TORONTO -- Steve Carell says he was "blown away" by former "Daily Show" boss Jon Stewart's directorial debut, "Rosewater."
In fact, both men are having a moment at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Carell is being exalted as an award-season lock for his arctic-chilly performance as ominous real-life multimillionaire eccentric John du Pont in "Foxcatcher," while Stewart stepped behind the camera for the first time to direct "Rosewater," a dramatic retelling of Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari's five-month imprisonment.
"I saw 'Rosewater' at (the Telluride film festival)," Carell said in an interview Monday in Toronto.
"And it sounds weird to say that I'm proud of him -- like I'm his papa," he added, chortling for a moment. "I was so happy for him and so proud that he achieved that level of excellence.
"I thought he did an outstanding job."
The 52-year-old Carell was a cast member on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" from 1999 to 2005, blossoming into a star with expert, slyly cerebral portrayals of vapid newsmen. His wife, Nancy, was a correspondent with him on the groundbreaking satirical news program.
Carell eventually left the show to headline the American version of "The Office," which brought him six Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe win, and of course he'd go on to star in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "Despicable Me" and "Crazy, Stupid, Love."
"Foxcatcher" is a departure, a pitch-black character study from director Bennett Miller based on the true story of du Pont's toxic relationship with sibling Olympic wrestlers, played by Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo.
Stewart said he had "no idea" Carell could step to that level of performance.
And Carell, too, was surprised by his erstwhile colleague's newly revealed talent.
"He's an incredibly smart guy, and thoughtful," said Carell of Stewart, who made the film over a 12-week break from hosting the "Daily Show."
"I was blown away, not only by how well it was done, but the limited time and resources in which (he did) it was astounding.
"He's a filmmaker. I had no idea, but he is. He's great."
