RVC native spreads her talents with Netflix show, book

From helping to write the movie “Bride Wars” to having acting parts in shows such as “American Dad” and “Veep”, June Diane Raphael has given the world no shortage of exposure to her incredible talents.

Raphael’s current show, the Netflix original “Grace and Frankie,” gives her a platform to spread her comedic wings alongside the likes of Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston. The actress credits much of her career to the South Side Theater program, in particular Larry Waxman — her former teacher.

“Larry was my mentor and encouraged me to pursue a career in the performing arts,” she said. “He was really the first person I felt believed in me and thought I could make a career in it.”

It wasn’t until after high school and her time at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, that Raphael began to truly pursue comedy as a career. She joined the Upright Citizens Brigade, an improvisational and sketch group, whose alma mater includes Amy Poehler and Matt Walsh.

As for the proliferation of comedians hailing from Rockville Centre, Raphael didn’t seem to have an answer. However, she did mention having mutual friends with Amy Schumer in high school, and is not at all surprised by Schumer’s success,

“She was always hilarious,” said Raphael, who called Schumer’s career “amazing.”

“Grace and Frankie” is a show about two older women, Fonda and Tomlin, who have to navigate love and life after their husbands divorce them to marry each other.

Raphael has high praise for Fonda’s acting chops, and especially her storied career as a political activist.

“She’s an incredible actress and an incredible person,” said Raphael. “She has certainly had so much hatred and vitriol come her way through the years, but still remains very steadfast in what she believes in.”

Raphael is a devoted activist in her own right. Together, with her comedian husband Paul Scheer, the duo launched The Big 100, a social media campaign that encouraged followers to take action during President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office.

What is the most important lesson Raphael has learned from working alongside Fonda?

“Using my time and not complaining about being tired,” she responded. “If she can show up, so can I.”

Raphael speaks just as highly of her other renowned co-star, Lily Tomlin. Noting her prowess as a physical comedian, Raphael gushes about her ‘malleability’ as a comedian and how Tomlin’s playful nature is contagious on set.

“She gives me more permission to take chances and be bigger and bolder because she has done just that,” Raphael said before adding, “I absolutely love working with her.”

According to Raphael, the show’s themes are so ubiquitous for people of all generations, which is why it is so successful at reaching across demographics.

“I think the idea of starting a new chapter and starting over and things not really working out the way we thought it would is a universal idea that people can relate to,” she said. Raphael explained that this resonates with younger people who might be fresh out of college and not quite sure where their life is going.

Not to mention that simply, “watching these two icons act together is just a treat.”

Raphael is co-authoring a book with Kate Black to encourage women to run for office called, “The Badass Woman’s Guide To Running For Office and Changing The World.”