Grey’s Anatomy, Starring Rob Lowe
The original choice to play the role of Dr. Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd was 1980s teen heartthrob Rob Lowe. But he wasn’t quite right, so producers went with another 1980s teen idol:Patrick Dempsey, who was having so much trouble finding work that he was considering leaving acting for good. (He’d also just been rejected for the lead role on House).
The Sopranos, Starring Ray Liotta
Show creator David Chase’s pick for the role of Tony Soprano: James Gandolfini. Only problem: Gandolfini was completely unknown. HBO executives aggressively pursued Ray Liotta, who had appeared in many mob-themed movies, including Goodfellas. Chase ultimately got his way.
Seinfeld, Starring Paul Shaffer
Co-creator Larry David based the character of George Costanza on himself. However, David didn’t want to play the part, so the show’s other creator, Jerry Seinfeld, offered the role to then-Late Night With David Letterman bandleader Paul Shaffer via a message on Shaffer’s answering machine. Shaffer was so busy with his musical duties on Late Night that by the time he heard the message it was too late. Jason Alexander had been cast at George instead.
Monk, Starring Michael Richards
A few weeks before Seinfeld aired its final episode in 1998, one of the show’s stars, Richards, was looking for his next job and read the script for Monk, a comic police drama about a detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder. ABC wanted the show, especially because Richards was interested. But the actor didn’t think the script was funny enough. He passed, and so did ABC. The USA cable network picked it up, and Monk became the network’s most-watched show ever, winning three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for star Tony Shalhoub.
The Office, Starring Paul Giamatti
When NBC began work on an American version of the hit British comedy The Office, executives told the show’s producers they had one person, and one person only, in mind for the lead role of clueless office manager Michael Scott: film star Paul Giamatti (Sideways, American Splendor). Giamatti preferred making movies and turned down the role, so it was offered to Steve Carrell, best known at the time for the film Bruce Almighty.
30 Rock, Starrring Rachel Dratch
30 Rock star and creator Tina Fey wrote the role of self-obsessed actress Jenna Maroney for Rachel Dratch, Fey’s longtime collaborator on Saturday Night Live and in the Chicago improv comedy scene before that. A pilot episode was filmed with Dratch, but NBC felt that she wasn’t attractive enough for the part and forced Fey to fire her friend. Ally McBeal veteran Jane Krakowski ended up playing Jenna; Dratch has played several bit parts on 30 Rock throughout the show’s run.
Mad About You, Starring Bonnie Hunt
Comedian and talk-show host Bonnie Hunt starred in several TV series; all of them were short-lived. The one she turned down lasted for several years. She was Mad About You producers’ first choice for the lead role of Jamie Buchman, ultimately played by Helen Hunt, who won four Emmy Awards for it. (The actresses aren’t related).
Batman, Starring Lyle Waggoner
When casting the campy 1960s TV series, producers narrowed down the choices for the lead roles of Batman and Robin to two sets of actors: Lyle Waggoner and Peter R.J. Deyell, and Adam West and Burt Ward. West and Ward won out. Also almost cast: Spencer Tracy, who was offered the role of the Penguin. He said he’d take the role if he could “kill Batman” (request denied).
The post 8 Iconic TV Roles and the Shocking Actors Who Almost Played Them appeared first on Reader's Digest.
from Reader's Digest http://ift.tt/1W1cYHV
No comments :
Post a Comment