Margo Martindale Taps Into ‘Sticky’ Sweet Crime Saga

If you’re looking for something new to play, do you have anything in mind?

An addicted person. I think that would be an interesting subject to explore. I've never played an alcoholic. Something like that, something off the norm. I think I look off the norm. I like the idea of private investigators. I was one, actually. I was acting at night and being a private dick during the day. I like the idea of doing that as well.

Were you good at that?

Not particularly. But it did take [the] skills of an actor because I didn't really do any of the fun jobs — like the guys got to do. Most of mine was telephone work —  getting information from people by pretending to be someone else.

You earned a Tony nod for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof [2004]. Would you go back to Broadway?

I had my opportunity this year. … But anyway, I thought that I needed to get in better shape physically to do eight shows a week. So I finally said no. Would I go back? Yes, absolutely. But I would have to be in training for, I would say, three months. What you have to have is insanely a lot of stamina.

Margo Martindale, Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys in "The Americans."

Patrick Harbron/FX Networks/Courtesy Everett Collection

Talk about stamina. I just spoke with Sally Struthers, who at 77 told me it's her constant performing that keeps her mentally solid.

Well, look at June Squibb. June Squibb is my dear friend who was my next door neighbor for many, many years on the Upper West Side [New York City] before her husband died and she moved to Los Angeles. And that Thelma I thought was just a delight — she turned 95 [last] month.

You’re still doing it at 73, What keeps you going?

Well, it's my lifeline, acting. It's my joy. I don't have a great hobby. Maybe gardening, but mostly it's telling the gardener how to garden, even though he needs no help. It's my love and joy. It keeps you alive.

No retiring?

No retiring. June said the same thing. She said, “Oh, retire. Why?”

OK, who’s on your wish list to work with?

I've always said Tom Hanks, but I'm tired of saying that. I'd love to work with Alexander Payne again, who I absolutely love. I wish Robert Benton was still directing, because he's my dear friend and I just saw him for his birthday a few weeks ago. I just think he's wonderful. I’m up for seeing somebody new too.

Besides working with more great people, is there anything on your bucket list?

I’d like to do a cartwheel again. 

Were you good at cartwheels? 

Excellent. Splits and cartwheels. Yes, baby! 

Margo Martindale as Bella Abzug in "Mrs. America."

Sabrina Lantos/FX/Courtesy Everett Collection

So gymnastics is your thing? 

That was many, many, many, many years ago. 

What keeps you active now?

I have a treadmill at our house [Martindale is married to musician Bill Boals], and I like the bike. I have weights, but do I really do the weights? No. And could my arms use it? Oh yes. I need to find a balance coach. I'm pretty crooked because I had scoliosis. I'd like to find someone to help me with that. It could be Pilates. My best friend's a Pilates teacher, but when we're together, we don't really want to do Pilates. 

When you travel to sets, what’s always in your suitcase? 

Even here in Calgary where I'm working [now], I have to bring all hair products. And I bring what I call my work clothes — button-down-the-front clothes for makeup and hair because you really don't have to wear anything. I bring, of course, my iPad that I live with. I do crossword puzzles the moment I'm not doing anything. A good makeup mirror.

What’s your next project? What are you doing in Calgary?

I'm doing the Untitled JonBenét Project [Paramount + series]. I'm playing Melissa McCarthy's mother. She's playing Patsy Ramsey. And Clive Owen is John Ramsey. And Richard LaGravenese has written it. It's been really fun. It’s a big story.