Eric André Reflects on Turning Down Kieran Culkin's Oscar-Winning Role in A Real Pain
Kieran CulkinIn a series of candid revelations, comedian Eric André has opened up about a missed opportunity in his career that continues to haunt him. André, known for his comedic role on The Eric André Show, shared that he was initially offered the part of Benji Kaplan in Jesse Eisenberg's directorial debut, A Real Pain, a role that ultimately earned Kieran Culkin an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor at the 2025 Academy Awards.
During appearances on the "Whiskey Ginger" podcast and Jimmy Kimmel Live!, André disclosed that Eisenberg had approached him with the offer two years prior. At the time, André was hesitant, saying, "I read the script and thought, 'I dunno if I wanna go to Poland.'" His hesitation was rooted in personal history, as his Jewish ancestors were victims of the Holocaust in Poland. "It was a script about two Jews babbling about the Holocaust. That seemed a bit depressing to me upon first read", André explained.
Moreover, André expressed that the project didn't align with his comedic career trajectory, as he was more interested in staying within the comedy lane. "It's not like I get offered roles constantly", he said, humorously comparing himself to Leonardo DiCaprio in terms of film offers. "Once in a while, I get offered a role and I said no to one of the only times I was offered one, and then it turned into an Academy Award".
Despite the regret of passing up such a prestigious role, André remains pragmatic about the choices he made, focusing on his comedic ambitions and other projects. Eisenberg, who both wrote and starred in the film about two cousins rediscovering their Jewish heritage in Poland, has yet to publicly comment on André's statements.
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