The Segel Factor

One of the finest stars currently out there is Jason Segel. Segel got his start on the short lived, cult classic Freaks and Geeks, produced by none other than Judd Apatow (the guy most people remember for the gross out, male comedies of 40 Year Old Virgin, and Knocked Up, among many others). Then for awhile there, Segel sort of disappeared from the industry, which is shame because Segel is funny, talented, and endearingly charming.

However, Segel returned with a new found stamina. He starred in the critically-acclaimed, and wonderfully heartfelt and humorous television series How I Met Your Mother. Although, Neil Patrick Harris gets most of the attention for the series outside of the creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, Segel's Marshall Erikson is an underrated character played to a tee by Segel. Segel's Marshall is a self-deprecating and lovable loser with a heart of gold, who cares about his friends and family. Segel has some of the funniest lines outside of Harris, who's character is, while admittedly well-played by Harris, a bit overrated and overshadows the other actors and characters.

Using his new found success through the show, Segel began starring in and writing a number of really great movies. He appeared in a number of Apatow helmed works, including I Love You, Man, and Knocked Up. He wrote and starred in the hilarious and sweet Forgetting Sarah Marshall, where he was even able to show off his musical talent, singing and playing the piano for the awesome rendition of Dracula's Lament, a song based on a real-life puppet Dracula musical that Segel performed. Segel wrote most of the songs for the film's spiritual sequel Get Him to the Greek.

Segel's musical chops would be put to further good use as he wrote and starred in the fantastic new rendition of the Muppets: The Muppets. Segel managed to reinvigorate a franchise that hadn't seen a film put into theaters in over a decade, and not only was it a commercial success, but critically lauded as one of the best films of the year. Plus: it's the freaking Muppets, one of the most beloved and iconic cultural staples, and Segel wrote the film with a genuine love and appreciation for the characters and the franchise.

What can't Segel do? He acts. He writes. He composes and plays music. He's incredibly funny and charming, and I look forward to anything he plans to be part of in the future. He recently joined twitter, and his account is one of the best twitter accounts worth following. He wrote and is starring alongside Emily Blunt in The Five Year Engagement. If his track record has proven anything, it'll be worth watching.