Gwyneth Paltrow Returns to Acting, Opens Up About Codependency, Divorce, and Finding Herself Again
On the latest episode of Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” podcast, Gwyneth Paltrow discusses her return to acting in “Marty Supreme,” working with director Josh Safdie, and the personal growth that came with a decade-long break from Hollywood.
The Return to Acting
After a 10-year hiatus from film, Gwyneth Paltrow is back on screen in Josh Safdie’s “Marty Supreme,” playing a character who mirrors her own experience: an actress returning to the craft after a long absence.
I think I missed this. It felt so unique and special. Everyone’s great at their job, and it felt like we were making something worthwhile.
— Gwyneth Paltrow
Paltrow describes the moment in the film when her character acts on stage for the first time in 25 years as particularly resonant. Safdie scheduled this scene to be the first thing they shot, capturing the raw vulnerability of that moment.
She turns to me and says, ‘I hope I remember how to do this.’ This person I looked up to, one of the greatest actors, coming to me so vulnerable. It was so human. It was so perfect.
— Josh Safdie
Working with Josh Safdie
When asked about Safdie’s directing style, Paltrow reveals his kinetic, unpredictable approach kept her on her toes.
You never quite know what he’s going for. He’ll ask you to do something one way, then the exact opposite, then back to the first way. You’re like, ‘What do you want?’ I think that’s by design to unearth something surprising.
— Gwyneth Paltrow
Safdie, speaking to Poehler before Paltrow joined, shared why he wrote the role specifically for her:
I have this memory of her as a teenager in movies like ‘Seven,’ ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley,’ ‘Great Expectations.’ She’s talked about as a movie star who hasn’t acted in a long time. That was really special for her because it was easy for her to tap into that.
—Gwyneth Paltrow
On Being Projected Upon
Poehler and Paltrow discuss the unique burden of being one of Hollywood’s most projected-upon figures.
She can withstand being looked at. That’s a hard thing. I can’t. I got married at city hall partially because I didn’t want to stand on an aisle and get looked at.
— Amy Poehler
Paltrow reflects on her 2014 “conscious uncoupling” announcement and the intense public reaction it sparked.
People had such big reactions because it was personal. If you had a really nasty divorce or your parents did, and then you hear this idea that it doesn’t have to be done this way, the implicit learning is like, ‘Oh fuck, they’re saying I did something wrong.’ That makes sense to me.
— Gwyneth Paltrow
Codependency and Finding Her Voice
One of the most revealing segments comes when Paltrow opens up about her journey from codependency to directness.
I’m a recovering codependent. I used to do anything and everything not to say the thing that would make the waters choppy. Then I realized how many more problems I caused.
— Gwyneth Paltrow
She describes working with a coach around age 40 to learn how to hold the uncomfortable feelings of disappointing others.
When you don’t say what needs to be said to spare somebody’s feelings, you’re rejecting the truest part of yourself. It’s going to come out another way. You’ll end up being dishonest, stringing out some lame relationship for eight extra months, treating them not so nicely because you’ve stuck yourself in something.
— Gwyneth Paltrow
It’s so self-honoring when you just speak the truth. You can do it very kindly. It’s not your responsibility to take care of somebody’s feelings when you’ve simply said the truth.
— Gwyneth Paltrow
Looking Back on Her Filmography
The episode includes a speed round through Paltrow’s iconic roles, from “The Royal Tenenbaums” to “Iron Man.”
On Margot Tenenbaum:
She’s so cool. With her wooden finger, her cigar. I had quit smoking and then I had to smoke in the movie. I was like, ‘Oopsy, I guess I smoke again.’
— Gwyneth Paltrow
On “Sliding Doors”:
The film remains a cultural touchstone, with people constantly referencing their own “Sliding Doors moments.”
On “Contagion” during the pandemic:
Everyone was watching it. Everyone got really into dark [stuff]. They wanted to see you dying from [your character]. It was very weird.
— Gwyneth Paltrow
Now I’m able to feel the impact of the work I did earlier in my life for the first time. People send me 10 pictures every Halloween of Margot Tenenbaum costumes. They say, ‘I had a Sliding Doors moment.’ It’s like, yes. Cultural things that stuck.
— Gwyneth Paltrow
The Nicole Kidman Mix-Up
In a moment Poehler says she’ll “never forget for the rest of my life,” she admits to mistaking Paltrow for Nicole Kidman when discussing “Cold Mountain” — a film Paltrow wasn’t even in.
I just want you to know this is an honest mistake. Nicole Kidman and I are very interchangeable.”
— Gwyneth Paltrow
Health, Wellness, and Bone Density
The conversation turns to Paltrow’s wellness empire and the constant scrutiny it receives.
On cold plunging for women:
Cold plunging is not unilaterally terrible for women, but we need to listen to ourselves. Maybe not water quite as cold as the men, maybe not quite as long. If we’re exhausted, it can be quite taxing on the body. But there are still benefits for us.
— Gwyneth Paltrow
On bone density:
We’re gonna talk to our doctor about potential estrogen supplementation. We’re gonna do heavy weights. I do it on this giant really heavy Pilates reformer thing called the Lree. And we’re gonna guzzle down protein 70 times a day.
— Gwyneth Paltrow
On bone broth:
For some reason, people thought I only drank bone broth. I’ll have it as like a cup of tea in the afternoon. That’s my favorite way to have it. It’s fantastic for your gut, full of protein and collagen.
— Gwyneth Paltrow
Sleep Routine and Nightly Rituals
Paltrow shares her non-negotiable evening practices.
I have to take a bath every night. If there’s not a bathtub, then I have to shower. I got to get the day off with water.
— Gwyneth Paltrow
She’s also a proponent of early dinners and mouth taping.
I like dinner at 6:00. To be in bed and have eaten by 8:00 — is there anything better? I think about bedtime all day.
— Gwyneth Paltrow
“I’m a grinder, so mouth tape is helpful for me. I really believe there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. We’re all so different — different genetics, phenotypes, tolerances, allergies, toxic loads.
— Gwyneth Paltrow
Enneagram and Self-Discovery
When Poehler asks about her Enneagram type, Paltrow reveals she’s a Type One with a Nine wing.
I’m always trying to improve everything. We’re the reformer. Always refining to figure out what is a better way — to be efficient, to improve yourself, to feel contentment, to reduce inflammation, to be a good partner, to be a good divorce person.
— Gwyneth Paltrow
What Makes Her Laugh
The episode ends with Paltrow gushing about the SNL 50th anniversary sketch featuring Anna Faris and Will Forte as Bobby and Marty, a cult duo singing Kendrick Lamar.
It was such a win for the comedy kids. They literally followed Lauryn Hill. Their job was to settle everybody. They kept telling everyone to be quiet. It’s commitment. Character-based sketch comedy with music. That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever seen.
— Gwyneth Paltrow
The clip sends both women into uncontrollable laughter, resulting in the show’s first-ever spit take.
I’m sweating. I’m dying. I can’t breathe. It’s so funny.
— Gwyneth Paltrow
The Big Picture
Throughout the conversation, Paltrow emerges as someone who’s made peace with being misunderstood while remaining committed to sharing what she learns.
I’m such a researcher and such a guinea pig. I want to share the learnings. Take it or leave it. I’m not a gatekeeper. I’m trying this. Would you like to try this? I don’t think this works, but who knows?
— Gwyneth Paltrow
This recap is based on Gwyneth Paltrow’s appearance on the Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast. For the full episode, click on the YouTube link at the top or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
