Will Arnett

Will Arnett – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

Dive into the life and career of Will Arnett, the Canadian-American actor and comedian best known as Gob Bluth, the voice of BoJack Horseman, and for his iconic gravelly voice. Discover his early life, rise to fame, philosophy on acting, and his most memorable quotes.

Introduction

William Emerson “Will” Arnett (born May 4, 1970) is a Canadian-American actor, comedian, voice actor, and producer whose unique presence—both on screen and behind the mic—has left a lasting mark on comedy and animation. From his breakout role as George Oscar “Gob” Bluth II on Arrested Development to voicing BoJack Horseman and Batman in The Lego Movie films, Arnett’s career is distinguished by wit, versatility, and a deeply recognizable vocal presence.

Arnett’s journey reflects both comedic boldness and personal vulnerability. His reflections on identity, failure, family, and reinvention provide insight not only into his work, but into the life of a performer who is always evolving.

Early Life and Family

Will Arnett was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to h Alexandra “Alix” (née Palk) and Emerson James “Jim” Arnett. His father worked across multiple domains—corporate law, brewing, and business—and his mother supported his early artistic interests.

He grew up with two older sisters and a younger brother.

As a youth, Arnett showed an early interest in performance. He briefly attended Lakefield College School but was asked not to return after a semester.

After high school, Arnett attended Concordia University in Montreal for a short time but dropped out to pursue acting.

Career and Achievements

Arnett’s career is notable for its twists and reinventions. He has worked in television, film, voice acting, and production—and consistently brought his signature style to each medium.

Early Struggles and Breakthrough

In the 1990s and early 2000s, Arnett pursued television pilots, guest roles, and smaller parts. He describes the year 2000 as “the darkest year” of his career, when work was scarce and personal challenges loomed.

His major breakthrough came when he was cast as Gob Bluth in Arrested Development (2003–2006, 2013, 2018–2019). The character—an overconfident, hapless magician—became a fan favorite, and his performance earned Arnett wide recognition and Emmy nominations.

With Arrested Development as a platform, Arnett began to land more high-profile roles and voice acting gigs.

Film & Voice Work

Arnett’s distinct, deep, gravelly voice has become one of his trademarks and led to many voice roles:

• BoJack Horseman (2014–2020) — He voices the title character, an anthropomorphic horse with deep flaws and complexities.

• Batman / Bruce Wayne voice in The Lego Movie films and The Lego Batman Movie series.

• Voice roles in Ratatouille, Ice Age: The Meltdown, Monsters vs. Aliens, Despicable Me, The Nut Job franchise, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, and others.

• On the film side, he also appeared in Blades of Glory, Semi-Pro, Let's Go to Prison, The Brothers Solomon, G-Force, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, etc.

He has also starred in TV sitcoms and series such as Up All Night, The Millers, Running Wilde, and Flaked (which he co-created).

Awards, Recognition & Impact

Arnett has received several Emmy nominations, including for Arrested Development, 30 Rock (where he had a recurring role as Devon Banks), and BoJack Horseman.

His work in 30 Rock as the antagonistic Devon Banks earned him critical notice beyond Arrested Development.

Beyond awards, Arnett’s impact is seen in the way voice acting and distinctive vocal style can define a career. His voice is often used in commercials, trailers, and narration.

Historical & Cultural Context

Will Arnett’s career emerged at a time when television comedy was shifting, and “ensemble comedies” began gaining prestige. Arrested Development (though not a runaway ratings hit) became a cult classic, influencing how comedic narratives could be plotted with layered continuity and meta-humor.

Simultaneously, the rise of animation for adults (BoJack Horseman) and the expansion of voice work across media gave actors like Arnett new dimensions of presence. His dual identity—both as a live actor and a leading voice in animation—mirrors broader trends where performers cross between mediums seamlessly.

His ability to reinvent himself—jumping from live-action roles to voice performance to creating his own content (Flaked)—is emblematic of how modern actors must diversify in the streaming era.

Legacy and Influence

• Vocal Distinctiveness: Arnett’s voice is instantly recognizable and has influenced how voice casting is seen: not just about voice quality, but about the persona behind the voice.

• Genre Fluidity: He has moved fluidly between sitcoms, drama, animation, and streaming, demonstrating adaptability.

• Comedy Depth: His comedic roles often combine flawed characters, awkwardness, and pathos, not just surface gags—helping to deepen the comedic formula.

• Personal candor: He has publically acknowledged struggles (e.g. alcoholism relapse during Flaked production) and the challenges of maintaining balance, which gives his work and persona extra texture.

Arnett’s path encourages newer actors to embrace risk, voice work, and authenticity, rather than chasing only “big parts.”

Personality, Challenges & Public Life

Arnett has spoken openly about his struggles with alcoholism. He maintained sobriety for many years but publicly relapsed during production of Flaked.

He is also known to be a devoted father. He has children with his ex-wife Amy Poehler (sons Archie and Abel), and a younger son with his more recent partner, Alessandra Brawn.

In 2025, it was reported that Arnett is dating supermodel Carolyn Murphy, after quietly splitting from Alessandra Brawn.

Arnett also invests in real estate and creative property. He sold a custom Beverly Hills home and has a modern farmhouse in Benedict Canyon.

He remains active in podcasting: he co-hosts SmartLess with Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes.

Memorable Quotes by Will Arnett

Here are some of his notable reflections, blending humor, self-awareness, and insight:

“I am happy because I’m grateful. I choose to be grateful. That gratitude allows me to be happy.” “Pure unadulterated success is not as funny as failure.” “Any time you can build jokes around a story that resonates on an emotional level, it is going to have a big impact.” “I don’t aim to make art in a vacuum — you want people to like it.” “Arrested Development opened a lot of doors for me.” “I’ve always maintained that I don’t think comedy should be reviewed. I think it’s un-reviewable, because it is so subjective.” “People have this preconceived notion of me. I’m ‘Gob’ to them… this thoughtless sociopath who lives this bizarre, ego-driven life.” “The thing I always try to hold onto with ‘BoJack’ and with ‘Flaked’ is that maybe there is a sliver of hope that they are going to turn it around.”

These quotes show how Arnett balances humor with awareness of failure, identity, and emotional stakes.

Lessons from Will Arnett

From Will Arnett’s journey, several lessons stand out:

1. Embrace vocal identity.
   Your voice is part of your brand. Arnett used his distinctive voice to open doors in voice acting and narration.

2. Comedy with heart.
   Humor is richer when it’s layered with emotional stakes, flaws, and empathy—not just jokes.

3. Resilience in failure.
   Years without success did not deter him. He persisted through dark times until opportunity arrived.

4. Cross medium fluidity.
   Don’t confine yourself to one format. Arnett spans animation, sitcoms, films, and production.

5. Vulnerability can strengthen art.
   By being open about personal struggles, he adds depth and relatability to his work.

6. Leverage breakout roles—but don’t be defined by them.
   While “Gob” remains iconic, Arnett continuously seeks new roles and reinventions.

Conclusion

Will Arnett’s career is a study in reinvention, voice, and humor with substance. From struggling actor to comedic icon, from live-action roles to voicing complex animated characters, he has built a multi-dimensional legacy. His quotes reflect a man who sees comedy as more than laughs—it’s about truth, failure, and resilience.

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