Adam Scott And Noah Wyle Are Competing For The Same Emmy, But They Actually Once Worked Together On ER

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30 years ago, I found myself seizing every opportunity in a day-player role on the red-hot medical drama, “ER,” freshly debuted in 1995. Fast forward to today, and I’m not just a fan but an Emmy-nominated star, competing alongside my former “ER” colleague Noah Wyle for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – what a full circle moment! Now, I’m reminiscing about being on the “ER” set as an up-and-coming actor, sharing the screen with the legendary John Stamos, who was already making waves in “The Pitt” back then.

In a chat with Entertainment Weekly, Scott admitted he felt genuinely petrified upon stepping onto the set of ER as a relatively inexperienced actor in his twenties. Back then, ER was still fresh and not yet the pop culture phenomenon it later became. Nonetheless, working on a network drama was an intimidating proposition for someone with limited acting credits under his belt at that time. Scott described this experience as follows:

I was super nervous. It was one of my first jobs, and ER was a new show.

For some time now, Scott has kept vivid memories of his early acting venture. He can still recall the way he looked, the role he portrayed, and the predicament he found himself in. Interestingly, his co-star, Wyle, who was also a rising star at the time despite being a series regular, presented a composed demeanor that stood in stark contrast to Scott’s nervousness during that particular moment. Scott recollects that the ER star exhibited an unusual calmness, a stark contrast to the turmoil the Parks and Recreation standout was experiencing at that juncture. He vividly remembers:

I clearly recall feeling quite anxious, yet Noah remained calm and composed, while I was in a state of panic. However, he maintained his composure like a cucumber in heat. What stands out to me is my character had a breathing apparatus up my nose, and it was an extended sequence involving being wheeled down the hallway on a stretcher, followed by being moved into a room, and then there ensues a significant scene within that space.

Part of Scott’s tension wasn’t solely due to performing on a popular network show. His character had been hit by a car, so he was required to be agitated and testy. After being stitched up by John Carter’s character, he was supposed to be edgy, even accusing Carter of inadequate work. Scott delivered an impressive performance, but his breathing tube frequently slipped from his nose, causing frustration among the crew and making him even more anxious. He later recalled:

During a swift, chaotic, two-minute shot, I negligently failed to replace the breathing device in my nostril. I recall someone, possibly a production assistant or director, expressing visible annoyance towards me, and I believed my career might have come to an end.

It’s fortunate that Adam Scott‘s career didn’t come to an end. Instead, he took on minor roles during the ’90s and early 2000s before moving into predominantly comedy roles in productions like “Step Brothers” and “Party Down” on HBO. After securing a leading role as Ben Wyatt on “Parks and Recreation,” his popularity soared, making him a beloved character in the series. Currently, he’s the lead actor in the highly successful AppleTV+ show “Severance,” earning him Emmy Award nominations in 2025 and being one of the most anticipated shows that year.

Interestingly enough, despite his earlier success, it’s Noah Wyle who presents Scott’s stiffest competition in the current race. This is because Wyle is now receiving accolades for his work in ‘The Pitt’, a role he took years after his groundbreaking stint on ‘ER’. Over time, Scott and Wyle have both ascended to similar levels of industry recognition, each lauded for their exceptional talents. Their shared past on ‘ER’ might be a distant memory for Scott, but given their remarkable skills, I can’t help but hope they collaborate again in some form or another.

Currently, you have the opportunity to rewatch Adam Scott’s performance on ER alongside Noah Wyle, as the show is now streaming its early episodes on Hulu. For those who are fans of Scott, I also recommend checking him out in Severance, which can be found on AppleTV+.

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2025-07-28 23:15