SmartLess

Margot Robbie

February 16, 2026

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  • Margot Robbie is a competitive ice hockey player and a New York Rangers fan, despite growing up in Australia where ice hockey was inaccessible. 
  • Margot Robbie secured her role in *The Wolf of Wall Street* by improvising a slap on Leonardo DiCaprio during her final audition with Martin Scorsese. 
  • Margot Robbie's early career involved moving to the US with the help of an 'Aussie Mafia' network and navigating the industry by renting cars from questionable sources, including one man nicknamed 'the Dodgy Romanian' whose car trunk she was explicitly warned never to open. 
  • Margot Robbie and her production company, LuckyChap, successfully pitched to take over the *Barbie* movie project by promising Mattel a meaningful, culturally relevant, and elevated cinematic take, leading to the hiring of Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach. 
  • Working on Quentin Tarantino's *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood* was an exciting experience where strict secrecy around the ending was maintained, even preventing Margot Robbie from revealing the twist to her own mother. 
  • Margot Robbie's production company is currently focused on romantic book adaptations, such as *Wuthering Heights* (starring Jacob Elordi), rather than fantasy series like *The Magicians*. 

Segments

Opening Banter and Will’s AC
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Will is running air conditioning in his New York apartment during winter due to building-wide heating issues.
  • Summary: The podcast opens with advertisements for FX’s Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette and Sprite Zero Sugar. Will reveals he is using air conditioning in his New York apartment because everyone else in his building has the heat on. The hosts then officially welcome listeners to SmartLess.
Will’s Work Ethic Praised
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(00:01:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Sean praises Will for his dedication, noting he works tirelessly on his play without complaining despite his busy schedule.
  • Summary: Sean expresses admiration for Will’s work ethic, highlighting that Will shows up for their recording sessions without complaint while rehearsing a play. The hosts briefly mention that Scotty often complains, contrasting with Will’s perceived stoicism. Will’s new facial hair and haircut, acquired for a role, are also noted and complimented.
Will’s New Project Details
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(00:03:11)
  • Key Takeaway: Will is filming a new project directed by Tony Gilroy, co-starring Pedro Pascal and Olivia Wilde, titled Behemoth.
  • Summary: Will confirms he is working on a new film directed by Tony Gilroy, which also features Pedro Pascal and Olivia Wilde, titled Behemoth. Due to non-disclosure agreements, Will cannot reveal the plot, though he confirms he looks handsome in it. The discussion touches on how actors often adopt new looks for roles and then struggle to let them go.
Sunday Dinner Reunion
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(00:05:04)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts recently attended a Sunday dinner gathering where many friends, including Danny and Don Dees, were present, but Sean was missed.
  • Summary: Sean missed the recent Sunday dinner gathering, which was attended by many mutual friends including Danny and Don Dees, and Jennifer Aniston. The group noted Sean’s absence, emphasizing how much he was missed. The conversation briefly shifts to the cold weather in Los Angeles, noting that Cole Row was wearing multiple layers.
One-Man Show Rehearsal
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(00:06:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Will’s one-man show rehearsal process is unusual, involving running lines in his bedroom and relying on a front-row audience member (Scotty) for line assistance during previews.
  • Summary: A massive snowstorm in New York caused Will’s outdoor Central Park rehearsal to be canceled, leading him to run lines in his bedroom with Scotty present. For previews, a person (Scotty) will sit in the front row with a script to prompt Will if he forgets a line. The hosts joke about the distraction this might cause other audience members.
Sopranos Audition Anecdote
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(00:10:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Will secured his role on The Sopranos by telling the casting director, Jordan Watkins, to ‘Line’ when asked to deliver his single line.
  • Summary: Will recounts auditioning for David Chase for The Sopranos with only one line to deliver. When asked to perform, Will looked at the casting director and simply said, ‘Line,’ causing everyone to laugh, which ultimately won him the part. Will admits he still has not watched the series.
Introducing Margot Robbie
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(00:11:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Margot Robbie is introduced as an Oscar-nominated actor and successful producer known for her versatility in comedy and drama, who also possesses unique skills like trained pickpocketing.
  • Summary: Margot Robbie is welcomed to SmartLess, praised for her charm, success as an actor and producer, and numerous accolades, including two Academy Award nominations. The hosts highlight her unique abilities: holding her breath for five minutes, being a trained pickpocket, and playing competitive ice hockey. Margot confirms she is a big New York Rangers fan.
Complimenting Will’s Performance
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(00:12:45)
  • Key Takeaway: Margot Robbie enthusiastically praised Will’s performance in Is This Thing On?, calling it ‘unreal’ and demanding an Oscar for him.
  • Summary: Margot Robbie tells Will she loved his performance in Is This Thing On? and immediately called for him to receive an Oscar. She then compliments his new look, which Sean attributes to a new, water-resistant bronzer called ‘Early June’ that gives a ‘summer startup’ look.
Margot’s Hockey Origin Story
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(00:13:47)
  • Key Takeaway: Margot Robbie’s desire to play ice hockey stemmed from watching The Mighty Ducks as a child in the Gold Coast, Australia, where she eventually joined a co-ed team despite minimal prior skating experience.
  • Summary: Margot’s dream of playing ice hockey began with The Mighty Ducks, but she grew up playing field hockey due to the lack of ice in the Gold Coast, Australia. Upon moving to America, she joined a co-ed ice hockey team despite having almost no skating experience. She notes that the padding allowed her to blend in as a ‘small dude’ until she removed her helmet post-game.
Early Obsession with Movies
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(00:15:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Margot Robbie’s obsession with movies started early, involving constant rewatching and reenacting films like The Fifth Element, leading her to pursue acting professionally instead of university.
  • Summary: Margot was obsessed with movies from a young age, constantly rewatching VHS tapes and reenacting scenes, which was noted by her mother. Her interest in film was separate from her later obsession with the Harry Potter books. She chose to pursue acting professionally after high school because she lacked the funds and specific focus required for university.
Transition to Melbourne and US
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(00:17:54)
  • Key Takeaway: After three years on the Australian soap Neighbors, Margot moved to New York five days after her contract ended, aiming for Hollywood films.
  • Summary: Working on Neighbors for three years provided Margot with intense, professional training, showing her that a sustainable acting career was possible in Australia. She decided to pursue American films, moving to New York at age 20, five days after leaving the soap. She initially relied on the ‘Aussie Mafia’ for housing and transportation, as she was too young to rent a car legally.
The Dodgy Romanian Car Story
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(00:30:04)
  • Key Takeaway: After crashing a car rented ‘off the books’ from an associate of Russell Crowe, Margot rented a second car from ’the Dodgy Romanian,’ who strictly forbade her from opening the trunk.
  • Summary: After crashing her first rental car, Margot sought help from the Aussie community and was directed to ’the Dodgy Romanian’ for a replacement vehicle. This second car was a boxy, gold-colored vehicle, and the renter warned her never to open the trunk. When Margot crashed this second car, the Romanian simply took the keys and left without charging her for the damage, leaving the contents of the trunk a mystery.
First US Gig and NYC Shock
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(00:33:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Margot’s first American job was the TV series Pan Am, which led to her living in New York City, a place she found far more overwhelming than Melbourne.
  • Summary: Margot’s first professional job in America was the series Pan Am, which filmed in Brooklyn, requiring her to live in New York for a year with co-star Christina Ricci. She found New York to be on a completely different level of ‘city’ compared to Melbourne, which she had previously considered a major metropolis.
Wolf of Wall Street Audition
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(00:35:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Margot secured her role in The Wolf of Wall Street directly from a self-tape to an in-person meeting with Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, who offered her the job in the room.
  • Summary: After Pan Am ended, Margot auditioned for The Wolf of Wall Street via a self-tape and was quickly called in to read with Scorsese and DiCaprio. She was instructed by casting to dress in a tight dress and high heels before the meeting. The role was offered to her immediately after she improvised slapping Leo during a scene reading.
Impact of Wolf of Wall Street
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(00:42:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Margot did not brace for the massive life change following The Wolf of Wall Street’s release because she assumed her extensive improvised scenes would be cut, and she only saw the final cut the night before the premiere.
  • Summary: Because the filming process involved heavy improvisation and rewriting scenes late at night, Margot expected her role to be minimal. She did not see the final film until the night before the premiere, leaving her unprepared for the extent of her screen time. Her family’s stunned reaction to her nudity in the film led to months of awkward silence with her brother.
Producing Career Launch
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(00:50:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Margot and her husband started their production company, LuckyChap Entertainment, in 2013, the year after The Wolf of Wall Street, with I, Tonya being their first major release.
  • Summary: Margot began discussing starting a production company with her future husband and two partners in 2013, the year after The Wolf of Wall Street. They officially launched the company the following year. I, Tonya was the first film they produced that was released, marking a successful start to their producing careers.
Production Company Origins and Marriage
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(00:50:22)
  • Key Takeaway: Margot Robbie co-founded her production company in 2014, the year after Wolf of Wall Street, meeting her two producer partners, one of whom she is now married to, on the set of Sweet Francaise in Belgium.
  • Summary: The production company was started in 2014, one year after Wolf of Wall Street was filmed. The initial meeting with her two producer partners, Josie and Tom, occurred while shooting the movie Sweet Francaise in Belgium. One of these partners is the person Robbie is now married to.
Golf Obsession and Spouse’s Hobbies
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(00:51:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Many men reportedly become obsessed with golf after turning 30, often exhibiting a paradoxical mix of hating the activity while constantly wanting to play it.
  • Summary: Robbie notes that her husband, Tom, is obsessed with golf and tries to make her play, though she resists. She observes a trend where men turning 30 suddenly become obsessed with golf. This activity is described as an incredibly challenging thing that perplexes her.
Barbie Pitch Origin with Mattel CEO
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(00:52:30)
  • Key Takeaway: The initial pitch for the Barbie movie to Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz was simply ‘Margo Robbie, Barbie,’ delivered during a lunch meeting at Hillcrest Country Club.
  • Summary: Sean Hayes had lunch with Ynon Kreiz, the real-life CEO of Mattel, at Hillcrest Country Club. Kreiz revealed that the entire pitch for the movie was just ‘Margo Robbie, Barbie.’ This lunch meeting was arranged through a mutual friend.
Quentin Tarantino Set Experience
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(00:54:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Being on a set with Quentin Tarantino is as exciting as rumored, including the strict enforcement of a no-phones policy.
  • Summary: Working with Quentin Tarantino on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood met and exceeded expectations. The director’s rule about no phones on set is true. Tarantino also made a serious public request for reviewers not to spoil the ending of the film.
Preserving the Tarantino Ending Secret
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(00:55:39)
  • Key Takeaway: The ending of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was kept secret by limiting access to that part of the script, allowing the audience to experience the reveal that Sharon Tate lives without prior knowledge.
  • Summary: The script section revealing the ending was kept under lock and key, so even the crew did not have access to it. Robbie’s mother was upset before watching because she feared seeing her daughter die in the film. Robbie adhered strictly to Tarantino’s request, not even telling her husband the ending.
Securing the Barbie Production Rights
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(00:57:01)
  • Key Takeaway: LuckyChap secured the Barbie project from Sony by pitching to Mattel that they would produce something meaningful and culturally relevant, setting it up at Warner Brothers to avoid prior development chain issues.
  • Summary: The opportunity arose when the deal at Sony needed to be re-upped, allowing LuckyChap to pitch to Ynon Kreiz. Robbie was honest that a Barbie movie needed to be elevated, cinematic, and make cultural comments. They pitched Greta Gerwig as a potential director early on.
Gerwig and Baumbach Writing Process
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(01:00:24)
  • Key Takeaway: Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach do not outline Barbie beforehand, instead writing themselves into and out of corners as they go, which required convincing the studio to trust the process.
  • Summary: The writing process involves not knowing how the story will end until they write their way there. This non-linear approach made it difficult to get sign-off from the studio and Mattel, who wanted to know what they were paying for. Robbie credits securing a deal with no script approval, only treatment approval, as a major producing win.
Wuthering Heights and Production Focus
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(01:02:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Robbie’s production company prioritizes optioning romantic books that align with their female-focused brand, leading to their adaptation of Wuthering Heights.
  • Summary: Robbie reads a lot of fantasy and romantic books, preferring the latter for her production company’s focus. Wuthering Heights is described as the ultimate romance, which she cries watching every time. The film, directed by Emerald Fennell, features Jacob Elordi and is set for a February 13th release.
Chemistry with Jacob Elordi
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(01:05:14)
  • Key Takeaway: The strong chemistry between Robbie and Jacob Elordi in Wuthering Heights is attributed to their similar serious work ethic, preparation, and shared Queenslander background.
  • Summary: Robbie was a fan of Elordi’s work since Euphoria and had previously suggested him for the role of Felix in Saltburn. Both actors take their work seriously, doing extensive prep and taking notes on set. Their shared Queenslander heritage (Brisbane and Gold Coast) also contributed to their immediate connection.
Robbie’s Kryptonite and Husband’s Skills
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(01:07:44)
  • Key Takeaway: Margot Robbie’s kryptonite is being hungry, leading to her husband, Tom, calling her ‘Dragoon’ and cooking her favorite meal: steak cooked better than any restaurant.
  • Summary: Robbie admits she gets ‘hangry’ and is almost always hungry, which is when she is not charming. Her husband is an amazing cook who can prepare a steak magically, possibly using a reverse sear in a skillet or on his Big Green Egg smoker.
Post-Interview Reflection and Success
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(01:09:59)
  • Key Takeaway: Margot Robbie is recognized as an incredibly successful actor and producer who has consistently delivered quality work since arriving in the US, culminating in Barbie becoming a billion-dollar film.
  • Summary: The hosts praise Robbie’s career trajectory, noting her rapid success since her time on Pan Am. They emphasize her consistent delivery of quality projects. The hosts express surprise that Barbie was the film to cross the billion-dollar mark on her resume.