Actress Jennifer Tilly may be familiar with facing off against demons on screen, but when it comes to reality stars, itโs a whole new ball game.
โOh my God, itโs insane. Itโs, like, scarier than Chucky. Iโll tell you that,โ the Chucky actress, 65, said of joining the season 14 cast of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills during the Tuesday, July 2, episode of the โIt Happened in Hollywoodโ podcast.
โIโm not a Housewife. Iโm a Friend, though, which is a lot easier,โ she said of her role in the forthcoming season of the long-running Bravo series. โYou just dip in and out. You try to avoid, like, flying shrapnel. And you know, if drinks are thrown, I have good reflexes.โ
Tillyโs longtime friend and Bound costar Gina Gershon also appeared on the podcast, revealing that she was once approached by Bravo to join the cast.
โI was too scared,โ Gershon, 62, admitted, which prompted Tilly to tell her that she โwould be greatโ on the show.
โYou know what? Youโre gonna be genius on that,โ Gershon said. โYouโll take over that whole set, Jen. I have no doubt. Iโd actually even watch it with you on it!โ
RHOBH fans have seen the professional poker player on the show before as a Friend. Sheโs appeared in five episodes from 2020 to 2023.
Season 14 of RHOBH is currently filming with returning cast members Kyle Richards, Erika Jayne, Sutton Stracke, Garcelle Beauvais and Dorit Kemsley, plus newcomer Bozoma โBozโ Saint John. Richardsโ sister, Kathy Hilton, will also return to the series as a Friend this season.
โThis cast is so refreshing. Itโs a great group of women,โ Stracke, 52, exclusively told Us Weekly in June. โWeโll see what happens with what our future entails, but I think weโre all really smart.โ
Notably absent from the cast is Crystal Kung Minkoff, who announced her departure from the reality show after three seasons.
โItโs very bittersweet,โ Kung Minkoff, 41, who joined the cast in 2021 for season 11, said via Instagram in April. โNever did I think I would have been asked to do the show in a million years, let alone film it for three seasons. Every single year I was asked back, it was a blessing. It was an honor.โ
Noting that her โbiggest giftโ was โconnectingโ with viewers, she added, โIโm so grateful for everyoneโs love and support. This has been such a fun chapter.โ
That same month, a source exclusively told Us Weekly that the reality personality was โfired because she didnโt deliver,โ adding, โProducers told her she doesnโt have a storyline, so they had to let her go.โ
Annemarie Wiley, who joined the cast during season 13, announced her departure in March after just one season.
โTo say that Iโm disappointed is an understatement. I never auditioned for this show,โ Wiley, 41, shared in a since-deleted Instagram statement at the time. โThe show found me and asked me to be on it out of the blue 6 weeks after the cast had already started filming. I was thrown into filming 2 weeks later, mid-season.โ
She added, โTo the real fans that saw past what was portrayed and saw the REAL me, thank you so much for the love and support. I wish all the ladies good luck on the next season and thank you Bravo for the opportunity. As an athlete, challenges only make you stronger and more determined to prosper! Iโm excited for the new opportunities ahead that celebrate positivity, truth, authenticity, and the values I truly align with.โ
Tilly โ who is known for her quips and comedic timing โ will prove to be an excellent addition to the cast. In addition to starring on SYFYโs Chucky, films Bride of Chucky, Seed of Chucky, Curse of Chucky and more, the comedian has appeared in over 100 TV shows and movies, including Liar Liar, Hill Street Blues, Key West and The Haunted Mansion.
She is also an accomplished voice actress, having voiced Bonnie Swanson on Family Guy since 1999 and Celia in Monsters, Inc.