Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Jeff Garlin Was Never Supposed To Be A Character On The Show – /Film

Although he had a few minor acting credits, Garlin never thought he would be playing a meta character when he conceived of the idea for “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” However, David insisted on Garlin being a central figure on the show — front and off-center. “We started doing the special, but I also originally was not supposed to be in it,” the comedian elaborated. He continued:

“I was only going to direct it, and he told me, ‘No, no. It’s better to be executive producer and you’re gonna play my agent. You have to be my manager. You have to.’ He insisted. I wasn’t even going to. I had quit acting as far as I was concerned, and he insisted on that.”

From there, Jeff’s character evolved. His wife Susie, played by Susie Essman, was added to the cast and became a natural antagonist to Larry. Jeff’s marital problems quickly became a fixture of the series, along with his rhythmic rapid-fire banter with Larry. Almost all of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is improvised. When it comes to working with David, Garlin has always found their comedic rapport “very natural,” as he described it in an interview with Vulture. Although the improv has a natural flow, it’s also a practiced skill for Garlin. There’s no way to prepare for the level of improv on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” but Garlin was as prepared as anyone can be — but he wasn’t sure he would love it.

“When I moved out to Los Angeles, I would improvise with Second City alumni and didn’t have the best time,” he admitted. “The difference between myself and most people is they’d hear word that someone was in the room, or even it was just the potential, and it was all about them.” Garlin said that he got used to being viewed as a “team player” because the scenes always ended up being about the other scene partner.