LOS ANGELES – Beau Bridges endured physical pain while filming two “My Name Is Earl” episodes that won him a nomination for best guest actor in a comedy series.

Bridges, 65, struggled to break dance while playing Carl, father of the main character in the offbeat NBC series.

“It nearly killed me when I shimmied and wiggled down almost to the floor,” he said. “I had a little difficulty getting back up.”

The script also called for Bridges to throw pet gerbils at another actor, and in the process, one of the animals bit him.

“They do things on the show that are just so bizarre and out of the box and that you just don’t see on television,” he said. “But somehow, it has this very real place that it comes from. It’s very human, and I think that’s why it resonates with people.”

Bridges has won three previous Emmys and said this year’s competition _ which includes fellow “Earl” guest star Giovanni Ribisi _ would be stiff.

“It’s just that old thing of being glad you’re invited to the party,” he said.

NBC is owned by the General Electric Co.

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A service of the Associated Press(AP)