During a recent appearance on Conan O’Brien‘s talk show, comedian Danny McBride shared some interesting insights about his upbringing and how it influenced his career. McBride, known for his roles in shows like “Eastbound & Down” and movies like “Pineapple Express,” opened up about growing up in Georgia and rural Virginia. He described himself as a latchkey kid who had a lot of alone time.
One unique aspect of McBride’s childhood was the fact that he lived near a prison. His father worked as a guard at the prison, and their family actually lived on the prison reservation. McBride recalled that they were surrounded by people who were incarcerated, and they stayed there for about four years. While it was a bit of a crazy experience, McBride admitted that he wasn’t scared except for one night when the sirens went off and there was a jailbreak. His father had to grab a shotgun and jump into the back of a pickup truck with their friends’ dads to go after the escaped prisoners.
After his father was transferred to the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Washington, D.C., McBride’s family moved to Virginia, where he spent the rest of his childhood. He mentioned how he didn’t quite fit in with some aspects of Southern culture, as his mother was from Pennsylvania and they lived in a more diverse area of Northern Virginia. However, McBride fondly remembered meeting kids with thick Southern accents and trying to imitate them to feel more like he belonged.
From a young age, McBride had a passion for movies and TV. He was more interested in those mediums than sports or other typical hobbies. He even attempted to make movies in his backyard with his friends. This love for storytelling led McBride to pursue film school at the North Carolina School of the Arts, where he met fellow creatives like Judd Apatow, Seth Rogen, and David Gordon Green, who have become longtime collaborators for McBride.
McBride explained how their shared experiences of attending a relatively small and lesser-known film program instilled in them a sense of camaraderie and the idea of supporting each other throughout their careers. They all felt like outsiders in the industry, and being away from the resources and opportunities that other aspiring filmmakers had only strengthened their bond.
During the interview, McBride and Conan O’Brien also discussed their shared love for Airbnb. McBride joked about making some extra money by renting out his place while he stayed with his mom in Michigan. He emphasized that hosting while traveling was a great way to offset the cost of trips and make the most of an empty space.
Towards the end of their conversation, O’Brien and McBride dived into their shared fascination with “The Goonies,” a beloved 1980s film. McBride, who visited the famous filming locations with his kids, mentioned that he loved the movie because it featured kids his age cursing and going on adventures. The actors even jokingly discussed a “Goonies Never Say Die” catchphrase.
Overall, Danny McBride‘s appearance on Conan O’Brien‘s talk show was filled with entertaining anecdotes about his upbringing near a prison, his love for movies and TV, and his genuine passion for collaboration in the industry. McBride’s humor and down-to-earth personality shone through, making for an enjoyable and lively conversation.
