Keith McNutt is the western region director of the Actors Fund, a nonprofit that provides health care, employment, housing, and other services to professionals in film, theater, television, music, opera, and dance. Before participating in a discussion on whether gentrification is L.A.’s next defining issue, he talked about disregarding life advice, the allure of Griffith Observatory at sunset, and his weakness for doughnuts.
Who is today’s most underrated actor?
I love Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I think he does different films and he’s gutsy in the roles he takes. I think he should’ve won the Oscar a few years ago.
What’s your favorite L.A. performance venue?
The Hollywood Bowl.
You’ve worked with the homeless before. What’s the most important thing we can do to help the homeless?
A regional housing policy that makes affordable housing more widely available to everybody, particularly housing that’s dispersed across the region so people don’t have to go down to Skid Row for services.
What was the best movie last year?
We went to all the Oscar movies last year. All I can think of is American Sniper. What was the one with the Irish mom who went to look for her son who died? Philomena. I loved that.
What is the last habit you tried to kick?
Probably doughnuts. Something sweet. That never works.
What keeps you up at night?
The kinds of jobs my nieces and nephews are going to get. They’re in the Midwest, the Rust Belt. I think kids who don’t have college educations have a much harder time finding work. I think there are a lot of kids like that in L.A. and all over the country. And where are those high school kids going to be able to work to support themselves and their family? That’s a big one.
When’s the last time you performed on a stage?
Never. I’m a social worker who takes care of performers. I go on stage to talk about my organization, but that’s as close as I get to performing, thank you very much. I don’t have to get any closer.
What’s the best advice you ever received?
In L.A., it was, “Live near where you work.” Life advice? My grandpa back in Ohio used to pull me aside and say when were in the backyard, “Keith, the only things you really need in life are a six-pack, a few wienies on the grill, and your family. You don’t need anything else.” I didn’t really take that advice.
What’s your favorite trashy television show?
Is The Amazing Race trashy?
Did you have any nicknames as a kid?
With a name like McNutt, you can imagine all the variations. My friends in college called me Nutter. That’s the nicest of the versions.
Where’s the best place in L.A. to go on a date?
Griffith Observatory at sunset. Watching the lights come up over the city? Magic.
What’s your favorite article of clothing?
Socks. (Shows off his polka dot socks.) Guys have such awful clothing to choose from. You gotta have fun somehow.