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Writer Shares Poignant Email Jason Sudeikis Sent Him After His Dad Died: 'He Really Is Ted Lasso'
Jason Sudeikis recently warmed hearts with the sharing of a 2017 letter the actor wrote proving he really is Ted Lasso.
The actor, known for his recurring appearances on Saturday Night Live, wrote a personal and wholesome letter to journalist Mike Ryan after Ryan's father passed in 2017 due to a heart attack.
Ryan, the senior entertainment writer for Uproxx and former writer for publications such as HuffPost and Vanity Fair, was interviewing Sudeikis about his role in the indie film Kodachrome in 2017.
The film stars Sudeikis as he tries to make amends with his estranged father, played by Ed Harris. In the film, Harris' character—a photojournalist—develops terminal cancer and asks his son, Sudeikis, to road trip with him in order to develop the final reels of kodachrome film before he dies.
During the interview, Ryan told Sudeikis about the recent passing of his father, and how he related to the film closely because of this.
Sudeikis, after the interview, sent Ryan a letter regarding the loss of his father. Ryan says this letter was very personal and heartfelt, and really showcased Sudeikis' inspirational character.
A few years ago after my dad died I was in a pretty bad place. Out of nowhere Jason Sudeikis sent me an email I REALLY needed . I\u2019ve never shared it before (he said it was okay to do) but I just want people to know he did this. He really is Ted Lassohttps://bit.ly/3icrhxf— Mike Ryan (@Mike Ryan) 1626371413
Ryan also said that after seeing this side of Sudeikis' character, he thinks that Sudeikis truly embodies one of his more recent roles, as Ted Lasso in the 20-Emmy-nominated Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso.
Ted Lasso follows Sudeikis as small-time football coach Ted Lasso, who is hired to professionally coach a league soccer team in London, England, although he has no experience coaching soccer. The soon-to-be two season comedy follows Lasso as he tries to figure out how to navigate his new position and coach the team.
In addition to being smart and well-written, Ted Lasso received a lot of media attention for being a wholesome show to come out during a necessary time.
With its premiere debuting during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic and people being forced to isolate themselves from friends and family, Ted Lasso inadvertently provided many anxious people a reprieve from the weight of the world to indulge in 10 episodes of feel-good moments and inspirational speeches.
While many people felt inspired by Sudeikis' character in Ted Lasso, Ryan got to experience it first-hand, both in person and in writing.
Ryan has since sat on the letter, wanting to release it publicly but not being sure if he should or when the right time would be. Now, years later, Ryan feels that the time is right--and it's all because of Ted Lasso.
Ryan said:
"Here's why I am sharing this: I see the positive effects that a positive character like Ted Lasso is having on people. His folksy niceness is infectious and, well, it sure as heck felt refreshing during its first season and it sure as heck feels refreshing during this second season."
"And, as it turns out, Jason Sudeikis, someone I've been fortunate to get to know a bit professionally, but certainly not well, did a truly nice thing for me when I really needed it and, frankly, I want people to know he did this."
"Also, the very few people I've actually told this story to always have a very positive reaction to it and now I just want to share it with others."
Here is the letter, which Ryan has finally decided to publish:
"Just wanted to shoot ya a quick note and let ya know that I'm so sorry for your loss. And I thank you for feeling comfortable enough with me to share. Please please please feel ZERO regret in doing so."
"It's important and f*cking necessary for us human beings to do that. To connect. To share. And to not concern ourselves too much with the outcome of such bravery. Especially the men of the world."
"Our generation is the first to 'understand' that notion, but darn it, I'd love to try and be the first generation of fellas to 'live' the notion as well. So let's both continue to attempt to be on that 'side of history,' shall we?"
"I wish you all the luck and openness in the universe on finding the 'four rolls of Kodachrome' your own father left you. Because he did. It's out there. I know it is."
"The one thing I want you to consider though is that it might not be physically 'out there,' because it might actually be living inside of you. And through you. And merely accepting that possibility might be where and when the 'finding' happens."
"You see deeply into things for a living. Allow yourself the experience of doing that to yourself, for yourself."
"Okay man. Be well. Always good to see and speak with you."
"yours, Jason"
After publishing this letter, in article form and then shared via Twitter, tons of Twitter users have commented with their own stories of loss, showing solidarity with Ryan:
Darn it @mikeryan (in a good way). I lost my dad due to covid back in Nov, Bad stroke almost got him in 2016. We are finally having his memorial service next weekend. I say 2 myself that I've had time to prepare. 8 months since he died, 4 years since the stroke\nBut I'm not ready— Stephen Joersz (@Stephen Joersz) 1626394139
You mentioned you hoped putting this out there was the right thing to do and to quote your email "Please please please feel ZERO regret in doing so." It is brave to be vulnerable. And in doing so you've connected with others and made them feel less alone in their grief.— Allison McDougall (@Allison McDougall) 1626445351
Mike, my dad died suddenly of a heart attack this past March, and I am an only child as well. This could not have hit more close to home for me, or come at a more crucial time. Thank you so much for sharing, I hope you found your Kodachrome, I know I\u2019ll be searching for mine.— Adam (@Adam) 1626392915
Others are fawning over Sudeikis, acknowledging the kindness and thoughtfulness it took to personally reach out to Ryan:
In the days following my dad's passing, when I was listless and keeping myself busy so I didn't have to feel, I watched TED LASSO on a whim and, for the first time in months, faced the emotions I repressed. Knowing Sudeikis is Lasso in real life means more than I can describe.https://twitter.com/mikeryan/status/1415730436798619655\u00a0\u2026— Adam Lance Garcia (@Adam Lance Garcia) 1626393240
i know both of these guys a little bit (jason from working at 30 rock and a few other things, mike from following his writing for sheesh maybe 15 years now?) and this is a remarkable human moment between them and hopefully inspires more acts of kindness in our worldhttps://twitter.com/mikeryan/status/1415730436798619655\u00a0\u2026— Gavin Purcell (@Gavin Purcell) 1626374977
This is everything you want it to be. It\u2019s just\u2026 absolute pure *caring*. Which should not be a revolutionary act but sure feels like one these days. -Hhttps://twitter.com/mikeryan/status/1415730436798619655\u00a0\u2026— Heather & Jessica (@Heather & Jessica) 1626412034
The email from Sudeikis is profoundly understanding of loss. I\u2019ve never watched Ted Lasso but he just earned my viewership. Thank you @mikeryan . I recently lost my mom and this helped me.https://twitter.com/mikeryan/status/1415730436798619655\u00a0\u2026— jenisfedup (@jenisfedup) 1626438639
A few nights ago, I sat as I listened to someone lecture me on the fact that the world needs more horrible, brutal honestly. And I was like, no the world needs more kindness. And dammit, if this letter isn't just the embodiment of kindness and honesty and humanity. No ur crying!https://twitter.com/mikeryan/status/1415730436798619655\u00a0\u2026— Lyz Lenz (@Lyz Lenz) 1626461660
Getting a note like this from any human after losing a parent feels like someone reaching their hand out to you from a lifeboat as you\u2019re drowning in an angry sea of grief.\n\nYou are a gem for sharing it, Mike\u2014just as Jason is for writing it https://twitter.com/mikeryan/status/1415730436798619655\u00a0\u2026— Abby Gardner (@Abby Gardner) 1626449678
Ryan responded to some of these Twitter comments, saying this about grief:
"It never goes away, but you just kind of have to make it part of you and use it to at least try to be better."