These A-List Actors Turned Down Legendary Roles, and Some Regret It

Hamm snagged the role, and Jane ended up moving on to be a part of HBO's Hung. However, that show only lasted two seasons, and Jane got fired when the show finished. This just goes to show, you shouldn't judge a TV show's success by its channel platform (all of the time).

Bette Midler, Sister Act

Bette Midler has a history of being iconic in musical theater and is an overwhelmingly cool actress. But, she decided to give up her role in Sister Act to Whoopi Goldberg, who ended up doing a legendary job. However, Bette didn't give up the role because she thought Whoopi would have done a better job, she gave it up because she feared her fan's reactions to her playing a nun. 

Later on in her career, Bette spoke on how that might have not been the best decision for her: “There was Sister Act, which was written for me, but I said: ‘My fans don't want to see me in a wimple.’ I also didn't do Misery and Kathy Bates won an Oscar for it.”

Matthew Broderick, Breaking Bad

Believe it or not, Matthew Broderick was extremely close of taking the role of Walter White from Bryan Cranston.  According to conspiracy theorists, John Cusack was also offered the role and he declined, but he later denied that idea on Twitter, stating: “Didn’t turn it down. U crazy.”

Next Page →

Advertisement

Next Page →

Post originally appeared on Inside Mystery.