Actors who turned down roles - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

KurtfromPitts · 08-27-2008, 01:37 PM

How many actors have there been who, to their later regret, turned down plum sitcom roles?

Zoneboy · 08-27-2008, 01:44 PM

Not what I'd call a 'Plum Role' but Larry Hagman turned down the lead role in The Waverly Wonders but I doubt he has any regrets since he passed it up in favor of Dallas.

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

Jerry Van Dyke turned down the role of Gilligan in favor of My Mother the Car.

Scoobiedoo30 · 08-27-2008, 01:50 PM

I did not know that Jerry Van Dyke was up for the role for Gilligan

sunshinefizzy · 08-27-2008, 02:03 PM

Gene Hackman I believe turned Brady Bunch down. I don't ever remember him saying anything about it. Can you even see him playing Mike Brady, though??? I can't.

tv star collector · 08-27-2008, 02:07 PM

As has been stated before, Mickey Rooney turned down the role of Archie
Bunker (and so did Jackie Gleason).

Zoneboy · 08-27-2008, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunshinefizzy

Gene Hackman I believe turned Brady Bunch down. I don't ever remember him saying anything about it. Can you even see him playing Mike Brady, though??? I can't.

He didn't exactly turn it down, He was under consideration and wanted to do it but he was virtually an unknown at the time and the producers wanted to go with someone that the viewers were more familiar with so they went with Robert Reed.

Scoobiedoo30 · 08-27-2008, 02:15 PM

that another one I did not know about Micky Roney turning Down The Archie Role.

Zoneboy · 08-27-2008, 02:27 PM

Not a sitcom but Mickey Rooney and Shirley Temple were both turned down for Our Gang AKA The Little Rascals.

Eddie Albert turned down the lead roles in Mister Ed and My Three Sons in order to pursue a movie career.

Rene' Auberjonois turned down the role of Bosley on Charlie's Angels, He also declined to reprise his role as Father Mulcahey on M*A*S*H when the movie was made into a series.

Big C · 08-27-2008, 03:20 PM

Lori Rom turned down the role of Phoebe Halliwell in Charmed.

Talk about a boneheaded decision for her.

janet42 · 08-27-2008, 06:05 PM

Bea Benaderet was offered the role of Ethel Mertz on the "I Love Lucy", but she had to turned it down because she was already playing Blanche Morton on the "George Burns and Gracie Allen Show".

Dusty's Fan · 08-27-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Eddie Albert turned down the lead roles in Mister Ed and My Three Sons in order to pursue a movie career.

With regard to My Three Sons, that must have been early on before the series was even titled. It's pretty well known that before that title was settled on, it was to be "The Fred MacMurray Show" -- seeming to indicate Fred was always the choice.

jimpickens · 08-27-2008, 09:46 PM

Wow can you imagine Jackie Gleason as Archie Bunker. One of these days meathead POW! Right in the kisser.

Zoneboy · 08-27-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty's Fan

With regard to My Three Sons, that must have been early on before the series was even titled. It's pretty well known that before that title was settled on, it was to be "The Fred MacMurray Show" -- seeming to indicate Fred was always the choice.

I've been doing this for nearly 30 years and I very rarely give false information. I read about this in TV Guide years ago plus there are several sources online that back me up and not just IMDb or Wikipedia. If the facts are indeed incorrect then I'm not the one to blame.

MikeLutton · 08-27-2008, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimpickens

Wow can you imagine Jackie Gleason as Archie Bunker. One of these days meathead POW! Right in the kisser.

i like see fan fiction of it ralph alice as edith and archie bunker or the honeymooners did live n queens could been new series lol

dawsongirl · 08-27-2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Darren McGavin turned down the lead roles in I Dream of Jeannie, Hogan's Heroes

I can NOT see him in either roll.

08-27-2008, 01:37 PM	#1
KurtfromPitts Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 10, 2006 Location: Carnegie PA Posts: 1,537	Actors who turned down roles How many actors have there been who, to their later regret, turned down plum sitcom roles?

08-27-2008, 01:44 PM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,472	Not what I'd call a 'Plum Role' but Larry Hagman turned down the lead role in The Waverly Wonders but I doubt he has any regrets since he passed it up in favor of Dallas. Darren McGavin turned down the lead roles in I Dream of Jeannie, Hogan's Heroes & Run for Your Life. Jerry Van Dyke turned down the role of Gilligan in favor of My Mother the Car.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

08-27-2008, 01:50 PM	#3
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	I did not know that Jerry Van Dyke was up for the role for Gilligan
	__________________ Who Dat

08-27-2008, 02:03 PM	#4
sunshinefizzy Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 27, 2006 Location: Craptown Posts: 2,054	Gene Hackman I believe turned Brady Bunch down. I don't ever remember him saying anything about it. Can you even see him playing Mike Brady, though??? I can't.

08-27-2008, 02:07 PM	#5
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,487	As has been stated before, Mickey Rooney turned down the role of Archie Bunker (and so did Jackie Gleason).

08-27-2008, 02:15 PM	#7
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	that another one I did not know about Micky Roney turning Down The Archie Role.

08-27-2008, 02:27 PM	#8
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,472	Not a sitcom but Mickey Rooney and Shirley Temple were both turned down for Our Gang AKA The Little Rascals. Eddie Albert turned down the lead roles in Mister Ed and My Three Sons in order to pursue a movie career. Rene' Auberjonois turned down the role of Bosley on Charlie's Angels, He also declined to reprise his role as Father Mulcahey on MASH* when the movie was made into a series.

08-27-2008, 03:20 PM	#9
Big C I Heart Angie Watson Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 21, 2006 Posts: 3,531	Lori Rom turned down the role of Phoebe Halliwell in Charmed. Talk about a boneheaded decision for her.

08-27-2008, 06:05 PM	#10
janet42 Three's Company Fan! Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,757	Bea Benaderet was offered the role of Ethel Mertz on the "I Love Lucy", but she had to turned it down because she was already playing Blanche Morton on the "George Burns and Gracie Allen Show".

08-27-2008, 09:46 PM	#12
jimpickens Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2007 Location: weston,wv Posts: 1,393	Wow can you imagine Jackie Gleason as Archie Bunker. One of these days meathead POW! Right in the kisser.