NEED TO KNOW
Sam Rockwell has nothing but praise for his longtime partner Leslie Bibb.
When asked what he envies about Bibb as an actress at the HBO Max Emmy Nominee Celebration earlier this month, the 56-year-old actor — who is nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Frank on The White Lotus at the 2025 Emmys — tells PEOPLE, “I envy her…She’s so quick. She’s quicker than me.”
He adds, “I’ve got to take a minute for something to hit me.”
Rockwell also sings the praises of Bibb’s portrayal of Kate Bohr ofThe White Lotus season 3, saying, “Leslie’s so good.”
“Her [Kate] moral compass is very clear, and I love that,” he continues of Bibb’s character. “I love the clarity she has for the most part. Some insecurities, but I think she’s got a real moral compass.”
Rockwell and Bibb, 51, had been together for nearly two decades before starring together on the most recent season of The White Lotus.
Kevin Winter/Getty
During The White Lotus panel at the HBO Max Emmy Nominee Celebration, Rockwell revealed Bibb encouraged him to join the series after an actor had dropped out.
“I felt very fortunate and terrified at the same time because I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare,” Rockwell recalled.
“It was really fun,” he added. “Walt [Walton Goggins] and I having a rapport, knowing each other for 20 years… I knew that we would instantly have a Butch and Sundance thing, and that was definitely true.”
The show’s creator Mike White expressed his gratitude for the actor showing up on set in Thailand “129 days” in.
“Sam shows up and he’s like, he brings the positive vibes,” White shared. “He’s friends with everybody. He’s totally prepared.”
He continued: “So he just shows up and does his thing. I’m like, ‘Oh my God. Thank freaking God for Sam Rockwell. What a blessing.'”
David Jon/Getty Images
The White Lotus season 3 is nominated for 23 Emmys at this year’s ceremony, including Outstanding Drama Series.
Goggins and Jason Issacs will face off with Rockwell in Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category. Aimee Lou Wood, Carrie Coon, Natasha Rothwell and Parker Posey are all up for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series prize.
White also scored a nomination for an Outstanding Directing and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The White Lotus is available to stream on HBO Max.
