Seth Rogen gets serious

Rogen got famous playing affable slackers, but his latest roles have dealt with weightier subject matter.

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Actor Seth Rogen (right) and Will Reiser, screenwriter of the movie "50/50," collaborated on the film, based on Reiser's actual experiences as a 20-something with a cancer diagnosis.

Marvin Joseph / WASHINGTON POST

Rogen got his start through the show “Freaks and Geeks.” He’s pictured here with the cast: James Franco as Daniel, Jason Segel as Nick Baron, Linda Cardellini as Lindsay Weir, Rogen as Ken Miller, John Daley as Sam Weir, Martin Starr as Bill Havenchuck and Samm Levine as Neal Schweiber.

/ NBC

Rogen starred in the 2001 show “Undeclared,” about a group of six college freshmen who help one another adjust to their newfound responsibilities and freedoms. The show was created by Rogen’s frequent collaborator, Judd Apatow. Jay Baruchel (left) starred as Steven, Timm Sharp as Marshall, Charlie Hunnam as Lloyd and Rogen as Ron.

2001 FOX BROADCASTING

Rogen played a pot-smoking electronics store employee who sets out to help his co-worker, played by Steve Carrell, lose his virginity in “The 40 Year-Old Virgin.”

Suzanne Hanover

Rogen starred with Matt Dillon, in "You, Me and Dupree," as a friend to a newlywed couple who deals with an unexpected houseguest, played by Owen Wilson.

Universal Pictures

The character of a slacker who unexpectedly becomes a father after a one-night stand in “Knocked Up” won Rogen critical acclaim. Katherine Heigl played the mother of his child.

Suzanne Hanover / AP

Rogen wrote the script for “Superbad,” a high school party caper, when he was a teenager. He also starred as a cop with Bill Hader, shown here with Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

Columbia Pictures

Rogen wrote and starred in “Pineapple Express,” with James Franco (center) and Danny McBride.

Columbia Pictures / COLUMBIA PICTURES

Rogen and Elizabeth Banks play friends looking for a way to pay their bills through unconventional means in Kevin Smith's “Zack & Miri Make a Porno.”

Darren Michaels

Rogen played a mall cop with a crush on a makeup counter employee (Anna Faris) in 2009’s “Observe and Report.”

Peter Sorel / PETER SOREL

Rogen lent his voice to B.O.B., the blue monster, in DreamWorks’ “Monsters vs. Aliens.”

Paramount Pictures

Rogen’s first role dealing with illness came in "Funny People," in which he plays a comedian caring for another comedian (Adam Sandler) who has leukemia. He plays a caregiver for a friend with cancer in his latest film, “50/50.”

Tracy Bennett / 2009 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Rogen had the role of Britt Reid in 2011’s "The Green Hornet."

Columbia Pictures

Rogen voiced the title character of “Paul,” an extraterrestrial.

Universal Pictures

Rogen plays a friend to a young cancer patient, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, in the upcoming film “50/50.”

Chris Helcermanas-Benge

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