After joining What I Like About You with Amanda Bynes and Jennie Garth, Simon Rex was nowhere to be found after the primary season of the hit WB sitcom.
What I Like About You followed the lives of two sisters living together in Latest York City — teenager Holly (Bynes) and her responsible older sister, Val (Garth). Rex was introduced as Val’s boyfriend, Jeff, when the show premiered in 2002.
Jeff and Val’s relationship was going well until a miscommunication on Valentine’s Day made Val think she was going to get proposed to. As a substitute, Jeff revealed he never desired to get married and so they subsequently called it quits. They briefly reconciled, but ultimately didn’t get back together — and Jeff was MIA when What I Like About You returned for season 2.
Rex, 51, never specifically addressed his departure from What I Like About You, but many fans think his story line just ran its course. Years later, he spoke about how his acting profession suffered as he tried to navigate life within the highlight.
“In America, we love watching someone rise — then fail. After which we love watching them come back. Americans love the cycle. It’s just more interesting,” he told news outlet Y Net in 2021 while promoting Red Rocket. “Previously, I used to be distracted by women and parties, at all times chasing pleasure. But for the primary time in my life, I’m focused on creating meaningful work — and on humility. It took me an extended time to turn into an excellent Jewish man but I’m finally there.”
Rex rose to fame as an MTV VJ before starring within the Scary Movie franchise and making the transition into music together with his rap persona: Dirt Nasty. The actor, who was previously involved in sex work, released several albums and had other onscreen roles but he had a major gap between projects before his critically acclaimed performance in Sean Baker‘s 2021 drama film Red Rocket.
Rex recalled not feeling in “control” on the time, adding within the 2021 interview, “I lived in Hollywood, surrounded by beautiful women and limitless parties. I’d show as much as auditions hungover — I wasn’t taking my work seriously.”
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He continued: “As I got older, my body and mind just couldn’t sustain with that lifestyle anymore. So I told myself, ‘OK, it’s time to grow up.’ I’m lucky to be a working actor, and now all my energy is concentrated on my craft.”
Despite the challenges, Rex made it clear he had no regrets.
“If I had done things in a different way, I wouldn’t be here now, so I assume the reply isn’t any. In fact, I’ve hurt people, and I’ve been hurt too,” he shared. “I’ve made loads of mistakes — but I’ve learned from them. In the long run, the whole lot led me to this moment, so I’m at peace with my regrets.”
What I Like About You aired for 3 more seasons after Rex’s disappearance. Along with Bynes, 39, and Garth, 53, the series starred Wesley Jonathan, Leslie Grossman, Michael McMillian, Nick Zano, Allison Munn, Dan Cortese, Edward Kerr and David de Lautour.
What I Like About You is currently streaming on Netflix.