Jason Segel candidly discussed the challenges he faced balancing his role on How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM) with his burgeoning film career. Speaking on The Hollywood Reporter‘s Awards Chatter podcast, the star said that although it was an amazing time “I was getting a little tired and I was starting to not enjoy myself so much.”
While portraying Marshall Eriksen from 2005 to 2014, Segel simultaneously pursued film projects, notably writing and starring in 2008’s Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Encouraged by mentor Judd Apatow to create his own material, Segel utilized hiatuses from HIMYM to work on films like The Muppets (2011) and The Five-Year Engagement (2012).
Despite the creative fulfillment, the relentless schedule led to exhaustion and a diminished enjoyment in his work. Segel acknowledged that while HIMYM provided financial stability and recognition, the long-term commitment and limited flexibility made the experience “tricky.” He ultimately found the demands of juggling both careers took a toll on his well-being.
“For about six years, my life followed a relentless pattern – I’d be filming How I Met Your Mother, and during that time, I’d be writing a movie. Then, in the four-month break, we’d shoot the film and wrap it up just in time for me to return to How I Met Your Mother,” Segel recalled.
Relocation
Following the conclusion of HIMYM, Segel sought a change of pace by relocating to Ojai, California. This move allowed him to reconnect with personal interests and artistic aspirations, providing a sense of calm and fulfillment away from the Hollywood spotlight.
“Being there had the really interesting side-effect of realizing – after six weeks time, mind you – that, ‘Oh, my gosh. I finally feel calm,’” he said at the time. “And it occurred to me that when you’re doing this job and living in L.A., you’re never leaving campus,” said the This Is the End actor.
