In July, Farm Journal’s PORK Editor Jennifer Shike moderated a Pork Checkoff webinar with Eric Stonestreet. Here’s a snippet from their conversation about pigs, acting and mythbusting.
Q. How did your experience raising pigs impact your career as an actor?
A. I learned that life wasn’t just about me. Life was about the sustainability of those pigs on our property. I had to take care of them. I don’t know the specific ways of how that translated into my life, but there’s just no doubt the work ethic that was instilled in me through raising hogs has been relatable to my career. It taught me how to apply myself and look out for other people. In Hollywood, people think it’s about your talent and your abilities. At some point it comes down to that, but it also comes down to conveying yourself in a way that makes people want to work with you. There are a lot of talented people, a lot of funny people, a lot of handsome people, however you want to define what people are. What sets you apart is who you are and who you come off as.
Q. What pig myth drives you crazy?
A. I’ve always enjoyed correcting people on pig myths and things people don’t understand about pigs. I always remind people that the pigs aren’t in mud because they’re dirty animals. They do not have sweat glands, people! They have to cool off some way. I used to go out and put my pigs through the “carwash,” as I called it, to cool them off.
Q. What do you wish people understood about meat production?
A. No one loves animals more than people who dedicate their lives to taking care of them. Feeding the world is a necessity. It’s an inarguable fact that people need protein and need to eat to survive. We have these massive teeth in our mouth for a reason. What I’m blown away by is the integrity that farmers approach the necessity of raising food to feed all of us.
Q. What do you enjoy most about being an actor?
A. Fancy hotels. Just kidding. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve enjoyed making people laugh and creating a moment with people. I love human connections. Being an actor has allowed me an opportunity to meet a tremendous amount of people and do what I always wanted to do.
Watch his first video here, “When Pigs Fly.”
Read more about Stonestreet’s mission:
Eric Stonestreet Sets the Record Straight About Real Pork
Rural Dictionary Redefines Pig Farming
Modern Mythbuster: Eric Stonestreet Sets Out to Bust Pig Farming Myths
