20 Gay Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Straight Roles Everyone Regrets

It’s fascinating to think about how different movies and TV shows could have been with different actors. Many well-known gay and bisexual actors have turned down famous roles that ultimately became known for portraying straight, traditionally masculine characters or love stories. While sometimes these decisions were due to practical reasons like busy schedules or creative disagreements, other times actors worried about being limited to certain types of roles or simply weren’t comfortable with the material.

Ian McKellen

After Richard Harris passed away, the acclaimed British actor Sir Ian McKellen was asked to play Albus Dumbledore in ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.’ However, McKellen turned down the role because Harris had previously dismissed his acting as skilled but lacking in emotion. McKellen didn’t feel it would be right to take over the part from someone who hadn’t respected his work. Ultimately, Michael Gambon took on the role of the Hogwarts headmaster and played him for the rest of the ‘Harry Potter’ films.

Rock Hudson

Rock Hudson was a major Hollywood star when he was offered the lead role in the 1959 epic film ‘Ben-Hur.’ He turned it down because his agent thought the movie was a gamble, and he didn’t want to be seen wearing sandals. Charlton Heston ended up playing the part, winning an Oscar for his performance, and the film became a classic. Hudson later said that refusing the role of Judah Ben-Hur was the biggest regret of his career.

Montgomery Clift

Montgomery Clift was originally cast as the lead in the 1950 film ‘Sunset Boulevard’. However, he left the project just before filming started, feeling the story of a younger man involved with an older woman was too similar to his own relationship with singer Libby Holman. William Holden took his place and gave a memorable performance, earning an Oscar nomination. After that, Clift focused on playing complex, challenging characters to move away from being seen as a typical handsome leading man.

Cary Grant

Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, the producers of the first James Bond film, really wanted Cary Grant to play 007 in ‘Dr. No’ (1962). Grant was the model for the character as described in the original novels, but at 58, he wasn’t willing to commit to a series of films. He would only agree to do one movie, which didn’t fit with the studio’s vision of building a long-running franchise. Ultimately, Sean Connery got the part and started what became the most popular spy series ever made.

Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando was originally offered the lead role of T.E. Lawrence in the classic 1962 film ‘Lawrence of Arabia.’ However, he declined, not wanting to commit to months of filming in the desert. He chose instead to film ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ in Tahiti. Peter O’Toole then took on the role and gave a performance many consider to be one of the best ever put to film. Brando later said he didn’t want to spend two years riding a camel.

Alan Cumming

Scottish actor Alan Cumming was considered for the role of Gilderoy Lockhart in ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’ (2002). He rejected the offer when he found the proposed salary disrespectful, especially compared to what fellow actor Rupert Everett was likely to earn. Cumming also learned the studio was unfairly auditioning both him and Everett for the same part. Ultimately, Kenneth Branagh landed the role and brought a touch of Shakespearean style to the character.

Tim Curry

I was so surprised to learn that Tim Curry was originally offered the part of the villain in the live-action ‘Scooby-Doo’ movie! Apparently, he turned it down because he loved the original cartoon so much. He found out they were including Scrappy-Doo, a character a lot of fans didn’t care for, and didn’t want to risk ruining his happy memories of the show by being involved in something he thought might not be great. That’s a true fan for you! Ultimately, Rowan Atkinson ended up playing the role instead, and Tim Curry wisely stayed away to protect the classic ‘Scooby-Doo’ he cherished.

David Bowie

David Bowie was asked to play the villain in the 1985 James Bond film, ‘A View to a Kill,’ starring Roger Moore. He turned down the role because he didn’t want to commit to the lengthy and demanding stunt work, preferring to concentrate on filming ‘Labyrinth’ and his music. Christopher Walken ultimately played the part, becoming known for his uniquely strange portrayal of the villain. Bowie later said he thought the script was too predictable.

Jim Parsons

Jim Parsons surprised everyone when he declined a rumored $50 million to stay on as Sheldon Cooper for two more seasons of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ (2007–2019). His departure essentially ended the show after twelve seasons, as the writers didn’t want to continue without him. He felt he’d fully explored the character and was eager to return to theater and pursue more serious acting roles. ‘The Big Bang Theory’ finished its run as the longest-running multi-camera comedy series in TV history.

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller decided not to return for a possible sixth season of ‘Prison Break’ because he wants to focus on playing gay characters. He felt that stories about straight men had been overdone and he wanted to prioritize roles that reflected his own identity. His decision meant the planned revival of the show was cancelled, but fans applauded his commitment to authentic representation over financial gain.

Neil Patrick Harris

After successfully hosting the Tony Awards, CBS asked Neil Patrick Harris to replace David Letterman on ‘The Late Show’ in 2015. However, Harris declined the offer. He worried that doing a nightly show would become too routine and didn’t want to commit to one type of program. Harris valued having a diverse career and wanted to remain available for acting roles and Broadway performances. Ultimately, Stephen Colbert was chosen as Letterman’s successor.

John Gielgud

The famous British actor was George Bernard Shaw’s first choice to play the Roman leader in the 1945 movie ‘Caesar and Cleopatra.’ However, John Gielgud turned down the role because he didn’t like the director, Gabriel Pascal, and didn’t believe in his creative ideas. Claude Rains ended up playing the part alongside Vivien Leigh in what was then the most costly British film ever made. Gielgud kept working on stage and stayed away from the film’s difficult production.

Charles Laughton

Charles Laughton was first chosen to play the cheerful character of Wilkins Micawber in the 1935 film version of ‘David Copperfield.’ However, after filming for two days, he asked to be let out of his contract. He worried he couldn’t convincingly portray the character’s baldness and personality. The studio then cast W.C. Fields, who gave a hilarious performance that’s still celebrated. Laughton was known for being self-conscious about his looks and often felt he wasn’t right for roles that called for a more lighthearted approach.

Farley Granger

After Marlon Brando left the historical epic ‘The Egyptian’ (1954), Stewart Granger was first in line to take the lead role. However, he declined the offer. He was dissatisfied with his contract and eager to focus on more challenging theater work. Edmund Purdom ended up playing the part, but the film wasn’t well-received by critics or audiences. Granger would rather risk being suspended by the studio than take on roles he didn’t believe were worthy of his talent.

Tab Hunter

Warner Bros. hoped to reunite Tab Hunter and Natalie Wood for another film, ‘Bombers B-52’ (1957), hoping to benefit from their on-screen chemistry. However, Hunter turned down the part because he felt he was being offered shallow roles and wanted to challenge himself as an actor. This decision created tension with the studio heads who managed his career, and the role ultimately went to someone else after the script was revised.

Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry was offered a prominent role in the 2008 historical thriller ‘Valkyrie,’ which starred Tom Cruise. Unfortunately, he couldn’t take the part of one of the plotters against Hitler because it conflicted with his existing TV work. The film was a hit, and appearing in it would have exposed Fry to a wider international audience in a serious, dramatic role. He’s said he wishes the timing had worked out so he could have been part of the cast.

Elton John

The famous musician was first considered for the lead role in the beloved film ‘Harold and Maude’ (1971), playing the character of a teenager fascinated with death. However, he chose to concentrate on his rapidly growing music career, which was quickly becoming a chart-topper. Bud Cort ultimately played Harold and shared a special connection with Ruth Gordon, becoming a defining aspect of the movie. Although the musician has said he’s happy he pursued music, he still enjoys the film.

Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury was asked to play Rodolfo in a Broadway version of ‘La Bohème’ with Linda Ronstadt, but he declined. He felt his voice wasn’t strong enough to handle performing eight shows a week, and he also didn’t want to take time away from recording and touring with Queen. The show went on without him, and it’s an interesting part of his life story.

Alec Guinness

The celebrated actor was offered the leading role of Alec Leamas in the 1965 film ‘The Spy Who Came in from the Cold,’ but he declined. He worried the character was too much like roles he’d already played and didn’t want to become known for playing consistently dark, serious characters. Richard Burton ultimately took the part and was nominated for an Academy Award for his realistic and compelling performance as the world-weary spy. Later, the actor expressed regret for turning down the script, as the film is now widely considered a classic of the spy genre.

Matt Bomer

A huge fan campaign wanted Matt Bomer to play Christian Grey in the 2015 movie ‘Fifty Shades of Grey,’ but the author and studio ultimately went in a different direction. Bomer didn’t actively campaign for the role himself, and politely acknowledged he wouldn’t be pursuing it, expressing gratitude for the fan support and saying he was happy to see who they cast. Jamie Dornan eventually landed the part, and the ‘Fifty Shades’ films became incredibly successful financially, even though critics didn’t like them.

Let us know in the comments which of these actors you think would have been perfect for these iconic roles.

2025-12-08 22:17