Will Arnett has told plenty of funny stories over the years, but this one hits a special level of chaos. It has panic, bad timing, and a Hollywood legend standing a few feet away. Plus, it also has a very real fear that had nothing to do with acting.
On January 29, 2026, Arnett appeared on the YouTube interview series “Hot Ones” and shared what he called the “most painful audition” of his life. The story landed because it felt raw, human, and painfully relatable. Fame did not protect him then, and it did not soften the memory now.
The audition happened early in Arnett’s career, long before his voice became famous and his face familiar. He was up for a role in Kevin Costner’s 1997 post-apocalyptic film “The Postman”. At the time, Costner was an Oscar-winning star and director, and Arnett truly admired him.
By the time he was released, his body was weak and unpredictable, which is not ideal before meeting one of Hollywood’s biggest names.
By the afternoon of the audition, Arnett had barely moved away from a bathroom in nearly fourteen hours. Walking into the room felt like a gamble he was not ready to take. He described being in a constant cold sweat while trying to stay upright and focused. His acting skills took a back seat to basic survival.
Instead of thinking about lines or character choices, Arnett had one dominant fear. He was genuinely worried about pooping his pants in front of Kevin Costner. He recalled thinking, “This could go really bad right now,” which summed up the entire moment better than any performance note ever could.
Arnett Met Kevin Costner While Barely Holding It Together
Meeting Kevin Costner should have been thrilling. For Arnett, it felt like a test of physical endurance. Costner was not just a movie star. He was an icon with real power in the room. Arnett wanted to impress him, but his body had other plans.
The 51-year-old actor stood there trying to appear calm while his stomach twisted and his hands shook. The pressure came from every angle. There was the audition itself, the star watching him, and the fear that his body might betray him at any second. That kind of stress does not help anyone deliver their best work.
The “Is This Thing On?” star later admitted that acting was not his main concern in that room. Staying composed and avoiding disaster became the entire goal. The moment turned into a strange mental tug of war between professionalism and panic. It is the kind of situation no acting class can prepare you for.
In the end, Arnett did not get the part. “The Postman” went on to become a critical disaster and swept the Razzie Awards for Worst Picture, Worst Actor, and Worst Director. Looking back, Arnett joked that he might have dodged a bullet by missing out. At the time, though, it still stung.
The Story Fit Perfectly on “Hot Ones”
Host Sean Evans guided the conversation while the heat built, which made the memory feel even more intense.
At the time of the interview, Arnett was promoting the 2025 comedy drama “Is This Thing On?”, directed by Bradley Cooper. His career has clearly come a long way since that rough audition. His real breakthrough arrived in 2003 with the critically acclaimed series “Arrested Development”, which changed everything for him.