22 Actors That Turned Down Major Roles

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21. Chevy Chase – Lester Burnham

While American Beauty is certainly not for everyone, it was a critical success. Chevy Chase was originally offered the role of Lester Burnham, but the famed actor turned it down because he was worried it would damage his family-friendly image. While that may be true, the role did get Kevin Bacon an Oscar. So it might have been worth tarnishing that family image just a bit — though Chevy does not regret turning it down.

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3 Comments

  1. Greg

    October 28, 2015 at 1:22 am

    Kevin Bacon wasn’t in American Beauty. I think you meant Kevin Spacey. Typo on http://popnewz.com/actors-that-turned-down-major-roles/21/

    • admin

      October 28, 2015 at 11:56 pm

      Thanks, Greg!
      fixed

  2. Dave

    November 4, 2015 at 2:12 pm

    Here are two quick ones.

    1. Chevy Chase was offered the role of both Egon Spengler and Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters. He turned it down. Cause the script he had said was much darker then what you see in the film.

    2. Eddie Murphy turned down the role of Winston Zeddmore in Ghostbusters. Only cause he thought the movie wouldn’t catch on and make money. Instead he went on to make Beverly Hills Cop. Funny thing Eddie admits he should have signed on to Ghostbusters.