Shrinking's Ted McGinley Thought He'd 'Die' Before Playing Role Like Derek, Gets 'Teary-Eyed' by the Recognition (Exclusive)

Ted McGinley is stunned by the reception and admiration for his portrayal of the character in the Shrinkage.

The 66-year-old actor, who has more than 90 acting roles, revealed to PEOPLE that his role as Derek moved him to tears as he thought about receiving critical acclaim for his efforts.

At the “Evening with” on December 12 Shrinkage at a PaleyLive event,” McGinley explained that it was one of the highlights of his career to portray Liz Christe Miller’s calm, laid-back husband and Jason Segel’s neighbor Jimmy. “It brings tears to my eyes every time. I’m so used to people saying unkind things to me,” the happy days explained the alum. “It’s really nice to have something else to say.”

“I’ve had great jobs,” he continued, noting that he’s worked with “great people,” but his current project is “the sweetest place [he’s] ever been.” This is due to the writers who created a character that “people react to”.

“Derek is the light at the end of the tunnel and a warm blanket when you’re on a raft in the middle of a cold,” he said. “And I think that’s wonderful. That’s how I see it.”

Ted McGinley and Christa Miller in “Downsizing.”

Apple TV+

McGinely’s portrayal of a calm and collected husband won him praise from critics and audiences, which he said he was “shocked” by.

“As for me, I am completely shocked. And it brings me to tears all the time when I think about it,” he said. “I thought I was going to die before I even got to this place.

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As for how he landed the role, he explained to PEOPLE that he tested with series co-creator Bill Lawrence “on many occasions.”

“I’m a guy who doesn’t do well in that room. I keep getting jobs by doing them,” the Married… with children said the actor. “Work begets work, always in my case. And so I show up and the next thing I say, ‘Hey, are you interested in…’, ‘Would you…?’ That’s how I got every job.”

Finally, one day, Lawrence told him, “‘One of these days we’re going to do something epic’.”

“He was a man of his word, he called me one day and said, ‘I have something,'” he said, adding, “Anyway, all of a sudden the phone rang.” It shows you that if you are patient, let life take its course, believe and stay in the game.”

Ted McGinley in “Downsizing”.

Apple TV+

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After McGinley was cast, details about his character and the show were “almost top secret,” but Lawrence told him that Derek is someone who “says things that might not sound so nice, but it’s all nice.”

“That’s when I started to understand him in the setting of this show where we’re dealing with so much pain and darkness and you have to have a place that people can lean on,” he said. “You have to have a safe place.”

Shrinkage stars Jimmy Laird (Segel) as a single father grieving the sudden loss of his wife while continuing his friendships with Liz, Derek, Gaby (Jessica Williams), Brian (Michael Urie) and Paul (Harrison Ford).

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Shrinkage airs every Wednesday on AppleTV+.

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Source: HIS Education