Out and About with Billy Eichner

Billy Eichner is back as the voice of Timon in the highly anticipated live-action prequel Mufasa: The Lion King, directed by Academy Award-winner Barry Jenkins, with music by Grammy Award-winner Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Known for his sharp wit and Emmy-nominated work on Billy on the Street, Eichner once again breathes life into the beloved meerkat, bringing his signature humor and charm to the screen. While Timon’s adventures are entertaining millions, we caught up with Billy to talk about his own real-life adventures in our latest Out & About interview.

Eichner shares his favorite NYC spot for casual dining, his surprising celeb picks for seatmates on a long-haul flight, and a refreshingly simple hack to make travel more enjoyable. We also dive into his admiration for Central Park, his dream role, and where he’s longing to visit. Whether he’s stealing scenes as Timon or reflecting on his deep love for New York City, Billy Eichner continues to entertain with a voice as authentic as it is irreverent.

Favorite hotel?

BE: Recently I’ve liked The Dominick in Soho. I like it in the warmer months because it’s close to Hudson River Park.

Must have travel essentials?

BE: Very basic, fragrance-free, anti-bacterial hand soap. I’m not a germaphobe, I just don’t like flowery, fragrant hotel soaps. I bring my own.

What's your go-to movie to watch on a plane?

BE: I don’t really have one. If I’m going to watch a movie, I want to watch something I haven’t seen. I like to use long flights to watch some recent long movie that I haven’t had the time or patience to watch. Which puts me in the strange position of flying to party somewhere like Provincetown or Fire Island while watching something like Killers of the Flower Moon.

What’s your go-to book that you return to from time to time?

BE: I don’t really reread books a second time. What I’m more likely to do is rewatch old interviews or concert clips with entertainers I love. Or award show speeches.

Favorite NYC restaurant?

BE: I love eating but I’m not a foodie, so I never know where the hottest new restaurants are. I wish I did. I order from Westville a lot because it’s healthy and it comes in like 15 minutes. I’m on the go!

What advice would you give LGBTQ+ travelers who may feel hesitant or anxious about visiting places that might not be as inclusive?

BE: Personally, I probably would never go anywhere which didn’t have some baseline acceptance of LGBTQ folks. I wouldn’t feel comfortable. But that’s just me.

You’ve somehow wound up on a 15-hour flight to Australia, wedged into a middle seat in economy class – which two celebrities would you choose to sit beside you and why?

BE: Tommy Lee Jones and William H. Macy. They’re older straight men who’d probably be quiet and not talk too much and that’s the way I’d want it.

Can you share a travel tip or hack that has made your journeys more enjoyable or convenient?

BE: Being rich. I wasn’t always so I really appreciate the perks!

As a native New Yorker, are there any unique or lesser-known spots in the city you would recommend to our readers?

BE: It’s not lesser known obviously but I’m always surprised by the New Yorkers I know who never go to Central Park. I’ve only become a regular visitor to Central Park in the last 10 years or so, even though I grew up in New York City, and I am madly in love with it. I highly recommend it if you’re not someone who goes there regularly. It’s a masterpiece – it’s gorgeously art-directed and is just a magical, glorious place.

If you could guest star in any current T.V. show, which one would it be, and what kind of character would you want to play?

BE: I’d like to be on Yellowstone, and I want to play a character named Mr. Yellowstone. He can really sing!

What do you miss most about living in NYC, and are there any “only in New York” experiences you still crave?

BE: I’m still in New York all the time. I couldn’t live without it. I’m there about once a month. It’s my hometown and still my favorite place on Earth. As for an only in New York experience, I try to get to the theater there as much as possible.

Timon is such an iconic character with a big legacy. How do you bring your own unique spin to him while staying true to the character that fans know and love?

BE: I think I probably have a similar comedic sensibility and, broadly speaking, a similar style to the OG Timon, my friend, the legendary Nathan Lane, who I adore. So that probably helped a bit and was part of the reason I was initially cast. Other than that, I just have to trust my own comedic instincts and trust the guidance of my directors, Jon Favreau in 2019 and now Barry Jenkins with Mufasa, and of course, it helps that I’m not alone – I get to be part of a comedy duo with Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, who is so warm and generous and fun to work with.

How was it working with Barry Jenkins as the director of this new chapter in The Lion King story? Did his vision add new layers to how you approached Timon for this film?

BE: Barry is obviously a masterful director, so it was a huge honor to get to work with him. I’m really impressed by the amount of complexity he was able to bring to a family film with the characters in Mufasa.

Travel has been a big part of The Lion King story’s themes – exploration, self-discovery, and developing diverse bonds. How do you think these themes will resonate with audiences today?

BE: I think a lot of people go to the movies today in order to escape the real world for a few hours and feel like they’re traveling somewhere new and Mufasa is the perfect movie for that. The action-adventure sequences are truly incredible. It made me feel like a kid again – I was on the edge of my seat watching it. It is honestly thrilling and a truly great escape from the world, and I think people are really going to have fun watching it.

Lastly, what’s a destination still on your travel bucket list?

BE: I’ve never been to Japan and I’m dying to go!