Kyrie Irving talks acting, theater, and Friends with GQ

Kyrie Irving’s acting is on display again, with the latest Uncle Drew production dropping earlier today. Irving is more involved with the Pepsi MAX spots than many athletes are with their commercials. He is credited with writing, directing, and starring in the Uncle Drew series, for instance. He sits through hours in the makeup chair beforehand, conjures up characters, runs the show — and is actually funny on-screen.

Jack Moore of GQ sat down with Irving to talk about his acting career, his fondness for musicals, and his admiration for Joey Tribbiani. There’s also some stuff about basketball, if you’re into that sort of thing. A few excerpts about…

…his first acting experience

Well it all started when I put myself out there in my first high school play my senior year. I was so nervous to get up in front of people and turn into another character, so I was actually pretty awful in the high school musical. Just pretty terrible. But then I started to get used to being in front of people and being in front of the camera and then I was able to be myself. Once I started to understand how to take direction, I was able to actually play a different character, like Uncle Drew.

…what he enjoys about comedy

I want to embrace and get into all different types and facets of comedy. If it’s funny, it’s funny, no matter where it comes from. There’s something great about experiences we can all connect to even if we haven’t lived them. Being able to put ourselves in other people’s positions, and then being able to laugh about them? I think that’s what makes comedy so special to me.

…his favorite character from Friends

I’m going to have to go with Joey. He’s so funny. That performance is great. When you see Matt LeBlanc off screen, he’s well spoken and seems smart, but then Joey . . . He’s just a great actor. I mean that show came on, and he just put on this character who is totally different than he is in every way. That really made me appreciate what actors and actresses can do.

…his favorite musical

My favorite musical is Rent. I know all the songs. “I’ll Cover You,” “One Song Glory,” “Rent,” “Seasons of Love,” “La Vie Boheme.” I think “La Vie Boheme” both A and B are my favorite. Just Mark getting on top of the table and talking about what they were going through and the issues of that time: AIDS and HIV, friendships, hardships, just living a life in New York City, or living anywhere for that matter, how people grow apart. It really resonates with me.

…oh yeah, and that knee of his.

Definitely. It’s going great. Rehab’s going great. I’m right where I need to be in terms of getting ready, but there’s also obviously no rush for me.