Jonathan Tucker | Mom's Car

From Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Jonathan Tucker discusses his career, notable roles, and the irony of his past interviews happening in a car, touching on projects like Westworld, City on a Hill, Kingdom, The Virgin Suicides, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and American Hostage, while briefly venting about a Hollywood shopping center.

Read the full transcript of this episode, with timestamps.

Who speaks in this episode?

Key Takeaways

  • Car-first interviews create intimate vibes, but risk losing studio polish and consistent lighting budgets.
  • Tucker’s car-spot nostalgia undercuts studio relocations, revealing how environment subtly shapes authenticity and memory.
  • Giving away a car on set doubles as morale-boosting PR and reveals crew loyalty beats big-budget glam.
  • The convo’s ADHD energy mirrors online clips: rapid, tactile, and more entertaining than polished, long-form structure.
  • Particle-board façades and Vancouver-blue collars: surface aesthetics often reveal deeper real-estate and culture tensions.

Storylines from this episode

Jonathan Tucker keeps showing up in cars — and keeps talking about where he’s from and what he’s doing next

Tucker insists he’s the only actor in LA who still drives a Crown Vic

Jonathan Tucker says he’s “the only actor in LA who drives Crown Vic.” He frames the car as part of his daily life, not a prop. That detail undercuts typical Hollywood gloss and anchors his persona in something ordinary.

I'M THE ONLY ACTOR in LA who drives Crown Vic.

at 11:13

About: Jonathan Tucker, Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor

He bought a car specifically because he was shooting in Vancouver

Tucker says, “I bought the car cuz I was shooting in Vancouver.” The purchase is practical and tied to work, not vanity. It shows how production locations shape small career decisions.

I bought the car cuz I was shooting in Vancouver.

at 3:23

About: Jonathan Tucker, Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor

Tucker is attached to the buzz around American Hostage

The hosts point to American Hostage as a “new runaway hit” that includes John Hamm and mentions Jonathan Tucker. The pairing frames Tucker as part of a current, high-profile project audiences should notice.

New runaway hit with John Ham called American Hostage is tasty.

at 0:26

About: Jonathan Tucker, American Hostage

He shot the City on a Hill pilot for Showtime

Tucker says, “I shot the pilot of City on a Hill for Showtime with Kevin Bacon.” That simple line ties him to a prestige cable project and a notable collaborator, shaping how listeners place his career moves.

I shot the pilot of City on a Hill for Showtime with Kevin Bacon.

at 47:35

About: Jonathan Tucker, City on a Hill

Charlestown and Massachusetts keep coming up when he explains roles

Tucker refers to a “guy from Charles Town who’s a bank robber” when talking about parts tied to his background. He repeatedly links Charlestown and Massachusetts to character choices and identity, making location part of his artistic shorthand.

A guy from Charles Town who's a bank robber.

at 48:33

About: Jonathan Tucker, Charlestown, Massachusetts

Who is mentioned in this episode?

7 people come up, including Jonathan Tucker, Dak Shepard, Aaron Weakley.

Sponsors of this episode

  • Allstate (Sponsor): Save on car insurance by checking All State first
  • Uber Eats (Sponsor): Get $10 off your first Aldi order of $40 plus on Uber Eats with code Aldi mom's car.
  • Uber (Company): Is this show not sponsored by Uber?
  • Aldi (Company): We are supported by Uber Eats. Saving money doesn't have to mean settling for less. With Aldi on Uber Eats...

Mentioned in this episode