Josh Radnor has shared a story from his early acting days that many viewers may not have expected. Before his long run as Ted Mosby in ‘How I Met Your Mother,’ he walked into an audition for a character who would eventually become a major part of ‘The Office.’
But something about that experience left him unsure, and he eventually realised why the role wasn’t meant to be his.
When Josh Radnor Wanted To Join ‘The Office’
Before ‘How I Met Your Mother‘ came along, Radnor spent several years trying out for different comedies. He mentioned that he “auditioned for everything,” including ‘Arrested Development,’ while he was still searching for the right project. One of the roles he went after was Jim Halpert in the American remake of ‘The Office‘, which debuted in 2005.
Related: Josh Radnor Opens Up About ‘How I Met Your Mother’ Backlash And Hatred Over Ted’s Actions
Radnor said on the How We Made Your Mother podcast that he approached the script with interest but didn’t fully recognise the tone the show was aiming for. He also admitted he couldn’t clearly understand where Jim fit within the cast dynamic, which affected how he performed that day. Only now he knows what felt slightly off when he left the room.
Why The Jim Halpert Role Didn’t Click With Radnor
Radnor talked about this with Jenna Fischer on the podcast. Fischer, who played Pam, asked him about the experience, and Radnor explained that he had trouble figuring out whether Jim was meant to come across as sharp or not. He said this uncertainty made it difficult for him to settle on the right tone.
Radnor added that overall, the audition seemed fine. But when he improvised, he leaned toward a version of Jim that he later felt came across as “too dim.” He said it wasn’t a bad audition, just not the right interpretation. Radnor explained that he didn’t fully understand the tone of The Office at the time. But later, he felt that everything had worked out the way it should.
In case you missed it: ‘The Office’: How Jim’s Best Prank Ever Ended His Rivalry With Dwight Schrute
In the end, Jim’s part went to John Krasinski, who brought humour and sarcasm to the role and made it relatable to viewers. His chemistry with Fischer as Pam over the nine seasons became memorable and was etched in fans’ hearts. Radnor’s career also moved in a different direction soon afterward. He joined ‘How I Met Your Mother‘, which followed Ted as he shared the story of how he and his friends experienced love, friendship, and adulthood in New York City.
Looking back, Radnor said he believes the roles ended up exactly where they belonged. Krasinski became Jim, he became Ted, and both shows found the performances that defined the OG sitcom era!
