Post them if you know any

Sam Kinison was up for the Role of Al Bundy, as was Michael Richards

Rosanne Barr was up for the Role of Peggy Bundy, but turned it down.

Jon Cryer auditioned for the role of Chandler Bing

William Devane was offered the role of Sam on Cheers.
Megyn Price was in the original pilot for Freddie.

Let's see ...

Crystal McKellar almost edged her sister Danica for the role of Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years.

Joyce Bulifant almost got the role of Carol Brady on The Brady Bunch.

Leah Remini auditioned for the role of monica in "Friends".

John Lithgrow was considered for the role of Frasier on "CHEERS"
Julia Duffy was considered for the role of Diane on "CHEERS"
Fred Dwyer was considered for Sam on "CHEERS"
John Ratzenberger first auditioned for the role of Norm on "CHEERS"-after he was turned down he said "By the way, do you have a 'bar fly' on this show"? They asked him what that is and he said "You know, a guy who hangs around a bar, thinks he knows 'everything about everything' and always 'bends everyones ear' about it".

I think Mickey Dolenz was one of the actors who auditioned for Fonzie on "HAPPY DAYS"

Mickey Rooney was first aproached for the role of Archie (then named "Archie Justice") on "ALL IN THE FAMILY" (originally called "AND JUSTICE FOR ALL")-he turned the role down when he read the script and saw how controversial the character might be and, in his words "I didn't want any part of that".

I think he was also wanted at first for one of the roles in "THE ODD COUPLE".

Bea Benederit first auditioned for Granny on "THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES" and she recomended Irene Ryan for the role.

Jerry Van Dyke was first approached for Gilligan on "GILLIGANS ISLAND" but after reading the script he called it "the worst piece of crap I ever saw"!
Carrol O'Conner was originally wanted for the skipper, but they thought people would feel sorry for Gilligan when the skipper yelled at him.

Johnny Carson was one of the people who auditioned for the role of Rob Petrie on "THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW".

Thank god Roseanne turned down the role of Peggy Bundy. That show is dreadful.

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz offered Bea Benaderet and Gale Gordon the parts of Fred and Ethel Metz, but they both turned it down.

Joyce DeWitt tried out for the role of Pinky , Fonzie's girlfriend, on Happy Days but was turned down.

Telma Hopkins was originally offered to the play the role of Ruth Lucas, the wife of Hilton Lucas for "Cosby" (1996-2000), but the chemistry between her and Bill Cosby didn't work out, so Cosby himself decided to bring back his former "Cosby Show" co-star Phylicia Rashad.

Matthew Broderick was originally slated to play the role of Alex P. Keaton on "Family Ties," but he turned the role down because he felt he didn't want to be tied down to long-term projects.

Louie Anderson was originally slated to play the role of Larry Appleton on "Perfect Strangers." Can you imagine Louie Anderson as Larry Appleton? :lol:

Sandy Duncan was offered to play the role of Ms. Bliss on "Good Morning, Miss Bliss" (of course the pre-cursor to "Saved by the Bell" of course) but her commitment to NBC and "The Hogan Family" prevented her from doing so.

Gavin MacLeod was originally up for the part of Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but really wanted (and got) the role of Murray Slaughter. Ed Asner, of course, went on to play Lou to perfection.

Alison Arngrim auditioned for both Mary and Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie before landing the role of Nellie Oleson. Can you even imagine anyone else playing Nellie?? :lol:

Carroll O'Conner was also originally up for the role of Dr. Smith on Lost in Space.

Leah Remini auditioned for the role of monica in "Friends".

I love Leah but I can't really see her as Monica.

Jennie Garth auditioned for the role of Kelly on Saved by the Bell.

Jennie Garth auditioned for the role of Kelly on Saved by the Bell.
I never knew that, but it's funny because Jennie and Tiffani later worked together on 90210. They are still the best of friends, last I heard. :cool:

Kathy Bates tried out for the role of Janet Wood on Three's Company.

-Jon Cryer was originally offered the role of Chandler Bing on Friends
-Jon Favreau was offered the role of Chandler Bing.
-Jami Gertz was offered the role of Monica on Friends. The role was also offered to Janeane Garofalo

Megan Mullally almost took the role of Carrie on The King of Queens but decided to take the role of Karen on Will&Grace instead.

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz offered Bea Benaderet and Gale Gordon the parts of Fred and Ethel Metz, but they both turned it down.

Joyce DeWitt tried out for the role of Pinky , Fonzie's girlfriend, on Happy Days but was turned down.
Actually Lucy wanted Bea and Gale to play the Mertzs on ILL but they were never offered the parts since neither one was available at the time. Gale Gordon was under contract at CBS radio and Bea was under contract to play Blanche Morton on "Burns and Allen".

As many have said before yes, Jamie Gertz and Leah Remini were both up for the role of Monica on "Friends" until producers saw a tape of Courtney Cox and offered her the role.


Sherry Stringfield, Amy Brenemen, Julianna Margulies and Calista Flockhart all auditioned for the role of Allison on "Melrose Place" but were turned down for Courtney Thorn Smith.

Calistia Flockhart, Sela Ward, Dana Delaney, Pamela Anderson and Kim Delaney were all originally considered for roles on "Desperate Housewives" but turned them down. Ward and D. Delaney were up for the role of Bree, Anderson for Susan and K. Dleaney for Lynette.

Charlotte Rea was originally considered for the role of Karen McCluskey on Desperate Housewives before producers gave the role to Kathryn Joosten instead.

Bridget Fonda was originally offered the role of Ally on Ally McBeal before she turned it down and Calistia Flockhart was given the role.

Betty Buckley was cast as Nora on Brothers & Sisters but producers cut her when they got Sally Field to agree to do the show.

The role of Paige on Charmed was originally offered to Tiffani Amber Thissen and Alicia Silverstone but both turned the roles down.

Ironically enough, Alyssa Milano was first offered the role of Valerie Malone on "90210" but turned it down. Alicia Silverstone, ironically enough was also one of the actresses that auditioned for that role but was turned down.

Neve Campbell and Alicia Silverstone both auditioned for roles on "Baywatch" but were turned down for being too pale and not tall enough.

Leila Kenzel was first cast in the role of Rosie O'Donnell's sister on the short-lives series "Stand By Your Man" but was recast with Melissa Gilbert.

Chad Michael Murrary was offered a role on The O.C. but turned it down due to an offer for One Tree Hill.

Chad Michael Murrary was offered a role on The O.C. but turned it down due to an offer for One Tree Hill.

I think he made the right decision. Since OTH has run twice as long as OC did and OC faded from popularity very quickly.

Lisa Kudrow was originally cast as Roz on "FRASIER" and in fact; they started to film the pilot with her, but partway into it; it was obvious that her and Kellsey Grammar weren't working out.

Loyd Bridges and Jack Lord were both up for the role of Capt. Kirk on "STAR TREK". And Gene Roddenberry first wanted DeForest Kelley to play Spock.

Martin Landau - was originally offered the role of Dr. Spock for "Star Trek." But the role ultimately went to Leonard Nimoy. Ironically, Nimoy would later replace Martin Landau on the 4th season of another Paramount TV-produced show in "Mission: Impossible" after the original "Star Trek" ended.

Sandy Baron (a NY newscaster) and Dan Rowan (of "Laugh-In") were both originally offered the role of hosting "The Hollywood Sqaures" but the producers disliked both of them, so Peter Marshall was chosen instead.

Rainn Wilson audioned for the role of Gob on Arrested Developement but was beat out by Will Arnett.

Martin Landau - was originally offered the role of Dr. Spock for "Star Trek." But the role ultimately went to Leonard Nimoy. Ironically, Nimoy would later replace Martin Landau on the 4th season of another Paramount TV-produced show in "Mission: Impossible" after the original "Star Trek" ended.

Sandy Baron (a NY newscaster) and Dan Rowan (of "Laugh-In") were both originally offered the role of hosting "The Hollywood Sqaures" but the producers disliked both of them, so Peter Marshall was chosen instead.MR. Spock, not Dr.

Terri Hatcher auditoned for the role of Jamie on Mad About You.

Helen Hunt auditoned for the role of Katie on Gimme a Break
Tracey Gold was originally cast in the role of Samantha on Gimme a Break.

Joyce Bulifant almost got the role of Carol Brady on The Brady Bunch.

Gene Hackman was the original choice for "Mr. Brady".

Cheryl Ladd was up for the role of Nancy Maitland on Family, which was originated by Elayne Heilveil. The role ultimately went to Meredith Baxter, and Cheryl soon found fame in her own right as Kris Munroe on Charlie's Angels.

Anna Faris auditioned for the role of Claire Fisher on Six Feet Under.
Juliette Lewis auditioned for the role of Brenda Chenowith on Six Feet Under.

Caroll O Connor auditioned for the role of the Skipper on Gilligans Island
Viince Vaughn was up for the role of Joey on FRIENDS
Alexis Arquette auditioned for the role of Jack on Will and Grace
Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox auditioned for Melrose Place
Eric McCormack was up for the role of Ross on FRIENDS

Julia Louis-Dreyfuss was originally offered the role of Grace on Will & Grace prior to Debra Messing getting it.


Eric McCormack originally auditioned for the role of Greg on Dharma & Greg and Thomas Gibson the role of Will on Will & Grace. ironic huh.

Brandon Call (better known for playing J. T. on Step By Step) was the first choice to play Kevin Arnold on The Wonder Years, believe it or not. Check IMDB.com (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0130085/) for proof.

Brandon Call (better known for playing J. T. on Step By Step) was the first choice to play Kevin Arnold on The Wonder Years, believe it or not. Check IMDB.com (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0130085/) for proof.
well, since I've never seen both shows and I've never heard of Brandon Call; I'll just have to take your word for it that he wouldn't have been right for "THE WONDER YEARS".

-The original pilot of Home Improvement featured Frances Fisher as Jill Taylor but due to poor reviews the role was recast with Patricia Richardson.
-Ashley Judd auditioned for the role of Lisa the Tool Girl on Home Improvement.

I think if Fred Savage didn't get the part, Brandon Call would have been very good. He's great on Step by Step and I could picture him as Kevin on the Wonder Years, no doubt.

-The original pilot of Home Improvement featured Frances Fisher as Jill Taylor but due to poor reviews the role was recast with Patricia Richardson.
-Ashley Judd auditioned for the role of Lisa the Tool Girl on Home Improvement.
Ashley Judd auditioned for Home Improvement? Wow, learn something new every day. (I do remember she was on Sisters.)

Melissa Joan Hart auditioned for the title role on Punky Brewster.

I read somewhere that both Candace Cameron and Heather O'Rourke auditioned for the role of Vicki the Robot on Small Wonder. Tiffany Brissette was cast in the role of Vicki. During the 1985-89 run of SW, Candace Cameron landed the role of DJ Tanner on Full House, and of course Heather O'Rourke passed away suddenly after filming Poltergeist III. So life would've been a lot different had either of those two won the role over Tiffany Brissette.

I read this oddity at imdb...Larry Hagman apparently turned down the role of Dr. Banner on The Incredible Hulk before it was offered to Bill Bixby. ??? Any truth to that, cuz I CANNOT see LH as David.

Nicolette Sheridan auditioned for the role of Grace as welll and Dick Sargent was offered the role of Darrin first but had to turn it down because of the Tammy Grimes show...ironically she was offered the role of Samantha before Elizabeth was

Gene Hackman was the original choice for "Mr. Brady".

Continuing with The Brady Bunch, a woman named Monty Margetts was originally going to play the Alice role. Check out http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0546663/; she's been on quite a few shows.

(I learned this from Elizabeth Moran's book Bradymania, by the way.)

Ken Foree (Dawn of the Dead, "Kenan & Kel") was considered for the role of "Uncle Phil" in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Originally CBS had told Linda Bloodworth Thomason that they didn't want Delta Burke as Suzanne Sugarbaker on "Desinging Women" because they were worried about another sitcom with Delta and Dixie Carter who had previously starred on the failed CBS sitcom "Filthy Rich" but after a week of reherasals with another actress the producers first choice Delta was hired.

Originally producers of The Golden Girls had intended for Betty White to play the role of Blanche that is until Rue McClanahan declared she felt it would be better for her to play Blanch and White took Rose.

On Beverly Hills, 90210 Gabrielle Cateries originally auditioned for the role of Brenda. Jennie Garth auditioned for Andrea and Tori Spelling auditioned for Kelly.

on the 90210 that is airing on CW now, Dean Cain was originally intended to play the role of Harry that is played by Rob Estes. This wouldn't have worked as Dean Cain was a cast memeber on the original 90210 as Brenda's paris fling Rick.