Talking With Actor Chad Coe from ‘On Swift Horses’

This edition of Talking With focuses on Chad Coe, who appears as the fearless poker player Glen going up against Jacob Elordi in the unconventional love triangle drama ‘On Swift Horses,’ from Sony Pictures Classics.

Previously, this 6’5” tall talent from Detroit, Michigan, burst into your living room as Lisa Ann Walter’s brother Seamus Schemmenti on the ABC comedy ‘Abbott Elementary’. He also went up against Kathy Bates on the CBS drama reboot ‘Matlock’ and appeared in ‘Modern Family,’ ‘Colony,’ and ‘Matador’ among other credits.

To learn more, we are Talking With Chad Coe:

Who is Glen in ‘On Swift Horses’?

Chad Coe: Glen is a poker player, who isn’t afraid to take a risk going toe-to-toe with the character Julius played by Jacob Elordi. Dressing up and playing in the 1950’s was a dream come true. Director Dan Minahan and Jacob Elordi gave me lots of room to play as an actor. And they couldn’t have been any nicer to work with.

As an actor, what helped you the most in bringing this character to life?

Chad Coe: In college I played a lot of poker to pay my bills. Two of my college roommates during that time went on to be professional poker players so I felt like I understood the reality of sitting at a table winning and losing. I am also a firm believer that whatever is happening on set is the energy to tap into. Some of the poker scenes were the very first day of filming so there is always a nervous energy and an excited energy that is there to take advantage of. I was able to utilize that.

Do you have a favorite scene from the movie? And was it also your favorite to shoot?

Chad Coe: The poker scene with Jacob Elordi is my favorite. It feels like kids playing make believe. You are playing high stakes poker in the 1950s. You are a pirate. You are a space cowboy. These are moments when you pinch yourself and say, “Is this real?” It was my favorite to shoot because I love poker and still play at home games from time to time. Those guys I play with will be really jealous when they see slinging cards on a 50-foot screen.

What do you think moviegoers to take away from this film?

Chad Coe: I think audiences will have a deeper understanding of what it was to have to hide who you are in the 1950s. To be Queer or labeled different in those times was very dangerous. I think we can all feel like outsiders at times or that perhaps we have hidden parts of ourselves away. These are very human relatable things these characters are going through told in a beautiful way.

You’ve also popped up on television recently. What can you tell us about working on ‘Abbott Elementary’ and ‘Matlock’?

Chad Coe: I have been very lucky recently. Matlock was unbelievable. I walk into this fully built courtroom and once again I am playing make believe like I am a kid again. Playing Jeremy Stone the bad guy who Kathy Bates grills on the stand was a dream come true. I can’t tell you how wild it is to work with someone who you have seen in movies your entire life. She was so generous in our scenes together and did everything with such grace. I was happy to be her foil for a little while.

Switching from Drama to comedy I also was privileged enough to join the cast of Abbott Elementary as Melissa Schemmenti’s brother Seamus Schemmenti. This was such a fun experience. It is a mockumentary style comedy like The Office and as a matter of fact the director Randall Einhorn was the DP on The Office so he helped create the style that is so prevalent today. One of the tenets of that style is the direct to camera eye roll and I got to do my first one. It was another pinch me moment. I was able to be part of a Christmas episode where everyone gets together. My mother was played by the incomparable Talia Shire from Rocky and Godfather. When I was a kid I wore out that Rocky VHS so to have her play my mother was thrilling. I hope I helped deliver some Schemmenti style Laughs.

Does your creative process change depending on the role, genre, format (film or TV)?

Chad Coe: At the end of the day, it is just about being truthful in imaginary circumstances. Some circumstances are bigger than others or require a different dialect or wardrobe, but it is always about listening and being of service to the story. I think that is a long-winded way of saying no it all feels the same.

Your roots are in theater. How have you used that experience to help with your on-camera roles?

Chad Coe: Yes. Denzel Washington famously said that “actors learn to act on stage.” And I agree with him wholeheartedly. I have been doing plays for a long time and all that experience has allowed me to go in and out of character with a tremendous amount of confidence. There is a stereotype of theatre actors being too big but if you look at Jack nicholson or Al pacino they are big and some of the greatest actors ever. It is all about being truthful. Theatre also helps you use your whole body and voice. Sometimes on camera actors can feel stuck in a frame.

What inspires you the most creatively?

Chad Coe: I just saw Jack White in a small concert at the Hollywood Palladium. Here is someone that does not use a set list. He goes by the feel of the audience and chooses the next song to play. Now the songs are rehearsed with the band, but they are a little different every time. It was the perfect combination of precision and freedom. That is what I aim to do as an Actor. I want to tell the story in the most alive way possible. I want the audience to think they just found that guy off the street who was the thing and put him in the film or tv show.

Finally, is there anything else you’re working on that we can watch for?

Chad Coe: Coming later this year, I will star in the indie feature film People Passing, described as dark-inspirational-Christmas-comedy about a web of Hollywood wannabes who come together for their famous comic friends' wake. In addition, I am set to appear in Jamie Anderson’s new female-driven comedy television show Pumas.

Keep up with Chad Coe on Instagram @chadmcoe and Facebook: /chadmcoe