"I smiled twice": Brandon Sklenar recalls amusing moments from 1923 set 

1923 star Brandon Sklenar has played Spencer Dutton, one of the most intense characters in the Yellowstone universe. In a recent episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers, Brandon appeared in a lighter mood. The host and Sklenar talked about his role as Spencer Dutton in 1923, a gritty prequel to Yellowstone.

"I smiled twice. I literally smiled twice. ..Yeah, I was gonna say...Barely."

The actor joked that he “smiled twice” during the entire shoot. The line landed quickly because it captured the tone of the series with surprising accuracy.

Brandon Sklenar recalls amusing moments from the 1923 set

Seth initiated the conversation on the ambience of 1923, which never looks cheerful, and Sklenar agreed. He said he “literally smiled twice,” making it clear that as a lead, he was engrossed in the story. The show deals with serious concerns like drought, violence, and the early rumblings of the Great Depression.The actor said:

"Yeah. I feel like maybe nobody even smiled in "1923." Like that whole year. I smiled..I smiled twice. I literally smiled twice. ..Yeah, I was gonna say...Barely."

The world of 1923 barely allows room for levity, and that intensity often carries into the workday. Sklenar mentioned the wide reach of the show and different parts of the world connected with his character. He also opened up on a fun and casual moment involving a cardboard cutout of himself. One time when he was away filming, his friends brought the cutout to a music festival and sent him pictures.

Seth said the show tried to get their own cutout for the studio, but could not get one delivered in time because it kept selling out:

"I feel like everybody talks about like, it's really cool when you have your own action figure, but your own cardboard cutouts, a whole other thing...Yeah. That's it. We couldn't even get one in time. Even with express shipping...To have it here...Well, they're so high in demand."

Sklenar laughed at the idea of his cutout being in such "high demand."

Sklenar also talked about his experience of working with co-stars Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford. Helen Mirren plays Cara Dutton, and Ford plays Jacob Dutton in the show. Brandon Sklenar described the experience with respect and admiration. The actor recalled a particular moment about Ford where the reality of acting opposite such an iconic actor hit him solidly. He said scenes with Mirren carried the same weight. Their presence added to the gravity on set.

The actor also talked about his upcoming movie, The Housemaid, starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. The film will be directed by Paul Feig. Sklenar explained that the tone of the film is very different from 1923. Feig encouraged improvisation and let the cast explore small, unexpected moments.

The set felt open and playful, even though the film has darker elements. Sklenar liked the mix and said it gave him a different kind of creative space.

About Brandon Sklenar

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Brandon Sklenar is an American actor who slowly rose to fame with his acting skills and grounded presence in many successful films and TV shows. He was born in New Jersey, where he took on small projects before earning attention with big screen appearances.

To name a few of his successful projects: Mapplethorpe, Midway, and It Ends With Us. His work often leans toward emotionally heavy characters, and his breakout as Spencer Dutton in 1923 introduced him to a much wider audience. Over the years, he has built a reputation for commitment, range, and a quiet, grounded style that sets him apart from many of his peers.

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