for the first time. Non only is Guy a creative artist, but a deep thinker, and a man who truly cares for humanity. I'm a cynic, but Guy's rhetoric tears it all down. Thank your Guy, for all the entertaining hours, and showing us a wonderful personal side.
The film has an interesting story that includes a heist ... you might like it
This was one of the most refreshing conversations I’ve sat in on in ages! Stimulating and engaging with a side of mutual respect! So wholesome! Thank you! ❤
I was in a cult with a guru and teachings lifted from Osho for over 17 years. I know exactly what the traumas are and it’s been 13 years since I left and I’m only now starting to come out of the feelings of betrayal and deep depression. It’s healing to hear that others have had a similar experience. I think I’m ready to tell my story.
Because I questioned the holiness of the teacher, I lost my community, my marriage and in many ways my spiritual identity. Then 6 months after banishment the teacher died so there was no going back. Years of despair and loneliness. People, it can take a long time, many years to heal if the subconscious connection to the leader is strong.
Getting to know 'Guy, the man' is a wonderful experience. Really. We all know how talented he is etc... But I just learned how beautiful he is as a person. He's genuine, bright, intelligent, interested in other people, honest, self-examining and self-correcting. Respect. Mark, I had a very similar experience waking up from scientology. The absolute betrayal never really leaves you, and the decompression takes years to subside. My only therapy has been the likes of you and the ex-scientology youtubers. Great chat fella's.
SPTV is the best. So many stories, so much knowledge. And Serge is going to put a rocket up Child Services about the practices in 'hotels'.
Good luck moving forward . We care for you 🙂
I loved this conversation! I love how it's not a standard interview where one asks and the other answers. I didn't know I was joining a cult back in 1991, but the love bombing totally sucked me in. Keep an eye out for that!
How cool to have Guy on the podcast! Great actor and a really great guy. ( pun absolutely intended) I can absolutely see how you two could get on so well and probably do great work together! I truly have so much respect for you Mark and you are great.✌️💜
Guy pierce wowza! What a hunk, as we used to say. He always seemed to have such a mystique and such a brooding personality. My favorites are his part in Mildred Pierce and also A Slipping Down lLife. It's always great to hear someone like that talk for a long time and you get to know them.
Guy is one of my all time favorite actors and it is a real treat that we can see a back and forth dialogue, with this notoriously reclusive and private actor. Such a versatile actor! 🤘🏻
BEAUTIFUL, beautiful conversation. Thank you both!
Excellent interview with Guy. I really enjoyed the conversation between the two of you. I hope you get to work together on a project because you both really do "get" each each other and can create something amazing.
I'm Australian and loved Guy all the way back in Neighbours. He was great in Priscilla Queen of the Desert and The Time Machine.
Thank you. That was a wonderful conversation!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wonderful discussion - amazing, this psychology of minipulation and how vulnerable people can be in a group setting. Gaslighting seems a common tool in the arsenal of cult leaders.
Xx
This is extraordinary. So invested in the discussion. Any cult is like this. Guy is totally interested in the human state as an actor love it. Thank you. Just subscribed.
Everyone experiences pain, happiness, love, etc completely differently and if there is ONE compassionate thing we can all do without hurting ourselves is to understand that little gap, that can become a wide river.
Loved this. Thank you both for making this happen 🙏 such a valuable conversation 💛✌ the part at the end where you talk about getting to come home to realizing the things you're admiring in a projected manner are already present within you gave me the chills and happy tears. Heart hugs and big THANKS!!!
Amazing Human...much insight🙏
I share Guy Pearce's reluctant independent streak, having a hard time asking for help etc. but when I do end up in a group I thrive and excel and wonder why I don't do this all the time. Yet when it ends I'm right back where I was. In 1995, for instance, I became a photographer/lifeguard/counselor at a Unitarian family camp at Cass Lake Minnesota. The camp has been there for 100 years practically it's called Camp Unistar and it's on an island. You are very sort of your own thing out there and oh my God I had the time of my life working within the group. All I wanted to do after I left at the end of the summer was go back.
I never understood, despite that i had lived in a state based cult from my birth in Melbourne in 1953, until I was watching the Movie The Green Mile, written by Steven King and at the end when the falsly accused Coffey turned to the Boss of the prison and said "Boss, they take our love, and they turn it, and use it as a weapon against us. As soon as I heard that line I knew it was true and how the abusers of all sorts were so successful."A paradigm shift for me. No wonder Steven King is so well read, with wake up calls such as that.
Brilliant discussion and so refreshingly honest.
Really enjoyed this convo - thanks for being real ♥
Glad you enjoyed it!
I *love* Guy Pearce..!!
Your shows and channel are outstanding :) Been sending good energy and so happy to see how you are using what happened in such a special way. I am an artist loner like Guy and very independent so I relate so much :) What a thoughtful artists he is and you are as well. As a writer, producer myself, this is inspiring to see such deep conversation. Having directed and taught many actors for many years, I agree the great ones, like Guy, are so sensitive and committed to truth.
Thank you both❤
that was a super cool conversation to be privy to, to be a silent witness yet made to feel welcomed and a part of. Two interesting minds, genuinely interested in the other, void of ego, abundant with humility, grace & respect. Sharing with no fear of judgment the lived stories that we see with the passing of time, as wisdom. Thank you, to both of you. You're good men.
Guy Pierce is one of the few modern actors that I could watch in anything. I really enjoyed this chat
I just saw Guy in The Clearing. He was excellent as the most faithful and dedicated cult member. What a great guest!
EXCELLENT interview!!!
This was the best discussion I've heard in a long time. ..real, raw, authentic and vulnerable. As an ex jw so much resonated with me. I've just watched The Clearing and it conveyed very well the seductiveness of the cult leader. Guy's charcater was a 100% believer, and his conviction even surpassed the belief of the narcissistic leader. We see this happen in cults where the underlings can be more dangerous than the leader themself. I havent seen The Vow yet but I definitely will now.
I used to think that all actors were big fat liars then I came to a realization. They are searchers like we all are but they can walk a mile in my shoes and I can understand myself and others because of these explorers. Thank you and God Bless.
Such a great actor. One of my favourite movies being Priscilla. What a fab one, that I have watched countless times. Guy has so many talents. TFS this wonderful podcast. Cheers from Aussie. 🙏💜🇦🇺👍🏻
I have seen a lot of guys work over the years , never.heard him chat about hia life .. what a lovely fella .... im just listening to how he was finding a way to be with his mum once she became ill.
My mum had the early onset type of Alzheimers , still working, in her 50s
Being , very healthy and quiet young , she was with us over 20 59:55 more symptomatic. ..
We were lucky many exhibit behavioural problems and some physical bursts.of frustration and anger.
She was just the same in health and in.illness . I dont ever remember my mum saying one unkind remark her whole life , even at her most confused and upset (she became non verbal in the last few years).. a smile and holding her hand blew the clouds away.
It didnt really matter if wed heard it before it was pretty easy. Her sweet nature would be enough to givw you the patienve to struggle over the same fractured memories.again.
I just stumbled upon this, i guess i can thank the good old algorithm,lol. I really enjoyed this though and i love the direction these guys are taking the conversation in. Its a time of change, maybe THE time of change, we all feel it. Time to get real.
Guy is one of the best actors, since Ravenous I followed his each project, great actor.
Very interesting. Both as a once drama student and also from the perspective of being 'caught up' (for want of a better term) in a pentecostal 'cult' in Scotland. The Australian leader had connections in Geelong Revival Centres 'church' funnily enough. I see the BS pretty fast now, after 25 years in the cult and now 10 years out. I will look up The Vow, and The Clearing. This interview covered so much that was very familiar to me. Thanks.
I absolutely loved this interview back and forth! ❤❤❤ I am an Aussie and never have really heard Guy speak about anything! He is so real, caring, raw! Thank you for having him on your show! I have never watched you either, Mark! You two are so similar! I will be watching you a lot now! Thank you 🇦🇺 😊
One of my generations greatest actors.
Very outstanding.
A rare opportunity indeed.
The effort of pretending and defending and indeed acting a certain way due to the controlling expectations of another person - that part resonated. I think there is some similarity to a cult way of operating in the tiny cult of an abusive family, I think I was in a tiny cult of 3 people with one leader who ruled by fear. It’s similar but on a much larger scale, so perhaps that’s why I find myself drawn to watching and reading so much about cult mind control and experiences.
Love the authenticity & integrity of both you guys, (pardon the pun.) It's refreshing & real. Have always enjoyed listening to any interviews with Guy, his depth of self & questioning life. Thanks for having this conversation.
Incredible and insightful discussion. Thank you. ❤
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great interview and few reflective takeaways for me. Thank you both.
Great episode. Thank you both.
I’m an actor, director & acting coach: good acting isn’t lying - at least it isn’t if you’re doing a good job because the emotions are REAL; the stimuli for those emotions may not be real but the actual response has to be in order to move an audience.
Such an incredible discussion learing so much from you and every guest you have brought on!
First time I've watched Guy Pearce in an interview. It's always great when you see an actor who you can clearly see is unaffected by the fame and Hollywood BS. Good bloke ! 👍
Edit - I watched The Vow last week and its the best documentary I've ever seen. A real insight into human manipulation and vulnerability.
That was absolutely amazing thank you so much..
Beautiful men 🌟
I can dito so much of what Guy says in the beginning. I have been fascinated by cults and how/why people are drawn in. Perhaps that is why I at a later stage studied for a BA in Social Anthropologist.
Thank you for sharing this conversation, enlightening and love the candid self awareness of one of my favourite artists, Guy Pearce. Wishing you both joy, peace and harmony and watching out for bs. 👏
That was a wonderful conversation to listen to. Thank you for sharing it with me.
Respect mark…fellow South African 🙏🌹🌹🌹
His studio is impressive. There's some vintage synths. Is that a WASP behind the acoustic guitar? Also beautiful Telecasters and maybe a Danelectro (?) above them.
This was an excellent talk to listen to. It makes me want to hear Guy interview people on the regular himself, as he has a perfect demeanour & approach for it 😅 Mark, this is my first time coming across you, and I appreciate how gentle & humble you are despite what you've been through.
Very insightful Gentlemen, Thank you.
There were some aspects you both highlighted that resonate with my own experiences, and one of the things that helped me recognise what I was personally dealing with, that I wanted to share in case anyone else needed it - was Dr Les Carter's channel, Surviving Narcissism. I had no idea what was happening while in that relationship, just that I felt confusing alarm bells in my body constantly. The longer I was away, the more clear it became, and the side that I often don't hear anyone talk about, is how one tends to face their own narcissism after, as a weird side effect. Its then we have a choice - become what we experienced, or drop everything we thought we knew to become the most authentic, real person we can be. Horrible to go through, but so grateful for these opportunities to choose betterment & truth 🙏🏼💓
Well said! ✌️💜
I love Pricilla queen of the desert!
Great episode... Guy would be PERFECT to play Keith in the inevitable film about your experience...