John Cena may be one of the biggest names to emerge from WWE, but according to Eric André, fame never got in the way of kindness.
While attending the New York premiere of their upcoming Netflix comedy Little Brother, André looked back on the early days of their friendship and shared why he still remembers the way Cena treated him when he was finding his footing in comedy. For the comedian, who has built a career on unpredictable humor and chaotic brilliance, those gestures left a lasting impression.
And now, years after first crossing paths, the pair are teaming up once again in Little Brother, a movie that not only reunites them professionally but also highlights the mutual respect they have developed for each other over the years. In a refreshing Hollywood twist, both stars are publicly giving the other credit for helping them grow.
Eric André Says John Cena Never Made Him Feel Like a Rookie
For Eric André, the story goes back several years. “John did my show when I was up and coming, and he was already wildly successful,” the comedian told People during the film’s New York premiere.
Despite Cena’s massive popularity and established career, André said he never experienced the intimidating side of celebrity culture.
“He always made me feel welcome and comfortable and always took care of me and looked after me on set,” André said.
Those words speak volumes, particularly in an industry where newcomers often find themselves navigating ego-filled environments. André, who has since become one of comedy’s most recognizable voices, made it clear that John Cena’s warmth and generosity stood out at a time when he was still building momentum.
The pair first worked together on The Eric André Show in 2020. By then, Cena had already become a household name thanks to his wrestling career and a growing résumé in Hollywood. André, meanwhile, had established himself as a cult comedy favorite but was still expanding his presence in mainstream entertainment.
That first collaboration laid the groundwork for a friendship that would eventually lead to Little Brother, their new Netflix comedy directed by Matt Spicer and written by Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel.
André also spoke warmly about the atmosphere surrounding the project, explaining that the positive energy extended far beyond his co-star.
“It was really nice because one bad apple can spoil the bunch, and everybody from the cast to the writers to the producers to the director to Netflix were very nurturing and it was a very nice environment,” he said.
In an industry often known for stories of tension and difficult productions, André’s comments painted a picture of a cast and crew committed to creating something enjoyable both on and off camera.
John Cena Says Eric André Took a Chance on Him
Interestingly, the admiration between the two actors goes both ways. While André is grateful for Cena’s support years ago, Cena believes it was André who took the bigger risk when casting him in Little Brother.
Speaking with People ahead of the film’s release, the actor and former WWE champion explained that one of the things that attracted him to the project was the opportunity to do something different.
“The fact that Eric would want to take a bet on me in a different capacity,” Cena said.
“This is a comedy, it’s a physical comedy, but Eric’s doing a lot of the heavy comedic lifting and I get to kind of be the more serious role that is more vulnerable, is more dramatic.”
Over the last decade, audiences have become accustomed to seeing Cena in larger-than-life action roles and broad comedies. Movies like Blockers, Vacation Friends, and Ricky Stanicky showcased his willingness to embrace outrageous humor, while Peacemaker proved he could blend comedy with action.
Little Brother, however, gives him the chance to reveal another side. “People don’t make those bets on me and I’m very happy that he was like, ‘I think you’d be good for this part,’” Cena said.
According to the actor, he actively seeks to step outside his comfort zone. Rather than settling into a formula that works, he sees growth as part of the job.
“It’s the same thing as what’s it like stepping into a WWE ring when no one believed that I could make it or what’s it like getting a chance to be around funny people when I’d been wrestling for 15 years and it was my first chance at true comedy,” he explained.
“This should be the challenge of the profession, to establish yourself certainly and to work to keep the lights on, but constantly want to grow.”
Cena added that taking risks inevitably comes with uncertainty, but he believes that’s where the most meaningful opportunities can be found.
“Knowing that you’re going to take a risk. With risk there certainly can be reward, but there might be setback along the way and still having the courage to try to take the risk,” he said.
‘Little Brother’ Marks a Full-Circle Moment for Both Stars
The timing of the reunion couldn’t be better. Scheduled to premiere on Netflix on June 26, Little Brother stars Cena as Rudd, a successful real estate agent whose carefully organized life gets turned upside down when Marcus, played by André, unexpectedly reappears. The film also features Michelle Monaghan, Christopher Meloni, Ego Nwodim, and Sherry Cola.
Though packed with physical comedy and absurd situations, the movie appears to offer something deeper underneath the laughs. Cena’s role allows him to explore vulnerability and drama, while André gets to showcase the offbeat comedic energy that has made him such a singular voice in entertainment.
And perhaps that’s what makes the collaboration especially interesting. Hollywood stories are often dominated by rivalries, feuds, and difficult personalities. But in this case, two performers are publicly acknowledging how much they’ve helped each other along the way.
Years ago, André says Cena treated him with kindness when he was still climbing the comedy ladder. Today, Cena says André believed in him enough to cast him against type and give him a chance to stretch as an actor.
That’s a pretty rare exchange in any business. And as Little Brother prepares to arrive on Netflix, it seems the movie is delivering something beyond laughs: a reminder that sometimes the best collaborations are built on simple things like trust, generosity, and mutual respect.
