As it turns out, the actor for Fear from ‘Inside Out’ has a lot he can relate to with the character. However, it’s the anxiety that resonates more with him. The actor has historically been very open about his mental health. He has even written a book called Árchibald’s Next Big Thing’ about a curious chicken that tackles these themes in a kid-friendly way.
How Tony Hale Deals With Anxiety
Formerly the lead star of a one-man play ‘Wakey, Wakey’ in San Francisco, Tony Hale is no stranger to anxiety. It was the anxiety he felt before he got on stage that actually gave him the experience to understand how to manage it.
Ultimately, the realization he came to was that anxiety primarily wants to protect you. It’s an urge to turn towards what’s safe and what’s familiar in the face of the unknown. That feeling isn’t something you need to push down and try and ignore. In his head, Tony Hale gently acknowledges that voice and meets it with compassion. He acknowledges that he feels anxious and that that feeling is completely okay.
Hale did admit that it’s easy to get caught up in the “What if?” mindset, constantly worrying about potential outcomes. However, he recognizes that the point is that being present requires effort, even though it seems counterintuitive. It's a sentiment that's very similar to mindfulness, which may be a hint of the impact behind the mental health counselling that Hale briefly mentions in the interview.
‘Inside Out 2’ and How it Portrays Fear As a Protective Emotion
In ‘Inside Out 2’ itself, the long-awaited sequel to Pixar’s beloved film, Hale’s character Fear faces new emotions like Anxiety, Envy, and Embarrassment. The movie explores the inner workings of Riley’s mind as she navigates adolescence, and Hale’s personal experiences with anxiety inform his portrayal of Fear.
Through his candid discussions as an actor that’s both actively working on his anxiety and still humble about its impact in his life, Hale’s advice is both invaluable and simple for anyone dealing with anxiety: stay present, engage your senses, and simply appreciate and accept the protective role anxiety plays in your life.