Nick Kroll on John Mulaney’s 2020 Intervention & Fears
- Nick Kroll has admitted to fearing for John Mulaney's life before organizing an intervention in 2020.
- The Don't Worry Darling actor described the intervention for Mulaney, who struggled with cocaine and prescription drug misuse, as "so scary and brutal." It occurred during the height...
- Speaking on the Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard podcast,Kroll recounted the stress of coordinating the intervention.
Nick Kroll’s profound fear for John Mulaney’s life during his struggle with drug misuse takes center stage. Kroll spearheaded a tense intervention in 2020, a story of desperation and care amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Discover the details of a tearful phone call, the high stakes, and the eventual path toward addiction recovery for John Mulaney. The article dives into Kroll’s feelings as he witnessed his friend’s battle, and the subsequent intervention. Explore the complicated emotions and actions of a friend fighting for a loved one.Stay informed with News Directory 3. What does the future hold for each comedian? Discover what’s next …
Nick Kroll Feared John Mulaney Would Die Before Intervention
Updated May 28, 2025
Nick Kroll has admitted to fearing for John Mulaney’s life before organizing an intervention in 2020. Kroll said he was ”so deeply scared” that Mulaney was going to die.
The Don’t Worry Darling actor described the intervention for Mulaney, who struggled with cocaine and prescription drug misuse, as “so scary and brutal.” It occurred during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking on the Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard podcast,Kroll recounted the stress of coordinating the intervention. He gathered friends from college while filming Don’t Worry Darling in Los Angeles, as his pregnant wife neared her due date, and Mulaney was, as Kroll put it, “running around New York City like a true madman.” The intervention aimed to address Mulaney’s substance abuse and get him help through rehab and addiction recovery.
Kroll also described realizing why Mulaney had been an “inconsistent friend” for some time.This realization brought both empathy and anger, as Mulaney had been “lying to you.”
He recalled a tearful phone call with the former Saturday Night live star just before the intervention. Kroll told Mulaney, “I’m so scared your going to die.” He sensed mulaney felt the same way but was dismissive, saying he had to go because he was in a new Airbnb.
Kroll and friends staged the intervention in new York City under the pretense of a dinner. Mulaney then went directly to rehab for two months to address his drug misuse and begin addiction treatment.
The Kroll Show star also mentioned his initial displeasure when Mulaney began incorporating his addiction and the intervention into his stand-up routines.
“he was pretty angry and all of a sudden, I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t know if I like having jokes about me,'” Kroll said.
Kroll noted that Mulaney is “willing to share,” while he is “very guarded in certain ways.”
What’s next
mulaney continues his stand-up career, often referencing his past struggles with addiction, while Kroll balances acting and producing.Both remain prominent figures in comedy.