Jesse Eisenberg and Conan O’Brien recently had a heartfelt conversation on the talk show, Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend, where they open up about their experiences with anxiety. Both celebrities shared their struggles with anxiety during their childhood and how it has influenced their lives.
Eisenberg revealed that he grew up dealing with anxiety and hated going to school. He vividly recalls the carpool ride to school, filled with overwhelming anxiety and a metallic taste in his mouth. He later realized that his anxiety shaped him in certain ways. Although some therapists have argued that he didn’t need to go through that, he believes that it was necessary for his personal growth.
Conan O’Brien resonated with Eisenberg’s story, as he too has struggled with anxiety throughout his life. He has sought help from therapists and has had similar confusing conversations about the role of anxiety in his life. O’Brien finds it frustrating when people dismiss the impact of anxiety on his journey.
The conversation takes a lighter turn when they discuss their respective careers. Both Eisenberg and O’Brien acknowledge that they ended up in jobs that were not necessarily what people expected of them. No one asked O’Brien to host a TV show, and Eisenberg admitted that no one wanted him to be in musical theater. Despite the unpredictability of their career paths, they both continue to embrace their unique journeys.
Throughout their conversation, O’Brien and Eisenberg dive deep into their personal experiences with anxiety, offering a relatable and genuine perspective. They share stories from their childhood, including Eisenberg’s school bus experience, where he would cry every day. The bus driver created a system where he would receive Tootsie Roll pops if he managed to make it through the week without crying on the bus.
Eisenberg also opens up about how acting became an outlet for him. While he was a shy and nervous kid, performing allowed him to escape the confines of school and express himself in a controlled environment. O’Brien highlights how Eisenberg’s choice of musical theater seemed contradictory to his anxious personality, but Eisenberg explains that it was simply the most accessible form of performance in his community at the time.
The conversation between Jesse Eisenberg and Conan O’Brien on Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend showcases the vulnerabilities and complexities of anxiety. Both celebrities navigate the topic with humor and honesty, offering a refreshing and relatable perspective on a common struggle. Their candid discussion sheds light on the importance of acknowledging and understanding the impact of anxiety on one’s life.
