Ben Stiller says Obama turned down speaking role on 'Severance'

Ben Stiller has revealed that former President Obama counts himself among the fans of "Severance" but still turned down a role on the popular Apple TV+ show.

The "Zoolander" star, who's an executive producer and director on "Severance," told Jimmy Kimmel during a Monday appearance that he attempted to land Obama to narrate an animated video that's shown to workers at the sinister biotech firm Lumon Industries in the dystopian thriller.

"I knew someone who knew his lawyer, and his lawyer said, 'I can relay the request,'" Stiller recalled on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

After writing a note to the ex-commander in chief, Stiller said, "Two days later, I get an email back from President Barack Obama saying, 'Hey, Ben, big fan of the show. Love season one. Can't wait for season two.'"

"'Don't think I have time in my schedule to make this happen,'" Stiller said Obama told him.

"Like, what's more important than, come on, during the voiceover for the animated building in 'Severance?'" Stiller asked with a laugh.

"But it was pretty cool that he responded," he added.

The uncredited speaking role instead ended up going to "John Wick's" Keanu Reeves.

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