We first met Anthony Marentino — Charlotte York's no-nonsense wedding planner with a sharp tongue and impeccable timing — in 2000, during season 3 of Sex and the City. Played to perfection by Mario Cantone, Anthony started off as a one-off character but quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to the actor's charisma. And by the time Sex and the City 2 premiered in 2010, he had leveled up from sidekick to scene-stealer, kicking off the movie with a lavish wedding to longtime rival-turned-lover Stanford Blatch, brought to life brilliantly by the late Willie Garson.
Fast forward to 2021 and the debut of And Just Like That..., and Anthony's presence in the Sex and the City universe only expanded. Across the sequel's three-season run, he took center stage more than ever, running a bakery, serving up his signature one-liners, and consistently commanding attention in every scene he was in.
Shortly after the series finale and Cantone's And Just Like That... chapter came to a close, I caught up with the actor, comedian, television host, and writer for our latest Out and About interview. We chatted about everything from bucket list escapes to Instagram habits, Anthony's evolution from Sex and the City to And Just Like That…, and how Cantone really feels about where his character's story ended.
The spa at Hotel De Russie in Rome
Courtesy Hotel De Russie
Favorite hotel?
MC: I love The Windsor Court in New Orleans. It's one of my faves — and Hotel de Russie in Rome.
Must-have travel essentials?
MC: My cholesterol medication...I have a million essential things that I have to bring on vacation because I'm fucking 90 now! So, yeah, you know, good hair product. I pack light and I won't check [luggage].
Guilty pleasure Instagram follow?
MC: No, I, you know, obsessively scroll like everyone else. It's awful. It's ruined my world and this whole world.
Mario Cantone names Sicily as his favorite island.
Courtesy Alan Diamond
Favorite island?
MC: Sicily.
What's your favorite LGBTQ-friendly destination?
MC: New Orleans during Labor Day.
Where's that one place you've been dying to go but haven't made it to yet?
MC: Probably Australia, but it's so fucking far, and I'm so tired, I just don't know if I can do it. But, yeah, I'd like to do that or the Maldives.
Where do you go when you need to totally unplug?
MC: Northern California.
You and your husband, Jerry, have been together for over 30 years. What's the secret to a lasting love story in a chaotic city like New York?
MC: Well, you know, we're from a different generation. It's space, freedom, traveling really well together, living really well together. And I love him, but I like him. I really like him. He's a good guy.
That's the secret: You better like each other. You know, respect, right? No hands-on violence, none of that shit. You've got to really respect each other.
You've been openly gay in showbiz for decades. What advice would you give to younger LGBTQ+ performers navigating today's industry?
MC: If, when you do something that's somewhat public and you're having some success — or even if it's, you know, whatever — I let the negative comments die on the vine. Don't clap back. Don't have an argument with someone you don't know and give them any power. Let it just die there with them and their three followers. That's my advice.
After decades in the spotlight, Mario Cantone's advice to younger performers is, 'Let the negative comments die on the vine.'
Courtesy Mario Cantone
We've seen Anthony evolve from Charlotte's blunt bestie to a full-blown fan favorite. How do you think he's changed the most since his Sex and the City days?
MC: He's still blunt, he still says what he needs to say, but he has more of a filter. I think he's evolved more.
He's a baker now. That's something I love to do, which is bake and cook. I never really knew what I was talking about when I was a wedding planner. I didn't get that gay gene; I'm not good at that shit. So when this came along, I was like, "Oh, this is great."
And I think he learned not to shit where he eats. He doesn't mess around at work. He takes his job very seriously. But he still tells people how he feels.
Now that the latest and final season of And Just Like That... has aired, how are you feeling about where Anthony's story ended up? Were you happy with his arc?
MC: I was. I was happy with this arc.
Actually, no, because I wanted the show to go on; I wanted another season, at least. And I think it was an abrupt ending. I would have liked to have seen Giuseppe and I continue, which I think we would have. But, you know, I'm very sad about it.
If there were a spin-off that focused on your character, where would you love to see Anthony go next, romantically and professionally?
MC: It would be fun to see a show about his business, his bakery, and maybe getting to know his crazy Italian family, whoever they may be; that might be interesting. But I am not delusional, and I know that'll never happen.
Both SATC and AJLT sparked plenty of opinions. How did you handle the public reaction over the years, and did you ever sneak a peek at the online discourse?
MC: I read everything. I read all of it. It's called flooding; you just become numb to it.
I am lucky, I fare pretty well on there. I would say most of my comments are really, really good. There are a few, for sure, but mostly pretty good. And, you know, I just say nothing — let it die on the vine. Fuck it. Who cares?
