Jackie Hoffman in 'Feud' / Andrew Werner
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Jackie Hoffman has been in many television shows, many movies, and has been on the New York Stage too many times to count. However, it was her Emmy Nominated role as Mamacita in Ryan Murphy’s Emmy Nominated “Feud: Bette and Joan” that shot her into super stardom. I thought it was a good time to sit down with Jackie for this exclusive Hotspots interview, as she is about to perform at the Sunshine Cathedral on Saturday, February 29 as part of the Outlandish Performance Series.

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Were you always a ham, even as a kid, or when did the performing bug bite you?

I was a prenatal ham.

What was your first professional/paid gig?

Shootout at the trailblazer saloon at Hershey Park in Hershey, PA.

When did you realize performing would be your career?

I wanted it as long as I can remember. I realized it would be my career when I joined Second City comedy troupe in Chicago.

You have guest appeared on too many TV shows, movies, and theater to mention. Do you have a favorite(s) of each and why?

That’s a good question. Hard to pick one for TV, but I’ll say either The Cosby Show or Dan Aykroyd’s sitcom Soul Man, because the other guest stars were John Goodman and Big Bird.

For movies it’s John Waters’ A Dirty Shame. Watch it and you’ll see why.

For theater I usually say On the Town, but since this is a gay publication so I’ll say Xanadu.



You have also done a lot of voice over work. Is there a favorite character that you do a voice for and why (no pressure, but I love Family Guy)?

Family Guy I said three words! I played Dilbert’s mother on the short lived Dilbert series, and that was my favorite.

Your solo shows at Joe’s Pub used to be a New Yorkers secret gem, but I think Andy Cohen has opened it up to the world. Do you write all the shows yourself?

I write with the help of my director Michael Schiralli. I write the song lyrics myself, and my piano player rights the music. Usually it’s Bobby Peaco who is amazing.

How did you get cast in Feud as Mamacita, and how hard was it to get into character?

I was cast off of an audition tape, and I had worked with Ryan Murphy before so he knew me; once I got into drag and was face to face with Jessica Lange’s Joan Crawford it wasn’t hard to get into character at all.

How amazing was it to work with two legends….Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon?

Beyond amazing but you’ll hear all about that in my show!

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Your facial expression at the Emmys when you did not win (I am still in disbelief over) was priceless. Was it planned or was it something you just came up with?

Planned.

You recently were on Broadway in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Tell us about that experience? 

It was a fun show to do and I was all over the second act which I loved, but of course it attracted too many children.

Do you have a fantasy role (a role you haven’t played yet, but are dying to)?

I got to play Winifred in a production of Once Upon a Mattress, and once you get a taste of that stardom baby… so I’d have to say anything that makes a mark!

You are coming to town as part of the Outlandish Performance Series on February 29, and your show is entitled: “Themeless.” What should the South Florida audiences expect from this show?

Not a theme but lot of laughs!

For more information on Jackie Hoffman, you can follow her on Twitter.com/JackieHoffman16

Tickets for Jackie Hoffman’s Themeless start at $35 at OutlandishFL.com. Premium seating and VIP tickets (including an artist meet-and-greet) are also available.