Remember Tony Hale, the hilarious actor who gave us unforgettable laughs as the panic-stricken mama's boy Buster Bluth on Arrested Development? Well, he’s back with more stories, wisdom, and insights into his life. "Getting a sitcom was the dream," recalls Tony Hale, now 49, reflecting on his breakout role. "And when I landed Arrested Development, I thought it was going to be the pinnacle. But, honestly, it taught me a lot more than just how to make people laugh."
Since then, Tony's journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, including two well-deserved Emmy wins for his role as a devoted yet hilariously awkward vice-presidential aide on Veep alongside the legendary Julia Louis-Dreyfus. But here's the twist: Tony admits that achieving such heights didn’t bring the happiness he expected. "When I booked Arrested Development, I thought it would be this magical key to contentment," he exclusively shares with Closer Weekly, featured in their latest issue. "But it wasn’t. That realization was terrifying—and eye-opening. It made me realize that if you’re not practicing gratitude and contentment in the present, you won’t magically find it when you achieve your goals."
With this newfound wisdom, Tony channeled his experiences into a children’s book, Archibald’s Next Big Thing, which has now blossomed into a DreamWorks Animation series on Netflix—where he also voices the character. And let’s not forget his role as Forky in Disney+'s Forky Asks a Question, a continuation of his work in Toy Story 4. But despite all these accomplishments, Tony’s greatest joy remains his 13-year-old daughter, Loy, whom he shares with his wife, makeup artist Martel Thompson. "Loy is a remarkable kid," Tony beams. "Every day, she teaches me something new about life, love, and being present."
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Keep scrolling for more from our exclusive chat with Tony!
Life After Veep: Missing the Family He Found on Set
For seven years, the cast of Veep became more than just colleagues—they were family. "We formed these deep bonds," Tony reflects. "When the show ended, it felt like losing a second family. There’s a certain kind of mourning that comes with saying goodbye to that kind of creative environment. It’s not just about the work; it’s about the relationships you build along the way."
Staying Connected: Text Chains and Political Jokes
Even though the show has wrapped, the cast remains close. "We’re all on text chains, and we definitely keep up with the chaos of politics," Tony jokes. "In a way, real life has taken over where Veep left off. You don’t need a sitcom when CNN provides the daily drama!" Despite the laughs, Tony admits there’s still a sense of loss. "It’s hard to rewatch episodes because it reminds me of what we’ve lost. Instead, I love watching the gag reels—it’s where the real magic happened, where we’d crack up and forget our lines."
Reuniting with Julia Louis-Dreyfus: A Space Monkey with a Heart
When Tony reunited with Julia Louis-Dreyfus for his animated series Archibald’s Next Big Thing, it was a dream come true. "She voiced a space monkey who’s absolutely terrified of space," Tony chuckles. "It was such a blast working with her again. She’s an incredible person and an amazing talent. Having her join the project made it even more special."
