Kether Donohue is an actress who portrays Lindsay Jillian on the new FX comedy series, You’re the Worst, which premieres Thursday, July 17th at 10:30 pm EST on FX. Previously, you may have seen Donohue on shows like The Carrie Diaries, Royal Pains, The Mindy Project, and Hope & Faith. Additionally, Donohue starred in Barry Levinson’s sci-fi thriller, The Bay and is the voice of Lily on the Nicktoons Network series, Kappa Mikey.
Kether was nice enough to take a few minutes out of her busy schedule recently to answer a few questions from us.
1. You walk into a bar. What do your order from the bartender?
I always walk into a bar wishing I was one of those girls who orders fancy cocktails like a Pink Lady, but I’m a beer girl at heart and always end up ordering a nice, cold, crisp beer.
2. Who is your favorite person to follow on Twitter?
I’m kind of obsessed with OWN’s Iyanla: Fix My Life so I’ve recently started following Iyanla Vanzant; I find her quotes insightful and inspirational.
3. What’s currently waiting for you on your DVR/TiVO?
Oddly enough, I don’t have a television at home but when I go to other people’s homes to watch TV, I watch Orange is the New Black, Shark Tank, and The Voice. I also love The Biggest Loser and Intervention. I love shows that document people overcoming struggles.
4. It’s your last meal — what are you going out with?
I am a New Yorker and LOVE my pizza! With crushed red pepper.
5. What websites do you visit on a regular basis?
I’m so proud of one of my best friends, Chelsey Donn, a talented actress and beautiful soul, who recently started her own blog, fattyonadiet.com, a source for weight-loss inspiration, ideas, and recipes. The blog’s recipe for success is Chelsey’s authenticity and willingness to expose her story. After struggling with weight her whole life, she created the blog in an effort to help others who find themselves in similar circumstances and to inspire others to join her on a journey towards health. Chelsey is a hilarious comedienne and incorporates her sense of humor, compassion, and drive with the creation of her blog.
6. What’s the most frequently played song on your iPod?
No matter how many times these songs play, I never get sick of “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + The Machine, “Human” by The Killers, and “Little Bird” by Annie Lennox.
7. The first face that comes to mind when you think “punchable”?
If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all…
8. What’s your favorite meme?
I was unfamiliar with what a meme was before reading this question. When I first read this question, the only definition of “meme” I was familiar with is its literal definition, “ideas, behaviors, and styles that are spread from person to person within a culture,” then when I googled “meme,” I discovered what the question was referring to. I’ve seen memes before but didn’t know they were called memes. Then, I spent a good hour researching different memes online to choose a favorite and couldn’t commit to one that I liked enough that I could honestly call my favorite. Then, I even tried to create my own because they give you that option on one of the websites and I couldn’t figure it out, then I gave up. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’m a meme girl.
9. Dogs or cats?
I like kittens. I find grown cats a little pretentious so I’ll go with dogs.
10. Best concert of your life was…?
Last year, I saw Stevie Wonder, Aerosmith, and John Legend all perform in the same night at the Hollywood Bowl…that was pretty incredible.
11. What book are you most likely to give as a gift?
Lessons in Becoming Myself by Ellen Burstyn. That is my favorite book. I was so sad and in denial that the book was going to be finished that I held off on reading the last 3 pages for over a month. I also love giving people The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey. Contrary to the name, the book really has nothing to do with tennis. Although Gallwey uses playing tennis as the context to describe the mind/body connection, the techniques described in the book can be applied to any craft a person sets out to do and it’s really about surrendering to and trusting in your innate abilities.
12. What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
My mother and father sacrificed a lot for me and my brother growing up so we could have a good life and education so I am grateful for that. My parents and brother have done so many nice things for me over the years that I could probably write an essay on it but to answer this question, I will tell you about a profound moment for me with my best friend in the world, Gigi Graff.
One day a few years ago, Gigi and I had planned to go for a hike. At the time, I was going through a very difficult breakup and felt really crappy and depressed that day. I called Gigi to cancel the hike because I was afraid I was just no fun to be around. She insisted on coming over anyway and when she arrived saw that I was trying to put on a happy face and pretend to enjoy the day and she looked me in the eyes and genuinely just stated, “Kether, you don’t have to be anything other than what you are right now. We can hike in whatever mood you’re in. We can hike and cry the whole time, we can even hike and not speak the whole time and just be with each other, we can hike and yell, laugh, or a ridiculous combo of all of those things. You’re perfect just the way you are and you don’t have to pretend to be in a good mood to please me. I don’t judge your mood as defining your identity and I know you’re going to be okay, I know you and have faith you’re going to get through this time in your life.” At the time, I was experiencing a lot of fair-weather friends who seemed to only be around when things were going “great” in life and for her to say all those things to me when I wasn’t in a good place was very touching. It taught me the meaning of a true friend who embodies non-judgment and compassion and it felt good for someone to just love me for me in whatever state I was in. I learned during that time that sometimes the best gift you can give someone is to just allow them the space to be with their feelings, especially the not so pretty ones. I think we spend so much time trying to cover up pain and “make people feel better,” as though it’s shameful to feel a negative emotion and it was a nice thing for Gigi to allow me to authentically experience what I needed to at the time with no judgment.
13. South Park or Family Guy?
I love both shows!
14. You have an entire day to do whatever you want. What would you do?
Start the day with a hike or yoga, go to brunch with a great friend and have great conversation and laughs while drinking coffee and a Bloody Mary, then go to a Korean Spa and get acupressure after making rounds in the baths and steam room. Then, go for a long drive in a convertible with a nice view of nature and the beach. Then, go to the beach, sunbathe, swim, go home, shower, listen to music while getting ready, then enjoy a nice dinner with great company and go dancing!!
15. What movie can you not resist watching if it’s on?
Two movies that will never get old and that I can start watching no matter what point in the film I catch it on are Forrest Gump and Housesitter.
16. What’s your favorite sports team or teams?
I love watching and rooting for the USA Women’s Gymnastics team during the Olympics.
17. Where did you eat the best meal of your life?
In high school, Gigi and I made our own dish at her apartment in NY (I forget what was even in it, just a mix of random ingredients) that we called “Metakikejeraka” and it was delicious. Nothing has topped it ever since.
18. The last movie you saw in a theater?
I honestly forget. I haven’t been to the theater in a long time, I need to go soon!
19. Who was your first celebrity crush?
When I was little, I would pause Home Alone and kiss Macaulay Culkin on the TV…As a teenager, I had a crush on Kieran Culkin. I also had a major crush on Keanu Reeves during the Speed days.
20. What would you cook if Nic Cage was coming to your house for dinner?
I would research Nic Cage’s favorite meal then hire a chef to cook that evening. I’d also have the chef plan a delicious breakfast in case Nic Cage wanted to stay overnight. I hear he likes fine pieces of glass so I’d make sure to have a fine glass with his favorite beverage in it. I feel like he enjoys bubble baths so I’d make sure one is prepared for him.
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