Josh Radnor reflects on his lost shot at playing Jim on The Office

Ted Mosby’s actor says his audition for Jim was "a little too dim"

Josh Radnor,  best known for playing Ted Mosby on How I Met Your Mother, recently revealed that early in his career, he auditioned for the role of Jim Halpert on The Office. 

The disclosure came during a podcast appearance with Jenna Fischer, who portrayed Pam on the sitcom. Radnor admitted that while he landed what he felt was “a good audition,” he got the tone wrong, confessing he may have played Jim “a little too dim.”

Radnor explained that during the audition process, he was uncertain whether Jim was meant to be more clever or more laid-back in his vibe. Despite his good instincts, his improvised takes skewed too far into the “not‑smart gang,” which clashed with the show’s desired balance of wit and charm. In hindsight, Radnor acknowledged that he didn’t fully understand the nuance needed for the character.

Of course, Jim eventually went to John Krasinski, delivering the sarcastic smirk and emotional depth that made the character iconic over nine seasons. Meanwhile, Radnor went on to find success with How I Met Your Mother, where he played Ted from 2005 to 2014.

Radnor seems at peace with how things turned out, saying that although the audition didn’t land him the part, he believes everyone “landed in the right place.” For fans, it’s a fascinating “what‑if?” moment, imagining how different The Office might’ve felt with a very different Jim.