
Actor Gabriel Basso reflects on his role as JD Vance in “Hillbilly Elegy,” expressing no regrets despite Vance’s unexpected political trajectory.
At a Glance
- Gabriel Basso portrayed JD Vance in the 2020 film “Hillbilly Elegy”
- Basso has no regrets about playing Vance, who is now Vice President
- The film was made before Vance entered politics
- Basso finds it surprising that Vance is now in the White House
- The actor sees his portrayal as a unique historical connection
A Journey Through Family and Socio-Economic Themes
Gabriel Basso, the actor who brought JD Vance’s story to life in the 2020 film “Hillbilly Elegy,” recently shared his thoughts on portraying the now-Vice President. The film, based on Vance’s 2016 memoir, depicts Vance’s challenging upbringing in Ohio and his eventual success at Yale Law School, aided by his grandparents.
Directed by Ron Howard, “Hillbilly Elegy” explores complex family dynamics and socio-economic themes, focusing on Vance’s growth from a turbulent childhood to academic achievement. The story, at its core, is about overcoming adversity and the profound impact of family, particularly Vance’s grandparents, on his life trajectory.
Before he was “The Night Agent,” Gabriel Basso portrayed now vice president JD Vance in the film based on Vance's book, “Hillbilly Elegy.” The actor explains how it feels to see Vance now on a "global platform." pic.twitter.com/MWQPq3jU9E
— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) January 21, 2025
In a recent interview, Basso expressed no regrets about his portrayal of Vance, despite the latter’s unexpected political career. The actor emphasized that at the time of filming, Vance was not involved in politics, drawing an interesting parallel to their relationship.
“At the time, he wasn’t even in politics,” Basso told The Associated Press in a clip posted to TikTok on Wednesday.
“It’d be like asking somebody, ‘Do you regret being a friend to whoever in middle school?’ It’s like, you just knew them, and you worked with them and you were a part of their life and everything.”
Basso’s comments highlight the significant changes in Vance’s life since the film’s release. The actor finds it both surprising and historically significant that his name will now appear when people search for the Vice President.
Reflecting on the unexpected turn of events, Basso sees his portrayal of Vance as a unique historical connection. The actor acknowledges the surprising nature of Vance’s political ascent, noting the contrast between the time of filming and Vance’s current position in the White House.
“That’s a wild historical thing that I’ve now done,” Basso said.
This perspective underscores the unpredictable nature of life and politics, as well as the lasting impact of artistic portrayals on public perception. Basso’s role in “Hillbilly Elegy” now serves as a cinematic time capsule, capturing a pivotal period in Vance’s life before his entry into the political arena.
Is Hollywood finally getting brave?