Jason Segel to Receive First Creative Impact Award at Newport Beach TV Fest

NEWPORT BEACH, California — Jason Segel will be honored with the inaugural Variety Creative Impact in Television Award at the Newport Beach TV Festival on Sunday, June 8, 2025. This award recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to the television industry.

Segel is set to accept the honor for his longstanding career as an actor, writer, director, and producer. He most recently co-created the Apple TV+ series “Shrinking,” which has earned him critical acclaim. Segel was nominated for a 2023 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, a 2024 Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series — Musical or Comedy, and a 2024 Writers Guild Award for Best New Series for his work on “Shrinking.” The series, which returned for a second season in October 2024, is currently in production for its third season.

Segel’s television career began with roles in Judd Apatow’s Emmy-nominated series “Freaks and Geeks” and “Undeclared.” He later gained fame starring in the hit sitcom “How I Met Your Mother,” alongside Alyson Hannigan, Josh Radnor, Cobie Smulders, and Neil Patrick Harris. The show, created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, received 28 Emmy nominations during its nine-season run.

Beyond sitcoms, Segel has acted in projects like “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” and “Dispatches from Elsewhere,” which he created, wrote, directed, produced, and starred in.

Emily Longeretta, Senior TV Features Editor at Variety, praised Segel, stating, “For nearly three decades, Jason Segel has been both a comedic and dramatic staple on television. A true multi-hyphenate, Segel has the rare ability to capture audiences both as a dedicated actor and a determined writer. It’s an honor to present this inaugural award to a true creative talent.”

Gregg Schwenk, CEO and Executive Director of the Newport Beach Film Festival, added, “The festival is proud to present Jason Segel with the Creative Impact Award, honoring his bold, diverse, and deeply human contributions to film and television. From his standout comedic roles to his powerful dramatic performances, Segel continues to redefine what it means to be a truly versatile artist.”

The Newport Beach TV Fest, part of the Newport Beach Film Festival, is a four-day celebration of television artistry set for June 5-8, 2025. Taking place at the historic Lido Theater in Newport Beach, the festival will showcase an array of events honoring both established and emerging talent in television.

Organizers expect the largest gathering of Guild and Television Academy voters outside Los Angeles and New York. The event aims to provide a unique platform for innovative storytelling, solidifying Newport Beach’s status as a hub for creative excellence in the changing world of television.