Steve Carell shares Paul Rudd advised him against auditioning for The Office

Steve Carell has revealed that fellow actor Paul Rudd once discouraged him from auditioning for the role of Michael Scott in the American version of *The Office*. Speaking on Amy Poehler’s podcast *Good Hang*, Carell recalled how Rudd warned him that remaking the much-loved British original created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant was a bad idea, telling him: “Don’t do it, man. Don’t audition. It’s doomed.” At the time, in the early 2000s, Carell had appeared in supporting roles in films such as *Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy* and *Bruce Almighty*, but had not yet become a leading comedic figure.

Despite the doubts surrounding NBC’s attempt to adapt the BBC’s award-winning workplace mockumentary, Carell went ahead with the audition and landed the role. The pilot episode initially performed poorly with test audiences, but the series went on to become one of the most celebrated sitcoms of all time, ultimately defining Carell’s career. Amy Poehler, who starred on *Saturday Night Live* during that period, admitted that she also thought a U.S. remake was a terrible idea until learning that Carell had been cast.

The pair reflected on how public scepticism softened as the show’s unique style developed and its popularity soared. Carell’s performance as the absurd yet strangely sympathetic boss Michael Scott earned him critical acclaim and several award nominations. The discussion also touched on how *The Office* influenced later comedy hits such as *Parks and Recreation*, created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, both of whom worked on *The Office*. Carell’s friendship and collaborations with Paul Rudd continued in later projects, including *Anchorman* and *Dinner for Schmucks*, highlighting how professional risks can defy expectations and define a generation of comedy.