If you’re a fan of hockey and comedy movies, then you’ve probably seen “This Is 40.” This movie directed by Judd Apatow follows the story of a married couple navigating their way through mid-life crises. The movie features a hilarious scene where the couple’s kids play in a hockey game. In this blog post, we’ll explore the hockey players in This Is 40 movie and provide some behind-the-scenes information about the film.
Many viewers have wondered who played the hockey players in This Is 40. Some of the actors in this scene were recognizable, while others were not. It’s always exciting to see new talent on the big screen, especially when they’re playing hockey!
If you’re interested in learning more about the hockey scene in This Is 40, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll take a deep dive into the cast of this scene, including whether or not Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann played hockey in This Is 40. So, buckle up and get ready for some fascinating facts about this hilarious hockey scene.
Whether you’re a hockey fan, a fan of the movie, or just looking for a good laugh, this blog post has something for everyone. So, keep reading to discover everything you need to know about the hockey players in This Is 40 movie.
Table of Contents
Who Played the Hockey Players in This Is 40 Movie?
If you’re a fan of the 2012 movie This Is 40, you probably remember the hilarious scene where Paul Rudd’s character, Pete, joins his friends for a pickup hockey game. The scene was not only entertaining, but it also featured some real-life hockey players.
Chris Dowd, a former professional hockey player who played in the NHL, was one of the hockey players in the scene. He played one of the guys on the ice with Pete and his friends.
Graham Norris, who played another one of the hockey players, is a writer and producer who has worked on shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and The Good Doctor. He also has a background in hockey and was a player at Princeton University.
Garrett Ahn played one of the younger hockey players in the scene. Ahn is not a professional hockey player, but he is a skilled skater and was able to keep up with the other players during filming.
The final hockey player in the scene was Rick Steier, who played one of the opposing players on the ice. Steier is not a professional hockey player, but he is a musician who played guitar in the rock band Warrant.
Discover the Actors Behind the Hockey Players in This Is 40
Chris O’Dowd as Ronnie – O’Dowd is an Irish actor and comedian who has appeared in numerous films and television shows. He is best known for his role as Officer Nathan Rhodes in the hit movie “Bridesmaids.”
Ryan Lee as Joseph – Lee is an American actor who made his film debut in the movie “Super 8” in 201He has also appeared in other movies and TV shows like “Trophy Wife” and “Tales of Halloween.”
Mike Schwartz as Nic – Schwartz is a former professional ice hockey player who played for the San Diego Gulls and several other teams. He now works as an actor and stuntman in Hollywood.
Graham Parker as Graham Parker – Parker is a British musician and actor who plays himself in the movie. He is known for his work as a singer-songwriter and his contributions to the pub rock and new wave genres.
These talented actors brought the hockey players to life in “This Is 40” and added to the humor and authenticity of the film. If you’re a fan of the movie, it’s worth checking out some of their other work!
Learn About the Auditions for This Is 40 Hockey Scene
The casting process for the hockey players in This Is 40 was a challenge. Director Judd Apatow was determined to find talented actors who could also play hockey. Auditions were held for the roles of Pete, Ronnie, Barry, and Wayne. The actors needed to be comfortable on the ice and have a good sense of humor, as the scene was both physically demanding and comedic.
Many Actors Were Considered for the roles, but only a handful were invited to audition. Actors with experience in both hockey and comedy were given preference. The audition process involved demonstrating skating ability, as well as delivering lines from the script.
The Selected Actors for the hockey players were Joe Lo Truglio as Pete, Ryan Lee as Ronnie, Mike Moh as Barry, and Robert Smigel as Wayne. All four actors were able to bring their comedic talent to the roles while also convincingly playing hockey.
The Hockey Scenes Were Choreographed to perfection. The actors rehearsed the scenes for several weeks to ensure that they were comfortable on the ice and that the scenes looked realistic. They also received training from professional hockey players to improve their skating and puck-handling skills.
The Auditions Paid Off as the hockey scene in This Is 40 was one of the highlights of the movie. The actors’ chemistry and comedic timing made the scene memorable, and their skating skills were impressive. It was a challenging role, but the actors rose to the occasion and delivered a fantastic performance.
Meet the Cast of This Is 40 Hockey Scene
If you’re a fan of hockey and the movie “This Is 40,” you may be curious about the actors who portrayed the hockey players in the film. Meet the talented cast who brought the hockey scene to life.
Paul Rudd played Pete, the main character, who also participated in the hockey game. Rudd is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer, known for his roles in “Clueless,” “Friends,” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ant-Man.
Leslie Mann played Debbie, Pete’s wife, and also joined in the hockey game. Mann is an American actress, known for her roles in films such as “Knocked Up,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” and “Blockers.”
Jason Segel played Jason, one of the hockey players on Pete’s team. Segel is an American actor, comedian, and writer, known for his roles in “How I Met Your Mother,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” and “The Muppets.”
Chris O’Dowd played Ronnie, another one of the hockey players on Pete’s team. O’Dowd is an Irish actor, comedian, and writer, known for his roles in “The IT Crowd,” “Bridesmaids,” and “Girls Trip.”
Charlyne Yi played Jodi, the lone female hockey player in the game. Yi is an American actress, comedian, writer, musician, and artist, known for her roles in “Knocked Up,” “Paper Heart,” and “House.”
Aside from the main cast, several other hockey players graced the ice in the This Is 40 movie. Chris Dowd played the role of Tom, Tom Yi played the role of Pete, and Wyatt Russell played the role of Flirty Hockey Player. Jason Lupish played the role of Young Doctor, and Timothy Brennen played the role of Barry.
Despite their limited screen time, these actors made significant contributions to the film, helping to bring the hockey scene to life. Audiences may recognize Chris Dowd from his role as Josh Porter in the popular TV series The Office. Tom Yi has appeared in several other Judd Apatow films, including Knocked Up and Funny People.
Wyatt Russell, the son of legendary actors Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, has also made a name for himself in Hollywood. He has appeared in several popular films, including Overlord, 22 Jump Street, and Lodge 4
Jason Lupish is known for his roles in The Hunger Games and The Walking Dead, while Timothy Brennen has appeared in several popular TV series, including Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and Parks and Recreation.
With such a talented cast of actors, it’s no wonder that the hockey scene in This Is 40 is one of the most memorable and entertaining moments of the film.
Did Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann Play Hockey in This Is 40?
Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann, who play the lead roles in This Is 40, did indeed play hockey in the movie.
The hockey scenes were not all that easy for the actors, as they had to learn how to skate and handle a stick convincingly enough to look like real hockey players.
Paul Rudd had some prior hockey experience, having played the sport in his youth. However, Leslie Mann had never played hockey before and had to undergo some intensive training before shooting the scenes.
Despite the challenges, both actors pulled off their roles as hockey players with aplomb, bringing their characters to life on the ice.
Find Out How Paul Rudd Prepared for This Is 40 Hockey Scene
Training: For his role in the hockey scene, Paul Rudd received training from former NHL player, Aaron Cohen. Cohen, who played in the NHL for four years, taught Rudd the basics of skating, passing, and shooting.
Off-Ice Workout: In addition to on-ice training, Rudd also had to get in shape off-ice. He worked with a personal trainer and followed a strict workout regimen to build up his endurance and strength.
Diet: Rudd also had to modify his diet to get in shape for the scene. He cut out processed foods, sugars, and alcohol and focused on eating a clean diet rich in protein and vegetables.
Mindset: To get into character, Rudd also had to adopt the mindset of a hockey player. He watched a lot of hockey games and tried to understand the physical and mental toughness that is required to play the sport at a high level.
Leslie Mann’s Experience Playing Hockey in This Is 40
Leslie Mann, who plays Debbie in the movie, also had to learn how to skate and play hockey for her role. While she was not as experienced as Paul Rudd, she trained hard to prepare for the scene.
Mann said in an interview that learning how to skate and play hockey was challenging, but she enjoyed the experience. She also mentioned that the cast had a lot of fun filming the scene and bonding over the sport.
Despite not having much prior experience with hockey, Mann’s hard work paid off, and she looked natural on the ice in the movie. Her performance added to the authenticity of the hockey scene and made it even more enjoyable to watch.
The Story Behind Paul Rudd’s Injury in This Is 40 Hockey Scene
On-set injury: During the filming of the hockey scene, Paul Rudd suffered an injury while attempting to take a slap shot.
Broken: He ended up breaking a finger, which caused a temporary halt in the production.
Borrowed jersey: Despite his injury, Rudd continued to film and wore a jersey borrowed from one of the actual hockey players on set.
Realistic: Judd Apatow wanted the hockey scenes to look as realistic as possible, so he brought in real-life hockey players and made the actors train extensively to perform the moves correctly.
Behind the Scenes: How the Hockey Scene in This Is 40 was Filmed
Ice rink construction: The production team built an ice rink from scratch in the parking lot of the production studio in Los Angeles. It took them several weeks to build the rink and create the perfect icy surface for the actors to skate on.
Real hockey players as extras: To make the hockey scenes look authentic, the filmmakers recruited real hockey players as extras. These players helped the actors learn the proper skating and stickhandling techniques.
Stunt doubles for dangerous scenes: Some of the more dangerous scenes in the hockey game, such as collisions and falls, were performed by stunt doubles. This was to ensure the safety of the actors.
Multiple camera angles: The filmmakers used multiple camera angles to capture the action on the ice. This allowed them to get close-up shots of the actors’ faces and show the fast-paced movement of the game.
Visual effects: To enhance the realism of the hockey scenes, the filmmakers used visual effects to add in the puck and other elements that were difficult to capture on camera. This helped to create a seamless and believable hockey game on screen.
Discover the Challenges of Filming a Hockey Scene in a Movie
Safety: Filming a hockey scene involves real players skating at high speeds, which can be dangerous for both the actors and the crew. Special safety measures need to be put in place to ensure that no one gets hurt during the shoot.
Authenticity: A hockey scene needs to look and feel authentic to be believable. This involves getting the right equipment, uniforms, and choreography, and making sure that the actors can skate and handle a stick like real hockey players.
Lighting: Filming a scene on ice requires a lot of light to properly illuminate the scene. This can be difficult to achieve since ice reflects light and can make it hard to properly expose the shot.
Weather: Filming on ice requires cold temperatures, which can be challenging for the actors and crew. Additionally, changes in temperature and humidity can affect the ice quality and make it more difficult to skate and film.
Time constraints: Filming a hockey scene can be time-consuming, with multiple takes required to capture all the necessary shots. This can be challenging when working with a tight shooting schedule.
Overall, filming a hockey scene in a movie requires careful planning and execution to ensure that it looks realistic and is safe for everyone involved.How the Crew Created the Illusion of Real Hockey Players in This Is 40
Casting real hockey players: The crew cast several real-life hockey players for the movie, which helped to create an authentic look and feel for the scenes.
Creating hockey gear: The crew also had to create custom hockey gear that would match the characters and the movie’s tone.
Professional cinematography: The cinematographer, Phedon Papamichael, had experience filming sports scenes and used his expertise to capture the action and movements of the actors in a realistic way.
Special effects: Some scenes required the use of special effects, such as when Paul Rudd’s character gets hit in the face with a puck. The crew used a combination of practical effects and digital effects to create the illusion.
Careful planning: The crew spent a lot of time planning the hockey scenes, from choreographing the action to setting up camera angles. This allowed them to capture the scenes in a way that felt realistic and engaging for audiences.
What Real-Life Hockey Players Were in the Movie This Is 40?
Graham Nash: While not a professional hockey player, Graham Nash is a musician and avid hockey fan who had a small cameo in the movie. He played a member of the opposing team during the hockey game.
Ian Laperriere: A former NHL player, Ian Laperriere played himself in the movie. He was one of the hockey players on Pete’s team.
Paul Kariya: Another former NHL player, Paul Kariya also played himself in the movie. He was also on Pete’s team during the hockey game.
Ryan Smyth: A former NHL player, Ryan Smyth played himself in the movie. He was one of the hockey players on the opposing team.
Jarret Stoll: A former NHL player, Jarret Stoll also played himself in the movie. He was on Pete’s team during the hockey game.
Having these real-life hockey players in the movie helped add to the authenticity of the hockey scenes and made the movie even more enjoyable for hockey fans.
Which Real-Life NHL Players Appear in This Is 40 Hockey Scene?
If you’re a hockey fan, you may have noticed some familiar faces in the hockey scene of This Is 40. Here are the real-life NHL players who appeared in the movie:
- Ryan Miller: Miller is a former goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres and other NHL teams. He played himself in the movie and was one of the main players in the hockey game.
- Dustin Penner: Penner is a former NHL forward who played for teams such as the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings. He also played himself in the movie.
- Matt Niskanen: Niskanen is a former NHL defenseman who played for teams such as the Dallas Stars and Washington Capitals. He played a member of the opposing team in the hockey game.
- Graham Mink: Mink is a former AHL and European league forward who played for teams such as the Hershey Bears and HC Bolzano. He also played a member of the opposing team in the hockey game.
- John Scott: Scott is a former NHL enforcer who played for teams such as the Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres. He played a member of Pete’s hockey team.
Having real-life NHL players on set added an extra layer of authenticity to the hockey scene and helped make it feel more realistic.
The Story Behind the Cameo of Graham Nesbitt in This Is 40
In addition to the appearance of real-life NHL players, the hockey scene in This Is 40 also features a cameo from Graham Nesbitt, a retired professional hockey player. Director Judd Apatow had initially cast someone else for the role, but they fell through at the last minute. Luckily, Nesbitt was available and stepped in to save the day.
Nesbitt played professional hockey for several years, including a stint with the Los Angeles Kings, before retiring due to injuries. Despite not having acted before, Nesbitt’s experience in the sport and natural charisma made him a great fit for the role of the hockey coach in the film.
According to Apatow, Nesbitt was a joy to work with and brought a lot of authenticity to the scene. His presence helped to create a more realistic atmosphere on set, and his performance added an extra layer of humor to the already hilarious scene.
How the Production Crew Got Retired NHL Players to Appear in This Is 40
The inclusion of retired NHL players in the hockey scene in This Is 40 was a major draw for hockey fans. The production crew had a few tricks up their sleeve to secure these cameo appearances.
Networking: Producer Barry Mendel had a good relationship with retired NHL player Luc Robitaille, who agreed to appear in the film and helped the crew contact other retired players.
Location: The film was shot in Los Angeles, where many retired NHL players live. The crew reached out to local players and was able to secure several cameo appearances.
Compensation: According to producer Judd Apatow, the retired players were compensated for their time and were also given some “swag” from the movie, such as hats and t-shirts.
Fan Appeal: Many retired NHL players are still beloved by hockey fans and were excited to be part of a hockey movie. The production crew was able to leverage this enthusiasm to secure cameo appearances from several retired players.
The Personal Touch: Mendel and Apatow reached out to the players personally to ask for their involvement, which helped to build a rapport and secure their participation.
Overall, the production crew’s resourcefulness and willingness to think outside the box were instrumental in securing the cameo appearances of several retired NHL players in This Is 40.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were some of the hockey players that appeared in This Is 40?
Several real-life hockey players made cameo appearances in This Is 40, including Chris Chelios, Ian Laperriere, and Luc Robitaille.
Did any retired NHL players appear in the movie?
Yes, several retired NHL players appeared in the movie, including Chelios, Laperriere, and Robitaille, as well as Paulina Gretzky’s father Wayne Gretzky.
Were any of the hockey players given speaking roles in the movie?
No, the hockey players in the movie did not have speaking roles, but they did participate in a game against the characters played by Paul Rudd and Jason Segel.
Was there a specific reason for the hockey players’ cameos in the movie?
The hockey players’ appearances in the movie were part of a subplot in which Rudd’s character tries to bond with his father-in-law, played by Albert Brooks, over their mutual love of hockey.
Was the hockey game scene difficult to film with so many professional players?
Yes, filming the hockey game scene was challenging due to the number of professional players involved. The production crew had to coordinate multiple cameras and carefully plan the movements of both the actors and the players.
Did the hockey players have any input on how the scene was filmed?
Yes, the production crew consulted with the hockey players on how to best capture the realism of the game. The players provided valuable input on the types of plays and movements that would be typical of a real hockey game.