Twenty years ago, a young Judd Apatow, fresh off an appearance in HBO’s 15th Annual Young Comedians Special, got his first major TV gig: writer and producer for “The Ben Stiller Show,” the short-lived FOX sketch series that’s since become a cult classic. Two decades later, and with “The Larry Sanders Show,” “Freaks and Geeks,” and “Undeclared” (as well as “The Critic” and “Girls,” to a certain degree) under his writing, directing, and producing belt, Apatow’s become one of the biggest names in comedy. And his shows have launched the careers of many big-name actors and actresses.
On the occasion of the Friday release of the new film The Five-Year Engagement, which reunites “Freaks” star Jason Segel star with producer Apatow (plus Alison Brie with a British accent!), here are 20 celebrities who got their big break, if not their first role, on one of his shows.
Actor: Andy Dick
Show: “The Ben Stiller Show”
Biggest Gig Before Then: Brownnoser in TV movie “Earth Angel”
Actor: Dino Stamatopoulos
Show: “The Ben Stiller Show”
Biggest Gig Before Then: N/A
Actor: David Cross
Show: “The Ben Stiller Show”
Biggest Gig Before Then: N/A
Actress: Janeane Garofalo
Show: “The Ben Stiller Show”
Biggest Gig Before Then: Counter Girl in Late for Dinner
Actor: Jeremy Piven
Show: “The Larry Sanders Show”
Biggest Gig Before Then: Mark in Say Anything
Actor: Todd Barry
Show: “The Larry Sanders Show”
Biggest Gig Before Then: Foosball Player in Who’s the Caboose?
Actor: Martin Starr
Show: “Freaks and Geeks”
Biggest Gig Before Then: Allen in Coma in Hero (credited as Martin Schienle)
Actress: Lizzy Caplan
Show: “Freaks and Geeks”
Biggest Gig Before Then: Lily in TV movie From Where I Sit
Actress: Busy Phillips
Show: “Freaks and Geeks”
Biggest Gig Before Then: Karen Carter in The Smokers
Actor: Seth Rogen
Show: “Freaks and Geeks”
Biggest Gig Before Then: N/A
Actress: Rashida Jones
Show: “Freaks and Geeks”
Biggest Gig Before Then: Feminist in TV movie If These Walls Could Talk 2
Actress: Kayla Ewell
Show: “Freaks and Geeks”
Biggest Gig Before Then: Faith Cleary in “Profiler”
Actor: Alexander Gould (a.k.a. Shane from “Weeds” and the voice of Nemo)
Show: “Freaks and Geeks”
Biggest Gig Before Then: Young Bailey Kipper in “Bailey Kipper’s P.O.V.”
Actor: Matt Czuchry (a.k.a. Logan from “Gilmore Girls” and Cary from “The Good Wife”)
Show: “Freaks and Geeks”
Biggest Gig Before Then: N/A
Actress: Alex Breckenridge (a.k.a. Moira from “American Horror Story” and Dustin’s girl)
Show: “Freaks and Geeks”
Biggest Gig Before Then: Arden in TV movie “Locust Valley”
Actress: Samaire Armstrong (a.k.a. Anna from “The O.C.”)
Show: “Freaks and Geeks”
Biggest Gig Before Then: N/A
Actor: Charlie Hunnam
Show: “Undeclared”
Biggest Gig Before Then: This choice is cheating — Hunnam was already a TV veteran thanks to his role as Nathan on “Queer of Folk.” But I love imagning Jax saying Lloyd’s dialogue, so he’s on the list.
Actor: Kevin Hart
Show: “Undeclared”
Biggest Gig Before Then: Shawn in Paper Soldiers
Actor: Simon Helberg
Show: “Undeclared”
Biggest Gig Before Then: Andy Tinker in “Cursed”
Actress: Jenna Fischer
Show: “Undeclared”
Biggest Gig Before Then: College Girl in The Specials