Interview with Westworld’s Peter Abernathy: Louis Herthum

A unique glimpse into America’s Dad, Louis Herthum

One of the best things about Westworld is hands down, Louis Herthum. What he has brought to the show as Dolores’ dad, Peter Abernathy, is beyond compelling. He has been a fan favorite since Westworld came to life on HBO. Louis has been a hardworking actor in the business forever and there’s no stopping him now.

I got to interview Louis (because he is the nicest dude on the planet) and asked him some unique questions. I stayed away from the typical questions about working with Sir Anthony Hopkins on purpose. He’s answered those a billion times. Time for new questions outside of the loop.

He is taking over science fiction

Leigh: Thanks Louis for your time. Congratulations on all of your success on Westworld! You are definitely loved by the press and fans alike. You have been doing interviews like crazy and are such a good sport. Are you glitching in real life yet from all these darn interviews?

Louis: Haha! Well maybe a little bit. But I am just happy that those outlets want to talk to me.

Leigh: You were recently in “Kill All Others” – an episode of Electric Dreams. Your mustache in that episode was epic. Was it yours? This acclaimed series produced by Bryan Cranston is based on the short stories of Philip K. Dick. Do you have any favorite PKD books or movies?

Louis: Yes, the beard and mustache are all mine. My agent (Gregg Klein) said that my mustache should have received its own card (credit). I have never been that big of a Sci-Fi fan but certainly Blade Runner and Minority Report. I think like George Orwell’s 1984 and Stanley Kubrick 2001: A Space Odyssey, Dick had a real insight into the future that lied ahead. We could say the same about Michael Crichton with his original Westworld as well.

Leigh: You’re really excelling in science fiction! What do you love about this genre?

Louis: Well, as I say I have never been that big a sci-fi fan, but you’re right, I am loving it and certainly becoming more of a fan every day. Mainly because I think we are witnessing many of the things that the men I mentioned above were writing about, starting to come to fruition. As I have said before, I think Westworld is a cautionary tale. AI is upon us in a massive way and I am not convinced that it’s all a good idea.

Rod Serling, Star Trek, and Richard Donner

Leigh: Rod Serling and Gene Roddenberry were so ahead of their time. Do you have a favorite episode of The Twilight Zone or Star Trek?

Louis: GULP! I was never a Trekie. Though I did love Twilight Zone and most all of the episodes. In particular, the one where the couple wakes up and finds themselves in a completely artificial town only to discover that they are in a child’s dollhouse. That one really freaked me out as a kid. I remember one where a man couldn’t go to sleep because he was scared he would have a heart attack, due to a recurring nightmare.

There was the one with Elly May Clampett (Donna Douglas) where she had plastic surgery to look as ghoulish as the other people around her and of course (‘The Eye of the Beholder’), the very famous one with William Shatner where he sees the creepy dude on the wing of the plane. Scared the crap outta me when that reveal happened. And by the way, that episode was directed by Richard Donner who was responsible for me getting my SAG card on 1982 film, The Toy.

Leigh: Anyone who is connected to Richard Pryor is alright by me. He was a genius. Just when I thought you couldn’t get any cooler, you just did Louis!

Technology: Good or Evil?

Leigh: There’s so much technology on the show and in the world today. Do you think it’s bringing people closer together or pushing them farther apart?

Louis: Some of it is bringing people closer together but it seems it’s bringing them together so that they can scream and shout at each other and tell them how wrong they are to believe the way they do. So it’s doing both at the same time, sadly. The power structures of the world end up controlling all the newest technology at some point. And it seems that almost every new technology is sooner or later weaponized. And that is pretty scary when you consider how advanced we are now… and with the potential that lies ahead.

About the 1973 Westworld movie that started it all

Leigh: I’ve heard that you’re a big fan of the 1973 Westworld movie. What was your favorite part or scene in the movie? Mine is Yul Brynner – the original Man in Black. He was terrifying. What do you think of his performance?

Louis: Mr. Brynner was by far the most memorable thing in the film for me as well. When I first auditioned for the show I asked if we “hosts” should be like him, or more realistic. I was prepared to go there but did not have to. Except when glitching of course.

I think my favorite moment in the film was when Richard Benjamin and James Brolin are confronted by Brynner in the street, where it becomes clear that he wasn’t gonna take their crap anymore. After gunning down Brolin, he tells Benjamin to … “Draw.” Brynner’s performance was incredible. And that film was so very far ahead of its time.

Speaking of parks

Leigh: Michael Crichton wrote the book and directed the original Westworld. Allegedly, it was all inspired when Crichton was at Disneyland and saw the robotic Hall of Presidents attraction. When was the last time you went to Disneyland? What do you like most about it? And is it really the happiest place on earth?

Louis: Well the first time I went to Disneyland was probably about the same time Crichton did. 1972. The film came out in ’73. I saw those exhibits and they were impressive though today they would be rather sketchy. The last time I went to Disneyland was probably in the mid 80’s but I have been to Disney World in the last 7 years or so.

I like Disneyland much better because while there, you are completely surrounded by the park and all you see IS Disneyland. I love the vintage look of it as well. That is if it still has that look and feel–sure it does. In Disney World, you can see the outside world on the horizon. I like the completely enmeshed feel of the original park. Is it the happiest place on earth? Don’t know about that but it’s hard not to be happy when there.

He has a big heart in real life

Leigh: You bring a lot of emotion to your performances as Peter Abernathy on Westworld. You are a skilled craftsman and add such depth to every aspect of Peter. This must be because you have such a big heart. What causes or charities are you passionate about?

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Louis: Well, thank you. I do try to have a heart and I am very empathetic towards people. I find being kind and loving towards my fellow man is about the easiest thing in the world to do. Like you Leigh, I am so touched by the homeless situation in this country and certainly this city (Los Angeles). Child hunger is a much bigger problem in this country than most Americans realize and it’s heartbreaking.

I am also very sympathetic towards our vets. I think we have a long way to go in order to treat our vets the way they should be and deserve to be. Not just physically disabled vets but all vets because almost all who see combat are affected in some negative way. PTSD is very real. I was once held up at gunpoint and I can tell ya, it affects you. And what I experienced was nothing compared to being in a combat zone.

Life on and off the Westworld set

Leigh: Westworld can be very serious and the production level is so high. Are there any lighthearted moments on the set? What do you do to relax? Is there a Mediation for Hosts Class? Drum circles? Karaoke? Beer pong?

Louis: There are many lighthearted moments on set actually. Basically, they come from working with fun-loving, dedicated people who know exactly what they are doing. When the camera rolls, they are there 100%. And they are confident that that will be the case every time. This confidence leads to lighthearted moments between takes because everyone, cast and crew alike, are superb at what they do. No classes that I am aware of but I would be happy to attend any of the ones you mention. Would be a blast, I’m sure.

Leigh: Your character on Westworld has experienced a lot of different narratives and is quite literate. Have you ever busted out lines from Shakespeare in real life and what was the response?

Louis: Not really. Maybe … “To be, or not to be… that is the question” but then who hasn’t used that one? Even though I have done tons of theatre, I was never a big Shakespeare fan and have never done one of his plays. I have done soliloquies in class but never a play. But I have enjoyed doing my research while playing Pete.

His heroes

Leigh: You’ve been working as a successful actor for many years. Tons of people look up to you, your perseverance, and all that you have achieved. Do you have any personal heroes that inspire you?

Louis: Thank you, that’s very kind of you to say. My mother was my biggest hero. She was truly the most extraordinary person I have ever personally known. She always encouraged me, even when times were tough, she never ever suggested that I give up even though she probably wished I would have a few times. But she knew how much I wanted to be a successful actor and that I could eventually achieve that. So she never wavered from that support.

She started suffering from dementia just as my career was really taking off. So she never saw the real successes that I know she would have loved so much to see. She never didn’t recognize my sister or me, but I don’t think she could grasp how much work I was doing. Other heroes in life? Muhammad Ali was a huge hero to me. I loved everything about that man. I was even sitting 10th row, ringside when he regained the Heavyweight Title from Leon Spinks in 1978. Also, a man who is still a hero to me and one I greatly admire… Bruce Springsteen. I have seen Bruce in concert more times than I can remember. Both he and Leon Russell’s music got me through some really rough times.

Steve McQueen was/is a hero of mine but I have to admit, mainly because of the movie Bullitt and not so much as an acting hero. He was just cool as hell and no one has been or is any cooler.  And I would have to also name my uncle, Harold Herthum. He was a great man, generous and caring and by far the funniest person I have ever met. He played the doctor in the beginning of the film Forrest Gump. He passed in 1998 and I miss him every day.

Fighting for fellow actors in showbiz

Leigh: Besides acting in front of the camera, you’re very Involved in SAG-AFTRA. What are you hoping to change, improve, or achieve there?

Louis: Oh man. This is a delicate issue for me for many reasons. Let me just say this; actors are losing the ability to make a living in this industry. In my opinion, our leaders are not negotiating for the best interest of the membership. With “new media” being not only so prominent in the industry today, but the absolute future of the industry, I think we are leaving far too much on the table. We have been losing ground with every negotiation.

For example, the last contract was the worst in the union’s history. Our leaders loved telling us that they got us a 300% raise over 3 years for Netflix and Amazon residuals. But what they didn’t tell the members is that in so many cases mean, $9 turns to $27. The residuals for these outlets are a fraction of what network and syndicated shows would pay. It will ALL be new media soon. The lower rates will also mean less money going into the pension and health plans which could hurt them. And has.

We just learned that the SAG pension plan is at 78.15% funded. That is officially the “endangered zone”. Hard to imagine and one must ask… who is investing our money when the stock market is soaring and the economy is so strong? I am sure what I mentioned is at least one of the reasons we’re losing ground. In fact, the pension plan has lost 4% in the past 4 or 5 years. Would love an explanation as to why.

I could go on but I will leave it here. For now. But I will say this to any members out there reading this… get informed. Do not rely on your union telling you everything you need to know. They won’t. There have been many cases of fraud within the union’s pension plans over the last decade or so and we were never told about it. I love this saying… DANGER! INFORMED UNION MEMBER! Be dangerous.

Quick-fire questions

Leigh: Westworld is such an intellectual show. You have to pay attention and think. What was your favorite subject in school?

Louis: I loved history, but the writing part of my English classes were my favorite. And it’s a shame that I don’t do more of it now. I have so many stories that I want to turn into screenplays but I guess it is time and fear (that I will suck at it, regardless of my school days) that keep me from it.

Leigh: Are you up for some quick-fire questions?
Louis: Sure, why not?
Leigh: Describe the perfect day.
Louis: Nothing on the agenda so I start with a long walk on the beach in Santa Monica. Then lunch with a friend, then tooling up the coast in one of my vintage cars (’68 Mustang fastback or ’71 Corvette Stingray), then hearing about my daughter’s day in a long conversation, then having friends over for dinner and drinks. I’m easy.

Leigh: Describe the perfect meal.
Louis: Grilled shrimp, pasta (or even rice), a veggie, a salad (or just an avocado) and a nice glass (or two) of wine. Again, I’m easy.

Leigh: What music do you crank in the car and let loose to?
Louis: Music of the 60’s but especially 70’s rock. But I love many of the progressive artists of today. Mumford and Sons, Train, Ed Sheeran, and honestly, I love Sia’s songs, which usually make me cry. But oddly enough, the radio in my Vette is set on a jazz station and I never move it. It just feels like the right thing to listen to while driving it.

Next: Westworld: The aspect ratio theory

Leigh: What’s the one thing you absolutely cannot do without?
Louis: My daughter. My work would be second. And then… the beach/ocean.

Leigh: What is the secret to life?
Louis: In my opinion? Live it to its fullest but always treat people the way you wish to be treated. Yes, that old golden rule. Because if we did that, there’d be a lot happier, contented people.

Leigh: Thanks again for the interview! This is such an honor. Peter Abernathy is my favorite character on the show.
Louis: Thanks, Leigh!! I appreciate your interest and support!!!!! Best, Lou

What a treat it was to get to know one of the best actors on the planet!

Follow him on Twitter @Louis_Herthum or Instagram, louis_herthum. And be sure to check out Louis in the latest episode of Westworld, Episode 7.

Westworld airs every Sunday on HBO at 9 PM EST!