Taking Pride in Your Career: Tim Bagley on Learning, Growing, and Staying True to Yourself

Veteran actor Tim Bagley joins John Frank Levey to discuss his remarkable three-decade career spanning hundreds of roles. 

From his early days studying with renowned acting coaches to becoming a Groundlings mainstay, Tim shares how his commitment to authenticity and continuous growth has shaped his craft and journey as an openly gay performer in Hollywood.

Through candid stories about his experiences on shows like ER, Southland, and Somebody Somewhere, Tim reveals how he approaches each character with empathy and psychological depth – whether playing a flasher, an OCD patient, or a Supreme Court clerk opposite Sally Field. 

The conversation explores how his background in improv and dedication to ongoing training have enabled him to tackle dramatically diverse roles while staying true to himself.

In this episode:

• How Tim discovered his comedic voice through The Young Americans and The Groundlings
• The psychology behind creating authentic characters, even in challenging roles
• His groundbreaking LGBTQ representation on Will & Grace and beyond
• Learning valuable lessons from being fired and the importance of letting go
• His experience with loss during the AIDS crisis and its impact on his career choices
• The value of continued acting training and study throughout one's career
• Working with acclaimed actors like Sally Field and Regina King

Tim's story exemplifies how embracing authenticity, both personally and professionally, while maintaining a spirit of continuous learning can lead to a rich and enduring career in the arts.

TV shows and plays discussed in this conversation:

• Curb Your Enthusiasm (TV)
• ER (TV)
• Hacks (TV)
• Hello, Dolly! (stage play)
• Perfect Couple (TV)
• Shameless (TV)
• Somebody Somewhere (TV)
• Southland (TV)
• Teachers (TV)
• The Court (TV)
• Will & Grace (TV)
• Wings (TV)

Connect 

• Connect with Tim on Instagram: @iamtimbagley, and visit his website, timbagley.com
• Connect with John on Instagram: @john_frank_levey_
• Click here to order a signed copy of John's memoir, Right for the Role.

Acknowledgments

Photographer Eusebio Hernandez specializes in “hero shots” — his own artistic spin on headshots. He helped John Frank Levey, who typically hates having his picture taken, feel comfortable enough to get a great shot for his memoir "Right for the Role." Learn more at www.heroshots.la.

The Right for the Role podcast would not have been possible without the generous support of PBS Management, Karen Cease, and the estate of Peg Sweesy.

Many thanks to my producers, Jerod Morris  and Trudi Roth of It’s the TruStory