http://blogs.static.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/35388.html

Please believe me, there is a cornucopia of TV roles out there that may have been considered to be played by other actors/actresses before being given to the actors/actresses we knew and loved.

So, without further ado:
Lana Clarkson as Cindy Brady (instead of Susan Olsen) (like I'd mentioned earlier here at: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=293328) on The Brady Bunch
Lana Clarkson as Helen Chappel (instead of Crystal Bernard) on Wings
Natasha Gregson Wagner as Samantha Micelli (instead of Alyssa Milano) on Who's the Boss -- but maybe NGW lacked any obvious Italian-ness for the role?

~Ben

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I heard that Dick Sargent was going to do the role of Darrin on Bewitched, but he had other commitments. Of course he did finally get the role when Dick york left. I think Micky Rooney was going to do the part of Archie Bunker on All in the family, and Penny Marshall was going to play Gloria, but the roles went to Carroll O' Connor and Sally Struthers.

Calista Flockhart and Sela Ward were both offered the role of Susan Meyer on "Desperate Housewives" and both turned it down.

Dana Delany was considered for the role of Bree on DH, but wasn't available for some reason. I believe she didn't want to commit to a series so similar to her failed show "Pasadena" which a few years prior had failed on Fox. So the role obviously went to Marcia Cross.

Pamela Anderson was considered for the role of Edie Britt, that went to Nicolette Sheridan.

The role of Tom's girlfriend Jane, now played by Andrea Parker was intended for Jessica Hetch, best known as Susan's girlfriend Carol on "Friends". Scheduling and salary prevented that from happening and Parker instead got the role.

Rosalyn Sanchez (Without A Trace) was an early favorite for the role of Gabby, but producers thought her accent was too thick. (this is according to the book Desperate Networks by Bill Carter).

other shows:

The role of Nora Walker on "Brothers & Sisters" was originally cast with Betty Buckley, a well known Broadway actress but was recast when Sally Field became available.

The role of Ally McBeal was initially conceived for Bridget Fonda who turned it down.

The role of Jenna Maroney on 30 Rock was intended for Rachel Dratch, a SNL performer, but producers decided she wasn't glamorous enough for the role and it went to Jane Karkowski instead.

The role of Jill Taylor on Home Improvement was meant for Frances Fisher, who had no chemistry with Tim Allen and the role went instead to Patricia Richardson.

For the role of Val Malone on Beverly Hills, 90210 producers had sought out Alyssa Milano; who turned it down because she wasn't sure the bad-girl role was one she wanted to play.

Ironically enough, Tiffani Thiessen who played Val was considered an early front-runner for the role of Paige on Charmed, which ultimately went to Rose McGowan.

I Love Lucy: Bea Benadaret was the first choice to play Ethel Mertz; Vivian Vance was cast.

Petticoat Junction: Oldest daughter Billie Jo originally was to be played by Sharon Tate; Jeannine Riley got the part.

The Flying Nun: The role of Sister Bertrille was set to go to Ronne Troupe, but Sally Field got it.

The Brady Bunch: The role of Carol Brady was to be played by Joyce Bulifant, but Florence Henderson was cast.

The role of Roz Doyle on Frasier was originally cast with Lisa Kudrow but she lacked the spunk needed for the role so they cast Peri Gilpin. Lisa ended up getting cast as Phoebe on Friends instead.

Jack Lord was offered the role of Captain James T. Kirk but turned it down.

George Lindsey was the first choice to play Mr. Spock and the role was also turned down by Martin Landau.

Darren McGavin turned down the leads in I Dream of Jeannie, Run for Your Life and Hogan's Heroes.

The role of Marshall Matt Dillon was first offered to Denver Pyle who declined.

The main characters from Sanford and Son were originally supposed to be white with Barnard Hughes and Paul Sorvino in the roles but were changed to black.

FRIENDS:

The role of Monica was at one point offered to Nancy McKeon, Leah Remini and Nicolette Sheridan.

Neil Patrick Harris auditioned for the role of Chandler but did not get it.

Jane Krakowski was considered for the role of Phoebe before Lisa Kudrow got the role.

The Golden Girls:

Doris Roberts, Olympia Dukakis and Elaine Stritch were considered for the role of Dorothy prior to Bea Arthur taking it.

Betty White and Rue McClanahan auditioned for each others roles initially.

Beverly Hills, 90210:

Gabrielle Cateries auditioned for the role of Brenda, but got the role of Andrea instead.

I read somewhere a long time ago that Jason Bateman tested for the role of Brandon before Jason Priestly was offered the role.

Jennie Garth auditioned for the role of Donna, but got Kelly instead.

Family Ties:

Matthew Broderick was considered for the role of Alex P. Keaton before Michael J. Fox landed it. Some NBC executive did not like Michael J. Fox.

Will & Grace:

Thomas Gibson auditioned for the role of Will. Julia Louis-Dreyfuss auditioned for Grace.

Ironically, Eric McCormack also auditioned for the role of Greg on Dharma & Greg prior to the role going to Thomas.


Grey's Anatomy:

The role of Derek Shepherd was written with Rob Lowe in mind, but he turned it down in favor of some show that lasted like half a season, Dr. Vegas, I think it was called.

Melrose Place:

Amy Brennemen, Sherry Stringfield, Terri Hatcher and Courtney Cox all auditioned for the role of Allison.

Family Ties:
Matthew Broderick was considered for the role of Alex P. Keaton before Michael J. Fox landed it. Some NBC executive did not like Michael J. Fox.Actually Gary David Goldberg didn't like Fox either. He was reluctant to cast him.

Jack Lord was offered the role of Captain James T. Kirk but turned it down.

George Lindsey was the first choice to play Mr. Spock and the role was also turned down by Martin Landau.

Actually Jack Lord tried to supposedly get greedy by demanding a chunk of profits for partial ownership of the show but Gene Roddenberry was having none of it, so when Lord shunned him for it, Roddenberry showed him the door.


Others:

Cheers - The roles of Sam and Diane were offered to Fred Dryer and Cathy Lee Crosby but the producers ended up changing Sam from a ex-footballer to a ex-baseballer.

Perfect Strangers - Louie Anderson was once offered the role of Larry Appleton but the producers didn't like him.

Actually Jack Lord tried to supposedly get greedy by demanding a chunk of profits for partial ownership of the show but Gene Roddenberry was having none of it, so when Lord shunned him for it, Roddenberry showed him the door.

Thanks, I read about Jack Lord being offered the role in TV Guide several years ago but can recall no mention of him wanting a chunk of the profits and I try to make sure that my sources are correct and information is complete before posting. All it said at the time was that he simply turned down the role but it wouldn't surprise me none though if you were right.

Another one:

Cosby - Thelma Hopkins was offered the part for Bill Cosby's wife on that series but when she demonstrated the lack of chemistry Cosby wanted, Cosby ended up calling up his former Cosby Show TV wife Phylicia Rashad instead.

Jack Lord was offered the role of Captain James T. Kirk but turned it down


Lloyd Bridges was offered the role of Captain Christopher Pike
in the original 1964 Star Trek pilot The Cage but likewise turned
it down and the part went to Jeffery Hunter instead.

The role of Debra Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond came down to a choice between Patricia Heaton and Jane Sibbett. Jane Sibbett is best known for her recurring role as Ross' ex Carol on Friends.

I also read somewhere that Julia Duffy was considered for the role of Diane Chambers on Cheers, which of course went to Shelley Long. Ms. Duffy joined the cast of Newhart the following year and the rest is history!!!

Melina Kanakaredes was approached to play the role of Abbie Carmichael on Law & Order beginning in the 1998-99 TV season, but turned it down to play the lead in the then-brand new NBC drama Providence, which debuted in January 1999. The role of Abbie Carmichael instead went to Angie Harmon, who would stay on L&O for three seasons.

Bert Convy was seriously considered for the role of Barnabas Collins

Link (http://www.fangoria.com/index.php/home/all-news/1-latest-news/6931-jonathan-frid-1924-2012)

At the eleventh hour, it was down to Jonathan Frid, a classically trained actor who worked primarily in Shakespearean theater, and Bert Convy, a game show host for the role of Barnabas Collins. Thankfully, the producers of DARK SHADOWS chose Mr. Frid.

I like Bert Convy and he was a very good actor but I can't see anyone other than Jonathan Frid in that role.

Nancy Mckoen was Almost Monica Gellar.That would of been interesting.But as much as i love Nancy.It probably turned out for the best.

Happy Days:

ABC allegedly wanted Robby Benson to play the role of Richie Cunningham, but he wasn't interested in TV and messed up his audition on purpose.

Happy Days:

ABC allegedly wanted Robby Benson to play the role of Richie Cunningham, but he wasn't interested in TV and messed up his audition on purpose.

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John Lithgrow was one of the actors considered for Frasier on "CHEERS". Also on "CHEERS" John Ratzenberger first auditioned for the role of Norm and Fred Dwyer and Julia Duffy were orriginally wanted for Sam & Diane.
Lisa Kudrow was orriginaly cast as Roz on "FRASIER" but as they were filming the pilot, it became obvious that her and Kelsey Grammer weren't right together.

John Wayne was first offered the role of Marshall Dillion on "GUNSMOKE". He turned it down because he didn't want to do a TV western, but he recomended James Arness.

Carrol O'Connor was first wanted for the skipper on "GILLIGANS ISLAND" but they felt that people would feel sorry for Gilligan whenever the skipper yelled at him.
Jerry Van Dyke was first offered the role of Gilligan but read the script and called it "the worst piece of crap I ever read".

Mickey Rooney was first offered the role of Archie on "ALL IN THE FAMILY" but after he read the script he realized how controversial it might be and "I didn't want any part of that."

John Lithgrow was one of the actors considered for Frasier on "CHEERS". Also on "CHEERS" John Ratzenberger first auditioned for the role of Norm and Fred Dwyer and Julia Duffy were orriginally wanted for Sam & Diane.
Lisa Kudrow was orriginaly cast as Roz on "FRASIER" but as they were filming the pilot, it became obvious that her and Kelsey Grammer weren't right together.

John Wayne was first offered the role of Marshall Dillion on "GUNSMOKE". He turned it down because he didn't want to do a TV western, but he recomended James Arness.

Carrol O'Connor was first wanted for the skipper on "GILLIGANS ISLAND" but they felt that people would feel sorry for Gilligan whenever the skipper yelled at him.
Jerry Van Dyke was first offered the role of Gilligan but read the script and called it "the worst piece of crap I ever read".


I just recently read about that one.How awesome would of that been.Then again.James Arnes was good and, John Wayne was far too busy.Making great westerns.Like True Grit,Rooster Cogburn,Hatari and many more.

Gavin MacLeod originally read for the role of Lou Grant before snagging the role he really wanted, that of Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

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

I've also heard the story about Jack Lord wanting a cut of the profits on Star Trek - but with Roddenberry at the helm, that wasn't ever going to happen!!

Lisa Kudrow was orriginaly cast as Roz on "FRASIER" but as they were filming the pilot, it became obvious that her and Kelsey Grammer weren't right together.

I mentioned this in an earlier post.

Happy Days:

ABC allegedly wanted Robby Benson to play the role of Richie Cunningham, but he wasn't interested in TV and messed up his audition on purpose.
I can't even imagine him (or anyone else!) as Richie!!

Walt Disney first wanted Buddy Ebsen to play Davey Crockett in "THE ADVENTURES OF DAVEY CROCKETT".

Lauren Graham's character on NBC's "Parenthood" was supposed be played by ER's Maura Tierny but she backed out when she got diagnosed with breast cancer. Helen Hunt was in talks to take over the part, but a contract was not worked out and Graham got the role.

Bea Benederit first auditioned for the role of Granny on "THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES"

I think Wayne Rogers first auditioned for the role of Hawkeye on "MASH"

Bea Benederit first auditioned for the role of Granny on "THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES"

I think Wayne Rogers first auditioned for the role of Hawkeye on "MASH"



I am Glad it turned out being Alan Alda.Because he was the perfect Hawkeye.I do know that Wayne Rogers always thought.He should of had a bigger role and I think that is what edventually lead to him leaving.Which he very much regretted later in life.Because of how much longer the show went on.I always thought he was a star as cornell Blake though.He should of stayed around.But then we would of missed out on cornell Potter.Who was also great.

Arnold Schwarzenegger auditioned for the Hulk in The Incredible Hulk but was rejected because he was too short. Richard Kiel was then chosen and you can see him in an overhead shot in the pilot movie, but when creator Kenneth Johnson's son noticed he wasn't ripped enough, he was recast with Lou Ferrigno. Kiel said that he was glad to go because the "Hulk" contact lenses hurt his eyes and the green makeup was hard to remove.

I think Tom Poston was the first choice to play Max in "GET SMART".

From TV Guide (1995)

Darren McGavin turned down the lead roles in Hogan's Heroes, I Dream of Jeannie and Run For Your Life.

Sada Thompson was originally cast as Irene Lorenzo in All in the Family but was replaced after one show which never aired by Betty Garrett.

Ken Howard and Blythe Danner were offered the leads in McMillan and Wife.

The part played by Joe Namath in the NBC flop, The Waverly Wonders was offered to Larry Hagman who turned it down in favor of another script he'd been sent, Dallas.

I am Glad it turned out being Alan Alda.Because he was the perfect Hawkeye.I do know that Wayne Rogers always thought.He should of had a bigger role and I think that is what edventually lead to him leaving.Which he very much regretted later in life.Because of how much longer the show went on.I always thought he was a star as cornell Blake though.He should of stayed around.But then we would of missed out on cornell Potter.Who was also great.

I wish Wayne Rogers would have stayed too because he was much better than B.J.

Most of the actors from the movie MASH were offered roles in the series, but only Gary Burghoff accepted. Sally Kellerman was offered the Houlihan role, and Rene Auberjonois turned down the priest role.

The Untouchables star, Robert Stack was not the only choice for the role of Eliot Ness. Van Heflin was offered it first and took it but had to back out due to a movie conflict. The part was then offered to Van Johnson who turned it down. Fred MacMurray was considered as were Jack Lord and Cliff Robertson. Then Stack.

The voices of George and Jane Jetson were originally offered to Morey Amsterdam and Pat Carroll

When the British series Steptoe & Son was being developed for American audiences, the pilot starred Lee Tracy and Aldo Ray but didn't sell. When Norman Lear got his hands on the property, he cast Barnard Hughes and Paul Sorvino in the leads and it also didn't sell. Lear and his associates then made the junk dealer and his son black and cast Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson for Sanford & Son.

I wish Wayne Rogers would have stayed too because he was much better than B.J.

Most of the actors from the movie MASH were offered roles in the series, but only Gary Burghoff accepted. Sally Kellerman was offered the Houlihan role, and Rene Auberjonois turned down the priest role.
Timothy Brown who played another doctor in the movie (he was the one who sang "SUICIDE IS PAINLESS" at the "funeral" for the Painless Pole) played Spearchucker in the series, and Gene Woods who played Gen. Hammond in the movie also played him in the series.

I wish Wayne Rogers would have stayed too because he was much better than B.J.

Most of the actors from the movie MASH were offered roles in the series, but only Gary Burghoff accepted. Sally Kellerman was offered the Houlihan role, and Rene Auberjonois turned down the priest role.


I agree i liked Blake slightly better than Potter, and Trapper quite a bit more than BJ.

The role of Dr. Kildare was first offered to James Franciscus who was unable to do it because of a prior commitment. It was also offered to William Shatner who turned it down.

Gregory Peck was the first choice for Hawaii Five-O's Steve McGarrett.

Dabney Coleman auditioned for the role of the Professor on Gilligan's Island and Raquel Welch did so for Mary Ann.

The role of Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years came down to 2 young actresses and eventually went to Danica McKellar. The girl that lost the role was her sister, Crystal who was cast as Becky Slater.

Character actor Lewis J. Stadlen (Benson) wrote in his memoirs that he was originally up for a role on Taxi, but didn't say which one (I'm guessing John Burns).

Orson Welles was the first choice for Mr. Roarke of Fantasy Island.

The role of Jessica Fletcher was written for and originally offered to Jean Stapleton but she was recovering from the death of her husband at the time so Angela Lansbury got the part.

The role of Dr. R. Quincy M.E. was originally intended for Robert Wagner.

Jerry Van Dyke was the first choice for George the Janitor on Newhart but blew the audition and the role went to Tom Poston.

Gerald McRaney, Burt Reynolds, Tom Skerritt, James Farentino, Richard Crenna, Ron Leibman, Gary Lockwood, David Rasche and Jim Stafford were all offered the part of Hayden Fox from Coach.

Orson Welles was the first choice for Mr. Roarke of Fantasy Island.

The role of Jessica Fletcher was written for and originally offered to Jean Stapleton but she was recovering from the death of her husband at the time so Angela Lansbury got the part.

The role of Dr. R. Quincy M.E. was originally intended for Robert Wagner.

Jerry Van Dyke was the first choice for George the Janitor on Newhart but blew the audition and the role went to Tom Poston.

Gerald McRaney, Burt Reynolds, Tom Skerritt, James Farentino, Richard Crenna, Ron Leibman, Gary Lockwood, David Rasche and Jim Stafford were all offered the part of Hayden Fox from Coach.


That is quite a list of stars that we're offered the part of Coach Hayden Fox..I am a big fan of Gerald McRaney,Burt Reynolds, and Tom Skerritt.That being said i still think they ended up with the right guy for the job.He and Luther had a chemistry that has rarley been seen before.

Craig Bierko and Vince Vaughn were considered for the role of Chandler on Friends.
Eric Mccormack was considered for the role of Ross
Jon Favreau was considered for the role of Joey
Steve Kanaly was considered for the role of Bobby and Ken Kercheval was considered for the role of Ray on Dallas
Mary Frann of Newhart was considered for the role of Sue Ellen
Nicolette Sheridan was considered for the role of Grace on W and G and Alexis Arquette was considered for the role of Jack.
Nancy McKeon was considered for the role of Monica on Friends and Courteney Cox was considered for Rachel

I remember reading once that Bonnie Hunt was offered the role of B.J. Poteet on "Designing Women" but she turned it down and the role was eventually given to Judith Ivey.

Must be tough to act in the role and be told "No you aren't what we want". But I guess all actors take the rejection with a grain of salt.

THREAD BUMP

I wonder if, for the role of Jennifer Hart on Hart to Hart, if Summer Bartholomew--whose first claim to fame was winning the Miss USA title for the year 1975 and nearly 10 years later became the third co-host of the U.S. version of the game show $ale of the Century (NBC, 1983-89)--was considered (before Stefanie Powers won)?

~Ben

I heard recently, that actress Whitney Blake (from Hazel) was considered for the role of Ann Romano, on One Day At A Time.

Gene Hackman and Jeff Chandler were considered for the role of Mike Brady, before Robert Reed got the role, on The Brady Bunch.

Also, on The Brady Bunch, actress Monte Margetts, was to play Alice, before Ann B. Davis was hired.

I think Tom Poston was first considered for Maxwell Smart on GET SMART.

Actually Gary David Goldberg didn't like Fox either. He was reluctant to cast him.
Maybe. But from what I vaguely remember, somebody insisted that Fox should get the part(I don't remember exactly who, although for some reason I keep thinking Justine Bateman), and he ended up getting it anyway.

Make Room for Daddy: Danny Thomas chose Penny (Penney) Parker to replace Sherry Jackson, who had been playing Terry (his daughter), but also in consideration to assume the role had been a young Mary Tyler Moore...!

Maybe. But from what I vaguely remember, somebody insisted that Fox should get the part(I don't remember exactly who, although for some reason I keep thinking Justine Bateman), and he ended up getting it anyway.

Fox was a sawed off, runt of a Canadian. I would have been skeptical too.

(I am the first one to ever insult the holy Michael J. Fox.)

I just recently read about that one.How awesome would of that been.Then again.James Arnes was good and, John Wayne was far too busy.Making great westerns.Like True Grit,Rooster Cogburn,Hatari and many more.

Gunsmoke started in the mid 50s on TV. It was a half-hour show! The movie like True Grit happen in the 1969!

I think Tom Poston was first considered for Maxwell Smart on GET SMART.

That's correct about Tom Poston. I just finished watching the complete series set, and that was mentioned in commentaries. He DID appear as a guest villian in one episode, though.

FRIENDS:

The role of Monica was at one point offered to Nancy McKeon, Leah Remini and Nicolette Sheridan.

Neil Patrick Harris auditioned for the role of Chandler but did not get it.

Jane Krakowski was considered for the role of Phoebe before Lisa Kudrow got the role.

The Golden Girls:

Doris Roberts, Olympia Dukakis and Elaine Stritch were considered for the role of Dorothy prior to Bea Arthur taking it.

Betty White and Rue McClanahan auditioned for each others roles initially.

Beverly Hills, 90210:

Gabrielle Cateries auditioned for the role of Brenda, but got the role of Andrea instead.

I read somewhere a long time ago that Jason Bateman tested for the role of Brandon before Jason Priestly was offered the role.

Jennie Garth auditioned for the role of Donna, but got Kelly instead.

Family Ties:

Matthew Broderick was considered for the role of Alex P. Keaton before Michael J. Fox landed it. Some NBC executive did not like Michael J. Fox.

Will & Grace:

Thomas Gibson auditioned for the role of Will. Julia Louis-Dreyfuss auditioned for Grace.

Ironically, Eric McCormack also auditioned for the role of Greg on Dharma & Greg prior to the role going to Thomas.


Grey's Anatomy:

The role of Derek Shepherd was written with Rob Lowe in mind, but he turned it down in favor of some show that lasted like half a season, Dr. Vegas, I think it was called.

Melrose Place:

Amy Brennemen, Sherry Stringfield, Terri Hatcher and Courtney Cox all auditioned for the role of Allison.
I her Lea Remni had auditioned for Monaica but just didn't get it and Courtney was going to play Rachael at first but really wanted to play Monica.,

uh, I believe the previous poster said that!:)

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Ray :iottahttp://i43.tinypic.com/y1260.jpg
30 Actors Who Turned Down Life-Changing Roles (PHOTOS)
4 of 31 ◂Prev▸Autoplay ▸NextShare March 26, 2013 at 11:34AM EDT by Rachel McRady
Related:Wetpaint Entertainment, TV Nostalgia.full size ..Michael Keaton: Jack Shephard, Lost
When J.J. Abrams started the epic journey that was Lost, Michael Keaton was approached for the lead role of Jack Shephard, but he turned it down when he learned the character would live. Seems a bit backwards, but he tends to lean toward the undead (Beetlejuice ... Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice).
Greg T Nelson turned down the part of Jay on Modern Family and it went to Ed O'Neil. Katie Holmes turned down the part on Buffy the Vampire and it went to Sara Mehelle Geller. Paul Giamatti turned down the roll of Michael Scott on the office and it went to Steve Carell, Tony Shaloub was almost Kramer on Sinfeld but it went to Michael Richards. Ray Liotta was the first choice to play Tony Saprano but turned it down, Pam Anderson was approched to play Dan Scully on the X files but turned it town,.

That is quite a list of stars that we're offered the part of Coach Hayden Fox..I am a big fan of Gerald McRaney,Burt Reynolds, and Tom Skerritt.That being said i still think they ended up with the right guy for the job.He and Luther had a chemistry that has rarley been seen before.
I saw an interview on Jean Stapleton once and she said she just felt she wasn't right for the part on Murder she Wrote.

Must be tough to act in the role and be told "No you aren't what we want". But I guess all actors take the rejection with a grain of salt.
When an actor is told, No you aren't what we want, people in real life are told that too, just in a different way. That's why you can't take it personally and you keep going.

Bea Benederit first auditioned for the role of Granny on "THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES"

I think Wayne Rogers first auditioned for the role of Hawkeye on "MASH"
Rue Mcclanahan was first going to play Rose on the Golden Girls and Betty would play Blanch but it turned out great for both of them when the rolls were switiched. Betty said she already played that kind of a roll on Mary Tyler Moore. Luke Perry was going to play Brandon on Beverely Hills 90210 but but saw himself more as Dillion. Gavin McCloud had auditioned for Lou Grant on Mary Tyler More but saw himself more as Murry.

Maybe. But from what I vaguely remember, somebody insisted that Fox should get the part(I don't remember exactly who, although for some reason I keep thinking Justine Bateman), and he ended up getting it anyway.
Michael J. Fox auditioned more then once for Alex because they didn't think he was right for the part at first.

That's correct about Tom Poston. I just finished watching the complete series set, and that was mentioned in commentaries. He DID appear as a guest villian in one episode, though.
Robin Williams was concidered for the CSI roll that went to Ted Danson.
Ray Liotta isn't the only A-list actor who turned down a role on The Sopranos. Longtime Law & Order detective Vincent D'Onofrio also said “fuhgeddaboudit” to the HBO series due to financial concerns. “To be perfectly honest, I would have had to sell my house to work for them, and I wasn't going to do that,” he told NBC 4 New York. “Would I have liked to have done it? Yeah, because I think at the time it was the best written thing on television.”
Martin Landau is known to millions of movie goers for his Oscar-winning performance as Bela Lugosi in Ed Wood, but he nearly became known for playing the role of Spock. “I turned down Star Trek,” Landau revealed in the documentary film Pioneers of Television: Science Fiction. “It would've been torturous. I would've probably died playing that role. I mean, even the thought of it now upsets me. It was the antithesis of why I became an actor. I mean, to play a character that Lenny (Nimoy) was better suited for, frankly, a guy who speaks in a monotone who never gets excited, never has any guilt, never has any fear, or was affected on a visceral level. Who wants to do that?"


Bridget Fonda was the first choice to play Ally McBeal and not Calista Flockhart. Fonda passed, however, and Flockhart made a name for herself on David E. Kelley's legal comedy/drama for the show's five seasons. Fonda focused more on her film career, including a role in "Lake Placid," another David E. Kelley piece.
Eric Stoltz as Vic Mackey, "The Shield" Can you imagine anyone other than Michael Chiklis as "The Shield's" Vic Mackey? According to show creator Shawn Ryan, FX actually wanted Eric Stoltz for the part.
Paul Resier and Helen Hunt made an adorable couple on "Mad About You," but the role of Jamie Buchman almost went to funny lady Bonnie Hunt
Stephen Tobolowsky is one of those amazingly memorable character actors who seems to pop up in everything, but when scheduling conflicts kept him from shooting the "Home Improvement" pilot, the role of Tim "The Toolman" Taylor's sidekick Al Borland went to Richard Karn.
Tom Selleck as Mitch Buchannon, "Baywatch"Rumor has it that the role that put red bathing suits and David Hasselhoff on the map was originally offered to Tom Selleck, who turned it down because he didn't want to be seen as a sex symbol.

Make Room for Daddy: Danny Thomas chose Penny (Penney) Parker to replace Sherry Jackson, who had been playing Terry (his daughter), but also in consideration to assume the role had been a young Mary Tyler Moore...!
4. Paul Shaffer as George Costanza
According to Paul Shaffer's memoir, We'll Be Here for the Rest of Our Lives, Jerry Seinfeld personally left a message stating that the role of George Costanza on his upcoming pilot was Shaffer's if he wanted it. But Shaffer was preoccupied with his other work and said he never got around to returning Seinfeld's call.

I heard that Dick Sargent was going to do the role of Darrin on Bewitched, but he had other commitments. Of course he did finally get the role when Dick york left. I think Micky Rooney was going to do the part of Archie Bunker on All in the family, and Penny Marshall was going to play Gloria, but the roles went to Carroll O' Connor and Sally Struthers.

Penny Marshall would have made a better choice than Sally Struthers, if nothing else because Marshall and Jean Stapleton looked related. Richard Dryfuss was going to play Meathead.

I think that Penny Marshall, Mickey Rooney and Richard Dryfuss All In the Family would have been interesting.

At the risk of repeating information, simply because I don't feel like going back and reading all four pages of posts, Lisa Kudrow was originally in mind for the character of Roz on Frasier. I'm so glad they didn't pick her. Although I can't picture anyone else as Roz but Peri Gilpin, I just don't think Lisa wouldn't have been right for that part. She looks too young. But she's perfect as Phoebe on "Friends"

At the risk of repeating information, simply because I don't feel like going back and reading all four pages of posts, Lisa Kudrow was originally in mind for the character of Roz on Frasier. I'm so glad they didn't pick her. Although I can't picture anyone else as Roz but Peri Gilpin, I just don't think Lisa wouldn't have been right for that part. She looks too young. But she's perfect as Phoebe on "Friends"

i guess what happened is that she and Kelsey Grammar had no chemistry or didn't get along and instead they went with Peri Gilpin.

At the risk of repeating information, simply because I don't feel like going back and reading all four pages of posts, Lisa Kudrow was originally in mind for the character of Roz on Frasier. I'm so glad they didn't pick her. Although I can't picture anyone else as Roz but Peri Gilpin, I just don't think Lisa wouldn't have been right for that part. She looks too young. But she's perfect as Phoebe on "Friends"

You don't have to go back and read all the posts, that's what the search this thread feature is for. All you have to do is click it and enter a keyword such as Kudrow and it will take you directly to all posts with that word. If it hasn't been used then you'll get a sorry, no matches message. About 10 seconds was all it took for me to see that someone else had already mentioned it over a year ago.

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Quit spamming the boards.

i guess what happened is that she and Kelsey Grammar had no chemistry or didn't get along and instead they went with Peri Gilpin.
they started filming the first episode and it was obvious that Lisa & Kellsey Grammar weren't right/

Penny Marshall would have made a better choice than Sally Struthers, if nothing else because Marshall and Jean Stapleton looked related. Richard Dryfuss was going to play Meathead.

I think that Penny Marshall, Mickey Rooney and Richard Dryfuss All In the Family would have been interesting.
Ed O'Neil was going to play Steven Keaton on Family Matters at first. I forget why he turned it down.