Comedian Eric André recently revealed a fascinating behind-the-scenes story about one of Hollywood’s biggest “what-ifs.” In a candid conversation on the Whiskey Ginger podcast with Andrew Santino, André shared his regret over turning down a role in the movie A Real Pain, a role that eventually earned Kieran Culkin an Oscar.
André, now 42, explained that two years ago, Jesse Eisenberg personally offered him the role of Benji Kaplan, a loud and outspoken cousin in the film. However, after reading the script, André felt the movie’s dark tone, especially its exploration of the Holocaust, wasn’t the right fit for him at the time. “To go to Poland for six weeks and shoot a movie where we’re just babbling about the Holocaust, seems like a bummer,” André recalled. He appreciated the offer but admitted that it didn’t align with the type of work he was hoping to do at that moment in his career. “The motherfer won an Oscar for the role I passed up,” he joked. “It’s not like I get offered roles constantly. I’m not fing Leonardo [DiCaprio].”
A Real Pain, directed and written by Eisenberg, tells the story of two cousins, David (played by Eisenberg) and Benji (played by Culkin), as they travel to Poland to honor their late grandmother. The film, which draws inspiration from Eisenberg’s own family history, explores themes of grief, survival, and legacy, set against the backdrop of the Holocaust. Initially, Eisenberg had considered playing Benji himself, but producer Emma Stone convinced him to step aside and also persuaded Culkin to stay on board after he almost dropped out due to family commitments.
At the Oscars, when Culkin won the award for Best Supporting Actor, he thanked Eisenberg in his acceptance speech, calling him a “genius” for creating the role and the movie.
While André may have missed out on what became an award-winning performance, his reflection on the decision offers a unique insight into the tough choices actors face when selecting roles. As A Real Pain continues to be celebrated for its powerful storytelling, André’s story adds an interesting “what could have been” layer to its legacy.
