In Rooster, Xavier Beloved brings George Heitman to life as a character defined by both strong presence and emotional gentleness in a series that balances humor with heart. In this interview, the actor reflects on the challenge of exploring new layers of vulnerability, the experience of working alongside Steve Carell, and the way the show leans into themes of rediscovery, authentic relationships, and personal growth.
In Rooster, you play George Heitman, a character who combines a strong physical presence with a great deal of kindness. What drew you most to that duality?
I would say embracing vulnerable and emotional depth in ways I hadn’t before.
You described joining the series as a surreal and deeply enriching experience. What was it like finding your place in a project led by names like Bill Lawrence, Matt Tarses, and Steve Carell?
It elevated my experience working with all three individuals, especially Bill Lawrence. Working on the comedy series led by Bill was a dream come true. Having grown up watching Scrubs and Clone High, I was a fan long before I ever considered a career in the industry. That admiration deepened during the COVID era, when Ted Lasso resonated with me on a more personal level and sparked a greater appreciation for Lawrence’s storytelling.
Rooster seems to balance comedy and emotional depth in a very particular way. How do you see the tone of the series, and what do you think makes it stand out?
The show stands out because it tells a story about rediscovery. It focuses on what it takes to break out of emotional isolation and allow yourself to grow.
American pop culture has a way of conditioning us to feel like once you hit a certain age, that’s it—you’ve got to have everything figured out. I believe that’s why people will relate to Greg Russo. Yeah, he’s successful, but he’s also human. He’s coming out of a breakup and kind of hiding from the world, like a lot of us do at times.”
George is a college athlete, but he also seems to carry a strong sense of humanity. How did you work to build that more emotional side of the character?
The emotional side of George is cultivated out of lived experience. I myself have been an athlete and a man of big stature, and there are a lot of preconceived notions that come with that. Personally I’ve always had an affinity for what some may call leisure or soft activities. There’s no need for aggression in life.
Working alongside Steve Carell must have been a defining part of the experience. What stood out to you most about your dynamic with him on set and in scenes?
Working alongside Steve Carell only elevated my experience. “I don’t think enough people talk about how his aura fills a room—it’s so warm and welcoming that you almost forget to be nervous.” “For many of us up-and-coming actors playing students on the show, this is our biggest role, so there were definitely moments where I thought, ‘Wow… I’m really doing scenes with a comedy legend right now.’”
He brings a rare balance of presence and generosity to every scene. He really listens, reacts in the moment, and stays present, which makes it so much easier to find a natural rhythm with him.
That sense of humility extended off-camera as well. Early in production, I recalled addressing him as “Mr. Carell” out of respect—until he quickly put me at ease.
He pulled me aside and said, ‘Hey, we’re equals—you can just call me Steve’. That meant a lot to me as a new actor. It created this sense of comfort, like I wasn’t being judged by my résumé, just by the work we were doing together.
The series explores reinvention, relationships, and personal growth at different stages of life. In your view, why do you think those themes will resonate so strongly with Rooster audiences?
By watching the show, audiences can expect a thoughtful balance of humor and heart. At its core, it’s about authentic relationships and those everyday relatable moments people actually go through.
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