David Mamet on Great Writing, Bad Acting, His New Film & Hollywood’s Collapse

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, screenwriter, and director David Mamet joins Raymond Arroyo for a no-holds-barred conversation about the state of the arts, storytelling, and America itself. 🎬 David Mamet’s Henry Johnson is available for rental and in theaters on May 9th @ henryjohnsonmovie.com From Glengarry Glen Ross and The Untouchables to House of Games and his new film Henry Johnson, Mamet reflects on his legendary career — and why so much of today’s creative industry is broken. He explains why modern acting training misses the mark, what makes great writing timeless, and how the rise of bureaucracy and groupthink led to Hollywood’s artistic collapse. Along the way, Mamet shares wild stories about hanging out with con men, why he never rehearses actors, how improv and Harold Pinter influenced his work, and the surprising truth behind his religious awakening and political shift. Whether he's dismantling method acting or defending Donald Trump, Mamet never backs down from the truth as he sees it. 🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring conversations: Arroyo Grande, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, and everywhere you listen, watch & stream.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.