Rainn Wilson and Dwight Schrute might have even more in common than we thought. Its only in hindsight he realizes the impact made by “The Office,” mentioning the honor it was to be a part of the NBC sitcom. While filming the series, however, Wilson was apparently significantly unhappy. He now says becoming a big-time star like Jack Black or Will Ferrell was his true aspiration. Apparently the success of “The Office” was “never enough” for him.
“When I was in The Office, I spent several years really mostly unhappy because it wasn’t enough,” Wilson told Bill Maher on the Club Random podcast. “I’m realizing now, like, I’m on a hit show, Emmy nominated every year, making lots of money, working with Steve Carell and Jenna Fisher and John Krasinski and these amazing writers and incredible directors like Paul Feig. I’m on one of the great TV shows. People love it, and I wasn’t enjoying it.”
It’s at least a little understandable. Wilson seemed to very distinctly be suffering from a case of sameness. The longer the show went on, the more rote it felt. Making Wilson bored and frustrated with his career. “I was thinking about, ‘Why am I not a movie star?,'” Wilson lamented. “Why am I not the next Jack Black or the next Will Ferrell? How come I can’t have a movie career? Why don’t I have this development deal?’”
Though, to be fair, we’re not sure anyone is capable of matching the bombastic energy of Jack Black. Nor the clown-like flips from wit to physical humor Ferrell is good at. And while the dry arrogance and egotism of Dwight showcases a talent with more subtle humor, it doesn’t exactly display a broad range. Wilson has since done a few big budget movies, but we get the impression it hasn’t satisfied.
You can catch the entire Club Random episode on YouTube. And of course, all episodes of “The Office” are currently streaming on Peacock.
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