Dermot Mulroney Reflects on Yearlong Hiatus After 'My Best Friend's Wedding' Poster

Dermot Mulroney Says He Didn t Work for 1 Year Due to My Best Friend s Wedding Movie Poster 236

Dermot Mulroney. John Lamparski/WireImage

Size matters to Dermot Mulroney.

At least that’s his explanation for not landing a major acting job in the year following his leading role in the 1997 romantic comedy My Best Friend’s Wedding.

Mulroney, who is 60 years old, played the role of Michael O’Neal in the popular romantic comedy alongside Julia Roberts, who portrayed Julianne Potter. The movie was a huge success, earning almost $300 million at the box office. In the story, Julianne tries to win the heart of Michael, her best friend, after he becomes engaged to Kimberly Wallace, played by Cameron Diaz.

Interestingly, on the official movie poster, Julia Roberts' face is prominently featured, taking up most of the space, while Dermot Mulroney is shown as a small figure standing on top of a wedding cake.

Mulroney shared with The New York Times in a story published on April 23 that he was expecting a gift with purchase for being in a popular movie. However, he ended up not working for a year. He believed it was because he was so small on the poster, like the little guy on the cake. Mulroney expressed his thoughts, saying that if he had been a bit bigger on the poster, maybe he could have landed a job.

Dermot Mulroney Says He Didn t Work for 1 Year Due to My Best Friend s Wedding Movie Poster 237

Mulroney’s career did hit a bump after My Best Friend’s Wedding, but he bounced back. Goodbye Lover didn’t do well at the box office, but he found success in About Schmidt in 2002 and on Friends in 2003.

Mulroney's appearance on the movie poster didn't make him forgettable in his role. In fact, he shared with the Times that he still gets approached daily by fans of the film who fondly remember watching it with their grandmothers.

In his latest romantic comedy, Anyone But You, Mulroney once again found success at the box office. The film grossed an impressive $219 million on a budget of $25 million. While working on the movie, he was able to share his expertise in the genre with Glen Powell, who played the male lead opposite Sydney Sweeney.

"I didn’t want him to make the same mistake I did. I used to downplay the importance of something that might seem trivial or insignificant at first glance," he explained. "I told Glen, 'The impact of these movies on people will endure for decades. It will outlast your presence in a way that other trendy projects might not. It has a unique lasting effect.'"

And in case you haven't noticed, Powell actually appears to be of average size on the movie poster.

Editor's P/S:

Dermot Mulroney's experience highlights the often-overlooked importance of visual representation in the entertainment industry. The size of an actor on a movie poster, while seemingly trivial, can significantly impact their career trajectory. Mulroney's belief that his small size on the "My Best Friend's Wedding" poster contributed to his lack of subsequent work is a telling example of how casting decisions can be influenced by factors beyond talent and performance.

Mulroney's subsequent career trajectory, marked by both successes and setbacks, underscores the complexities of the entertainment industry. Despite the initial setback, he eventually found success in other projects, proving that talent and determination can prevail over superficial factors. His advice to Glen Powell on the importance of romantic comedies and their enduring impact also reflects the enduring power of storytelling and the significance of creating films that resonate with audiences on a personal level.