Acclaimed comedic actor Will Arnett, recognized for his roles in the hit sitcoms “Arrested Development” and “30 Rock,” has shared insights into his journey of seeking treatment for his mental health.
“The most scared I’ve been in my life is right now,” he said during the episode, published on Aug. 19.
“It’s really scary. I’m doing, like, I can’t even believe I’m talking about this. I had heavy therapy this morning, and I can’t believe it,” Arnett continued. “I had a really rough morning. ... It’s been a tough couple weeks.”
Hayes, 54, commended the “Murderville” star for starting therapy, sharing that he is also currently engaged in counseling.
“Will, I’m excited for you. This is really exciting. I wouldn’t be scared,” offered Hayes. “I would embrace it, like, embrace the fear of doing it.”
The episode’s special guest, actress Rashida Jones, shared a similar sentiment, noting that therapy can be daunting for anyone.
Sobriety Journey
The Canadian-American actor, who was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, has previously been forthcoming about other aspects of his mental health journey, including his struggles with alcohol addiction—a topic Arnett explored in his 2016 Netflix series “Flaked.”After being sober for 15 years, the actor relapsed while filming the first season of the show, which he co-created with British screenwriter Mark Chappell. Arnett also starred in the comedy-drama series, playing the lead character, Chip, a recovering alcoholic living in Venice Beach, California.
At the time, the actor was experiencing difficulties in his marriage and career. In September that year, Arnett and his then-wife, comedian Amy Poehler, announced their separation. The former couple, who wed in 2003, share two sons, Archie, 15, and Abel, 14. Arnett later welcomed a third son, Alexander, born in 2020, with his girlfriend Alessandra Brawn.
“It became this tough, uncomfortable process,” Arnett described his time making the series. “And because I was putting a lot of stuff about my own life in there, I noticed it really starting to affect my mood and my behavior.”
Arnett, a self-proclaimed “restless child,” told the publication that he began smoking cigarettes and drinking at the age of 12 after his parents sent him to boarding school.
“As I was writing all this [expletive] [on ”Flaked“] and I start shooting it, I started getting confused about where I was at,” he said. “Hardly anybody knows this ... but I started drinking again.”
The actor said he felt embarrassed by his relapse and subsequently began attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings again. “I was filled with shame,” he offered.
“I just know where this path goes, and it’s a dead end,” he said, reflecting on his bouts with alcoholism.
‘Razor Wit’
After starring in “Flaked” for two seasons, Arnett went on to work on “The Lego Batman Movie” (2017), “Show Dogs” (2018), and “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” (2019).In 2019, the Emmy-nominated actor concluded his run in Netflix’s fifth and final season of “Arrested Development”—a role he helmed since 2003 when the sitcom first premiered on the Fox network.
More recently, Arnett starred in the Apple Original drama series “The Morning Show,” featuring an ensemble cast led by Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell, Jon Hamm, Martin Short, and Billy Crudup, among others. He has also appeared in the 2023 series “Twisted Metal” and the 2022 film “Who Killed Santa? A Murderville Murder Mystery.”
Arnett is the current host of Fox’s “Lego Masters,” which is based on the British reality competition series of the same name. In June, the network announced that it had signed a producing deal with the actor for unscripted shows developed by his production company, Electric Avenue Productions. The agreement also grants Fox Entertainment Studios a first-look deal on the company’s scripted series.
“Plus, who can say no to that voice[?] Never one to disappoint, Will already has some incredible ideas we can’t wait to bring to Fox.”
