Conan O’Brien is Happy Sticking to His Comedy Roots, Not Looking for Dramatic Roles
In a surprising turn, comedian Conan O’Brien offers a striking performance in the upcoming drama If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. However, he has made it clear that he does not plan to pursue additional dramatic roles in the future.
The six-time Emmy winner described his character as “the opposite of me in so many ways,” shedding light on his decision to take the role in the film directed by Mary Bronstein.
During a recent episode of his podcast, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, he stated, “This is not a career I had any plans for or something I intend to repeat. But I love the script, I love the director, and like everyone else on the planet, I worship at the altar of Rose Byrne.”
Regarding the approaching pilot season, O’Brien remarked, “I don’t see me saying, ‘Get me out there!’”
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In If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Byrne plays Linda, a therapist whose life dramatically spirals after her ceiling collapses, forcing her and her critically ill daughter into a motel. As she copes with her chaotic circumstances, Linda must also manage her relationships with an absent husband, a hostile therapist, and a missing patient.
Conan O’Brien and Rose Byrne in ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’ (2025) (A24/Courtesy Everett Collection)
O’Brien elaborated on his role as Linda’s unnamed therapist, indicating that the character is “not a caretaker,” and his frustration leads him to desire their swift exit from the room. “It was like being Superman without his cape. It’s like, ‘this guy’s no fun!’” he remarked.
In addition to his acting debut, O’Brien is set to return as host for this year’s 97th Academy Awards and will lend his voice to Smarty Pants in Toy Story 5, which is scheduled to premiere in theaters on June 19.
