Will Arnett shared a notably uncomfortable audition story involving Kevin Costner during a recent appearance on Hot Ones. The Arrested Development star recounted a difficult moment that happened in 1997 while auditioning for the film The Postman, a project Costner both directed and produced. This Kevin Costner audition story illustrates the physical and emotional stress Arnett faced during one of his earliest attempts to break into Hollywood.
Unfortunate Circumstances Before the Audition
Arnett described how the night before the audition, he became severely ill after eating something bad, which led to dehydration and a hospital visit. Reflecting on the day of the audition, he admitted,
“The night before, I’d eaten something bad, and I ended up going to the hospital because I was so dehydrated from being ill,”
revealing the severity of his condition. He went on to explain,
“And at that point that afternoon going to meet him, that was the furthest I’d been away from the bathroom in like, you know, 14 hours.”
The Pressure of Meeting a Star While Ill
Acknowledging Kevin Costner’s status as a major Hollywood figure, Arnett shared the mix of excitement and anxiety he felt. He said,
“I remember getting up there and just meeting him and being a fan of his and like this was like a big deal, and just sweating, and just thinking, ‘This can go really bad right now.’ Yeah, I was meeting Kevin Costner and I legitimately was worried about crapping my pants, you know.”
This candid description highlighted how stressful the experience was, making it a memorable and painful audition moment for the actor.
Early Career Struggles and Missed Roles
While Arnett did not disclose the specific role he was auditioning for in The Postman, it is clear he did not secure a part in the film, which featured stars like Olivia Williams, Will Patton, Peggy Lipton, Larenz Tate, and Tom Petty alongside Costner. Before this audition, Arnett had appeared in smaller roles in 1996 films Ed’s Next Move and Close Up, but his career breakthrough would come years later with Arrested Development in 2003.
The actor has been open about his earlier difficulties landing stable roles, especially during the challenging pilot season in Los Angeles. Arnett once told Variety that he had sworn off auditioning for pilots, frustrated by the frequent cancellations and role cuts he experienced. He mentioned,
“When it went to series, my character got cut or I got fired,”
specifically recalling his experience on the CBS series Still Standing where he was removed after the network ordered additional episodes.
“I’m not entirely sure. I know that both things happened,”
he added regarding his departure.
Reflecting on Career Challenges and Growth
In addition to this story, Arnett discussed other aspects of his career and personal interests on Hot Ones, including his fascination with the game Golden Tee and his development of a unique Batman voice. This Kevin Costner audition story serves as an example of the behind-the-scenes challenges actors can face when breaking into the industry, especially when unforeseen difficulties interfere.
Despite early setbacks and uncomfortable moments like his audition with Costner, Will Arnett eventually achieved success and recognition, illustrating how perseverance through tough experiences can lead to breakthroughs in the competitive world of television pilots and acting.
