Key Takeaways:
- Despite a celebrated career, Michelle Pfeiffer admits she was “nervous” to star in the new holiday comedy Oh. What. Fun. because she doesn’t believe she is funny.
- Her co-star, Denis Leary, staunchly disagrees, insisting that Pfeiffer has showcased her comedic talents throughout her career, even in dramatic roles.
- The film, directed by Michael Showalter, features a star-studded cast including Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Dominic Sessa.
- Oh. What. Fun. follows an underappreciated mom who goes on a solo adventure after her family accidentally leaves her behind during the holidays.
Michelle Pfeiffer, a three-time Oscar nominee with beloved comedies like Married to the Mob and Hairspray on her resume, has made a surprising admission: she doesn’t think she’s funny. The acclaimed actress shared her comedic insecurities in a recent interview while discussing her new holiday film, Oh. What. Fun.
Pfeiffer’s Comedy Confessions
Speaking about the “zany” Christmas comedy from director Michael Showalter (The Big Sick), Pfeiffer revealed she was initially hesitant to take on the role.
“I was a little nervous because it was zany, and I also don’t ever think that I’m funny,” she explained. Her solution was to put her trust entirely in her director. “When I committed to do it, I remember saying to Michael, ‘Okay, I’m going to do this, but you better make me funny.’”
Pfeiffer added that this trust allowed her to take more risks on set. “The more I trust my director, the more I’ll go out on a limb,” she said. “And that’s a wonderful, wonderful way to work because you discover things.”
A Star-Studded Holiday Adventure
In Oh. What. Fun., Pfeiffer plays Claire Clauster, a dedicated mom who pours her heart into creating the perfect Christmas for her family. However, when her husband (Denis Leary) and their adult children (played by Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, and Dominic Sessa) accidentally leave her behind, Claire decides it’s time for her own holiday adventure.
The plot follows her hilarious and chaotic journey, which includes a desperate attempt to one-up a neighbor that leads to her shoplifting from a Crate & Barrel and being chased through a mall by security guards.
Co-Star Denis Leary Disagrees
While Pfeiffer may doubt her comedic chops, her co-star Denis Leary is quick to defend them. “She’s been so funny so many times,” Leary said. “Even in dramas, her characters have had really funny moments, so I always felt like she was funny and has been funny. Married to the Mob. There’s so many!”
Leary recalled that the entire cast spent much of their time on set laughing, thanks in large part to Pfeiffer’s performance. “The stuff that’s written is funny, but the stuff that she’s bringing is really funny,” he added. He also shared a sweet anecdote about Pfeiffer becoming emotional during the initial table read, revealing a softer side to the on-screen couple.
Oh. What. Fun. begins streaming on Prime Video on Wednesday, Dec. 3.