Will Arnett

Arnett says that in recent years he has learned to let go of expectations about how his life and relationships will unfold.

“I have learned a little bit in the last two years especially to let go of whatever ideas that I think it's going to go”

SmartLess: "Seth Meyers" (Sep 28, 2026) · Listen from 5:22

Arnett said Larry David asked him why he was never on Curb Your Enthusiasm, and he replied that he was never asked.

“He said to me about six months ago, how come you were never on Curb? And I go, you never asked me”

SmartLess: "Timothy Olyphant" (Jul 20, 2026) · Listen from 55:44

Arnett said that as a child he stole a bag of chips, felt guilty, and returned the next day to pay.

“I felt so guilty overnight. I went in the next day, and I put a quarter on the counter at the store”

SmartLess: "Timothy Olyphant" (Jul 20, 2026) · Listen from 2:18

Arnett announces a live SmartLess show at the Hollywood Bowl on October 17.

“We're going to do a live Smart List show at the Hollywood Bowl. SmartList.com slaps live on October 17th”

SmartLess: "Olivia Wilde" (Jul 13, 2026) · Listen from 1:01:26

Arnett called Carey Mulligan the most underrated actor of their generation.

“Carey Mulligan is the most underrated actor of our generation”

SmartLess: "Ike Barinholtz" (Jul 6, 2026) · Listen from 47:24

Arnett described his character in a recent Tony Gilroy project as a down-on-his-luck retired rocker whose brother is played by Pedro Pascal.

“He's sort of like a retired rocker and he's sort of down on his luck. And Pedro Pascal comes in, and he's my brother”

SmartLess: "Emma Thompson" (Jun 29, 2026) · Listen from 24:19

Arnett argues the public cannot truly know celebrities' experiences until hearing from them directly.

“Until we hear from them what their experience is, we don't really know”

SmartLess: "Jennifer Lopez" (Jun 15, 2026) · Listen from 1:02:56

Arnett rejects the view that intense paparazzi attention is simply the price of fame.

“there are a lot of people who go like, oh, well, that's the price you pay for fame and all that kind of bullshit”

SmartLess: "Jennifer Lopez" (Jun 15, 2026) · Listen from 26:33

Arnett advises aspiring entertainers that they cannot have a backup plan and must commit fully.

“you kind of can't have a backup plan. You have to be all in. It has to be. That's the risk is the thing”

SmartLess: "Seth Meyers" (Sep 28, 2026) · Listen from 23:22

Arnett said Bradley Cooper told him to perform stand-up in character as a first-timer, without relying on tricks.

“I remember Bradley saying to me, like, we're doing something different. Don't try to rely on tricks”

SmartLess: "Timothy Olyphant" (Jul 20, 2026) · Listen from 30:46

Arnett argued that commitment is the common thread in both dramatic and comedic acting.

“I think the through line is always it's commitment. And so you're committed”

SmartLess: "Timothy Olyphant" (Jul 20, 2026) · Listen from 19:11

Arnett argues that shared frames work better for comedy than cutting between single shots.

“there's nothing worse than cutting back from singles in comedy. I love seeing people inhabiting the same frame in a comedy”

SmartLess: "Olivia Wilde" (Jul 13, 2026) · Listen from 52:11

Arnett recalled seeing UCB's Bucket of Truth after the group moved from Chicago to New York in January 1996.

“They moved in January of 96 to New York. I went and saw Bucket of Truth”

SmartLess: "Ike Barinholtz" (Jul 6, 2026) · Listen from 22:02

Arnett said he never feels bored, even when simply sitting.

“I'm never bored. Like even if I'm just sitting there, I don't know why. I never feel bored”

SmartLess: "Emma Thompson" (Jun 29, 2026) · Listen from 38:10

Arnett said the upcoming Telepathy Tapes documentary gave him goosebumps throughout.

“I had goosebumps the entire time watching it, talking about it”

SmartLess: "Amy Adams" (Jun 22, 2026) · Listen from 37:05

Arnett describes a morning realization that he was the problem, shortly before entering therapy.

“I had a moment before I got into real therapy a couple of years ago”

SmartLess: "Jennifer Lopez" (Jun 15, 2026) · Listen from 42:29

Arnett relates that his grandfather served in the Canadian Army attached to the Royal Air Force planning bombing missions.

“He was in the Canadian Army, but he was attached to the Royal Air Force, and he planned bombing sorties”

SmartLess: "RE-RELEASE: Tom Hanks" (Jun 11, 2026) · Listen from 21:33

Arnett said he rarely watches comedy these days.

“These days, I don't watch a lot of comedy. I don't know if you guys do. I really just don't”

SmartLess: "Bowen Yang" (Jun 1, 2026) · Listen from 44:16

Arnett calls Bargatze's George Washington sketch the funniest SNL sketch he has seen in 15 years.

“your George Washington sketch, is to me, just in my opinion, hysterical. the funniest SNL sketch I've seen in 15 years”

SmartLess: "RE-RELEASE: Nate Bargatze" (May 21, 2026) · Listen from 7:09

Arnett argues that anyone posting online should be required to disclose their name, address and phone number.

“If you want to post anything on the internet, comment, whatever, anything, We have to know your name, your address, your phone number”

SmartLess: "Kareem Rahma" (May 11, 2026) · Listen from 47:03

Arnett recounted pitching Michael Cera and Jonah Hill as a teenage duo to a studio executive before Superbad, who dismissed the idea.

“I go, it should be Michael Cera and this kid Jonah Hill”

SmartLess: "Jonah Hill LIVE" (May 8, 2026) · Listen from 44:54