Seth Rogen‘s introduction to Ike Barinholtz was anything but ordinary. The comedic actors recently shared the story of their first meeting during a Sirius XM Town Hall interview with Andy Cohen, revealing that their paths crossed years ago in North Carolina under unexpected conditions while both were involved in different projects. What ensued was a meeting marked by confusion and a weed delivery request.
As recounted during the interview, Barinholtz was filming “Eastbound & Down” with Danny McBride when he received a peculiar request from McBride. “Hey, do you know Seth Rogen?” asked McBride. Though Barinholtz didn’t know Rogen personally, he was familiar with his work. The inquiry quickly shifted to a more urgent nature, with McBride asking, “Do you have any weed?” leading Barinholtz to agree to deliver some to Rogen.
From Rogen’s perspective, upon arriving in North Carolina for an episode of McBride’s show, he found himself without his usual stash and sought McBride’s help. “I didn’t bring any weed here. Do you know anyone with weed?” Rogen asked. In response, McBride sent Barinholtz to Rogen’s room, which resulted in a humorous misunderstanding.
When Barinholtz showed up at Rogen’s door, Rogen, under the impression that Barinholtz was McBride’s assistant, briefly expressed his gratitude with a simple, “Thank you,” potentially underwhelming Barinholtz, who had long admired the actor and was evidently excited to meet him. The misunderstanding lingered until later that night when they went to a bar.
Barinholtz further explained how the evening unfolded. His character on “Eastbound & Down” had t-shirts made with his likeness, often worn by the crew. Spotting the shirt, Rogen joked, “I was like, ‘This guy’s a popular assistant!’” With this revelation, Rogen gradually realized that Barinholtz was not only an actor but an integral part of the show he was guest-starring on.
The unlikely meeting was the first step in what would become a professional relationship between the two talents. Today, Barinholtz stars alongside Rogen in the comedic Apple TV+ series “The Studio.” He portrays Sal Saperstein, connecting with Rogen’s character Matt Remick, a highly principled cinephile thrust into the complex and cutthroat machinations of the movie industry.
Reflecting on their first encounter, Barinholtz admitted he was let down initially, given his excitement to meet Rogen, only to be mistaken for an assistant. However, their relationship has since grown, with both actors collaborating in successful ventures, overcoming the initial awkwardness to develop mutual respect for their craft.
With “The Studio” now airing new episodes every Wednesday on Apple TV+, both actors continue to build on their shared history, blending laughs with insightful narratives. The duo’s humorous first meeting, highlighted by misunderstandings and evolving perceptions, adds another layer to their growing legacy in comedy. SiriusXM’s “Andy Cohen Live,” where they shared this story, broadcasts weekdays and offers listeners a chance to hear more such entertaining anecdotes from their favorite personalities.
