The 40-Year-Old Virgin is a 2005 American comedy film written, produced and directed by Judd Apatow, about a middle-aged man's journey to finally have sex. It was co-written by its star, Steve Carell, though it features a great deal of improvised dialogue. The film was released theatrically in North America on August 19, 2005 and was released on region 1 DVD on December 13, 2005. It is the directorial debut of Judd Apatow, who would go on to direct such successful films as Knocked Up, Funny People, This is 40, and Trainwreck and Seth Rogen's first comedy film, since playing a cameo in the 2004 film .