These Actors Lied To Land Major Movie And TV Roles

Auditions in Hollywood are incredibly competitive, so some actors exaggerate or even lie to get a chance. They might claim to be younger or say they can do things they haven’t mastered yet, hoping to land the role and then quickly learn the necessary skills. Often, this involves intense, last-minute training or finding clever ways to hide their lack of experience during filming.

Mila Kunis – ‘That ’70s Show’

When Mila Kunis auditioned for the role, she told casting directors she was 18, even though she was only 14. The part required actors to be adults, so she technically wasn’t lying – she would be 18 on her birthday, but she didn’t mention the year. After impressing the producers with several successful auditions and a great fit with the other actors, they discovered her real age. They decided to keep her, but had to make changes to the production to follow child labor laws.

Laurence Fishburne – ‘Apocalypse Now’

Laurence Fishburne lied about his age to get a role as a young soldier, telling producers he was sixteen when he was actually fourteen. They accepted this age initially, allowing him to be cast in the film. Because the shoot was so long, he actually turned sixteen during filming, making the initial misrepresentation unimportant. This allowed him to legally work on the project in different locations until his true age no longer mattered.

Ben Hardy – ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’

Ben Hardy confidently told the team he could learn to play the drums to play Roger Taylor in the film, even though he hadn’t played before. Once he got the part, he practiced for hours every day to perfectly recreate Taylor’s drumming style and stage presence. The filmmakers worked with music experts and editors to ensure the live performance footage matched the pre-recorded music seamlessly. By the time they filmed the concert scenes, Ben’s drumming technique and how he held the sticks looked incredibly similar to the original footage, allowing for detailed close-up shots.

Emilia Clarke – ‘Game of Thrones’

I remember hearing that Emilia Clarke told the producers she was already pretty good at horseback riding when she first auditioned. Because the show had so many big scenes – lots of travel and battles – they quickly got her some training. She worked with the horse wranglers to learn everything, from getting on and off the horse to controlling it, and even how to stay safe around all the fire effects and cameras. While the really dangerous stuff was done by stunt doubles, Emilia got so good she was able to do a lot of the riding herself in medium shots and even while delivering lines on horseback.

Kit Harington – ‘Game of Thrones’

To impress casting directors, Kit Harington demonstrated he was already skilled at horseback riding and sword fighting. Once he was cast, he underwent intense training, learning the basics of sword fighting, proper footwork, and how to safely perform fight scenes. The production team also scheduled regular riding lessons to help him build stamina for long, cold shoots while wearing heavy armor. The stunt team created consistent fight choreography to ensure his skills looked believable in every episode.

Sam Claflin – ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’

Sam Claflin shared that he was a strong swimmer, which helped him get the role because of scenes involving water. After being cast, he trained in special tanks to learn how to hold his breath and stay safe while working with the water team. The crew practiced how to enter and exit the water, and how to look at each other underwater, to make sure the footage could be used in the final edit. When the conditions were dangerous, stunt doubles and pre-recorded footage were used, but Sam performed all the close-up shots himself.

Anne Hathaway – ‘The Dark Knight Rises’

Anne Hathaway proved she was capable of riding the unique motorcycle used in Catwoman’s action scenes. She immediately began training with vehicle experts, learning how to control the throttle, get on and off the bike, and move safely while cameras were rolling. While stunt professionals handled the fast-paced riding, Anne focused on slower speeds and stationary positions to maintain consistent dialogue and eye lines. Through careful planning and rehearsals, the team created the convincing effect of smooth, continuous riding in all the shots.

Jenna Fischer – ‘The Office’ (2005–2013)

I was so impressed watching Jenna Fischer become Pam! It wasn’t just acting; she really lived the part of a receptionist. She drilled things like handling multiple phone lines, taking messages perfectly, and just generally how an office runs, so she looked completely natural behind the desk. Even the little details – the forms, call sheets, and all those sticky notes – were there to make it feel real. Honestly, her understanding of how a small office feels is a big reason why those long takes in the show felt so authentic and captured the everyday hustle so well.

Rebel Wilson – Early Film And TV Roles

Rebel Wilson used a slightly altered age and backstory when she first started acting to increase her chances of getting cast in certain comedy roles that called for older performers. After becoming well-known, she corrected those details, but continued to succeed based on her talent and how well her movies performed. This shows how an actor’s perceived age can affect the kinds of parts they’re offered.

Javier Bardem – ‘The Counselor’

Javier Bardem was comfortable driving fast cars for scenes that needed accurate movements. The production team provided training with professional stunt drivers to help him practice hitting specific points on the track, braking correctly, and accelerating safely while cameras were attached. They planned out closed courses and ran through the scenes many times to make filming go smoothly. For the most dangerous stunts, a stunt double took over, while Javier focused on delivering his lines and preparing for the next approach.

Tell us about the most unbelievable story you’ve heard about how an actor was cast in a role, and let us know which one shocked you the most! Share your stories in the comments.

2025-11-04 07:17