How I Met Your Mother star’s surprising new gig

JOSH Radnor starred in one of the biggest sitcoms of all time. But now the actor has hit the road in a new role — with a surprising Australian connection.

YOU probably know him best as the lovesick Ted Mosby in How I Met Your Mother.

But these days Josh Radnor, 43, is more at home with a guitar in his hand playing intimate pub gigs.

The actor has embarked on a surprising new career, joining up with Australian singer Ben Lee to create their own folk act, Radnor & Lee.

The duo met years ago when Lee was contacted by How I Met Your Mother creators to see if some of his music could be used in episodes.

“I was a fan of Ben Lee I had his songs on my iPod,” Radnor told Monday night’s episode of The Project.

“We just stayed friends, we were friends for about a decade before we started writing songs together.”

Josh Radnor as Ted Mosby in How I Met Your Mother. Picture: CBS BROADCASTING

Surprisingly, Radnor only began learning how to play the guitar 12 months ago, after the pair had already begun to make waves on the indie music scene.

“We were co-writing everything, but we decided to be a two-guitar band about a year ago and I am playing obsessively,” Radnor explained.

“I’m learning how to play guitar by playing in front of audiences. If you freak yourself out enough you learn pretty quickly.”

While Radnor is still acting — he can currently be seen in Stan musical drama series R ise — the TV star is dedicated to honing his new craft with Lee.

Josh Radnor and Ben Lee are performing in Australia this week. Picture: Network 10

“There is a part of me that thinks, who starts a band in their 40s this is ridiculous, you’re supposed to do that when you are a teenager,” he said.

“For me there is something so great about learning guitar at this age, because it makes me feel like you can do anything at any time — you just have to do it.”

Radnor & Lee are performing in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane this week. For more information visit their Facebook page.

Check out some of their music here:

Originally published as How I Met Your Mother star’s surprising new gig