John C. McGinley has shared his admiration for co-star Steve Carell during an interview ahead of the premiere of their new HBO series, *Rooster*. The series debuted on 8 March 2026, and McGinley took the opportunity to express his enthusiasm about working alongside Carell, a talent he greatly respects.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/John-C-McGinley-steve-carell-rooster-premiere-030626-eff82af99d3f45b0b85ee6852a6be03c.jpg)
At the *Rooster* premiere in New York City on 3 March, McGinley, well-known for his role in *Scrubs*, praised Carell’s remarkable acting ability. He described Carell as “Superman” and highlighted his quick wit and impressive range as an actor. “He’s the most cerebrally agile and nimble actor I’ve ever worked with,” McGinley commented. “The way he can pivot on a dime with elegance and grace is astonishing. Steve can deliver a joke like no one else.”
The two actors first crossed paths on the set of *Battle of the Sexes*, a film that centres around the historic 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. McGinley revealed that his motivation to join the cast of the film was solely to work with Carell. “I admire him so much,” he reflected. “I took a tiny role in the Billie Jean King movie purely because I wanted to be with him. I was practically an extra, but that didn’t matter; I just wanted to work alongside Steve.”
While discussing their initial meeting, McGinley humorously noted that he doubted Carell actually remembered him from the film. “I asked if he recalled our first encounter on the sports film, and he acted like he knew,” McGinley remarked, adding with a laugh, “He didn’t. I was an extra!”
In *Rooster*, McGinley plays the character of Walter Mann, a college dean who motivates Carell’s character, Greg Russo, a best-selling author, to take on a teaching position. This role is not only a new venture for Greg but also serves to support his daughter Katie, portrayed by Charly Clive, who is facing a rough patch in her professional life as a professor.
The show aims to blend the traditional elements of college life with contemporary themes, as Greg embarks on a journey of friendship and rediscovery. Alongside McGinley and Carell, the cast features names like Danielle Deadwyler, Alan Ruck, Phil Dunster, and Lauren Tsai, with Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses serving as the showrunners.
In addition to *Rooster*, McGinley has reconnected with Lawrence on a *Scrubs* revival, which aired its first episode on 25 February 2026. In the revival, McGinley reprised his role as Dr. Perry Cox, exploring complex themes such as exhaustion, burnout, and personal challenges faced by characters in high-pressure environments. Reflecting on this development, McGinley commended Lawrence’s courage in tackling such crucial topics.
“My character is stepping down from being chief of medicine, and it’s a powerful decision linked to the realities of burnout,” he explained. “It takes bravery to delve into those issues for a character that once projected strength and dominance.”
*Rooster* promises to be an engaging watch, showcasing the strong chemistry between its lead actors. McGinley’s admiration for Carell reflects a dynamic partnership that audiences are eager to see unfold. Viewers can tune into the series when it airs on HBO at 10 PM ET on 8 March.
As anticipation builds for *Rooster*, it is clear that the collaboration between McGinley and Carell is one that is rooted in mutual respect and admiration, paving the way for what could be another memorable addition to their collective legacies in the entertainment industry.