Christopher Hewett (Mr. Belvedere) was apparently originally offered the role of Father Dowling! It was thought that Mr. Belvedere would be cancelled and once it was renewed, he had to turn it down! Otherwise, we would have seen Hewett instead of Bosley!

Loved Tom Bosley in the role but I think Hewett would have been good in his own right.

Also considered for the role were George Lindsey and Pat Harrington.