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Many people know Jason Segel for his roles in comedies like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and the hit television series How I Met Your Mother. More recently, Segel created and stars in the AMC anthology series Dispatches From Elsewhere. 

With so many acting credits under his belt, many people forget that Segel is also a celebrated author. 

Author actor Jason Segel
Jason Segel | Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for IFC

Jason Segel success as an actor

Segel got his start on Freaks and Geeks, where he befriended many of the people he would work with later in life. Director Judd Apatow became like a mentor to Segel, working with him on projects like Undeclared and later, Knocked Up. 

Segel credits much of his success to Apatow, who encouraged him to write. Though Segel said he was always a writer, he credits Apatow with pushing him to pursue a career as one. “[Apatow said] ‘You’re kind of a weird guy. The only way you are going to make it is if you write.’ It changed the course of my life and my whole career. So, I’m kind of constantly writing,” Segel explained. 

His passion for writing and comedic acting ability has allowed Segel to craft his ideal roles. From Forgetting Sarah Marshall to The Five-Year Engagement, Segel has undoubtedly made his mark as a comedy writer. And, despite his unconventional method of doing so, Segel has also proved himself as a quality drama/fantasy writer. 

Jason Segel’s success as a writer 

After Freaks and Geeks was canceled, Segel started to write more of his own work. It was during his career lulls that Segel found true inspiration. 

The first thing Segel ever wrote was a script for Nightmares! While it never became a movie, the story did become a highly successful children’s series. Segel explained the book as a story “about a kid who’s mother passes away [who] has very complicated feelings about his step-mother and he has nightmares about witches eating his toes.” The book shares each character facing their fears so that they can accomplish their dreams — a theme similar to the one depicted in Dispatches From Elsewhere. 

Segel also wrote the hilarious Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Prior to writing it into the movie script, Segel presented the Dracula play seem in the film to Apatow, who told him “you can’t play that for anybody.” There’s a time and a place for everything — Segel found the time and place for A Taste For Love to be the conclusion of his 2008 comedy. 

In 2011, Segel brought his vision of The Muppets! to the big screen. But Segel wasn’t done with writing books. He has also published other young adult books like the Otherworld series, which also includes OtherEarth and OtherLife. The series is about a world where characters can leave their bodies and give in to their greatest desires. Segel partnered with New York Times bestselling author Kirsten Miller to create this fantasy series. 

Segel’s passion for writing is evident in all of the work he produces. From film and television to children’s books and even musicals, anything the man touches seems to become a success. Fans are eager to learn what’s next for Segel — the actor/author/producer extraordinaire. 

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