Photograph by James Clarke
I’m sitting in East Pole‘s bustling Armour Yards location when Valyn Hall, easy to spot with her striking red curly hair, springs into the coffee shop. It’s an exciting moment for this writer who doesn’t get to interview UI engineers or actors on HBO’s irreverent comedy The Righteous Gemstones everyday—Hall happens to be both.
On The Righteous Gemstones, with a cast that includes John Goodman, Danny McBride, Edi Patterson, and Adam DeVine, Hall stands out among the ensemble with her portrayal of Aunt Tiffany. The lovable, country ditz married to Baby Billy (played by Walton Goggins) worked her way into the hearts of the self-absorbed Gemstone family of televangelists—and the audience’s hearts at home—throughout the three seasons. “I just got an audition through my agency and I think I was sufficiently weird enough as a person that they were like, Yeah, she’s the one,” laughs Hall.
Photograph by Jake Giles Netter/HBO
Since Aunt Tiffany’s introduction in season one (spoiler alert: she offs the bad guy) the character has only grown, further endearing herself to fans of the show. “She’s getting more time. She’s getting more sussed out for sure as a character,” says Hall. Meanwhile, Hall still lives in Midtown and works in her tech role. We chatted about her dual career paths and her life in Atlanta. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Which came first, acting or the tech job?
Acting first. I’ve been acting since I was a kid. I won this acting competition in Florida when I was 17 and my current manager was there and picked me up. He’s amazing. I’ve been with him ever since.
How did you find your way into your role as a UI engineer?
I used to be a hair and makeup artist. I did that for 10 years because I couldn’t really afford to go to college, and then I just wasn’t down to hustle anymore. I really needed healthcare, and…
Read the full article here
