greg-kinnear-on-the-leadeship-thread-podcast-with-dr-pelonis
Award-winning Hollywood actor Greg Kinnear joined The Leadership Thread, podcast, with host, ACS Athens, President, Dr.Peggy Pelonis, for a deeply personal conversation that traced his journey from student life at ACS Athens, to a celebrated career in film and television.
Kinnear, an ACS alumnus who graduated more than four decades ago, reflected warmly on his years at the school, crediting its international environment, supportive teachers, and early exposure to the arts as formative influences. From performing in school productions and radio shows in Glyfada, Athens, to traveling for competitions across Europe and beyond, he described those experiences as essential preparation for life and later, Hollywood.
Raised originally in Indiana, Kinnear spoke candidly about struggling academically and discovering that performance, not traditional classroom learning, was where he thrived. The immediate feedback of an audience, he noted, helped him recognize a strength that would eventually shape his path. Still, success did not come quickly. He shared stories of working ordinary jobs after moving to California, slowly orbiting the film industry before finding his footing as a television host, an experience that built confidence on camera and opened unexpected doors which led to film.
That winding road led to his breakthrough role in Sabrina, followed by a career that includes collaborations with iconic figures such as Jack Nicholson, Tom Hanks, Renée Zellweger, and Alan Arkin. Reflecting on his Academy Award nomination for As Good as It Gets, Kinnear recalled the honor with humility, emphasizing gratitude for the journey rather than fixation on outcomes.
The conversation also touched on resilience, balance, and perspective, values shaped by family, including the influence of his parents’ work ethic and kindness, and his own role as a husband of 30 years and father of three. Looking ahead, Kinnear shared thoughtful reflections on artificial intelligence and Hollywood’s future, expressing cautious optimism that creativity and humanity will continue to adapt and endure.
For students and aspiring artists, his advice was clear-eyed yet encouraging: the path is difficult, but passion matters. “If you want to act, act. If you want to create, create,” he said, while also valuing education and perseverance.
Kinnear’s return was not just a homecoming, but a reminder that leadership often emerges from curiosity, adaptability, and staying true to one’s authentic voice.
Watch the Full Episode
