Jeff Garlin celebrated his 64th birthday on Friday, June 5. The actor, who is known for his roles in Curb Your Enthusiasm and Arrested Development, exited the hit sitcom The Goldbergs in 2021 after a slew of controversy.
Five years later, Jeff is staging a comeback. This summer, the comedian is starring in Toy Story 5 as the sarcastic plush unicorn Buttercup. He also spends his time on his creative pursuits of writing, producing, directing, and photography.
In September 2026, Jeff is releasing a book called Best Seat In The House that shows comedy's biggest stars through candid, never-before-seen photographs and includes hilarious personal stories that capture the heart of life on and offstage.
© Getty ImagesThe actor and comedian's career is successful five years after his controversial exit from The Goldbergs.
Why did Jeff Garlin leave The Goldbergs?
After reports spread of his controversial behavior on the set of The Goldbergs, Jeff made it clear he was not fired. In 2021, after nine seasons starring as Murray Goldberg, the actor exited the sitcom in a dramatic affair.
"The well-being of our cast and crew is of utmost importance to us. This is an employment matter and it is being addressed by HR and production," ABC said in a statement to Vanity Fair. The actor allegedly engaged in a pattern of verbal and physical conduct on The Goldbergs' set that made people uncomfortable.
© ABC via Getty ImagesOne Goldbergs employee said: "[Jeff] got away with it because he would call himself out for it – saying he was a big teddy bear, saying things like, 'Oh you know me, just a big bowl of mush, I'm a hugger. I just love you.'"
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Jeff aimed to set the record straight. Beyond clarifying he had not been fired, the actor explained his side of the story.
"There was nothing physical by any stretch of the imagination. And the verbal part was a joke that was completely missed – because I like this guy. I like his wife," he said. "I've worked with them for years. How I suddenly wake up one day and I don't like them – I don't get that. I will say the joke was missed and I apologize to him. If someone misses a joke, that's unfortunate to me. I don't like it."
© Getty ImagesWhile Jeff refused to share what the allegedly inappropriate joke was, he shared that there was "an HR investigation on me the past three years" for his behavior on set, including misplaced hugs and demeaning and disrespectful words. Jeff clarified: "I don't want to make anyone feel bad. So I agree with that. If I hug someone, and they feel uncomfortable from it, they have every right to even go to HR."
© ABC via Getty ImagesBetween seasons nine and 10, Jeff's character on the sitcom passed away. The son, Adam Goldberg, played by Sean Giambrone, announced the character's death in a voice over, saying: "Just a few months ago, out of nowhere, we lost my dad," he said. "We will always love you, dad. Always. And we will find a way to continue on together. Because, after all, we're the Goldbergs."
And, a few months after Jeff's sudden departure, his TV-wife played by Wendi McClendon-Covey wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "This season threw us for a loop because a.) it's hard to incorporate someone who doesn't want to be there and wants to leave mid-scene, and b.) we weren't about to re-write the 2nd half of the season. We're doing our best."
