Acting, as many know, often seems simple and glamorous, but in reality, it is a challenging profession full of nuances that test an actor’s resilience, as toronto-trend writes.
Will Arnett is a celebrated Canadian actor and producer who overcame numerous disappointments and struggles before achieving success. He gained widespread recognition for his role in Arrested Development and has captivated audiences in various other projects.
Arnett’s distinctive deep baritone voice has made him a sought-after voice actor, lending his talent to films like Ice Age, Ratatouille, Monsters vs. Aliens, and more.
Family Background
Will Arnett was born in Toronto, Canada. His father, Emerson Arnett, was a well-known corporate lawyer and executive who served as CEO of Molson Breweries from 1997 to 2000. In addition to Will, the family included one brother and two sisters.
Education
Arnett attended Lakefield College School but was expelled after one semester due to behavioral issues. He showed an early passion for acting and took theater classes at Tarragon Theatre in Toronto. After finishing high school, he enrolled in university but quickly realized that formal education wasn’t for him.
Will’s mother encouraged his interest in acting, taking him to casting calls for commercials during his teenage years.
Moving to America
In 1990, Arnett moved to the United States to pursue acting seriously. He began studying drama in New York and took part in several theatrical productions. His first on-screen appearance was in the film Erie.
Early Career and Struggles with Alcoholism
In February 1996, Arnett began work on his first television project with Kevin Pollak for CBS, but it failed to gain traction. Similarly, his 1999 appearance in The Mike O’Malley Show ended abruptly when the program was canceled after just two episodes.
The repeated setbacks took a toll on Arnett, leading him to excessive drinking and eventually alcoholism. However, with the support of friends, he overcame his addiction and returned to his career.
Continued Disappointments
In 2001, Arnett was cast in the series Loomis, where he played the brother of a journalist. The following year, he starred in Still Standing, a project that stretched over several seasons but failed to achieve notable success. These continued failures left him feeling discouraged.
Breakthrough and Recognition
Arnett’s big break came in 2003 with Arrested Development, where he played Gob Bluth. His performance earned him critical acclaim and a 2006 Emmy nomination. Despite the show’s eventual cancellation, it brought Arnett into the spotlight, and he began receiving more offers for compelling roles.
Interestingly, Arnett’s role in Arrested Development was initially meant to be dramatic but was perceived as comedic, leading to many subsequent offers for self-absorbed antagonist characters. Despite being categorized as a comedic actor, Arnett considers himself an actor first and foremost.
Notable Projects
Beyond Arrested Development, Arnett appeared in The Sopranos and Law & Order. In 2006, he landed his first leading film role in Let’s Go to Prison, followed by a part in Blades of Glory, which became a global hit. His guest appearances on King of the Hill and 30 Rock earned him four Emmy nominations.
Supporting Roles
Arnett has also shined in supporting roles in films like Spring Breakdown, The Comebacks, and On Broadway, where he collaborated with close friend and director Dave McLaughlin. In Semi-Pro, a basketball comedy, he played a former player turned commentator.
Other Work and Voice Acting
Arnett’s distinctive voice made him a natural for voice work. He narrated commercials, trailers, and TV shows, and provided voices for animated films like The Lego Movie and TV series like BoJack Horseman (2014–2020).
In 2009, he voiced a character in the video game Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard and lent his voice to characters in Sit Down, Shut Up and The Lego Movie. Despite the initial success, some projects, such as Sit Down, Shut Up, were canceled due to poor ratings.
Business Ventures and Collaborations
In 2010, Arnett co-founded DumbDumb Productions with Jason Bateman, focusing on digital content. Their first project, Mansome, was a comedic documentary that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2012.
In 2020, Arnett and Sean Hayes launched SmartLess, a podcast combining humor with engaging conversations.
Other Activities and Personal Interests
Arnett is also the voice behind Hulu’s commercials. Outside his acting career, he is passionate about photography and has a collection of over 60 cameras. He often shares behind-the-scenes photos from his projects, including candid moments from Arrested Development.
Founding His Own Production Company
In 2016, Arnett co-wrote and starred in Flaked, but the series received mixed reviews and failed to achieve significant success.
Arnett remains active in the entertainment industry, balancing acting, voice work, and production projects, solidifying his reputation as one of Canada’s most versatile talents. Despite challenges, his resilience and adaptability have made him a celebrated figure in film and television.
