Paul Rudd’s Cautionary Advice to Steve Carell About ‘The Office’
Steve Carell has revealed that his friend and fellow actor Paul Rudd advised him against auditioning for the American version of The Office. The revelation came during a recent appearance on Amy Poehler’s “Excellent Hang” podcast.
Carell, who became synonymous with his role as Michael Scott in the U.S. Adaptation, explained that Rudd was skeptical about the prospect of successfully recreating the British sitcom’s wit and sharpness. The original UK version, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, aired from 2001 to 2003 and garnered critical acclaim.
“I remember Rudd pulled me aside and was like, ‘Don’t do it, man. Don’t audition,’” Carell recounted on the podcast. “It was like, ‘There is no way.’” Poehler echoed this sentiment, adding that many people at the time doubted the viability of an American remake.
Carell’s Approach to the Role
Despite Rudd’s reservations, Carell auditioned for and landed the role of Michael Scott. Interestingly, he deliberately avoided watching the original UK series, fearing it would unduly influence his performance. He briefly watched a minute of Ricky Gervais’ portrayal of David Brent and found it so compelling that he worried he wouldn’t be able to create his own unique interpretation of the character.
“I watched, like, a minute of one of the shows of [Gervais] and he was so good and so specific and so funny, I thought, ‘If I watch a second more, I’m just gonna go on an audition with that,’” Carell said. “I won’t be able to even imagine it a different way.”
Initial Reception and Lasting Impact
Carell also shared that the reveal initially faced a negative reception from audiences. “People really hated it,” he joked. “They actively hated it. And I don’t quite know how it got legs after that.”
However, The Office ultimately became a cultural phenomenon, running for nine seasons (2005-2013) and solidifying Carell’s status as a comedic icon. His portrayal of Michael Scott is now considered a defining role in “cringe TV.”
Rudd’s Recent Projects
Paul Rudd recently appeared at the 2026 Dublin International Film Festival with his Power Ballad co-star Nick Jonas. The comedy-drama, directed by John Carney, was filmed in Ireland and is set to be released in cinemas on May 29.
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