Comedian Nick Kroll recently shared a deeply personal and emotional account of organizing John Mulaney’s 2020 intervention, revealing the fear and complexity that surrounded the experience.

Appearing on the “Armchair Expert” podcast with Dax Shepard, Kroll confirmed that he was the driving force behind the intervention that led to Mulaney’s rehab stint—an event Mulaney later recounted in his Netflix special.

“I produced that intervention,” Kroll said, describing the ordeal as “so scary and brutal.” At the time, Kroll was living in Los Angeles, while Mulaney was in New York. Adding to the pressure, Kroll’s wife was pregnant and he was simultaneously filming the movie Don’t Worry Darling.

“John was running around New York City like a true madman,” Kroll recalled. “And I was so deeply scared that he was gonna die.”

Despite the emotional toll, Kroll took the lead in orchestrating the intervention, making critical decisions such as selecting an intervention specialist and choosing a treatment facility. He admitted the process was filled with emotional upheaval—fear, anger, and painful realizations about his longtime friend.

“You start looking back and thinking, ‘Oh, that’s why he’s been acting so inconsistently. That’s why things didn’t add up,’” Kroll said. “You develop empathy for what they were going through, but also a deep anger because they’ve been lying to you.”

The ordeal took place during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding another layer of logistical and emotional strain. Still, Kroll emphasized the urgency of the situation and his fear that if he didn’t act, the outcome could be tragic.

Since completing treatment, Mulaney has rebuilt his life. He is now sober and shares two young children with actress Olivia Munn, whom he married after his recovery.

Kroll’s candid reflection sheds light on the often-overlooked challenges faced by loved ones of those battling addiction—reminding us that recovery is not only a journey for the individual, but for everyone who cares about them.