Sampurna Banerjee
In the years following How I Met Your Mother‘s conclusion in 2014, the cast went on their own different paths within the entertainment industry. The show, centered around Ted Mosby’s (played by Josh Radnor) quest for love amidst New York City along with his circle of friends, became a very important part of their careers that launched them into stardom. While some, like Cobie Smulders, soared to new heights of fame, particularly due to her significant role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, others faced challenges in carving out a niche in Hollywood. For instance, despite leading the show, Josh Radnor found the journey to stardom post-HIMYM to be a bit more tricky, here is why.
Three Reasons Cobie Smulders Absolutely Killed It In Hollywood!
1. Smulders joined the Marvel Cenienamtic Universe
After her impressive stint as Robin Scherbatsky in the popular TV series, Cobie Smulders found success in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the SHIELD Agent Maria Hill. Following her initial introduction to the multiverse universe, Smulders continued to play Agent Maria Hill in several Marvel films and series, showcasing her undeniable talent as an actress and solidifying her presence further in the superhero franchise. Fans were absolutely overjoyed to see the actress grow and prosper in the universe despite it being a small role, and she has been well-received by the MCU fans as well.
2. Her TV Comeback Worked!
Cobie Smulders continued her successful streak in television well after the conclusion of the show. In the Netflix series Friends From College, she portrayed the character Lisa Turner she also tackled the role of Dex Parios in Stumptown, both of which were well-received by the audiences. Most notably she also appeared on the highly acclaimed television series American Crime Story. Interestingly, she also made a special guest appearance in the popular How I Met Your Mother spinoff, How I Met Your Father, where she reprised her iconic role as Robin and won the internet’s heart all over again.
3. She Is a Fighter
The actress has openly admitted that her battle with ovarian cancer significantly contributed to her growth as a person and enhanced her ability to portray a plethora of diverse characters in Hollywood (via AP News). The resilience and determination she displayed during her struggle gave her a newfound confidence and depth, that mirrored in her on-screen performances as well. She successfully beat cancer and is now a mother of two children with her SNL star husband Taran Killam.
Three Reasons Why Josh Radnor Vanished From Hollywood After How I Met Your Mother
1. Radnor’s TV Comebacks Failed to Garner Attention
Following the conclusion of the nine-season run of his popular show in 2014, Josh Radnor decided to take a well-earned break before making his comeback in 2016. This time, as a doctor. His choice led him to Mercy Street, a PBS drama that showcased medical professionals striving to save soldiers’ lives amidst the turmoil of the Civil War. It is thus safe to say it was not like anything else he had done before. Despite having a compelling storyline, the show, unfortunately, failed to generate the buzz around it.
2. Radnor Turned to Theatre After the Show
The main reason behind Josh Radnor’s absence from the silver screen is due to his deep involvement in the thriving world of theater. Following his performance in a 2011 concert version of the musical She Loves Me, Radnor was set to lead the complete revival but unfortunately had to step back to star in Mercy Street. After that, the actor was seen regularly on stage. Radnor took the Broadway stage by storm in Ayad Akhtar’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Disgraced, and also further jumped into doing some off-Broadway productions with White Rabbit Red Rabbit and The Babylon Line. His passion for theater continues to shine, keeping him immersed in the world of live performances even today.
3. He Is More Active Behind the Scenes
Josh Radnor’s absence from the screen can also be attributed to his intense focus behind the lens. The actor found himself fully immersed in directing, writing, and filmmaking in recent years. He made his directorial debut with Happythankyoumoreplease which has received a 42-percent score on Rotten Tomatoes by the critics, but has found favor at the Sundance Film Festival, where it clinched the Audience Award in the dramatic category.
While the actor didn’t experience significant on-screen success after How I Met Your Mother like Cobie Smulders, he didn’t abandon acting entirely. Instead, he ventured into different creative endeavors, exploring various aspects of bringing projects to life on screen.
