Stars that were Up for Other Sitcom Roles - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

vannystice · 08-04-2009, 12:39 PM

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

browneyes106 · 08-04-2009, 04:53 PM

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

James · 08-05-2009, 03:17 AM

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.

Gowza · 08-05-2009, 04:31 AM

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

treky · 08-05-2009, 05:03 AM

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".

Overdose · 08-05-2009, 05:39 AM

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

janet42 · 08-05-2009, 05:53 AM

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.

megamanj2004 · 08-05-2009, 10:06 AM

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?

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.

catlover79 · 08-05-2009, 01:35 PM

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??

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

browneyes106 · 08-05-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gowza

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

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

browneyes106 · 08-05-2009, 03:52 PM

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

catlover79 · 08-05-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by browneyes106

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.

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 08-05-2009, 04:15 PM

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

browneyes106 · 08-05-2009, 05:32 PM

-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

browneyes106 · 08-05-2009, 05:48 PM

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.

08-04-2009, 12:39 PM	#1
vannystice Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 24, 2009 Location: Oshkosh, WI Posts: 42	Stars that were Up for Other Sitcom Roles 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
	__________________ Peggy: Did you miss me? Al: With every bullet, so far. Carrie:Hunny, sorry Im late Doug:Thats ok, gotta level with ya..I didnt know you went anywhere Dwight Schrute:Force it in as deep as you can. Michael Scott:That's what she said.

08-05-2009, 05:03 AM	#5
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	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".
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

08-05-2009, 05:39 AM	#6
Overdose Don't mess with Roseanne! Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 27, 2007 Posts: 303	Thank god Roseanne turned down the role of Peggy Bundy. That show is dreadful.
	__________________ Roseanne Barr on being a tyrant for the direction and control of her show: "If you're male you have a vision and if you're female you're a tyrant" "Roseanne" = Greatest. Show. Ever. Created.

08-05-2009, 10:06 AM	#8
megamanj2004 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 21, 2004 Posts: 2,361	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? 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.
	__________________ 10 AND A HALF YEARS GOING STRONG!!!

08-05-2009, 01:35 PM	#9
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	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?? Carroll O'Conner was also originally up for the role of Dr. Smith on Lost in Space.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

08-04-2009, 04:53 PM	#2
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	William Devane was offered the role of Sam on Cheers. Megyn Price was in the original pilot for Freddie.

08-05-2009, 03:17 AM	#3
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	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.

08-05-2009, 04:31 AM	#4
Gowza Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 29, 2007 Location: australia Posts: 20	Leah Remini auditioned for the role of monica in "Friends".

08-05-2009, 05:53 AM	#7
janet42 Three's Company Fan! Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,757	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.

08-05-2009, 03:52 PM	#11
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	Jennie Garth auditioned for the role of Kelly on Saved by the Bell.

08-05-2009, 04:15 PM	#13
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	Kathy Bates tried out for the role of Janet Wood on Three's Company.
	__________________ my name is ashlee Welcome! Everything is fine.

08-05-2009, 05:32 PM	#14
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	-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

08-05-2009, 05:48 PM	#15
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	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.