how Zach Braff celebrated his Scrubs casting by quitting his waiter job and declaring financial freedom.
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From Waiter to Star
Zach Braff celebrated landing his iconic role on Scrubs in the most relatable way – by getting hammered during his final restaurant shift!
The actor recently shared his wild journey from struggling server to TV star during a candid panel chat with Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence at the ATX TV Festival.
The Call That Changed Everything
“I got Scrubs after six auditions,” Braff revealed to festival attendees.
The life-altering moment happened in his car when his Motorola StarTAC rang.
It was Lawrence with the magic words: “you got it.” Braff instantly knew his days of penny-pinching were over, even if it was just for the pilot episode.
From Taking Orders to Taking Center Stage
The now 50-year-old actor couldn’t contain his excitement after hearing the news. He immediately called his parents and restaurant manager to share his breakthrough moment.
While his boss was genuinely happy, there was a catch – Braff still had to work that night’s shift. Let’s just say his customers probably didn’t receive stellar service!
“I’m Rich!” – A Waiter’s Dream Come True
“I quit the job, and my Mom said, ‘Why did you quit? What if it’s just the pilot?'” Braff recalled with a laugh. Living on roughly USD 12,000 a year had taught him extreme frugality.
With the pilot payment alone, he felt financially set. “I’m rich!” he declared, despite his mother’s practical concerns about the show’s uncertain future.
From Pilot to Pop Culture Phenomenon
Little did Braff know his role as Dr. J.D. Dorian would span nine successful seasons from 2001 to 2010.
The medical comedy became a beloved hit, earning Braff three Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy nod alongside castmates Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, and Judy Reyes.
The Doctor Is Back In
Fans can rejoice as Braff recently confirmed he’ll don his scrubs once more for the upcoming reboot.
Creator Lawrence envisions the new series featuring both original cast members and fresh faces.
The show’s enduring appeal lies in watching idealistic young doctors navigate the challenging world of medicine.
A Perfect Balance
Lawrence explained his vision for the reboot: “We’ve been talking about it a lot, and the only real reason to do it is a combo.”
He believes the magic formula combines catching up with beloved characters while introducing new medical rookies.
The show’s authentic portrayal of medicine as a calling rather than just a profession remains its heart.