Rob Lowe
It happens all the time in Hollywood: Big-name actors get passed over for plum TV roles, while others turn their nose up at shows they think don't have a chance. Now find out who got dumped and who declined.
Role Reversal: Rob Lowe was originally considered to play Derek Shepherd, aka Dr. McDreamy, on 'Grey's Anatomy.'
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Role Reversal: Lowe wasn't so lucky. But Dempsey -- the one-time washed up teen heartthrob -- couldn't find work and almost gave up acting for good before landing the role of Dr. McDreamy on 'Grey's Anatomy.' He had previously auditioned (unsuccessfully, of course) for the lead role on Fox’s 'House,' which later went to Hugh Laurie.
Alicia Silverstone
Role Reversal: You remember her for her breakthrough role as the airheaded Cher in the hit teen flick 'Clueless.' But believe it or not, Alicia Silverstone was considered for the angst-ridden role Claire Daines made famous on the cult classic 'My So-Called Life.'
Blythe Danner
Role Reversal: Blythe Danner was the original choice to play Charlie and Alan's mother on the CBS comedy ‘Two and a Half Men.’ She even started rehearsing with the cast but had to drop out because of other conflicts.
Role Reversal: Chad Michael Murray was offered the role of Ryan Atwood on 'The O.C.,' but he turned it down to play Lucas on 'One Tree Hill.' We ask you: Which was the better pick?
Don Johnson
Role Reversal: Don Johnson, Miami's finest, was considered for the lead role of Sin City hotel surveillance expert Ed Deline on the popular NBC show ‘Las Vegas.' The role later went to James Caan.
Heather Locklear
Role Reversal: Heather Locklear, television's favorite go-to girl, was just one of the actresses originally considered for Susan Mayer, the lead role on 'Desperate Housewives.' Calista Flockhart, Mary-Louise Parker and Courteney Cox were among the others.
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Role Reversal: Jennifer Jason Leigh was approached to play the part of crash survivor Libby on ‘Lost,' but the 'Single White Female' star turned the role down. (Wonder if she's still kicking herself over that decision.) She has instead appeared in a handful of small, independent films.
Role Reversal: Are you a Battlestar Galactica fan? Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell were hand-picked for their roles, but before he landed 'Two and a Half Men,' Jon Cryer auditioned and lost the part of Gaius Baltar.
Role Reversal: Back on Wisteria Lane, Marcia Cross originally auditioned for the part of Mary Alice Young, but was upgraded to a larger role and cast as Bree Van De Camp. Nicollette Sheridan initially tried for Bree, but she was cast as sex pot Edie Britt instead.
Ray Liotta
Role Reversal: It's hard to imagine anyone other than James Gandolfini playing the role of mob boss Tony Soprano. But that wasn't always the case. Before the first season got under way, Ray Liotta was HBO's top choice for the role.
Role Reversal: Scott Foley was originally cast as Ben on ‘Felicity,' but the producers couldn't find the right guy to play resident advisor Noel. They asked Foley to take the role while they found someone else to play Ben ... and kept it that way.
Sela Ward
Role Reversal: TV veteran Sela Ward was offered the role of DNA specialist Megan Donner on ‘CSI: Miami,’ but she turned it down. No big deal because actress Kim Delaney quickly accepted. And the rest, as they say, is TV history.
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Where Are They Now?
Now that you've got the inside casting scoop, check out what's become of some of your favorite child TV stars.
Plus:
· Reality TV Stars M.I.A.
· On the Set: Pussycat Dolls
· What Would Number Six Do?
