The Hangover trilogy is one of the most successful comedy film series of all time, featuring a group of friends navigating absurd, alcohol-fueled misadventures. One of the most memorable characters is Stu Price, the mild-mannered dentist who always seems to suffer the worst consequences of the group’s wild antics.
However, there’s a strange Mandela Effect surrounding Stu’s character—many people remember Jason Sudeikis playing him. In reality, Stu has always been played by Ed Helms.
Why Do People Think Jason Sudeikis Played Stu?

For some fans, it’s shocking to learn that Jason Sudeikis was never in The Hangover films. The confusion between Ed Helms and Jason Sudeikis has become so widespread that even Jason Sudeikis himself has acknowledged it.
1. Jason Sudeikis Admitted People Confuse Him for Ed Helms
During a March 2016 interview on Conan (TBS), Jason Sudeikis openly talked about how people frequently mistake him for Ed Helms—specifically as the guy who played Stu in The Hangover. This means even Sudeikis himself is aware of the widespread false memory.
2. Similar Looks and Comedy Backgrounds
Both actors share similar facial features, hairstyles, and comedic styles, which could contribute to the confusion. Additionally, both Sudeikis and Helms have roots in improv comedy and sketch shows (Saturday Night Live for Sudeikis and The Daily Show for Helms), making the mix-up even more understandable.
3. The Mandela Effect in Action
The Mandela Effect occurs when a large group of people collectively misremembers something as fact. In this case, many fans have convinced themselves that Jason Sudeikis was in The Hangover, despite all evidence pointing to Ed Helms.
Does anyone else remember Jason Sudeikis in Hangover??? That’s definitely the Mandela effect pic.twitter.com/eaY82Tgn2X
— Juice the Dude (@juiceboxpxpi) May 8, 2020
Holy shit I thought Ed Helms ( Hangover) and Jason Sudeikis (Hallpass) were the same person. Lol.
— francisco Ramos (@LandiaArt) April 27, 2011
Am I the only one or do a lot of people mistake Jason Sudeikis and Ed Helms? #Hangover #WeretheMillers #HallPass
— Moe (@PVMoe) December 20, 2013
Jason Sudeikis and Ed Helms had me confused for years. I swore Jason was in The Hangover 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/hCD3z4vD4K
— Ben's Pending Divorce (@karaisshort) October 23, 2017
Am I the only person who confuses Ed Helms and Jason Sudeikis??? (Stu from hangover & the dad from we are the millers?!?!)
— slimshady. (@fuckin_bayley) March 25, 2018
Lol no, he wasn't a cast member. We are watching last nights episode and I thought Ed Helms was playing Biden. Pete corrected me, but then it spiraled into a whole…"but wasn't Jason Sudeikis in Hangover?"…turns out no. I'm just so lost.
— Becca (She/Her) 👋🏻 (@HeyBMcCormick) February 9, 2020
I have spent so long assuming jason sudeikis was in the hangover and now you're telling me that's some guy called ed helms? Sounds fake
— begaydocrime🪰🎃 (@Samminger) October 10, 2021
I was today years old when I found out Ed helms isn’t Jason sudeikis in the hangover 🤯 🤯😂
— JB🌩 (@batmanutd4) February 8, 2022
I just lost a bet with my wife. I thought that Ed Helms was Jason Sudeikis. I promise you, I thought Jason was the guy in The Hangover but apparently I'm wrong. I had no idea who Ed was. I thought Jason was more prolific than I realized. #transracialblindness is really a thing. pic.twitter.com/7NugGd8sin
— Baldwyn English (@benglishjr) July 4, 2022
Shit i thought jason sudeikis was ed helm, u know were the millers and the hangover.. I cant be only one lol #Oscars2014 #ugh
— Greg (@_SocialXplosion) March 3, 2014
The Impact of This Mandela Effect
This mistaken memory is fascinating because it’s not just casual moviegoers who believe it—Jason Sudeikis himself regularly encounters people who think he was Stu. It raises the question: Why do so many of us remember things that never happened?
So, what do you remember? Did you always know Ed Helms played Stu, or were you convinced that Jason Sudeikis was in The Hangover? Let us know in the comments!