After years of working hard in Hollywood, Glen Powell has entered his movie star era, culminating with Hit Man, streaming June 7 on Netflix. But some things never change, no matter how big he gets. For one, he still brings his parents everywhere. They visit his sets, troll him at movie premieres, and even cameo in his movies.

It’s a tradition that dates back to Powell’s earliest roles; when he was still a teenager, his mom drove him from their Austin home to Shreveport, Louisiana, to audition for Denzel Washington’s The Great Debaters, and his parents joined him on set as extras when he did his scene for Washington. Neither Glen Sr. nor Cyndy Powell had experience in Hollywood: He’s an executive coach and she’s a former staff member of the Reagan White House. But when their son appeared on set, both could tell he had something special.

“That was a really crazy impactful moment,” Powell says of shooting that scene. In many ways, it was what set him on the path toward his career as a Hollywood leading man — when you impress Denzel, the dominoes start to fall. For Glen Powell Sr., sitting in the audience, The Great Debaters was a clear inflection point. “That was the first time I thought, ‘Yeah, he can act,’ ” Powell Sr. says.

Flash forward to 2022, when the Powells were a fixture on the set of Hit Man, a rom-com thriller in which their son plays a fake hit man. They knew he could act, but did they know he could disappear? “Glen would walk out of his trailer, and nobody recognized him, including his assistant, who said, ‘Hey, does anybody know where Glen is?’ ” Powell Sr. told Netflix. To borrow Powell’s father’s own words: Yeah, he can act.

Both Powells sat down with Tudum for a moderated conversation — read on to see what they had to say about Hit Man, Powell’s career origins, and more. 

Watch Glen Powell Talk to His Dad About Becoming a Hollywood (H)it ManAfter watching this, you'll see where Glen gets his charms from.

The moment Denzel Washington changed everything

Glen Powell: When was the first time you felt like I may have a career in acting?

Glen Powell Sr.: I go back to the set of The Great Debaters. Mom and I were in the audience in Harvard Memorial Hall where they filmed it. There were 500-plus extras in there. And we’re up there watching this person fumble his lines over and over and over again. And then this guy started getting really flustered. We go through this whole thing and then he goes, “Where’s Glen Powell? We’re going to film that scene now.” And Mom and I are up there going, “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe he’s got to do it right now.”

So you get up there and in one take you nailed your scene and Denzel goes, “That’s what I’m talking about. That’s how you do it. Cut. We’re done.” At that point I got … wow. And then right after that, Ed Limato, who was Denzel’s agent, came up to us and said, ‘Your son has what it takes to make it in Hollywood. I’ve been around a long time. I’ve discovered Mel Gibson, Richard Gere, Michelle Pfeiffer. I know your son has what it takes and if you’ll move him to Hollywood, I'll help him.”

Powell: I don’t think we ever looked at this job as a career. It was always a fun thing that I got to do in Austin. And that was a crazy moment where Denzel and Ed, people at that level, really kind of validated [me]. 

I had just started at the University of Texas and was so pumped to be there and didn’t want to leave. But there was a real moment that as a family, we all looked at each other and we’re like, “OK, I think let’s give this a shot.” And that’s what it’s been. It’s been like the team sport the whole time. We’ve all done it together. And even when it wasn’t going well, we were doing it together. So that was a crazy moment. Looking back on that, that moment maybe felt so small for those guys, but was kind of the moment [for me].

Powell Sr.: I’ve been back to visit Harvard Memorial Hall. And it evokes great memories. Every time I go back.

Powell: My whole part in that room. I went back to Austin Studios to go back to the spot where we shot Spy Kids and it’s so crazy when you step onto that set, how heightened those early movies are where the buildup of everything just feels so intense. It’s so surreal. And I remember you guys coming onto set and you guys got to be spy parents.

Powell Sr.: We had fun. Every time I’ve been back in those studios, they have photographs on the wall and stuff. It evokes great memories.

Matt Lankes/Netflix

2024 is the Year of Glen Powell

Powell Sr.: What was it like sharing my name growing up?

Powell: I don’t think we’ve ever talked about this, which is really funny because Glen is a very interesting name. I don’t think there’s a girl that I’ve ever said my name to on the planet that hasn’t gone, “Huh?” Maybe it was different back in your time, but maybe I should just say Ryan. Over the course of time, there is something so great about having something that’s unique, something that doesn’t feel expected and makes you kind of memorable. 

And even just how you and I have kind of, I think moved through this business together. I’m glad now you’re the OG, the original Glen. 

Powell Sr.: What I can tell you is how it’s affected my life now. When I call to get a restaurant reservation, I get a great table and then I walk in the door and it’s like, “OK.”

But when we were in New York watching the [New York Film Festival] screening of Hit Man, it was an amazing thing there. Here we got 1,600 people in the theater and Rick goes, “I have a big surprise for you tonight. Glen Powell is in the house.” And there was a whole buzz in the room. And I stand and it went from “Ah!” to “Oh.” But it’s kind of nice to have your name.

Powell: Hey, man, you too. We’re bringing the name Glen back together. I don’t know when the last time the name Glen has been popular, but maybe it’s going to start peaking. 2024, I think this is our year.

Who’s your hit man?

Powell: My dad’s one of the most sweet people on the planet. I think you’d need somebody aggressive. I think you’d hire the Russian. You’re never going to do the job yourself. You’re never afraid of talking stuff out. So in terms of hit men, I think you would never get to that point. You’re always someone who solves the problem long before violence or bad choices. You’re Switzerland in our family. I think you need the Russian.

Powell Sr.: You want to know who I would pick? I’d be Ron. Not because Ron was an effective hit man, but because he had compassion and I would probably want somebody to talk me out of it.

Brian Roedel/Netflix

What does it mean to get to experience this type of journey together?

Powell Sr.: Oh my gosh. To be on the set of Hit Man, to get to know all these wonderful people, to be a part of a great movie and to share it with you is awesome. So thank you.

Powell: It’s been a great journey that we’ve gotten to do together and I think that’s the best part about this. Obviously I’ve loved making movies since I was a kid, but to get to do [it] with you guys has made it very, very special. Love you, buddy.

Powell Sr.: Love you. 

Hit Man is streaming on Netflix June 7. Keep a keen eye out for Glen Sr. and Cyndy — they’re out of focus in the background of a scene featuring a New Orleans trolley car.