Josh Gad reflects on the Highs and lows of His Career, Including “Mardi Gras: Spring Break”
Josh Gad, the beloved actor known for his roles in films like Frozen and Beauty and the Beast, opens up about his career in his new memoir, In Gad We Trust. Among the highlights and lowlights, one project stands out as his least favorite: the 2011 comedy Mardi Gras: Spring Break.
Fresh off the success of Love & Other Drugs and a two-picture deal with Sony, Gad found himself on the set of what he describes as ”the single worst movie I have made — and will hopefully ever make — in my life.” Despite the film’s shortcomings, Gad recalls the experience with a mix of humor and honesty, offering fans a glimpse into the ups and downs of Hollywood.
Mardi Gras: Spring Break follows three college friends — Mike (Nicholas D’Agosto), Scottie (Bret Harrison), and Bump (Josh Gad) — as they head to New Orleans for a wild Mardi Gras adventure. Gad’s character, Bump, sums up their mission with the unforgettable line, “I wanna make Mardi Gras my b—-!” However, their plans take a turn when Mike’s girlfriend, Erica (Danneel Ackles), joins the trip, putting a damper on their escapades.
The film, which promised “Boobs, Beads and Brews,” delivered exactly what you’d expect from a raunchy buddy comedy. While it may not have been a critical darling, Gad admits that he had “the time of his life” filming in New Orleans alongside talented co-stars like Regina Hall.
While mardi Gras: Spring break may not be remembered as a cinematic masterpiece,it remains a fascinating chapter in Gad’s career. His candid reflections in In Gad We Trust remind us that even in Hollywood, not every project is a hit — but every experience contributes to the journey.
Josh Gad’s journey in Hollywood is a tale of resilience, reinvention, and the occasional misstep.Known for his comedic brilliance and versatility, Gad’s career has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. One such challenge came with the making of Mardi Gras: Spring Break, a film that, despite its promising cast, became a cautionary tale of creative interference and missed opportunities.
Reflecting on the experience, Gad described it as a “waking nightmare,” citing relentless studio meddling that left little room for artistic freedom. “We would literally have scenes written by the studio head sent for us to do the next day,” he revealed. the result was a disjointed project where “nothing made sense and, worse, it was all big, broad, unmeaningful comedy in which none of the creative team had any say.”
For Gad,the film wasn’t just a professional setback—it was a personal wake-up call. Having started his career with a guest spot on ER and later replacing Dan Fogler in the Broadway hit The 25th Annual Putnam County spelling Bee, he was no stranger to hard work and perseverance. Yet, Mardi Gras highlighted a deeper concern: the risk of being pigeonholed into a specific archetype. “I began to grow really concerned that I was going down a path of playing the loud fat best friend in every project I was doing,” he admitted. “While it was certainly starting to pay me more money than I had ever seen before, I was worried that I was getting into a situation of being typecast.”
Gad’s aspirations extended far beyond comedic sidekick roles. He dreamed of following in the footsteps of actors like Philip Seymour Hoffman and john Goodman, who seamlessly balanced humor with dramatic depth. “Any dreams I had of following in their footsteps were soon going to be dashed if I stayed on this path,” he wrote.”I knew I needed to branch out and attempt to have people see me in a new and unexpected way.”
Fortunately, the disappointment of Mardi Gras was short-lived. almost instantly after the film’s release, Gad received a call from casting director Allison Jones, who had previously considered him for the role of Dwight Schrute in The Office. This time, she had a different prospect in mind: a role on The Daily Show. This marked a turning point in Gad’s career, opening doors to more diverse and meaningful projects.
While Mardi Gras: Spring Break may not be remembered as a cinematic gem, it played a pivotal role in shaping Gad’s trajectory.It served as a reminder of the importance of creative integrity and the courage to step outside one’s comfort zone. For Gad, the experience was less about the film’s failure and more about the lessons it taught him—lessons that continue to resonate in his work today.
What are some of the biggest lessons Josh Gad learned from his experience making *Mardi Gras: Spring Break*?
Archyde Exclusive interview: Josh Gad Reflects on His Career and the Lessons from “Mardi Gras: Spring Break”
by Archys, Archyde News Editor
Josh Gad, the versatile actor and voice behind beloved characters like Olaf in Frozen and LeFou in Beauty and the Beast, has always been candid about his journey in Hollywood. In his new memoir, In gad We Trust, he opens up about the highs and lows of his career, including his experience with the 2011 comedy Mardi gras: Spring Break. Archyde sat down with Gad to discuss his reflections on the film, his career, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Archyde: Josh, thank you for joining us. Your memoir, In Gad We Trust, has been making waves for its honesty and humor. One of the standout moments is your candid take on mardi Gras: Spring Break. What made you decide to open up about this particular project?
Josh Gad: thank you for having me! You know,when I set out to write this memoir,I wanted to be as transparent as possible. Hollywood is a wild ride,and not every project is a Frozen or a Beauty and the Beast. Mardi Gras: Spring Break was one of those experiences that, while not my proudest moment, taught me a lot about myself and the industry. I think it’s important to share those moments because they’re part of the journey.
Archyde: You’ve called it “the single worst movie” you’ve ever made. That’s a strong statement. What was it about the film that didn’t resonate with you?
Josh Gad: (laughs) Oh, where do I start? Look, I don’t want to trash anyone involved because everyone worked hard, and I had a blast filming in New Orleans. But the script… let’s just say it wasn’t exactly shakespeare. The movie was marketed as this raunchy, over-the-top comedy, and it delivered on that front. But as an actor, I felt like I wasn’t bringing my best to the table. It was one of those projects where I thought, “What am I doing here?”
That saeid, I’ll always be grateful for the experience. It taught me to be more selective about the roles I take on and to trust my instincts.
Archyde: Despite your reservations about the film,you’ve mentioned having “the time of your life” on set. What made the experience memorable?
Josh Gad: Oh, absolutely. New Orleans is a magical city, and filming there was a blast. I got to work with some remarkable people,like Regina Hall,who’s just a powerhouse of talent and humor. And my co-stars, Bret Harrison and nicholas D’Agosto, were great. We had this camaraderie that made the long days on set feel like a road trip with friends.
There’s a scene where my character, Bump, says, “I wanna make Mardi Gras my b—-!” (laughs) I mean, how could you not have fun delivering a line like that? It was ridiculous, but it was also liberating in a way.
Archyde: You’ve had such a diverse career, from voice acting in Frozen to starring in Broadway productions. How does Mardi gras: Spring Break fit into that journey?
Josh Gad: It’s a reminder that not every project is going to be a masterpiece, and that’s okay. Hollywood is a business, and sometimes you take on roles because they’re part of the bigger picture.At the time,I was fresh off Love & Other Drugs and had just signed a two-picture deal with sony. Mardi Gras was part of that deal, and while it wasn’t my favorite project, it helped me grow as an actor and as a person.
I think every actor has that one project they’d rather forget, but those experiences shape you. They make you appreciate the good ones even more.
Archyde: What advice would you give to young actors who might find themselves in a similar situation?
Josh Gad: First, don’t be too hard on yourself. Not every role is going to be a home run, and that’s part of the learning process. Second, trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. And find the joy in every experience. Even on Mardi Gras, I found ways to have fun and connect with my co-stars.
At the end of the day,it’s all about the journey. You’re going to have highs and lows, but every experience contributes to who you are as an artist.
Archyde: Looking back, is there anything you’d change about your experience with Mardi Gras: Spring Break?
Josh Gad: (pauses) You know, I don’t think I would. It’s easy to look back and say, “I wish I hadn’t done that,” but the truth is, it’s part of my story. It’s a reminder of where I’ve been and how far I’ve come. and honestly,it makes for a great story at parties. (laughs)
Archyde: Thank you, Josh, for sharing your story with us. Your honesty and humor are truly inspiring.
Josh Gad: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure.
Josh Gad’s memoir, In Gad We Trust, is available now. Whether you’re a fan of his work or just love a good Hollywood story, it’s a must-read for anyone interested in the highs and lows of life in the spotlight.
Stay tuned to Archyde for more exclusive interviews and insights from your favorite stars.
