
Ed Helms Reflects on His Surprising Journey to 'The Hangover'
2025-07-10
Author: Wai
In a candid appearance on SiriusXM’s "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" podcast, hosted by Ted Danson, Ed Helms revealed the unexpected feelings he had about his role in the notorious comedy "The Hangover." A film that became a cultural phenomenon, Helms admitted he was nervous about his parents watching the outrageous humor and wild antics that characterized the movie.
Helms described his upbringing in a "repressed Southern home", where even though his family held progressive political views, they maintained a socially conservative lifestyle. He quipped, "‘The Hangover’ is nuts. That’s not what they raised me to do." Despite his parents having seen him showcase his quirky side during his time on "The Daily Show" and "The Office," he couldn't shake the apprehension of how they'd react to his leading role.
Joking about his age when the movie premiered, Helms said, "I was like 35 when that movie came out, and I’m still nervous about my parents." This apprehension didn't stop him from inviting them to the premiere, a move that turned out to be heartwarming. He recounted a touching moment when he looked over at his mother during the film: "The lights come up, and she’s crying. I’m like, ‘Did I just break my poor mom’s heart?’ But she reassured me, saying, ‘That was so funny,’ and gave me a big hug. That moment is something I’ll never forget."
Reflecting on the impact of "The Hangover" on his life and career, Helms shared, "It was such a pivotal moment for me. For my mom to be all in on it meant so much." The film catapulted him and his co-stars, including Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis, into a new level of prominence, earning a staggering $469 million globally and becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film at the time.
'The Hangover' spawned two sequels, and Cooper hinted at the possibility of a fourth installment, saying, "I would probably do ‘Hangover 4’ in an instant"—only if director Todd Phillips and co-stars join him, though he expressed doubt about it happening given Phillips' shift towards high-budget projects like the "Joker" films.
As Helms continues to evolve in his career, his humble beginnings and the touching connection to his family remain at the forefront of his narrative, proving that sometimes, laughter and love truly are the greatest journeys.