Jason Sudeikis first stood out as a standout performer on Saturday Night Live (SNL) for nine seasons from 2005 to 2013. His tenure was marked by sharp comedic timing and memorable characters, cementing him as a versatile and engaging presence on the sketch comedy stage.
His career trajectory then took a significant leap with his roles in 2011's Horrible Bosses and Hall Pass, showcasing him in his first lead role in a feature film. Both projects highlighted the Virginian's ability to carry a movie and provided a platform for him to transition from sketch comedy to major film projects.
However, the turning point in the 49-year-old's career came with the creation and success of Ted Lasso, in which Sudeikis starred as the titular character—a charmingly optimistic American football coach leading a British soccer team—in a role that not only garnered critical acclaim but also won numerous awards.
His personal life has also been a topic of public interest. From 2011 to 2020, he was in a high-profile relationship with American actress and filmmaker Olivia Wilde. The couple, engaged in January 2013 but never married, share two children: a son, Otis, born in April 2014, and a daughter, Daisy, born in October 2016.
Despite their separation, Sudeikis and Wilde have maintained a collaborative and supportive co-parenting relationship.
He has also remained actively involved in charitable endeavors, participating in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, representing his passion for basketball, and contributing to various causes. He and other Kansas City celebrities have hosted the Big Slick event for the past decade. This annual charity event benefits the Cancer Center at Children's Mercy Hospital and has raised over $21 million to support pediatric cancer research and patient care.
STRIPLV: You've got an upcoming movie, the animated film Hitpig. SUDEIKIS: Oh wow, yeah. Hitpig! is a wild, futuristic adventure about a bounty hunter pig on a mission to capture a runaway elephant. The story is packed with heart, humor, and plenty of action, something for both kids and adults. What I love most is how the film seamlessly blends these elements while delivering a truly unique and imaginative narrative. Hitpig is a bounty-hunting hero who captures escaped animals and returns them to their owners. I've said for a long time I want to do an escape movie, and this isn't exactly what I had in mind, but I'll take it nonetheless! (Laughs) STRIPLV: How do you enjoy doing voice work compared to live-action roles? SUDEIKIS: Voice work is so freeing because it removes that need to focus on physicality or facial expressions. It allows you to channel everything through your voice. I love it. It shifts the emphasis to that particular character's personality and emotions, and that then opens up a new level of creative expression. That makes it both fun and creatively challenging, as it requires a different skill set to deliver the depth and complexity of a character using only your voice. So, yeah, I'm pretty good at it. (Laughs) STRIPLV: What drew you to Hitpig!, specifically? SUDEIKIS: I think it was the originality and the opportunity to voice such a quirky, layered character. The story is centered around themes of redemption and explores the unlikely bond between two very different creatures, and that interested me. I think that dynamic brings depth and heart to the adventure you see, making it more than just action-packed. Plus, the fun, imaginative world created within the film made it an irresistible project to be part of. I had a real blast doing it. STRIPLV: You've done animated films like The Angry Birds Movie before. What's different about Hitpig!? SUDEIKIS: It has a slightly edgier vibe compared to something like Angry Birds, which is more of a light, family-friendly adventure. This film leans into a grittier, more satirical edge that sets it apart. Its humor is sharp and it tackles themes with a bit more bite. I mean, we're still talking about cartoon animals so I'm not going to make it something it's not, but it's definitely different! STRIPLV: What's the biggest challenge when working on animated projects like this? SUDEIKIS: The challenge with voice acting is bringing life to a character without the visual cues you typically rely on in live-action performances, as I was saying, things like facial expressions or body language. Instead, everything must be conveyed through your voice alone, which can be tricky to master. I didn't pick it up immediately; I worked on it. It's also incredibly rewarding because when you finally see the animation come together on screen and your voice perfectly matches the character's movements and emotions, it creates something truly magical. It's so cool to see it all polished. STRIPLV: You're also slated to return for The Angry Birds Movie 3. What's the latest on that? SUDEIKIS: Right now, it's still in development, but I'm really excited to return as Red. Voicing him has always been great because he's such a fun, energetic character. The movies do a great job of blending humour and action, making them enjoyable for the whole family and that's important nowadays. Long gone are the times where parents would be bored taking their kids to see something they aren't totally interested in. These are made with that in mind and have been for a while, to be honest. Anyway, Angry Birds is a playful, adventurous world to be part of and once it's finished, I'm hopeful all the fans won't have to wait too long to see what's next. STRIPLV: Let's dive into Ted Lasso, which has been a massive success. What's it been like leading such a globally renowned show? SUDEIKIS: It's been truly surreal, to be honest. Ted Lasso started as a simple comedy bit, but we've been fortunate enough to develop him into a character with real heart and emotional depth. The incredible response from audiences has been overwhelming and I believe people have really connected with Ted's relentless optimism, especially in today's world. His positivity and kindness have struck a chord with viewers, which is both humbling and rewarding as a storyteller. STRIPLV: Why do you think Ted Lasso resonates so profoundly with audiences? SUDEIKIS: I do, but also because, at its core, it's a show about kindness, empathy, and hope, values that are universal and timeless. In a world where cynicism often dominates, Ted's unwavering optimism feels refreshing. Plus, the show balances humor with genuine, emotional moments that highlight the importance of human connection. Audiences appreciate that it's not just about soccer; it's about personal growth, relationships, and finding joy in unlikely places. STRIPLV: How does transitioning from your Saturday Night Live days to leading major TV shows and films feel? SUDEIKIS: It's been an incredible ride, so far. I feel extremely fortunate to have experienced such a wide range of opportunities, starting with sketch comedy on SNL and evolving into leading roles in both television and film. Each step of the way has been a learning experience, teaching me something new and helping me grow as an actor and a storyteller. I've truly enjoyed the journey and I'm grateful for how it's shaped me both personally and professionally. Looking back, it's been an amazing adventure and I'm just trying to improve each time I do something. STRIPLV: How do you balance your demanding career with your role as a parent? SUDEIKIS: It's definitely a juggling act. My kids, Otis and Daisy, are my top priority, so I strive to be fully present when I'm with them. Finding the right balance is key, and I make it a point to prioritize family time, even amidst a busy work schedule. It's all about ensuring that I'm there for the important moments and not letting work overshadow my responsibilities as a parent. You cannot let work get in the way, whatever your job in life is. STRIPLV: Do you think people often forget that celebrities have families and parenting responsibilities? SUDEIKIS: I think there is a tendency to see celebrities as just their public personas, but we're also parents with the same responsibilities and desires to spend quality time with our kids. It's important for people to remember that we're juggling our careers with family life, just like anyone else. The need to be present for our children is as vital to us as it is to any parent. STRIPLV: You've been involved in a lot of charity work, including the Big Slick and Thundergong! Events. How important is giving back to you? SUDEIKIS: It's hugely important. Big Slick and Thundergong! have been some of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Being able to raise money for children's cancer research and help provide prosthetics through Steps of Faith Foundation means the world to me. It's a way to use the platform I have to make a real difference, and I'm grateful for that opportunity. STRIPLV: What's next for your career? Are any new ambitions on the horizon? SUDEIKIS: I suppose that I want to keep telling stories that resonate with people, whether that's through comedy, drama or something in between. I'm also interested in more behind-the-scenes work, like writing and producing. I've obviously had some good success with Ted Lasso and ultimately, I just want to keep challenging myself and exploring new creative paths
LASSO LINES Eight of the character’s best quotes.
ONE “I always thought tea was going to taste like hot brown water. And do you know what? I was right.”
TWO “You could fill two internets with what I don’t know about football.”
THREE “You know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It’s a goldfish. You know why? It’s got a 10-second memory.”
FOUR “Little tip for y’all. Fries are called chips. Chips are called crisps. And bangers aren’t great songs, but they do make you feel like dancing because they’re so darn tasty.”
FIVE “I feel like we fell out of the lucky tree and hit every branch on the way down, ended up in a pool of cash and Sour Patch Kids.”
SIX “Your body is like day-old rice. If it ain’t warmed up properly, something real bad could happen.”
SEVEN “I promise you there is something worse out there than being sad, and that’s being alone and being sad.”
EIGHT “I believe in communism. Rom-communism, that is.”