Acting is a competitive business, and there are typically dozens of people auditioning for any role, especially if that role is something as prominent as the lead of a sitcom. As such, casting directors and producers often have to reject a great many talented actors or actresses while casting for their show.
Sometimes, however, an actor can leave such an impression with their audition that they're picked for a role other than the one they auditioned for. Whether they better-suited that character or simply impressed the casting director enough to be put into the show in some capacity, several characters in sitcoms are played by actors who auditioned for something else.
8 Kevin Sussman Originally Wanted To Be Howard
When casting began for The Big Bang Theory, the competition was fierce for the roles of four male main characters, especially as the show's premise allowed for a broader ranger of actors than the typical 'leading men.' One of the many who auditioned for the role of lecherous engineer Howard Wolowitz was Kevin Sussman.
Sussman was unsuccessful in the role, with Simon Helberg taking it instead. However, beginning in the show's second season, Sussman was cast as Stuart, owner of the comic book store. The role would gain prominence over time, even briefly replacing Howard in the show's sixth season as a member of the group.
7 Neill Flynn Went From Doctor To Janitor
The Janitor became a prominent character in Scrubs, beloved for his quick wit and the improvisational skills of actor Neill Flynn. Initially, Flynn auditioned for the role of major character Dr. Cox but lost to John C. McGinly.
Nonetheless, Flynn received the — at the time — minor role of the Janitor. Initially intended to be revealed as nothing more than a hallucination of JD's, Flynn's performance in the role saw it expanded and the twist removed, becoming an integral part of the show's cast.
6 All Of The Lead Actresses In Friends Auditioned For Different Roles
The cast of Friends has been so iconic that it is now impossible to imagine anybody else in their place. Renowned for their performances and their chemistry, they each appear to be etched into the roles, embodying them utterly. Despite this, the roles were fiercely contested, including the cast auditioning for each other's roles.
None of the three lead actresses in the show auditioned for the role they ultimately received. Jennifer Aniston auditioned for Monica, and both Lisa Kudrow and Courtney Cox auditioned for Rachel. Instead, they received the roles they are best known for, and the rest is history.
5 Cliff Clavin Was Written For John Ratzenberger After His Audition
Norm Peterson was one of the most significant characters in the sitcom Cheers, the first customer featured in the show, and one of only three characters to make an appearance in every episode. Several actors auditioned for him as such a major character, including series regular John Ratzenberger, best known for playing Cliff Clavin.
Ratzenberger was obviously unsuccessful in his audition for Peterson, but after he was rejected, he asked if there were plans for a 'know-it-all' character. Although there wasn't at the time, he inspired the writers, and the character of Cliff was created and given to Ratzenberger.
4 Liza Weil Didn't Suit Rory Gilmore
In Gilmore Girls, Rory Gilmore was one of the show's central characters and an iconic role for actress Alexis Bledel. As with all lead roles, other actresses were vying for the part, including show regular Liza Weil.
Weil, by all reports, turned in an excellent audition and thoroughly impressed all involved. However, she was thought not to suit the role of shy, awkward Rory Gilmore. Instead, the character of Paris Geller, Rory's intelligent and confident archenemy-turned-friend, was made for her.
3 Kaley Cuoco Auditioned For A Role That Ended Up Not Existing In The Big Bang Theory
Kaley Cuoco's character of Penny Teller in The Big Bang Theory became one of the show's most popular characters, beloved for her humor and her contrast with the more geeky scientists who made up the rest of the main cast. Cuoco always auditioned for the female lead, but that lead was initially a very different character.
In the series' initial pilot, Katie was a more down-to-earth and tough character who lives with Leonard and Sheldon after being left homeless. A less kind character than Penny, she was heavily retooled between the pilot and the main series, and actress Amanda Walsh was let go from the role. Instead, Cuoco, who had also auditioned for Katie, was cast as the new female lead.
2 Stephanie Beatriz Auditioned For A Very Different Role To Rosa
Despite being friends, Rosa Diaz and Amy Santiago were two very different characters in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Rosa was a tough-but-soft cop with a terrifying nature, known for carrying weapons and displaying bizarre skills. Amy Santiago was the more sensitive, neurotic, and by-the-book cop who acted as the superego for the detectives.
Despite the very different personalities of the characters, Stephanie Beatriz actually initially auditioned for Amy Santiago. After her audition, she was given a callback for Rosa — then known as Megan — and showed herself a natural fit for the role.
1 Rainn Wilson Auditioned For Michael Scott Before Becoming His Colleague
Dwight Schrute was one of The Office's best-known characters, the workplace nemesis of Jim Halpert and a bizarre, neurotic, power-hungry office bother. Rainn Wilson's performance was considered one of the best in the show, selling perfectly the strange character.
Initially, however, Wilson auditioned for one of the few roles larger than that of Dwight's, that of Office Manager Michael Scott. Wilson would late describe his audition as 'a bad Ricky Gervais' impression but apparently left enough of his mark that he was asked to audition for Dwight, a role he nailed.