Judd Apatow Told Jason Segel the Only Way He’d ‘Make It’ Was to Write His Own Material

Jason Segel’s emergence as a top-tier actor, specifically across the comedy genre, isn’t entirely thanks to director and producer Judd Apatow, but he may deserve at least a tip of the cap.

Segel first made his mark on Hollywood alongside a star-studded cast on the hit show Freaks and Geeks in 1999, which Apatow produced and developed. However, it was a back-to-back movie roles with Apatow in 2007 and 2008 that one could easily argue put him "on the map."

The first was somewhat of a more minor role in the popular comedy Knocked Up alongside Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann. However, Segel's breakout lead role came in the movie he wrote and Apatow produced, Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

The duo teamed up again in 2012 for The Five-Year Engagement and This Is 40. Segel and Apatow undeniably work well together, and part of that may have stemmed from the former accepting some brutally honest and probably unexpected advice from the Emmy Award-winner.

Director Judd Apatow holds Best Drama Trailer award for No Country for Old Men with actor Jason Segel (R) backstage during The Hollywood Reporter's 37th Annual Movie Marketing Key Art Awards.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

As Segel revealed during The Hollywood Reporter Roundtable for comedy actors, Apatow explained the only way he would make it in Hollywood.

"[Apatow] also told me the only way you’re going to make it is if you write your own material," Segel revealed was Apatow's message.

The longtime actor also added that the best advice he ever received came from an ex-girlfriend. The comment was so brutally honest that it's hard to envision anyone other than your partner laying the truth out in the fashion she did for Segel.

In short: Lean into being "weird."

"You should never take parts that another actor could do...You’re a weird guy. Lean into it. Only take things that you can’t imagine someone else playing," Segel said an ex told him.

It's obvious Segel took the advice from both to heart, but his reaction to Apatow's comments is apparent in his work as a writer. As previously mentioned, Segel first wrote Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and followed that up by writing The Muppets (2011), The Five-Year Engagement (2012) and Sex Tape (2014).

Most recently, Segel wrote the wildly popular Apple TV+ show Shrinking, which was renewed for Season 3 after two impressive debut seasons. Segel was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy in 2024 and 2025 for his role in the show. 

His co-star, Harrison Ford, was also nominated for a Golden Globe in 2025 for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film.

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