Asher Grodman has become one of television’s most recognisable faces while spending most of his screen time without trousers. The actor plays Trevor, the finance-obsessed ghost on CBS comedy Ghosts, whose character died pantsless and remains that way in the afterlife. Ahead of the show’s Halloween special, Grodman spoke to Entrepreneur’s Dan Bova about confidence, creative risk and breaking into a tough industry.
Taking a Leap Into Comedy
Before Ghosts, Grodman had never worked in comedy, and one of the showrunners questioned his lack of experience during his audition. He replied that comedy is simply drama played with total commitment. Rather than trying to be funny, he focused on playing Trevor truthfully, adding heart and letting the writing do the work. He admitted the missing pants even gave him an early safety net, since a clever camera angle could rescue a joke that didn’t land.
The cast’s offscreen bond matters just as much. In Montreal, the production built a cast village with small private rooms, but the real hub is a long communal table where actors work and joke around. Guest stars are invited to join them so nobody feels like an outsider, and Grodman calls that table one of his happiest places.
From Jaguars Superfan to Director
A lifelong Jacksonville Jaguars supporter, Grodman pitched a mockumentary built on the conspiracy theory that the NFL is scripted. The team’s organisation encouraged him to write and direct it. His crew shot roughly 42 scenes in just two days, a pace he credits to lessons learned on Ghosts.
His advice for aspiring creators goes beyond persistence. Grodman says success depends partly on how many chances you get, so rejection isn’t a verdict on talent. He urges building confidence without ego, getting comfortable with failure and staying present in every audition, though he admits that balance is still a work in progress for him.