It was Matthew Broderick's choice to turn down the role of Alex P. Keaton. How much different would the show have been if he actually accepted the part?

I don't know, but I do know that Billy Warlock was also up for the role of Alex. Instead, Michael got Family Ties and Billy wound up on Happy Days (and went on to soap stardom). I read in a Soap Opera Digest interview with Billy a few years back where he said whenever he and Michael's paths would cross, Michael would always thank Billy for his career. :lol:

Michael J. Fox was the absolute break out star of Family Ties winning multiple Emmy's for the role of Alex P. Keaton. No offense to Matthew Broderick and Billy Warlock but I can't imagine anyone other than Michael J. Fox in the role of Alex.

Michael J. Fox was the absolute break out star of Family Ties winning multiple Emmy's for the role of Alex P. Keaton. No offense to Matthew Broderick and Billy Warlock but I can't imagine anyone other than Michael J. Fox in the role of Alex.
Me, neither. Michael was also supposedly up for Billy's role as Flip Phillips on Happy Days. But both Billy and Matthew turned out fine - Billy is an Emmy-winner (for his role as Frankie Brady on DAYS back in the 80s) and is still in the acting biz, and of course Matthew is a Tony winner. All three married actresses (and Billy's wife Julie won an Emmy last night for ATWT) and have carved out their own niches in show biz. :cool:

It's just too hard to say. We become biased when we're used to someone in a role, so it seems like the answer would be, 'no.' However, putting aside the bias, anything is possible. It's just hard to picture.

It's just too hard to say. We become biased when we're used to someone in a role, so it seems like the answer would be, 'no.' However, putting aside the bias, anything is possible. It's just hard to picture.
Good points!!! :nod:

Yeah, I have a hard time seeing someone else in the role. Broderick did seem to be able to play the same "quick witted, sarcastic, slightly mercenary and scheming" role as Alex, when he played Ferris Bueller, so he COULD have been successful with the role, but as the rest of you have said, Fox hit the role out of the park so it's a moot point now. :)

It's just too hard to say. We become biased when we're used to someone in a role, so it seems like the answer would be, 'no.' However, putting aside the bias, anything is possible. It's just hard to picture.

I agree. It's hard to say because we are biased as we saw MJF in that role. Trying to see someone else play that character is hard.

Another good example is Kelsey Grammer. He played Dr. Frasier Crane for 20 years. It would be hard objectively to see anyone else play that role because we are used to seeing him and no one else.

I can't see no one,but Michael J Fox playing Alex P Keaton

Yeah, I have a hard time seeing someone else in the role. Broderick did seem to be able to play the same "quick witted, sarcastic, slightly mercenary and scheming" role as Alex, when he played Ferris Bueller, so he COULD have been successful with the role, but as the rest of you have said, Fox hit the role out of the park so it's a moot point now. :)
On the flip side of the coin, I think MJF could've played Ferris Bueller to a T!!! :cool: