Conan O'Brien, the six-time Emmy-winning comedian, has delivered a notable dramatic turn in the upcoming film If I Had Legs I'd Kick You but has no plans to pursue more such roles. He plays a therapist opposite Rose Byrne in the Mary Bronstein-directed drama. O'Brien shared his thoughts on his podcast, emphasizing his appreciation for the project without intending to expand into drama.
Conan O'Brien's venture into dramatic acting comes with the release of If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, a film directed by Mary Bronstein. In it, O'Brien portrays an unnamed therapist to Rose Byrne's character, Linda, a therapist whose life unravels when her ceiling collapses, displacing her and her critically ill daughter to a motel. Linda must manage ties with her absent husband, a hostile therapist—played by O'Brien—and a missing patient.
O'Brien described his character as 'the opposite of me in so many ways,' noting that the therapist is 'not a caretaker' and simply wants patients 'out of the room.' He likened the role to 'being Superman without his cape,' adding, 'It's like “this guy’s no fun!”'
Speaking on his podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, O'Brien explained his one-off involvement: 'This is not a career I had any plans for or something I intend to repeat.' He credited the script, director, and co-star, saying, 'I love the script, I love the director, and like everyone else on the planet, I worship at the altar of Rose Byrne.' Looking ahead to pilot season, he quipped, 'I don’t see me saying, “Get me out there!”'
The film highlights Byrne as a mother on the edge, blending trauma with heightened comedy, as discussed in Sundance Studio interviews. Meanwhile, O'Brien returns to familiar ground, hosting the 97th Academy Awards and voicing Smarty Pants in Toy Story 5, set for theaters on June 19.
