Actress Jenna Fischer has revealed that grueling 70-hour work weeks on television led her to step away from regular acting roles after starring in Splitting Up Together.
Speaking on the podcast Dinner's On Me With Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the mother of two explained that the intense production schedule made it difficult to enjoy quality family time. She described the cancellation of the sitcom as a blessing in disguise that allowed her to reshape her professional life.
"It was during Splitting Up Together, which I really loved that cast so much, but the hours were so intense," Fischer recalled during her appearance on the show. "It was like 65, 70 hours a week. It was really, really hard, and my kids were very small."
The overwhelming schedule led her to make a firm decision regarding her future in Hollywood. "I just decided after that that being the lead of a television show or even a regular on a television show was not gonna be a fit for me anymore," she said.
Career pivot to podcasting
When Splitting Up Together was cancelled in 2019 after running for two seasons, Fischer seized the opportunity to transition into podcasting alongside her former co-star and best friend Angela Kinsey. Later that same year, the pair launched Office Ladies, a rewatch podcast dedicated to analyzing episodes of their hit comedy series.
Fischer explained that the move afforded her both a steady income and a flexible schedule that allowed her to prioritize her family. "And that afforded me a lifestyle with both a steady income and also I was now at every school drop-off, every school pickup, every teacher conference, every concert," she said. "I didn't have to beg someone to go to the Halloween parade."
Reflecting on her newfound independence, she added, "I was the agent of my own time, the architect of my own time, so to speak. And that was great."
The career change was so complete that her young children began viewing her primarily as a podcaster rather than a television star. "As a result, my kids - because they were so little when that change happened - they thought of me as a podcaster," Fischer shared. "Like if anybody asks them, 'What does your mom do?' 'Oh she's a podcaster! She has a podcast.'"
She added that her children did not even fully grasp the premise of the show, recalling them telling others, "It's called Office Ladies. It's with her best friend, Angela."
Success on The Office
Fischer originally rose to prominence as Pam Beesly on the NBC comedy series The Office, starring opposite John Krasinski as Jim Halpert. The American adaptation of the British mockumentary sitcom created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant aired for nine seasons from 2005 to 2013.
Set at a fictional paper company branch in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the hit series featured Steve Carell as branch manager Michael Scott. The ensemble cast also included Rainn Wilson, Mindy Kaling, Angela Kinsey, and Ellie Kemper among the office employees. Following the conclusion of the series, the cast members continued to find widespread success across film and television.
Fischer later starred opposite Oliver Hudson in Splitting Up Together before its cancellation in 2019 prompted her pivot to digital broadcasting.
Health journey and recovery
In addition to discussing her career transition, Fischer previously shared major personal news regarding her health. In October 2024, she revealed on social media that she was cancer-free following a diagnosis of Stage 1 Triple Positive breast cancer in December 2023.
Fischer described the cancer as aggressive but treatable. She underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments before completing her recovery.
"I never thought I'd be making an announcement like this but here we are," she posted to Instagram when disclosing her diagnosis and recovery. "Last December, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer. After completing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation I am now cancer free."
