“[Adults] Was The Best Experience Of My Freaking Life”: Being The Funny Guy Looks Great on Owen Thiele

Stranded in an airport in Albuquerque with a handful of strangers-turned-best-friends, or popping up on our screens as Adults returns for season two, the Houston-born actor doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to making you giggle – even when he sits down with Man About Town.

“I always wanted to perform. It’s the only thing I knew how to do. I was horrible at maths, but I could do a really good Shakira impression.” Sometimes, the limitations of the written word can be frustrating. When it comes to Owen Thiele, that means depriving you of footage of him putting on his best belly dance and hair flick, bringing to life all the sass and sexiness of the Colombian singer. But, if you’re anything like us and have had your feed inundated with content from the Houston-born actor over the past year, you can imagine the potential any such performance has to be a masterpiece.

Quick-witted as they come, Thiele has slowly but surely become one of the most exciting new voices in comedy of his generation, joining the ranks of Jake Shane, Benny Drama, Mary-Beth Barone and a slew of up-and-coming actors who have made the internet their training ground before making the leap to the screen.

On Adults, arguably one of the most belly-laugh-inducing shows of late, Thiele steps into the shoes of Anton – a Type A digital advertiser who, as the plot quickly reveals, moves in with best friends Issa, Billie, Samir and Paul Baker, played by fellow comedic stars Amita Rao, Lucy Freyer, Malik Elassal and Jack Innanen, respectively. His extroverted persona, so beloved across social media – whether via his podcast In Your Dreams With Owen Thiele or footage of his hangouts with besties Sabrina Carpenter and Emma Chamberlain – could almost be a case of life imitating life. So many of his bits and stories could have been lifted straight from Anton’s script. But the 29-year-old is more interested in making sure the audience isn’t the only one laughing. He’s having fun along the way, too.

Sitting down with Man About Town as we eagerly await renewal confirmation of Adults’ Season 3, Thiele chats adulting, roommates and his next role in Molly Gordon’s PEAKED. Keep scrolling…

Do you guys have as much fun filming these seasons as it seems?

Actually, no. It’s a really depressing set, given that the material is so dark and heavy. I actually talked to Jodie Foster about how she went about building her character for Silence of the Lambs. I do the same thing now. 

How did it feel to be back for Season 2? What’s changed most since the release of Season 1?

It was the best experience of my freaking life. We are just all very close now. We’re playing best friends who are best friends in real life. It’s so meta!

What do you think makes good comedy in 2026? 

When I was growing up, comedy felt like it was as much for the audience as it was for the actors. They were trying to make each other break. Bring that back!!

Who are the people making you laugh right now?

What if I just gave you a list of people’s first names and you had to fill in the blanks. Benny, Meg, Mary Beth, Rachel, Jordan, Molly, Matt, Bowen, Kate… so many others I’m forgetting. Elisa (she’s not famous, she’s just funny).

If you had to step into Anton’s shoes and move in with some of your best friends, who would you pick, and why?

No one should live with me. I can’t subject them to that. I don’t sleep and I’m very loud. And I’ll use all your products. 

What makes a good roommate?

Letting someone use your gorgeous moisturizer and not Venmo requesting them every time they do. This is a personal experience. 

What do you love most about this character, and what are the biggest similarities between the two of you? Were there any parts of Anton that you struggled to understand?

Anton and Owen are very similar and I would dare to say... also very different. He has the friend-sluttiness of myself, which of course is easy to play, but he also is way more closed off than me in real life. That part is challenging and very fun. I’m always like “why doesn’t he just say how he feels??” 

What’s your favourite part of adulthood? And your least favourite?

I’ve yet to find a favorite. I still want my parents on every trip with me. 

What was your favourite comedy growing up, and how have TV and cinema influenced your humour and the way you tell stories?

I exclusively watched comedy growing up and a lot of women doing physical bits. I LOVED I Love Lucy, That’s so Raven, and SCTV. There's that iconic scene of Lucille Ball stomping on grapes in the winery. I want to do that.

Did you always dream of becoming an actor? How has that passion evolved through this experience?

I always wanted to perform. It’s the only thing I knew how to do. I was horrible at math, but I could do a really good Shakira impression.

You’re soon to star alongside Connor Storrie, Alex Consani and Lauren Dern in Molly Gordon’s PEAKED. Tell us a little about the project, and what has it been like working with this cast?

I worked with Molly Gordon on Cedar Cam and it was probably the most fun I’ve ever had in my life. I was dying to do it again and I’m so lucky that she casted me. As soon as Molly gives me the go-ahead, I can tell you every single thing, but I think she’d have my head if I were the one to leak it. 

Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future? We’re already counting down to Season 3!

Can you call John Landgraf and Hulu tonight and ask them to green light season three? Call me back after you’ve done it and we can debrief. Maybe grab a drink!