From Bowling Alleys to Blockbusters: Geraldine Viswanathan's Surreal Ascent

Geraldine Viswanathan is experiencing a surreal rise in Hollywood, a fact brought home during a recent conversation with director Ethan Coen. While promoting their film DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS, Coen casually mentioned that Guillermo del Toro admired her performance. Viswanathan, ever the self-deprecating Australian, found this praise almost unbelievable, admitting she's trying to adopt a more "American mentality" to embrace her success.

Viswanathan's journey began with stand-up and sketch comedy in Sydney, commuting between Australia and the U.S. before her big break in 2018's BLOCKERS. She describes that year as "the craziest," going from a bowling alley job to acting alongside John Cena. Since then, she's skillfully navigated between acclaimed indie dramas like HALA and BAD EDUCATION and larger studio productions such as THE BEANIE BUBBLE and DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS. Now, she's collaborating with her comedic idols.

Fan-Girling with Ferrell and Fey

Her upcoming wedding comedy, YOU'RE CORDIALLY INVITED, sees her star as Jenni, whose wedding plans are inadvertently ruined by her overprotective father, played by none other than Will Ferrell. Viswanathan, who grew up quoting STEP BROTHERS and revering Ferrell, confessed her inner teenager "freaked out" upon meeting him, though she jokes about wearing an "I LOVE WILL FERRELL" T-shirt. Her stand-up background, she notes, prepared her for the necessary vulnerability of performing alongside him: "It gave me the ability to fail and embarrass myself, which is important."

The stakes escalated for her next project, Marvel's THUNDERBOLTS*, where she plays the assistant to Julia Louis-Dreyfus's power-hungry CIA director. Viswanathan found the scale "ridiculous and terrifying," admitting the pressure of hitting her lines perfectly amidst hundreds of extras and helicopters. Working with Louis-Dreyfus, whom she calls "the actual queen" and "most perfect person in America," was another surreal experience, though the two found common ground watching puppy videos.

The Sky's the Limit

Currently, Viswanathan is enjoying a 30 Rock rewatch, possibly in preparation for a collaboration with its creator, Tina Fey, who also penned MEAN GIRLS. She teases a potential project with Fey, though details are under wraps, promising it would be "very, very exciting" if it materializes.

It seems there's no slowing down for Geraldine Viswanathan. At this rate, she's set to collaborate with every actor she's ever admired. Her next dream co-star? Richard Ayoade. "That would genuinely blow my mind," she says. Mr. Ayoade, consider your schedule booked. Geraldine Viswanathan's quest for comedic collaboration seems unstoppable.