After exiting The Goldbergs over misconduct allegations against him, Jeff Garlin will be returning to television. For the first nine seasons of the ABC sitcom, the veteran comedic actor starred as Murray Goldberg, the short-tempered patriarch of the eponymous family. Garlin left the show early in season 9 after an HR investigation into several misconduct allegations against him. In The Goldbergs season 10, which premiered earlier this year, Murray was killed off to explain Garlin's departure from the show.
Now, a year after Garlin exited The Goldbergs, he has been cast in his first television role since the publicized departure. Per Variety, Garlin has joined the cast of Never Have I Ever, Netflix's coming-of-age comedy created by The Office's Mindy Kaling, which follows an Indian-American high school student coping with the death of her father, Mohan. In Never Have I Ever season 4, Garlin will play the role of a cordial man named Len who, partially due to his ability to make a mean sandwich, develops a relationship with Mohan's mother, Nirmala.
Jeff Garlin's Goldbergs Exit Explained
As early as 2019, there were reports of Garlin's misconduct on set of The Goldbergs, which included repeatedly making the crew feel uncomfortable with his colorful language, inappropriate comments, and unwanted physical contact. In one instance, a camera assistant complained about Garlin’s excessive use of the word “vagina,” and the actor allegedly responded by putting his hands around her while repeating the word. Garlin would also address his longtime female crew members using nicknames that some considered offensive. In another example, he berated a beloved married couple who worked on the show as stand-ins.
These reports and allegations led to rumors that Garlin had been fired from The Goldbergs. In late 2021, Garlin first addressed the allegations, saying the show's HR department had been investigating him for three years and the rumors of his firing were untrue. Just days later, Garlin exited The Goldbergs following an official HR investigation. His exit from the sitcom was reportedly a mutual agreement between the star and Sony Pictures Television, which produces the show.
Considering the misconduct controversy surrounding Garlin, it's curious why such a progressive show like Never Have I Ever would cast an actor with an alleged pattern of inappropriate verbal and physical conduct. Other than starring in Never Have I Ever season 4, Garlin will once again reprise his role as Jeff Greene in Curb Your Enthusiasm season 12, as he was spotted on set when filming started last month. Between the HBO show and Never Have I Ever, Garlin will be sticking around television for the time being following his exit from The Goldbergs.
Source: Variety