Jason Biggs confesses his ‘biggest regret’ is turning down the lead role in How I Met Your Mother

Jason Biggs confesses his ‘biggest regret’ is turning down lead role in hit sitcom How I Met Your Mother… which went to Josh Radnor

Any life well-lived comes with some regrets – in hindsight. 

And on Tuesday Jason Biggs came clean on what was likely the biggest regret of his career as an actor that spans nearly 30 years.

During an interview with SiriusXM’s The Covino & Rich Show, the American Pie star, 42, confessed he was offered the lead role of Ted Mosby on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother but ended up turning down the gig.

Ted Mosby: Josh Radnor landed the role of Ted Mosby in How I Met Your Mother after Biggs turned down an offer

Big regret! Jason Biggs revealed one of his biggest regrets was turning down the lead role of Ted Mosby in How I Met Your Mother, which went on to become a big hit for CBS

The role of Ted Mosby would end up going to Josh Radnor, and it didn’t take long until How I Met Your Mother became a bonafide hit for CBS, en route to its nine season run (2005-2014).

‘I was offered the role. Yes,’ Jason humbly revealed in an interview with the SiriusXM show. 

‘I was offered the role and it’s probably my biggest regret, you know, on passing. I think I was in a phase of, at the time — it sounds so obnoxious to say right now — but at the time it was like, “Okay, do I want to do TV?” I don’t know that I was quite ready to go that route.’

Enjoyed movie star life: Biggs said he wasn't ready to commit to a television series when the role of Ted was offered; he is pictured in the middle with co-stars Jason Segel, Alyson Hannigan, Cobie Smulders and Neil Patrick Harris

Enjoyed movie star life: Biggs said he wasn’t ready to commit to a television series when the role of Ted was offered; he is pictured in the middle with co-stars Jason Segel, Alyson Hannigan, Cobie Smulders and Neil Patrick Harris

Bonafide hit: Radnor ended up playing Ted Mosby for the show nine season run (2005-2014)

Bonafide hit: Radnor ended up playing Ted Mosby for the show nine season run (2005-2014)

He went on to explain how he was still making movies at the time of the offer, and that he enjoyed the flexibility of working on a project, like a film, for a few months and then move on.

‘Committing to a TV show at the time I just thought, you know, I don’t think it’s for me,’ he said, adding that the comedy ‘was a cool, fun script. It was definitely original and funny and the whole thing — I was right for it but I passed on it.’ 

After briefly rehashing the success of the sitcom, which included 30 Emmy Award nominations and 10 wins, a humbled Biggs can still look back at his career with pride.

‘Big picture, I have no regrets. Right? I’m very lucky, very fortunate. I’m still here. That’s number one. But yeah, if I had to pick out something I wish I had done differently, I would’ve taken that gig for sure. Absolutely.’ 

Iconic: Biggs, 42, is best known to many fans for his hilarious role of Jim Levenstein in the American Pie film franchise that began in 1999 and went until 2012

Iconic: Biggs, 42, is best known to many fans for his hilarious role of Jim Levenstein in the American Pie film franchise that began in 1999 and went until 2012

Known for its unique structure, humor, and incorporation of dramatic elements, How I Met Your Mother remained popular during its nine seasons. 

Along with Radnor, the cast included Biggs’ American Pie co-star Alyson Hannigan, Jason Segel, Neil Patrick Harris, Cobie Smulders and Cristin Milioti.

Biggs did eventually commit to a main role on television, starring in Orange Is the New Black (2013-2019) and, most recently, the Fox sitcom Outmatched (2020), which was cancelled after one season.

His resume also includes four films in the American Pie franchise (1999-2012), the Woody Allen romantic comedy Anything Else (2003), and Eight Below (2006). 

TV calling: Most recently Biggs starred with Maggie Lawson in the Fox sitcom Outmatched (2020); it was cancelled after one season

TV calling: Most recently Biggs starred with Maggie Lawson in the Fox sitcom Outmatched (2020); it was cancelled after one season

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