Manny Jacinto admits early struggles before landing 'The Good Place' role

The Good Place became a huge turning point that completely transformed Manny Jacinto’s life.

The 38-year-old Canadian-Filipino star’s career in Hollywood launched after he starred in the NBC sitcom, playing Jason Mendoza from 2016 to 2020.

He joined the star-studded cast which included Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, William Jackson Harper, D'Arcy Carden and Jameela Jamil, on exploring the afterlife and its unexpected twists.

Reflecting on his time on the fan-favourite comedy series during a "wild" year, Manny admitted that The Good Place changed his entire trajectory.

"Thank goodness for that show because I was able to buy groceries," he shared with People.

The Freakier Friday actor also revealed that the show came at a very struggling time of his life and after getting it he "never would've thought" he'd be where he is now.

Manny recalled that when he landed the role, his living situation wasn’t ideal as he was "living in a five-bedroom house with a bunch of nurses and just trying to make it work."

"When that audition came through and when I was able to get that. It changed my life," he stated.

Now, reflecting back on his early struggle in the five-bedroom residence, the Nine Perfect Strangers actor revealed that "It was a fight to survive at that point."