Zach Braff has praised the importance of therapy in his life while promoting the new Apple TV+ series, Shrinking.
The 47-year-old donned his director’s cap for an episode of the new show from the creator of Scrubs, and the actor was on hand to celebrate the series at a special screening at the Paley Museum in New York City on Tuesday.
Speaking on the red carpet, Braff acknowledged that therapy is one way he has been able to get through life’s “tough times” and expressed hope that the new comedy-drama will encourage others to do the same.
In recent years, the Scrubs star has spoken candidly about the pain of losing his close friend Nick Cordero to complications from the coronavirus in July 2020.
A big fan: Zach Braff praised the importance of therapy at the New York screening of his new series, Shrinking
During his hospitalization, Cordero suffered numerous complications, including blood clots that led to the amputation of his left leg, septic shock, lung fungus, mini-strokes, and was also fitted with a temporary pacemaker to maintain a regular heartbeat.
The late Broadway star died at the age of 41, leaving behind his wife Amanda Kloots and three-year-old son Elvis.
Meanwhile, Braff and Don’t Worry Darling star Florence Pugh, 27, called it quits last year after a three-year relationship.
Braff revealed his hopes that the work being done on the new series would help “break down the stigma” surrounding men going to therapy, stating: “I know that part of the reason this show came about is because for me and for men like Bill Lawrence and Jason Segel, therapy has been very helpful in our lives.’
Hard times: Braff lost one of his best friends, Nick Cordero, in 2020 to complications from the coronavirus
Sad loss: The Broadway star was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles for more than 90 days before passing away, and Braff publicly mourned the loss on social media
Separation: Florence Pugh, 27, announced in August 2022 that she and Braff, 47, had split earlier in the year after three years together
Having grown up around therapy with her mother, stepfather, and stepmother all working within the therapy industry, Braff explained that she had regularly attended sessions over the years and would recommend the same to others.
The star said: ‘I recommend the therapy to anyone who is willing. It can be a useful tool in life. Not just something for when you are in a crisis, a therapist can be someone who is like a coach who helps you make the right decisions in life and moves you in the right direction.
“People who aren’t experts in this may think it’s only for tough times and when you’re in crisis, but I don’t think that’s the case.”
Shrinking, an Apple TV+ comedy series, casts Harrison Ford as a mentor figure to a grieving therapist, played by Jason Segel.
Comedy with heart: Harrison Ford played a mentor figure to a grieving therapist played by Jason Segel on the Apple TV+ comedy series, Shrinking
The 80-year-old actor plays Dr. Paul Rhodes opposite Jason, who plays therapist Jimmy Laird in the new series produced by Warner Bros. Television.
A description for the film reads: “Shrinking follows a grieving therapist (played by Segel) who begins to break the rules and tells his clients exactly what’s on his mind. Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge and tumultuous changes.” in people’s lives… including your own.’
Segel is also a co-creator and executive producer of the series along with Ted Lasso’s Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein.
Shrinking will premiere with its first two episodes on January 27 on the Apple TV+ streaming service.
Earlier this month, Florence Pugh made a rare comment about her breakup with Braff during her cover interview with US Vogue.
Cover Star: For the full cover story, visit Vogue.com.
In the chat, the Black Widow star admitted that she understands why the former couple’s 20-year age difference fascinated the public.
Explaining that the breakup was “very new”, Pugh said that she and Braff, who lived together in Los Angeles, tried to keep their romance private.
We weren’t in anyone’s face. It was just that people didn’t like it. They envisioned me with someone younger and someone in the blockbusters.
“I think young relationships in Hollywood go awry so easily because they get on gossip sites. It’s exciting to watch. And I think I was in a relationship that did none of that.
The two have remained close friends and collaborators, with Florence starring in Zach’s next project, A Good Person, due out in March.