Garret Dillahunt Plays Movieline's My Favorite Scene: 'These Kind of Things Just Reveal Your Age More Than Anything, Don't They?'

While so many other new shows have already come and gone this season (with more perhaps on the way), Fox's sitcom Raising Hope has been a shining beacon of success. Already picked up for a full season and with ratings juggernaut Glee as a lead-in, the Greg Garcia-produced series -- about a single dad raising a child from a one-night stand with the help of his family -- is a television rarity in 2010: a critical success that people actually watch. Actor Garret Dillahunt (Deadwood, The Road, The Assassination of Jesse James), who stars on the show as what could be television's youngest grandfather, called last week to discuss the hit show and play a round of Movieline's My Favorite Scene.

How does it feel to star on one of the few new shows this fall that has actually been successful?

The word of mouth seems really good on the show. It feels great, I feel proud. I don't think I've ever been on a show that has been as universally praised. Even Deadwood was more of a cult following.

How did you get involved with Raising Hope? I know people probably wouldn't know you for comedy.

I actually started in comedy, but then after Deadwood I started concentrating on the dramas more. But then I just got tired for raping and killing and figured, 'It's time to do another comedy.' This one came along, and I auditioned and I was lucky enough to get it.

Is it a relief for you to step away from some of those heavier roles?

I don't know if it's a relief. I have been really lucky in my career, with the diversity of it. I get to play really complex people. But I did choose to do a comedy now. I just thought, I'd like to try something different and this was the opportunity for that.

Here at Movieline, we do this thing called My Favorite Scene...

These kind of things just reveal your age more than anything, don't they?

Perhaps. But do you have any scenes that you're particularly fond of?

Well, one of my favorite ones to work on -- besides just about any scene from Deadwood -- was my scene with Brad Pitt in Assassination of Jesse James. That was just a fun day.

That's a film that continues to gain stature as the years progress.

It's sort of enjoying retroactive respect. I think it's beautiful and I think it will remain one of my favorite projects that I've ever been involved with as long as I live.

And what about a scene that you weren't in?

You know one scene I always think about is in The Godfather, when Marlon Brando's in the hospital. Al Pacino arrives there and enlists the help of the baker to protect his father. The two of them stand outside and the baker fiddles with a cigarette lighter, but Pacino's hands are rock steady. That's when we sort of realize that he can do this.