To make it in Hollywood is difficult but no one ever told Steve Carell that it would be this hard… that is what Steve said.
To celebrate this incredible actor, comedian, and human being — have a look at these 10+ facts about Steve Carrell that fans didn’t know.
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There is plenty to learn about this comedian!
At one point in time, Steve dreamed of playing professional hockey.
Steve played ice hockey his entire life and even made it to the college level! Steve describes himself as “The LeBron James of Rec League hockey.”
One of Steve’s first big breaks was an animated short called *Gary And Ace*.
This was a feature on Dana Carvey ‘s sketch show. Steve, along with Stephen Colbert, played the ambiguously homosexual crimefighting duo.
Fair warning, this has most assuredly not aged well.
A fellow castmate from *The Office* campaigned hard to play Brick in *Anchorman*.
No character in Steve’s canon will ever be as iconic as Michael Scott. But if we had to choose a consolation winner, it would undoubtedly be Brick Tamlin .
James Spader, who plays Robert California in The Office , was absolutely fascinated by Brick’s character.
He never thought he’d have a career in acting.
When Steve was a young man, he always thought he’d wind up working as a lawyer . It’s what he went to school for, after all, and he felt he owed it to his parents.
In the end, they told him to follow his dream.
Steve was taught magic tricks by David Copperfield himself!
David Copperfield is one of the greatest magicians of all time. For Steve’s role in The Incredible Burt Wonderstone , David lent his expertise as a consultant.
Don’t bother asking Steve to do the trick, though. He was sworn to secrecy and had to sign an NDA!
Steve wasn’t the first choice for Michael Scott.
Originally, the producers had their sights set on Paul Giamatti. Hank Azaria and Martin short were also in the running.
Bob Odenkirk was offered the role after it was believed that Steve Carell would be unavailable. They actually had to call and rescind his offer!
His wife left him on their 17th wedding anniversary.
Don’t panic, it didn’t happen in real life. Nancy played Steve’s wife in the film Seeking a Friend for the End of the World . She leaves him at the beginning of the movie.
It just so happened the day they shot that scene was Steve and Nancy’s anniversary in real life.
When Steve left *The Office*, they retired his number.
On the call sheet, Steve was always written as #1 since he was the lead in the series.
After his departure , the production team never changed anything nor did they ever bestow that number upon anyone else in Steve’s honor.
Before becoming an actor, Steve had a very normal day job.
Steve was once a postal worker in the dark days before the internet! He only lasted seven months before finally calling it quits.
The way he describes having to carry all those heavy catalogs , I don’t blame him!
He has some incredibly wise words to live by.
Steve was asked to give a commencement speech to Princeton University’s graduating class of 2012. As you can imagine, it was filled with clever quips and a ton of laughs. But the most impactful statement was this:
“Do something kind, make someone laugh , and don’t take yourself too seriously.”
Steve owns a General Store.
Steve bought himself a small piece of Americana back in the early 2000s. During an interview with The Patriot Ledger, Steve said “The main impetus to keep it going is that not many of those places exist and I wanted this one to stay afloat.”
At one time, he was his wife’s teacher.
Don’t be gross, it’s not as scandalous as it sounds. Steve’s wife Nancy had enrolled herself into an acting/improv class and Steve was the teacher.
He was smitten from the first moment he laid eyes on her.
Steve’s reaction to Michael Scott’s goodbye song is 100% genuine.
If you’re a fan of The Office this one is likely to bring you to tears.
They rehearsed without him on set, so the first time he heard everyone sing Michae’ls goodbye — that’s his real reaction.
Universal shut down production on *The 40 Year Old Virgin*.
According to an interview that Steve gave with Esquire , “The dailies of my character just looked too creepy. They said I looked like a serial killer .”
What’s your favorite Steve Carell movie? Leave a comment and let us know!
He has a very strange musical talent.
Most kids when they grow up want to learn how to play the guitar or the piano — not Steve Carell.
His instruments of choice are Baritone Horn and Fife , which is in the same family as a flute or piccolo.
