Ed Helms Reflects on His Nervousness About “The Hangover” Premiere with His Parents
In a recent episode of SiriusXM’s Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast, actor Ed Helms opened up about the nerves he felt before his "very socially conservative" parents watched the iconic 2009 film, The Hangover. Known for his roles in The Office and The Daily Show, Helms shared his experiences while looking back on the R-rated comedy that also starred Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis.
Growing up in the South, Helms described his upbringing as "politically progressive" but "socially conservative." He explained to host Ted Danson, “The Hangover is wild. That’s not what my parents raised me to do — to be in a movie like this.” Despite their previous acceptance of his comedic work, he admitted to still feeling anxious about how they would react to the film. “I was 35 when that movie came out, and I was still nervous for my parents,” he joked.
Directed by Todd Phillips, The Hangover follows three friends who awaken after a Las Vegas bachelor party with no memory of the night before and the groom missing. As they scramble to find him in time for the wedding, the comedic chaos unfolds.
To his surprise, Helms took his parents to the film’s premiere. What happened next was an unforgettable moment. “I looked over at my mom when the lights came up, and she was crying,” he recalled. “For a second, I thought, ‘Did I just break my poor mom’s heart?’ But then she said, ‘That was so funny,’ and gave me a big hug. It was such a special moment.” Helms emphasized how meaningful it was for his mother to embrace his work in The Hangover, calling it a pivotal moment in his career and personal life.
The success of The Hangover is undeniable, grossing over $277 million at the box office and leading to two sequels, The Hangover Part II and The Hangover Part III. Helms has even expressed his enthusiasm for returning to his role as Stu in a potential fourth installment of the franchise. In a 2023 interview with People magazine, he said, “I would do anything with Bradley, Zach, and Todd — they are some of my favorite people on the planet.”
As The Hangover continues to be a beloved comedy classic, Helms’ reflection on this pivotal experience not only showcases his growth as an actor but also highlights the importance of family support in the entertainment industry.
