Tony Hale Cheers Himself Up With ‘Veep’ Blooper Reels

Tony Hale, known for his unforgettable roles in acclaimed series like Arrested Development and Veep, where he earned two Primetime Emmys, is diving into new creative territory with Sketch, a film that’s been nearly eight years in the making. In a recent interview conducted mid-road trip between Georgia and Florida, Hale opened up about the deeply personal and emotionally resonant nature of this latest project — and the joy he found in being part of it from start to finish.

“I’ve been so grateful for every job I’ve had,” Hale says. “But there’s something transformative about being involved in a project from its very inception. Being part of the creative process from day one — I’ve never felt such euphoria as I did on our final day of filming Sketch.”

A Story That Blends Grief and Imagination

Sketch, hitting theaters this Wednesday, is a deeply emotional story masked as a fantastical adventure. Hale plays a widowed father trying to navigate life with his two children after the loss of his wife. His 10-year-old daughter, overwhelmed by grief, begins expressing her pain through violent and surreal illustrations — terrifying monsters that, in the film’s universe, begin to come to life.

“It’s like Jurassic Park meets Inside Out,” Hale explains, pointing to the film’s balance of psychological depth and creative spectacle. “It’s about managing grief, but through a lens of childhood imagination and magic.”

Directed by Seth Worley, known for his background in visual effects, Sketch achieves a remarkable visual authenticity. Hale praises the unique approach: “The creatures don’t feel like digital animations. They actually look like a child drew them — whether it’s crayon, pencil, or Sharpie. There’s a rawness that makes it even more emotional.”

Creating a Family-Friendly Film That Adults Can Enjoy

Both Worley and Hale set out with a specific goal — to create a movie that families could enjoy together without parents dreading the fifth rewatch. The result is a smart, heartfelt narrative laced with enough humor, emotional insight, and visual flair to appeal across generations.

“The humor is elevated,” Hale adds. “Seth really nailed the tone. It’s funny, it’s moving, and visually, it’s stunning. I can actually watch this with my family on repeat without losing my mind — that’s saying something!”

Beyond his latest work, Hale opened up about some of his favorite things — sources of joy and meaning that help him stay grounded amid a career filled with big characters and busy schedules.

10 of Tony Hale’s Favorite Things

1. Bloopers and Gag Reels: The Unsung Joy of Comedy

“If there was a Comic-Con exclusively for bloopers, I’d be front row every year,” Hale jokes. He’s obsessed with behind-the-scenes mistakes — from The Office to Saturday Night Live — and finds joy in their spontaneity. “There’s something deeply freeing in unscripted, accidental laughter. I’ve got every Veep gag reel on my Dropbox as a personal antidepressant.”

2. Orangetheory Fitness: Heart Rate as Motivation

“I don’t love gyms, but I love Orangetheory,” he says. The structured workouts, focused on hitting a specific heart rate zone, make him feel like he’s living in a video game. “I get competitive with myself. It’s kind of ridiculous how pumped I get when I see that orange zone.”

3. Grocery Stores That Feel Like Home

Hale loves grocery chains — especially when he’s on the road. “I can walk into a Trader Joe’s in a different state and feel totally at home. Sometimes I don’t even buy anything. I just roam the aisles for comfort.”

Other favorites include Piggly Wiggly, Publix, Winn-Dixie, and Whole Foods. “It’s nostalgia and familiarity wrapped in fluorescent lighting.”

4. Wedding Dance Floors: His Favorite Stage

“I’ve never been a nightclub guy. But put me on a wedding dance floor and I lose my mind,” he laughs. “I’m sure I embarrass my wife. My daughter too. But that’s part of being a dad, right?”

5. Spiritual Inspiration from Henri Nouwen

Alongside literary greats like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, Hale turns to Catholic priest Henri Nouwen for wisdom. “His book The Inner Voice of Love is full of raw, vulnerable insights about faith and life,” Hale says. “I have his quotes taped all over my desk like a crime scene wall. It keeps me centered.”

6. Folk Music and Hymns That Soothe the Soul

Musicians like Patty Griffin, Rich Mullins, Penny & Sparrow, and The Lone Bellow dominate Hale’s playlists. “There’s a simplicity to their music. It feels like a warm hug,” he explains. “When I listen, my body relaxes. It tells me everything’s going to be okay.”

7. Hyperrealistic Painting: A Dream Skill

“If I could master any artistic skill, it’d be realism in painting,” he confesses. “It’s honestly mind-blowing. I look at some of these pieces and think, ‘How is this even possible?’ That’s divine-level talent — no class can teach that.”

8. Free Parking: The Unsung Luxury

After decades living in parking-starved cities like New York and Los Angeles, Hale appreciates the simple luxury of an open parking spot. “In Alabama, where I now spend a lot of time, there’s often a spot right up front. It’s pure dopamine,” he jokes. “I never take it for granted.”

9. Kindness: The Ultimate Superpower

“I just don’t get mean people,” Hale says. “Kindness is so easy. Ego and entitlement? They destroy joy and creativity.”

For him, true magic lies in selflessness. “When people look beyond themselves and serve others — whether in art or in life — it’s transformative. And the best part? It blesses them as much as the person they’re helping.”

10. Laughter That Hurts — In the Best Way

“There’s no better therapy than laughing with friends until you’re physically in pain,” he says. “That kind of laugh — the can’t-breathe, dry-heaving kind — is sacred. I honestly think it should count as a spiritual practice.”