# Skyler Gisondo’s Dark Side in Primetime > Skyler Gisondo’s role as a decoy in Primetime reveals his acting depth and struggle to switch off his 'dark side' after a Venice Film Festival premiere. - Title: Skyler Gisondo’s Dark Side in Primetime · Vanity Fair - Summary: Skyler Gisondo’s role as a decoy in Primetime reveals his acting depth and struggle to switch off his 'dark side' after a Venice Film Festival premiere… - Keywords: skyler gisondo, primetime, to catch a predator, chris hansen, robert pattinson, merritt wever, focker-in-law, ariana grande, hbo max, goblin, shrek 5, a24 - Source: Vanity Fair — https://vanityfair.com/story/gisondo-primetime-fockers-in-law-profile - Author: Chris Murphy - Published: 2026-09-24T18:43:32.022+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: skyler gisondo, primetime, to catch a predator, chris hansen, robert pattinson, merritt wever, focker-in-law, ariana grande, hbo max, goblin, shrek 5, a24 ## Child Star Beginnings Skyler Gisondo landed his first acting role in a Pizza Hut commercial at age 10 after a competitive audition process. > My first audition was a Pizza Hut commercial, which was a total cattle call. ## Avoiding Child Stardom Gisondo’s parents restricted his Disney Channel auditions to prevent early fame, keeping him as a steady but uncelebrated actor. > My mom wouldn’t let me audition for Disney or Nick because she didn’t want me to be kid famous or whatever. ## Early Film Success Gisondo appeared in films like Walk Hard and The Amazing Spider-Man before turning 25, transitioning smoothly into adult roles. > I was this steadily working kid actor, but by no means a famous child actor. ## Primetime Role Gisondo plays Dan Plumb, a 23-year-old aspiring actor who becomes a decoy in To Catch a Predator to lure predators. > Part of the outlandishness of the show is these decoys did not seem remotely underage. ## Venice Premiere Primetime earned an eight-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, positioning it for awards recognition. > I received an eight-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival. ## Voice Transformation Gisondo trained to raise his vocal pitch for the role, creating a believable decoy voice that avoids sounding comical. > I wanted the natural register of my voice to be a little bit higher so it didn’t seem as comical of a reach. ## Chris Hansen’s Reaction Hansen branded the film an 'insult' and purchased promotional slots for his streaming service TruBlu to counter the movie. > I’ve never met him or spoken to him, but I think the film is a dramatization of sorts. ## Working with Pattinson Gisondo credits Robert Pattinson’s willingness to share his acting process and emotional depth for his own growth. > He will drop in, do the greatest acting you’ve ever seen in your life, and then snap out of it and it’s done. ## Shifting Identity Gisondo struggled to switch off the 'Decoy Dan' persona after filming, maintaining a conflicted mindset for months. > I realized I was not able to go in and out. Dan was consistently trapped in this isolated, deeply conflicted, and estranged headspace. ## Focker-In-Law Gisondo returns to comedy in Focker-In-Law, opposite Ariana Grande, after his Primetime success. > It tonally could not have been more of a switch up for sure. ## Internet Fame Gisondo became an internet sensation for his wholesome charm and relatable humor, despite his distance from social media. > They’re not sick of me?... Dude, I have no idea. ## Future Projects Gisondo is filming The People vs. Gorilla Grodd, a Superman sequel, and Shrek 5, showcasing his versatility. > I’m looking forward to seeing her when I do. ## Moral Ambiguity Primetime explores the ethical tensions of To Catch a Predator without taking sides on Hansen’s methods. > It’s neither an exaltation of Hansen’s holy war against child predators nor a condemnation of the ethically dubious methods. ## Child Star to Adult Actor Gisondo’s journey from child actor to respected adult performer highlights his ability to balance vulnerability and confidence. > I think it would be really damaging to the work for me to spend too much time thinking about how something will be received. ## Venice Reception The film’s Venice premiere generated overwhelming positive reactions, surprising the cast and crew. > We were just riding high from that point on. ## Shrek 5 Role Gisondo voices Farkle, one of Shrek’s three children, in the upcoming animated feature Shrek 5. > I’m looking forward to seeing her when I do. ## Key takeaway Gisondo’s Primetime role as a decoy in To Catch a Predator showcases his ability to embody vulnerability and moral ambiguity while navigating the tension between his child star past and adult acting career.