Kathryn Hahn on Improvising with Nicolas Cage in “Madden” | The Daily Show

From The Daily Show

Kathryn Hahn discusses the unpredictability and breadth of her acting career, explaining that roles have revealed themselves one step at a time and expressing gratitude for the chance to inhabit diverse characters across genres, including theater, comedy, and Marvel projects. She also highlights her commitment to fully embodying each role and the joy of creative collaboration.

Read the full transcript of this episode, with timestamps.

Who speaks in this episode?

Key Takeaways

  • Caught between Marvel mystique and real-world grit, Catherine Han navigates fantasy prestige with conspicuous, grounded presence.
  • Her craft flips the script: character insight meets impeccable costume, turning ‘look’ into strategic storytelling.
  • From Tangled to Tangents: a mom-turned-indie advocate, her career arc proves ambition thrives on varied terrains.
  • Documenting the 'extra 200%': presenteeism, preparation, and playfulness collide to redefine on-set magnetism.
  • The 'dirty birdie' persona isn’t vanity—it’s a meta-commentary on performance as moral ambiguity and humor.

Storylines from this episode

Kathryn Hahn on improvising with Nicolas Cage, playing Virginia Madden, and treating clothes as character work

Kathryn Hahn says working with Nicolas Cage was an experience the host had to ask about

Host asks Hahn what it was like working with Nicolas Cage, and the exchange centers their on-screen rapport in Madden. The moment points to Hahn negotiating a co-star known for unpredictable choices. The question frames Cage as a defining scene partner for the film.

What was it like working with Nicholas Cage?

at 6:07

About: Kathryn Hahn, Nicholas Cage, Madden

Hahn says there was no master plan guiding her varied career

Kathryn Hahn explicitly rejects a single blueprint: 'I wish I could say there was some master plan,' she says. That claim ties together her roles from theater to Marvel to indie films and explains why she pursues very different projects. It reframes career variety as intentional openness, not randomness.

I wish I could say there was some master plan.

at 1:22

About: Kathryn Hahn, Tangled, Agatha All Along

She plays Virginia Madden in the new film Madden

Kathryn Hahn confirms she portrays Virginia Madden, placing her at the center of the movie about John Madden. That casting anchors her role in a film that the conversation treats as a major current project for her. The line ties Hahn directly to the film's subject.

You play his wife Virginia Madden.

at 5:20

About: Kathryn Hahn, Madden, John Madden

Hahn describes wardrobe as a storytelling tool on a TV set

Talking about her part on The Studio, Hahn describes a character with a personal shopper and 'a lot of Prada on top,' using costume to sketch personality. She treats clothes as active props that tell the audience who a character is. That approach shows how she builds roles beyond dialogue.

She's got a personal shopper that comes at lunch like basically like just no soul empty void. Yes. A lot of Prada on top.

at 4:58

About: Kathryn Hahn, The Studio, Prada

Hahn finds the NFL world a different language than Marvel or theater

She says the film set felt '100% NFL' and that it remains 'a completely different language' to her, contrasting her Marvel and theater roots with the specialized culture of the Madden production. The remark highlights how changing subject matter reshapes how she approaches a role.

100% NFL. I still it's a completely different language to me.

at 5:33

About: Kathryn Hahn, NFL, Marvel

Who is mentioned in this episode?

11 people come up, including Kathryn Hahn, Nicholas Cage, Desi Lydic.

Mentioned in this episode