When you think of Craig T. Nelson, you likely picture him as Hayden Fox, the gruff but lovable college football coach from ABC's long-running sitcom Coach. That role cemented him as a household name, but it's his recent career resurgence that has him back in the spotlight. In a candid chat with Closer Weekly, the 74-year-old actor reveals what it's like being back in the game, working alongside some of Hollywood's biggest names, and how he measures his success not by accolades, but by the impact he's had on others.
Craig’s latest project, Book Club, reunites him with a lineup of A-list talent including Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen. The film, which hit Blu-ray and DVD on Aug. 28, showcases his versatility as an actor and proves that even after decades in the industry, he's still got what it takes to captivate audiences. But this isn't the first time Craig has worked with the best. His career kicked off with a bang when he starred opposite Al Pacino in the legal drama …And Justice for All and later faced supernatural foes alongside JoBeth Williams in Poltergeist.
Reflecting on his storied career, Craig shared, “I don’t measure myself by what I’ve done. Instead, I focus on how my work has touched people. The feedback I receive is always surprising, refreshing, and humbling.”
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In this exclusive interview with Closer, Craig opens up about the people who mean the most to him—his wife of 31 years, Doria, and his children from his first marriage: Tiffany, Christopher, and Noah. He also discusses the one star who left him starstruck during his early days in Hollywood. Keep reading for our full Q&A with Craig T. Nelson!
What Made You Say Yes to Book Club?
Book Club resonated with audiences in a way that few films do, and Craig T. Nelson knew it was something special from the start. “It was a script that I found both funny and insightful,” he explained. “Opportunities like this don’t come along every day, so when I read it, I thought, ‘This is something I need to be a part of.’”
Working with Hollywood Icons
Craig has built a career collaborating with some of the industry's biggest names, and Book Club was no exception. “I’ve worked with Diane Keaton before in The Family Stone, Jane Fonda on Grace and Frankie, and Mary Steenburgen in The Proposal. So, it felt like coming home in many ways,” he said. “Andy Garcia and Don Johnson were familiar faces too, but Candice Bergen was someone I hadn’t met before. I was thrilled to finally work with her.”
Staying Relevant at 74
As Craig approaches his mid-70s, he remains as passionate about acting as ever. When asked how he keeps challenging himself, he replied, “I leave that up to God. I’m just focused on doing the best job I can whenever a project comes my way. If I’ve been doing comedy for a while, I like to switch gears and do drama, or vice versa.”
Comedy Roots
Though he's best known for dramatic roles, Craig got his start in comedy. “Back in the late '60s, Barry Levinson and I were a comedy duo performing in clubs around LA,” he reminisced. “We eventually landed a gig on a local TV show, and that’s where I met Rudy DeLuca, who later helped us write for The Tim Conway Show. Those were the days!”
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Working with Legends
Craig has had the privilege of working alongside some of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, including Richard Pryor, Gene Wilder, Tom Cruise, and Meryl Streep. “Meryl had this incredible presence that was both awe-inspiring and a little intimidating,” he admitted. “Not in a bad way—it just made you want to step up your game.”
A Look Back at Coach
Coach remains one of Craig’s most beloved roles, and he cherishes the memories of filming the show. “The camaraderie among the cast was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Sure, the first few years were tough, but once we got into our groove, we laughed so hard it was hard to keep a straight face during takes.”
Rebooting Coach?
While there was an attempt to reboot Coach in 2015, it didn’t take off. “We tried, but sometimes these things just don’t work out,” Craig admitted. “Recreating the magic of the original series is incredibly difficult.”
