American Pickle star Seth Rogen on his affinity for Australians and why he sucked at Aussie rules

Seth Rogen happily admits he has “an affinity for Australians”.

The Canadian actor-writer-producer, best known for his roles in hit comedies including Knocked Up, This Is the End and Pineapple Express, has called Los Angeles home for more than 20 years but says he still finds himself drawn to the land down under as well as our fellow “Commonwealthers”, both professionally and personally.

He starred opposite a hilariously foul-mouthed Rose Byrne in Bad Neighbours and its sequel, endured an AFL-obsessed Eric Bana in Funny People and now Succession’s Sarah Snook — with whom he bonded while making a Steve Jobs biopic — plays his wife in the comedy-drama An American Pickle. In addition, his love interest in last year’s underrated rom-com Long Shot was South African-born Charlize Theron, and as a producer on Amazon’s hit superhero series The Boys, Rogen helped cast Kiwis Karl Urban and Antony Starr in leading roles.

“I have noticed that throughout my life,” he says. “And that’s evidenced by the huge amount of British, Australian and New Zealander friends and people I work with in my day to day life. I think we’re from primarily English speaking countries and we grew up with primarily American culture but we don’t view it as our culture. I think that bonds us all in a very unique way and gives us a similar sensibility.”

Read the article by James Wigney in The Advertiser.