Latest news with #Carell
Mint
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
'That was also a struggle': Rainn Wilson on The Office after Steve Carell left
Washington DC [US], June 29 (ANI): Actor Rainn Wilson recently opened up about the difficulties filming 'The Office' after Steve Carell left the show in 2011, reported Variety. Rainn Wilson, who played Dwight Schrute, discussed his experience working on the comedy series for nine seasons with podcast hosts Josh Peck and Ben Soffer. 'The Office' co-star admitted in the interview that it was challenging for the cast and production to continue the show after they lost their leading man, reported Variety. "When Steve left, then it was a little bit chaotic of trying to figure out the tone of the show and who's the lead and, how are we telling these stories without, you know, the comic engine of the show, which is Michael Scott, and without one of the greatest comic actors in American history at the center of our show. That was also a struggle." Wilson explained, as quoted by Variety. However, Wilson shared that Carell's departure didn't surprise him or their other cast members because he was "such a big movie star at the time", hence making it evident for him to exit, reported Variety. Once Carrell left 'The Office,' he starred in several films including 'Crazy, Stupid Love.,' the 'Despicable Me' franchise, 'Hope Springs' and 'The Way Way Back.' According to Variety, Carell received extensive critical acclaim for portraying Michael Scott in the NBC series. During his six years on the sitcom, he was nominated six times for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series at the Emmys, reported Variety. The series continued for two seasons without Carell before ending in 2013, in which he made a surprise return as Scott in the series finale. However, a new iteration of 'The Office,' called 'The Paper,' has been picked up as an upcoming mockumentary series set to debut on Peacock in September, reported Variety. (ANI)
CNBC
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNBC
Actor Steve Carell says this personality trait is a 'very potent strength' that helped him succeed—CEOs and researchers agree
Steve Carell wants young people to foster a "simple" soft skill — something "we need more of in the world," he said in a commencement speech at Northwestern University on June 15: being kind and respectful to others. Kindness can go a long way in life, the actor and comedian said. It can open doors to new opportunities, allow you to foster deeper connections with your colleagues and help you weather the fear and uncertainty that can come with starting a new chapter in life, he said. "It's difficult for me to process just how much you've all experienced in your young lives," Carell, 62, told the school's graduating class. "I feel your anxiety and your fears about the world around you and it's heartbreaking to me. Remember the little things, like being kind and that you're not alone." "Take care of one another," he added. "Remember to laugh when you have the opportunity and to cry when necessary." Carell has a longstanding public reputation as one of the nicer actors in Hollywood. "His niceness manifests itself mostly in the fact that he never complains. You could screw up a handful of takes outside in 104-degree smog-choked Panorama City heat, and Steve Carell's final words before collapsing of heat stroke would be a friendly and hopeful, 'Hey, you think you have that shot yet?'" former co-star Mindy Kaling wrote in her 2011 book, "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? The relationships Carell cultivated with his fellow actors led to job offers and increased responsibility behind the scenes: Will Ferrell and Judd Apatow reportedly both enjoyed working with Carell so much on the movie "Anchorman" that Ferrell offered him a role in "Talladega Nights," and Apatow cast him and made him a co-writer in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin." Outside of Hollywood, some other bosses do specifically look for kindness in their workers. Suzy Welch, a three-time New York Times bestselling author and New York University management professor, says she values employees who can give feedback by combining candor with empathy and kindness. Acts of kindness like volunteering, donating money and helping strangers more often can lead to healthier, more fulfilling lives, some happiness experts say. "These things are very strongly correlated with improving one's own life satisfaction, one's own well-being," Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, director of the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, told CNBC Make It on May 29. Kindness is a "dynamic and a virtuous cycle in the sense that, if you're being virtuous and helping others and being kind to others, that obviously helps the receiving party, but it also helps you," De Neve said. On the other hand, being jealous or envious of others is a direct "enemy of kindness," and can lead to competition, insecurity, reduced empathy for others, Carell warned. "Envy comes from ignorance and lack of belief in your own gifts," he said. "Turn your jealousy into admiration and use it to fuel your ambition in a positive way."
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rainn Wilson said that the office became 'chaotic' after Steve Carell left, says 'So that was also a struggle'
The Office nearly had a serious problem. On the June 19 episode of the Good Guys Podcast with Josh Peck and Ben Soffer, Rainn Wilson , who played Dwight Schrute on the renowned comedy series, discussed his time on The Office and how the cast and crew developed the tone over time. Wilson, 59, believes the series, which debuted in 2005, "fell into gear" midway through season 2. "If you watch season one, it is pretty dreary. It's quite dark. It is darkly illuminated. People don't wear any makeup. He stated the show, which was based on a prior British version, has nothing in common with American television. He even recalls that during the first season, before filming the script, the cast would imitate being in the office and doing their tasks for a half-hour in order to "sink" into the reality of the show's "documentary" format. In season 2, Wilson stated, "Steve [Carell] does his hair a little better." We're sporting a little finer suits. The lighting on the stage makes it feel a little warmer. It's filmed a little kinder. And it helped a lot." "The show changed and just became a little bit warmer and a little more human," he told me. A huge aspect, he noted, was exposing that Carell's Michael Scott had "a big heart." Wilson responded: "He's a doofus, and he says he always says the wrong thing, but, you know, he's a lovable guy." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Worst Home Items That People Own, Ranked CleverClassic Undo But because Carell, 62, was such an important part of the program, when he decided to depart during season 7 (his last episode was "Goodbye, Michael,' which aired in April 2011), Wilson said things were difficult. "When Steve left, then it was a little bit chaotic of trying to figure out the tone of the show and who's the lead and how are we telling these stories without the comic engine of the show, which is Michael Scott, and without one of the greatest comic actors in American history at the centre of our show," Wilson recalled." "So that was also a struggle." The podcast hosts wondered if it was a "gut punch" to learn Carell was leaving. "We knew it was coming for a long time," Wilson recalled, noting that Carell was "such a big movie star." Just months following the launch of The Office, the actor starred in The 40-Year-Old Virgin, followed by Little Miss Sunshine, Dan in Real Life, Get Smart, Date Night, and Crazy Stupid Love. "Of course, he'll leave The Office whenever he can. So we were prepared, but it was absolutely difficult to find the tone of the show without Steve," Wilson explained. The series eventually ran for two more seasons without Carell, thanks in part to a number of guest performers, before concluding with season 9 in 2013. In 2023, Wilson admitted on a podcast that he "spent several years really mostly unhappy" on The Office. "I didn't enjoy it. I was thinking, "Why am I not a movie star?" Why amn't I the next Jack Black or Will Ferrell? Why can't I have a movie career? "Why don't I have this development deal?" he recalled. "When I was on The Office … I was making hundreds of thousands," claimed the actor. "I wanted millions. I was a television celebrity, but I aspired to be a film star. It has never been enough. Humans have been around for hundreds of thousands of years, and 'never enough' has helped us as a species."
Mint
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Watch: Steve Carell surprises graduates with dance break during Northwestern University event
Northwestern University's 167th commencement ceremony turned unexpectedly joyous on June 15, when actor and comedian Steve Carell took the stage and brought more than just advice—he brought a dance party. Addressing a crowd of over 2,500 graduates at Chicago's United Centre, Carell—best known for playing Michael Scott in The Office—infused his speech with wit, sincerity, and an impromptu moment of celebration. After receiving an honorary degree from the university, he declared mid-address, 'It is time now to follow me in the mid-commencement address dance break,' before breaking into a groove as The Ting Tings' That's Not My Name echoed through the hall. Carell danced alongside students and School of Communication Dean E. Patrick Johnson, eventually leaping off stage to join graduates on the floor. 'That was as invigorating as it was disturbing,' he quipped, gasping for air after the minute-long break. 'Wow, am I out of shape?' The actor used the moment not just for laughs but to underscore a deeper message. Blending comedy with introspection, he urged graduates to lead with empathy and resilience. 'Kindness isn't a weakness—it's a very potent strength,' he said. 'Take care of one another. Remember to laugh when you have the opportunity, and cry when necessary. And as evidenced before, just dance sometimes.' Carell also touched on ambition and self-doubt, encouraging students to convert jealousy into admiration and use it as a source of motivation. In classic comedic fashion, he added a final bit of advice: 'Now is the perfect time to exploit your parents' guilt… they might even let you live in the basement for an extra six months.' The event held personal significance for Carell—his daughter Annie graduated from the School of Communication in 2023, and his son Johnny is part of the class of 2026. His address left the audience not only laughing, but also reflecting, and dancing, a fitting send-off for a new generation stepping into the world.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Video captures Steve Carell's dance party during Northwestern commencement speech
Northwestern University's commencement turned into an impromptu dance party thanks to commencement speaker Steve Carell. Halfway through his speech, Carell, who was presented with an honorary degree during the June 15 ceremony, broke into a dance. "It is time now to follow me in the mid commencement address dance break," Carell said during the speech as the music is amped up. The actor started by grooving to "That's Not My Name" by The Ting Tings before joining School of Communications E. Patrick Johnson in a shimmy on stage. He then ran off the stage and into the crowd of graduates as everyone danced along, tapping their feet and waving their arms. "That was as invigorating as it was disturbing," Carell joked after the minute-long break as he caught his breath. "Wow, am I out of shape." Northwestern University celebrated its 167th annual commencement June 15 at the United Center in Chicago, where family, friends and supporters gathered to celebrate graduates, more than 2,500 of whom were in attendance. During his commencement address, sprinkled with his signature humor, Carell reminded graduates to be kind and take care of each other and channel their insecurities and fear into something constructive, saying, "Turn your jealousy into admiration and use it to fuel your ambition in a positive way." "Remember the little things, like being kind and that you're not alone," Carell said. "Kindness isn't a weakness—it is a very potent strength. Take care of one another. Remember to laugh when you have the opportunity and to cry, when necessary." Never miss a viral moment: for USA TODAY's Everyone's Talking newsletter. "As evidenced before, just dance sometimes," Carell added. "And keep in mind that as badly as you feel about the state of the world, your parents probably feel worse. Use that, take advantage of that," he continued. "Now is the perfect time to exploit your parents' guilt and to emotionally blackmail them. They might even let you live in the basement for an extra six months." Carell's daughter, Annie, graduated from the School of Communication in 2023. His son, Johnny, is a member of the class of 2026 at the same school, according to Northwestern. Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steve Carell, graduates dance during Northwestern commencement
