Seth Rogen Opens Up About Cringeworthy Audition for 'Gigli' and Why He's Glad the Tape is Lost

Published: June 24, 2025

Seth Rogen has spoken out about his embarrassing audition for the 2003 film 'Gigli', starring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, and why he's relieved that the tape of his performance is seemingly gone.

Rogen, 43, appeared on the June 20 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and shared his experience auditioning for the role of a "boy with a cognitive disability" in the film. He revealed that he "went for it" and gave a over-the-top performance, which he believes would end his career if it were to resurface today.

"I don't think the script was written in what, by today's standards, would be the most sensitive portrayal of a boy with a cognitive disability," Rogen said. "And I, as an aspiring young actor, auditioned for this boy with a cognitive disability, and I didn't get a lot of auditions, and I knew the movie was being helmed by a great director, Martin Brest, who had done Beverly Hills Cop and Midnight Run."

Rogen added that he took a big risk with his audition, saying, "I don't think I wore a helmet into the audition itself, but it was at play... And I'm tempted to do an impression of what I did, but I can't even do it! I can't! That's how bad it was! It's so bad I dare not even portray what I did in this audition, because I went for it."

The role ultimately went to Justin Bartha, and the film became a notorious critical and commercial flop. Rogen joked that if the tape of his audition were to surface, it would be the end of his career, saying, "And truthfully, if that tape was out in the world today, this would be the last interview you ever saw me do, other than my apology tour."

Rogen even offered to buy the tape from anyone who has it, saying, "Please sell it to me. I will buy it."

Seth Rogen (left); Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in 2003's 'Gigli' (right).

Read more about Seth Rogen's cringeworthy audition for 'Gigli' and why he's glad the tape is lost here.

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