PODCAST

Chandler is a news fanatic, and he says he tries to listen every night to the PBS NewsHour podcast, which he appreciates for its straightforwardness. “I like them because they sort of throw the facts at you and let you sit back. I cannot watch Fox or CNN or MSNBC,” he says. “It’s nice to be able to think for yourself a little bit.”

PETS

He and his wife are the owners of four dogs and five donkeys. “There’s White Donkey Number Two; there’s Big Daddy. There’s Shay Shaw—spell it as you wish. There’s Red, and there’s Carlos the Drug Dealer. . . . They all have different personalities.” His current favorite is White Donkey Number Two, though. “He’s the most personable. He’s the first one that will come up and rub up against you.”

RESTAURANTS

Chandler is a fan of Eddie V’s in Austin, his hometown, and the Musso & Frank Grill, in Los Angeles. And when in New York, he seeks out Peter Luger, the famed Brooklyn steak house. “It’s really incredible,” he says. “The steaks stay sizzling on the platter.”

MOVIE

“If I was going to be on my deathbed and [had to pick] my last film, I’d start with Lawrence of Arabia and then just go through the rest of David Lean’s films.”

ACTOR

In news that will please those still mourning the end of Friday Night Lights, Chandler says he is in “pretty much constant contact” with TV wife Connie Britton. He also rides motorcycles with Taylor Kitsch (who played bad boy Riggins) “every blue moon or so.” And he “loves running into” Jesse Plemons (Lights’ affable Landry): “He’s working on all these great projects, and he’s altering his whole persona [for each one]. You don’t meet many people as good as him.”

BOOKS

“I just finished reading William Shirer’s Berlin Diary,” Chandler says. Next up? Tobacco Road, Erskine Caldwell’s 1932 novel about Georgia sharecroppers. “I’ve always wanted to read it—it’s a pretty interesting, heavy book.”

MUSIC

While he says he doesn’t “really enjoy” big concerts, Chandler and his wife like to check out live music in Austin. He also enjoys playing music on his Crosley record player at home. “We take it out in the pasture and play different albums. It’s pretty funny to watch donkeys look at a record spin around in circles.”