Getting famous, especially at a young age, can be overwhelming. Michael Cera looked back on his fame at 19 years old after Superbad and Juno, and it nearly made him quit acting. Now 35, he can reexamine that time in his life as he skyrocketed in Hollywood and had to decide what he wanted to do moving forward.
Becoming a recognizable celebrity can alter how you live your life. Michael Cera found himself “paranoid” after his 2007 rise with Superbad in August and closing the year out in December with Juno. While it opened doors and had positive effects, the negatives were powerful as well.
Michael Cera on Almost Quitting Acting After Superbad Fame
In an interview with The Guardian, the actor gave insight into what it felt like being 19 and becoming a part of the next wave of young Hollywood talent. As his career rose and he got new job offers, he tried rejecting offers to avoid his ascent in the industry. He passed on Saturday Night Live, which disappointed his representation. At this point, he was already tied to Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, so he felt “committed” to the project and “grateful” for doing it, even though, at the time, he did not want it.
“There was a point where I wanted to stop taking jobs that would make me more famous. I was kind of having a bit of a crisis. I was really not enjoying the level of heat. I really didn’t know if I was going to keep being an actor.”
Michael Cera found the fame he earned from Superbad and other hits changed how he felt in his “own skin.” Even figuring out how to “handle walking down the street” became difficult and “uncomfortable.” So, it took time to figure out how to navigate life.
“Fame makes you feel very uncomfortable in your own skin, and makes you paranoid and weird. There were lots of great things about it, and I met a lot of amazing people, but there’s bad energies, too, ones that I was not equipped to handle.”
By sticking to it, Michael Cera rode out of the initial storm of fame after Superbad, Juno, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. From getting his start on Arrested Development to his present work starring in Barbie, he has found a new place in his life, both professionally and personally. Over the years, he has maintained consistency in working as he has multiple projects lined up to complete when the SAG-AFTRA strike ends.
