Amanda Seyfried Reveals the Acting Performance That Changed Her Perspective
Amanda Seyfried opens up about the one acting performance that set the bar for her own career, calling it a true masterclass and a source of inspiration she returns to again and again.
Hollywood is no stranger to bending the truth, especially when it comes to appearances. One of the most persistent myths is that simply adding glasses and muted lipstick to a stunning actress somehow makes her unremarkable. Amanda Seyfried found herself at the center of this trope in the 2009 film Jennifer’s Body, a fact that still frustrates many fans. Another misleading notion is that someone with Seyfried’s looks—blonde, traditionally attractive, and with a background in soap operas—can’t be taken seriously as an actor. Over the past few years, Seyfried has thoroughly debunked both of these stereotypes.
Her performances speak for themselves. From her Oscar- nominated turn as Marion Davies in 2020’s Mank to her bold portrayal of the Shaker movement’s founder in Mona Fastvold’s The Testament of Ann Lee (2025 ), Seyfried has proven she’s fearless in front of the camera. Her ever-expanding list of roles is a testament to her versatility and commitment to her craft.
Unexpected Inspiration
Many would assume that Seyfried’s role models are the trailblazing women of Hollywood who have shattered expectations and typecasting. While she certainly shares a background in theater and daytime television with some of these icons, the actor who inspires her most is an unexpected choice. In a 2022 interview with Backstage, Seyfried revealed that her guiding light in the industry is Thomas Haden Church. Known for his roles as Sandman in the Spider- Man franchise and Lyle van Groot in George of the Jungle, Haden Church is the standard Seyfried holds herself to.
It’s not just his career as a whole that impresses her, but one particular role: Lowell Mather in the 1990s sitcom Wings. Seyfried explained,
“He’s able to play idiotic yet truthful, and relatable and hilarious. I just think it’s a master class… Playing characters like that is just so satisfying and harder than it seems. He’s so consistently present.”
She even used his performance as a reference point while preparing for her part in Mean Girls.
The Legacy of Wings
Though Wings may not have the same cultural cachet as Friends or Seinfeld today, it enjoyed a successful run from 1990 to 1997. At its peak, it even outperformed shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The Simpsons in the Nielsen ratings. Set in a small Nantucket airport, the series followed Haden Church’s character, a lovable, somewhat clueless mechanic whose journey took him through some wild storylines—including a stint in the Witness Protection Program.
What sets Haden Church’s performance apart, according to Seyfried, is his ability to blend simplicity with authenticity. His portrayal of Lowell Mather is both believable and deeply funny, a combination that’s much harder to pull off than it looks. Despite never receiving major awards for the role, his work left a lasting impression on his peers—sometimes, that kind of recognition is just as meaningful as an Oscar, even if Hollywood doesn’t always play by those rules.