15 Iconic Comedy Roles That Almost Went To Completely Different Actors

I can’t imagine some of these movies with any other actor other than the one that they had play in it.

Daphnie

• Published in Film & TV
• May 8, 2022

Actors typically are either offered a role or have to audition for the role, but they don’t always take the role. Sometimes actors are busy or they don’t necessarily align with the film or the role, so they turn it down.

Fortunately, this is actually what happened with some of these movies. I say fortunately because I think we can all agree that these movies wouldn’t be the same without the comedic actors that took on the role.

We wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves if Will Farrell never played Buddy The Elf. A lot of these comedy roles are extremely iconic and a classic in most of our households.

Comedy roles are super important and a bit difficult because you really have to have the perfect actor for the role. I don’t think I could imagine any of these movies with any other actors though.

I think they did an amazing job casting them, so sorry to the actors that didn’t get the role. Anyway, we’ve gathered some of the most iconic comedy movies so we can take a look at who almost got the role instead of the one they cast for it.

Let’s dive into it and see who almost got these famous comedy roles.

1. Johnny Depp as Ferris Bueller.

Matthew Broderick is known for his performance in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, but what would you think if Johnny Depp had played this role instead? Depp was offered the role, but it just didn't fit in with his schedule at the time.

2. Jim Carrey as Buddy The Elf.

When the film began production, Jim Carrey was actually the first pick for the role. When it finally came time to film the movie, Jim Carrey didn't have time for it in his work schedule, so the part was given to Will Ferrell.

3. John Travolta as Forrest Gump.

You wouldn't believe that John Travolta was the first pick for the film Forest Gump. He actually was going to take the role, but he decided to be in Pulp Fiction instead, so the Forrest Gump role went to Hanks.

4. Christina Applegate as Elle Woods.

Christina Applegate was almost the star of Legally Blonde, but of course, it went to Reese Witherspoon. Applegate later came out and said she did regret not taking the role, but she says that Reese did an amazing job.

5. Tom Lennon as Ron Swanson.

Tom Lennon almost made it as Ron Swanson, but luckily Nick Offerman got the role and it fits perfectly.

6. Reese Witherspoon as Cher Horowitz (Clueless).

Reese Witherspoon was almost cast as Cher Horowitz because the director loved Reese's work. Despite all that, she decided to cast Alicia instead because she said "Alicia is Cher" and she is.

7. Tiffani Thiessen as Rachel on Friends & Matt Leblance on Modern Family

Tiffani Thiessen was one of the actresses who were asked to audition for the role of Rachel, however, she wasn't cast because she was only 20 years old. Jennifer Aniston was 25 years old and was still the youngest member of the cast.

Matt Leblanc, from Friends, also was almost cast in Modern Family, but he denied the role stating that he felt he wasn't the best fit for it.

8. Tom Hanks in When Harry Met Sally

There were many different actors that were considered for the role of Harry, including Tom Hanks. Eventually, they decided to go with Billy Crystal to play Harry in the film.

9. Robin Williams as Hagrid.

Robin Williams actually reached out to JK Rowling to ask if he could play the part of Hagrid, however, Rowling declined as her goal was to have an entirely British cast.

10. Dana Delany as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex in the City.

Dana Delaney was actually considered for the role of Carrie Bradshaw in Sex In The City, but she turned it down. They cast Sarah Jessica Parker in the role and it's said that Dana does regret her decision.

11. Bob Odenkirk as Michael Scott.

Odenkirk actually made it extremely far in the audition process. Even the directors said that The Office still would've worked if they had cast Odenkirk as Michael Scott.

12. Eric Stolts as Marty McFly.

Eric Stolts actually filmed for the part of Marty McFly, but the directors eventually removed him because they said they needed someone with more comic flair.

13. T.J. Miller as Schmidt on New Girl.

T.J Miller did have the chance to play Schmidt in New Girl, but his audition didn't do him justice when he took things just a little bit too far.

14. Jon Hamm as Jack Donaghy.

This movie was actually made with Alec Baldwin in mind, but Jon Hamm actually almost got the role. Luckily he had other plans so the role still went to Baldwin.

It's hard to imagine some of these classics with the roles of someone completely different. This really proves just how much the actors become the characters for those of us that love watching movies and television shows.

Was there a movie you think should've been cast differently?

Daphnie