Funnyman Jason Segel gets serious about Hollywood

Jason Segel remembers his out-of-work days vividly.

He was in his early 20s and dreaming of making it big, but unlike the aimless man-child he plays in “Jeff, Who Lives at Home” opening Friday, he got off the couch and began writing his own destiny.

Literally.

“It was Judd (Apatow) who really influenced me and said, ‘The only way you’re going to get to where you want is if you start writing your own stuff,’” says Segel.

“And it was when I took the bull by the horns and started writing that my life changed.”

The 32-year-old star recently took a break from promoting his new big-screen dramedy, starring Ed Helms and Susan Sarandon, to chat with The Daily News about his rise from a relative unknown on “Freaks and Geeks” to the screenwriter behind Hollywood hits like “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and his upcoming romantic comedy “The Five-Year Engagement.”

Your characters in “Jeff, Who Lives at Home” and “How I Met Your Mother” both have faith that the universe is charting their course. Do you share this belief?

I completely disagree. I think it’s smart to go after what your goal is. No one is knocking down my door to play Captain America (laughs), so it was about deciding what I want and making it happen.

You’ve shown a flair for screenwriting since teaming up with director Nick Stoller on “Get Him to the Greek” and “The Muppets.” Would you give up acting to write full-time?

No. I really love acting. I do. When I act, right or wrong, I feel like no one can play this part better than I have.

Jeff is a much more serious role for you. Is this the first step in taking a more dramatic turn in your career?

I like to keep it mixed up. What was exciting about this: It was really on the dramatic side of the drama-comedy line, and being able to improvise on the dramatic side was something I have never done.

What other dream roles would you love to play?

I’d love to play a villain. I feel like my acting is always on the border between creepy and charming, and I always err on the charming side. I’d like to err on the creepy side.

You’ve written and performed songs for roles. Would you ever strike out in the music biz and start a band?

I’ve always loved music, and the first song I wrote was for “Freaks and Geeks.” I wrote a song called “Lady L.” I’m good at writing music for movies where it’s allowed to be intentionally not that good ... but I just don’t know that I could write actually good music.

Congratulations on “The Muppets” winning an Oscar for Best Original Song, though.

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