Be Adventuresome and Willing to Fail: Patrick Fabian of 'Better Call Saul' Returns to His Roots
On November 6, Penn State alumnus and acclaimed actor Patrick Fabian appeared at the Centre Film Festival at the historic Rowland Theatre in Philipsburg. Festival Director Pearl Gluck invited him, knowing of his storied career and ties to Happy Valley—but the connections ran even deeper than anticipated, weaving together family history and film magic.
"I called him about the festival in our century-old movie palace, the Rowland Theatre," Gluck recalls. "Before I could finish, he said, 'Let me stop you—I know the Rowland. My mom was an usher there as a teenager!'"
"It was a beautiful moment," she adds, "highlighting the interconnectivity of stories and generations that festivals uncover."
The Rowland Theatre Connection
Speaking midway through a road trip from Albuquerque to Los Angeles, Fabian shared his surprise. "My mom never mentioned it," he said. "I visited Philipsburg often, playing on the WWI Sherman tank, walking to Dairy Freeze, or biking for penny candy—but the Rowland? Not a word."
When his film The Last Exorcism screened there in 2010, she revealed her past. "'Oh, I worked there as a girl,' she said. 'Really? Your son's been in theater 30 years, and you never mentioned it?'" He laughs. "Typical Central Pennsylvania—playing it close to the vest."
His mother, Mary Lou, clarified from her Harrisburg home: "It wasn't hiding it; kids just don't ask." At 15, over 65 years ago, she ushered with a flashlight, seating patrons, but quit due to school and night shifts. She hadn't returned in decades—until November 6, when she, husband Thomas, and over two dozen relatives watched Fabian's 2018 film DriverX at the Rowland.
DriverX follows a middle-aged man juggling childcare by day and rideshare driving by night after losing his record store. The New York Times praised it as "teem[ing] with lived-through details," with an "optimistic yet cynical" outlook.
'Yeah, he's got a nice suit, but I went to Penn State.'
Fabian credits Penn State for his versatile career. Frequent visits from Harrisburg led him to fall for the campus. Initially wary parents were swayed during a College of Arts and Architecture tour.
"Professor Bill Kelly asked, 'Are you a good actor?' I was 16—'Yes!' He replied, 'Good—we'll make you better,' then told my parents, 'It's a hard road.' Dad appreciated the honesty. It fueled me to rise to the challenge."
At Penn State, Fabian focused on work ethic over starring roles—"holding spears, making costumes"—learning auditions, feedback, and preparation. "In rooms with better-resuméd actors, I had an edge: 'Yeah, he's got a nice suit, but I went to Penn State.'"
His 30-year career spans films like DriverX and TV including Friends, Saved by the Bell, Grey's Anatomy. Now in his sixth season as Howard Hamlin on Better Call Saul, he earned an ensemble Outstanding Performance award in 2015.
On November 5, Penn State honored him with an Arts and Architecture Alumni Award. "He's fantastic and deserving," said Joyce Hoffman, Director of Constituent Engagement. "Plus, he's a great person."
"Be adventuresome. Be willing to fail."
Advice for his younger self? "Acting's a crooked line—no straight plan. Don't be precious; keep doing it. Film on your phones, be adventuresome, willing to fail. Stack the deck for what's next."
"Now, my mom sees me on her hometown screen. That's kismet."
Join Fabian's workshop at Centre Film Festival on November 6 post-DriverX screening for more tips.
Festival passes: $50 (Nov 1-7); DriverX ticket: $8 at 1 p.m. Nov 6. Fabian and family attend.
