Interview by Ryan West
Actress and comedian Arden Myrin joins us to talk about her latest project, a new comedy starring alongside Bert Kreischer. Known for her sharp wit and scene-stealing roles, Myrin brings her signature energy to a film that leans hard into humor, heart, and unapologetic fun.
You’ve been working steadily for years, often showing up for a few unforgettable scenes at a time. What does it actually feel like emotionally to see your name so high on the call sheet now?
I am so grateful, and so very excited. I have always been incredibly appreciative that I have been able to work as a comedic actor for my whole adult life. It is all I ever wanted to do since I was a little girl in a small farm town in Rhode Island. But over time, I started to wonder if I was ever going to be given a chance to show the full range of what I was capable of. To play a fully realized, complicated, funny leading lady is a dream come true. I am SO ready for it and I just want more! I would love a career like Laura Dern, or a young Goldie Hawn.
Looking back, was there a specific moment in your career when you realized, “I’m not trying to break in anymore—I’m building something durable”?
My mom raised me to be super scrappy. I am thankful that I am a hustler. I had no connections when I arrived in Hollywood, but I did have a great work ethic.
When I go to comedy festivals, that is when I have a pinch me moment. Because I know everyone! I have worked with a lot of them over the years. I realize I have built a foundation job by job with people I admire. I always try to do my best and be a team player.
You’ve lived inside so many different worlds—from network sitcoms to prestige cable to now a Netflix comedy. What have those shifts taught you about how power and opportunity really work in this industry?
I think it has taught me that you have to be flexible. The changes in the industry are not personal, they are happening to everyone I know. If you can stay creative, curious, and enjoying the ride I think it helps. I love making things- so I have always done improv, and stand up, and have had a podcast for 10 years on iheart, and sold scripts, and sold a book that I wrote, and I just finished a musical. I think the more you can make, that can keep you creatively engaged, and participating in a greater community, and open to whatever format the work comes in.
You have a way of making even small roles feel lived-in and specific. What’s something you do privately as an actor that would never show up in a behind-the-scenes feature—but makes all the difference on screen?
I always learn the words first in a word-perfect way, I hire my friend to run them with me 15 times each, just so I can listen to the other actor and really know it inside and out. Then I usually run the lines and go on walks thinking about the part, the humanity of what I am playing, and wanting to be a good scene partner for whoever I am with. I try to lead with empathy for whatever character I am playing – particularly enjoying when they have a blind spot for their flaws. I do believe inherently that most people are doing the best that they can, and I try to approach each scene with the idea that they are the main character in their own life story and to give the part (no matter how big or small) the dignity of main character energy.
Comedy often gets labeled as ‘light,’ but sustaining it takes hard work. What’s the hardest part of comedy acting that people outside the profession rarely understand?
I think it can be harder than drama in that, you still have to be an authentic believable person AND you either make people laugh or you don’t. Going big or broad does not necessarily mean it will be funny, but you also don’t want to be afraid to take a swing either!
On Free Bert, you’re playing the spouse of a larger-than-life personality. How do you anchor a performance when the world around you is designed to be big and chaotic?
Two things- I love to rewatch strong women who have inspired me. Teri Garr in Tootsie, Holly Hunter in Broadcast News, Susan Sarandon in Bull Durham. They were all grounded and complicated women in larger than life settings.
The second thing, for this role, I am playing a real woman- Leeann Kreischer who I adore and who reminds me of my mom. My mom JJ was my favorite person. My parents married on a dare, they were not dating and they stayed married for 50 years. My dad was a bit of a rascal and she loved him for that. She was a blast, but she was the one who grounded the family. So, for me, if you love someone like Bert, you love everything about him. You love that he is shirtless and larger than life. You are not trying to reign that in. It reminds me of the beauty of Lucy and Ricky where they were a team and they would have hijinks.
You’ve seen trends come and go—types of women, tones of humor, industry obsessions. How have you resisted contorting yourself to fit moments that weren’t built to last?
I heard the phrase, “don’t give ‘em what they want, make ‘em want what you’ve got.” I think that has always been how I have operated. I can’t be all things to all people but I can give the best version of what I do to try to be of service to your project. I remember when I turned 40 a male friend of mine told me I was not going to work again, and I said to him…” I am going to stop you right there. Does not apply. I refuse to be ruled by fear. My light will shine and whatever I am supposed to get will come my way. I can’t hate myself for not being everything at all times. I am proud of myself and honored to get to do this for a living.
Was there ever a version of your career you thought you should want—but eventually had to let go of to stay sane or fulfilled?
I used to tour as a headlining stand-up comedian. Perhaps I will again. I admire people who do it so much, I just found I did not like being on the road alone all the time as a woman.
You have a strong point of view when it comes to personal style and interiors. What does your physical environment give you emotionally that your work can’t?
Thank you! I actually designed and was the contractor on my house and I have been hired by people to design theirs. I love art and design. I was a double major in theater and studio art. I am a very instinctive performer, creator and designer. I like creating a feeling of home that is true to whoever is living in the space. I like it to feel cozy and magical. Life can be hard enough. You should come back to someplace that makes you feel safe and inspired.
Is there an object in your home that says more about who you are than any red-carpet look ever could?
I think the 14 pendant lights hanging over my dining room table. My house is only 1000 square feet but I designed it like it is a giant English manor. Dream Big Honey!!!
After nearly a decade of hosting “Will You Accept This Rose,” how has repeatedly talking about love, rejection, and vulnerability changed how you approach your own life?
In a weird way getting to know people in the safety of a podcast setting talking about something that seems frivolous like The Bachelor has provided a larger community than I could ever have imagined. It is interesting to get to break down an episode with a comedian but then hear about their dating history, or how they fell in love etc. I have watched people be so self-deprecating that they could not believe that someone loved them, but as a viewer you would see just how lovable they are! It made me try not to speak against myself and to know that it is scary to take a healthy risk, but even scarier not to try.
What’s something podcasting has taught you about listening that acting never did?
It has taught me to go be in the middle of the boat of a scene. To show up, get on the ride, hop on the conversation, don’t control where it is going to end up, be open to magic, be open to being surprised, don’t control it, and see where the hour takes you. I think I try to do that when I have a scene with a partner- that it will all work out better than I can possibly imagine if I just show up and do 100% of 50% of the scene.
If a younger version of you could see this moment—this role, this timing—what would she misunderstand about how it actually came together?
I think I would have been disappointed that it was not earlier in my career, but the truth is it is right on time. It is not a moment too late. AND hopefully this is the first of MANY leading lady roles! It is safe for me to shine now- I did not really feel that way younger.
Right now, what kind of work or part of your life feels worth protecting above all else?
My friends, my community, my dating life, my balance, my hobbies, my joy, my sense of play, adventure and optimism…..and my cat Mittens. I have worked hard to have a big full life. I have balance and hobbies and laughter and friends now. That is the best thing in the world.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
