Actor Will Arnett recently revealed a notably distressing audition story involving Kevin Costner, centered on his attempt to land a role in the 1997 movie The Postman. During an appearance on the show Hot Ones, Arnett shared how severe food poisoning nearly caused a disastrous moment as he met Costner for the audition.
Facing Illness While Meeting Kevin Costner
Arnett described how the day before his audition, he suffered from extreme dehydration and required hospitalization after eating something that made him very ill. By the time he arrived at the audition, it had been about 14 hours since he had last been near a bathroom. Meeting Costner, a legendary figure and someone he admired, increased Arnett’s anxiety in an already difficult situation. He candidly recalled,
“The night before I had eaten something bad, and I ended up going to the hospital because I was so dehydrated from being ill. At that point, that afternoon going to meet him, that was the furthest I’d been away from the bathroom in like 14 hours. And I remember getting up there and meeting him and being a fan of his and just sweating. And just thinking like this could go really bad right now. I was meeting Kevin Costner and I legitimately was worried about crapping my pants.” – Will Arnett, actor
The Outcome and Career Progression After the Audition
Despite the anxiety and physical challenges, Arnett made it through the audition, though he did not secure the role in The Postman. Nevertheless, his acting career advanced, leading to significant roles in various films and TV projects, including a praised performance in Is This Thing On?, which was directed by Bradley Cooper. Arnett’s story highlights both the pressures of the audition process and the resilience required to succeed despite setbacks.
Why This Story Resonates
This glimpse into the audition process reveals the often unseen physical and emotional toll actors endure, especially under high-pressure circumstances involving iconic figures like Kevin Costner. Arnett’s honesty underscores the vulnerability behind the glamour of Hollywood, reminding audiences how unpredictable and challenging the path to success can be.
