- Jason Segel balanced How I Met Your Mother with his movie career, leading to exhaustion and a loss of enjoyment.
- Judd Apatow’s advice to write his own material inspired Segel to create Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
- Segel now seeks to explore darker, more complex roles, including playing a villain.
Jason Segel recently shared insights about his experience working on How I Met Your Mother. The actor explained how the show impacted his personal and professional life. Segel starred on the popular sitcom for nine years, but as the show went on, balancing it with his movie career became difficult. During the six years he worked on the show, Segel would film How I Met Your Mother and spend his four-month breaks writing and filming his movies. He worked tirelessly to complete these projects just in time to return to the sitcom. Despite the excitement of being involved in so many amazing projects, Segel admitted to feeling tired. The constant pressure began to take a toll on him, and he realized that he was no longer enjoying the process as much as before.
The Struggles of Balancing TV and Movie Careers
Segel’s schedule was demanding. Every year, he filmed How I Met Your Mother while also working on his films during his time off. “It was an amazing time. It was an electric time,” Segel said. Yet, the actor admitted to getting tired. The exhaustion made him lose some of the joy he once felt. “I wasn’t enjoying myself as much,” Segel confessed. It was hard for him to balance both worlds and maintain his passion for both acting and writing. Despite the tough schedule, he knew it was a good problem to have. Being on a popular TV show gave him financial security and recognition. At the same time, it also locked him into one role for a long time.
Judd Apatow’s Important Advice
Judd Apatow played a key role in Segel’s career. Apatow had directed Segel’s first TV series, Freaks and Geeks, back in 1999. During their time together on the show, Apatow encouraged Segel to develop his writing skills. He believed that Segel’s improvisational abilities could help him succeed as a writer. Apatow told Segel, “You’re a weird dude, and the only way you’re going to make it is if you write your own material.” This advice inspired Segel to take a deeper look at writing his own scripts.
Writing Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Following Apatow’s advice, Segel worked on his first major script. He wrote Forgetting Sarah Marshall, a romantic comedy, during a break from How I Met Your Mother. He rented a house in Hawaii and finished the script in just two months. This project gave him the chance to step out of the sitcom world and create something personal. When the movie released in 2008, it was a big success. It starred Kristen Bell, Russell Brand, and Mila Kunis, and became a hit with audiences. The film allowed Segel to show his talent in both writing and acting. It marked a turning point in his career, giving him the freedom to take on different kinds of roles.
The Challenges of Fame and Recognition
Though Segel gained fame from How I Met Your Mother, he faced some challenges. The show gave him security and recognition, but it also limited his opportunities. Playing the same character for so long made it difficult for him to branch out into new roles. “It’s the best problem you could ever have, especially when you’re scared you might never work,” Segel reflected. He understood that being typecast was a risk, but it also meant he was part of a successful show. Still, the actor wanted more. He wanted to explore different characters and challenges in his career.
A Busy Year of Filming
In 2011, Segel took on more challenges. He starred in and co-wrote The Muppets, a family-friendly movie that became a fan favorite. Filming The Muppets while still working on How I Met Your Mother wasn’t easy. Segel would shoot the sitcom during the day and film the movie at night. That summer, he also worked on The Five-Year Engagement, another movie he co-wrote. His schedule became grueling, and Segel admitted, “I was a tired dude.” Balancing multiple projects at once tested his stamina, but it also gave him the chance to grow as an actor and writer.
Looking Ahead: Exploring New Roles
After many years of acting in comedic and dramatic roles, Segel is ready for something new. He has achieved a lot in his career but is now interested in taking on different challenges. In a recent interview with Parade, Segel shared his desire to play a villain. “I think I walk this line between charming and creepy,” he said. “If I fell towards creepy, it could be really interesting.” Segel wants to explore a darker side to his acting. He’s interested in playing a character who seems kind and nice but is actually very bad. This shift would allow him to explore more complex roles and test his acting abilities.
A Career of Growth and Change
Jason Segel’s journey from How I Met Your Mother to his own film projects has been filled with challenges and growth. Though balancing a long-running TV show with a movie career was tough, Segel’s hard work paid off. His projects like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and The Muppets helped him break away from his sitcom role. Now, Segel looks forward to new opportunities. He is eager to take on roles that push him in different directions. Whether he’s playing a charming villain or tackling new challenges, Segel’s career continues to evolve, proving his versatility as an actor and writer.
