The Three Questions with Andy Richter Martin Starr
Oct 18, 2022
Martin Starr, a character actor known for Freaks and Geeks, Silicon Valley, and Party Down, shares stories from his start as a teen performer and navigating typecasting. He talks motorcycles and how riding changed his outlook. He reflects on working with big creators, handling fame and family challenges, and plans for new projects.
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Sleeping Through A Career Wakeup Call
- Martin Starr missed half a day on Freaks and Geeks by fully sleeping in, which nearly cost him a major part of an episode.
- Jake Kasdan was furious and the incident became a formative lesson about responsibility on set for a teenage actor.
Great Starts Can Create Career Doubt
- Martin Starr felt daunted after starting on an exceptional show and experienced a creative drought afterward, unsure how to reach that level again.
- He later returned to rewarding projects (Party Down, Silicon Valley) and attributes longevity to persistence and luck.
Freaks And Geeks Ended Like A Secret Finale
- Freaks and Geeks ran one short season (~18–19 episodes) and the cast suspected cancellation early, so they filmed a final-feeling episode months before the end.
- Judd Apatow sensed the cancellation and they shot several episodes early, leaving an unusual unaired 'final' feel.