Veteran actor Ted McGinley, known for his roles in "Happy Days" and "Married... with Children," is experiencing a profound career moment with his portrayal of Derek in the AppleTV+ series "Shrinking." At 66, with over 90 acting credits to his name, McGinley admits he never expected to receive such widespread acclaim for a role.
Speaking at "An Evening with Shrinking at PaleyLive" event on December 12, McGinley revealed he becomes emotional when discussing the overwhelmingly positive response to his character. "I get teary-eyed every single time. I'm so used to people saying not kind things in my regards," the actor shared.
In "Shrinking," McGinley plays the steady, warmhearted husband of Christa Miller's character Liz and neighbor to Jason Segel's Jimmy. His portrayal of Derek has struck a chord with both critics and audiences, something McGinley describes as completely unexpected. "I thought I would die without ever having gotten to this place," he admitted.
The role came to him through show co-creator Bill Lawrence, who had previously worked with McGinley on various projects. After years of promising they would collaborate on something special, Lawrence finally called with the perfect opportunity. "He was a man of his word," McGinley noted.
McGinley describes Derek as a character who represents "light at the end of the tunnel and a warm blanket when you're on a raft in the middle of a cold." His character provides a necessary counterbalance to the show's heavier themes of grief and loss.
The series, which follows Jimmy Laird (Segel) as he deals with the loss of his wife while maintaining relationships with friends and colleagues, including Harrison Ford's Paul, airs weekly on AppleTV+.
For McGinley, this role marks what he calls "the sweetest spot" in his career, crediting the writers for creating a character that deeply resonates with viewers. His experience on "Shrinking" proves, as he puts it, that patience and persistence in the industry can lead to unexpected and rewarding opportunities.
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