10 Actors Whose Awful Audition Experiences That Become a Shame in Their Career
These actor-audition stories clearly show that even the most talented actors have sometimes failed. For example, one of the greatest actors of all time, Meryl Streep, was told she was unattractive enough for a role. Years later, she revealed the facts in an interview, and the story quickly gained popularity.
Not just Meryl Streep had a terrible audition. When actors make silly mistakes, like stuffing the bra with toilet paper or drinking too much the night before, things can get even worse. Even though the majority of them were unsuccessful, at least they have a compelling story to share.
Find out which Academy Award-winning star got drunk for his audition in the hopes of getting into character. Which matinée idol was dubbed "the worst actor he had ever seen" by Peter Jackson? When he auditioned for James Bond, which dashing British hunk was dubbed "chubby"?
Take a look at these times major auditions were blown by A-list actors.
It seems that everyone in the room was surprised. "And then afterward, they were like, 'Uh, that was great. That was really nice,' and I was like, 'Thank you,' and had to pick my shirt up off the floor and still talk to them and put it back on. It was inappropriate. And also still embarrassing, and I'm more embarrassed that I just told that story," she said.
The actress understood it wasn't the best performance in her career. "They think I'm such s—t that I'm here on a Sunday with the assistant, giving myself the finger in the mouth. This is a low point.," said Barrymore.
"I leaned down to get my bag, and somehow, the arm of toilet paper—it was God's joke— came and went out of my dress like that. So I had to pick up my ego and my toilet paper and walk out of the room," she said.
"I remember the director, Martin Campbell, saying, 'Looking a little chubby there, Henry,'" Cavill said. "I didn't know how to train or diet. And I'm glad Martin said something because I respond well to the truth. It helps me get better." Things did not work out for James Bond, but he was cast as Superman, a role that changed his life.
"Literally, Peter Jackson was like, [facepalm], he explained. " [He said,] 'You are the worst actor that I have ever seen. Did anyone tell you you're supposed to have an accent?'" Unsurprisingly, he didn't get the part, and Elijah Wood was chosen to play Frodo.
However, the injury had a positive outcome. When LeBranc told the story during the audition, Marta Kaufmann, the sow's creator, thought it was an event that could have happened to Joe Tribbiani, and he received the role.
Meryl Streep, then 26, auditioned for the lead role in King Kong in 1975. "Why do you bring me this ugly thing?" said director Federico De Laurentiis in Italian as Streep entered the room. "I'm sorry I'm not beautiful enough to be in King Kong," Streep responded in Italian.
"I was doing the scene, but in my head before saying each line, I was trying to do my Antonio Banderas impression, saying [in a Desperado voice] 'I am Prince Caspian!' It was horrendous. It sounded more like Borat," he stated in an interview.
Reynold did not reveal which film he was auditioning for, but he did discuss his performance. "So I did an audition where I had to sing, and it was pretty bad. It's one of those auditions that was so bad that I look back, and I think, 'What if that tape surfaces at some point? That'll be the death of me.''
Holland, unsurprisingly, did not get the role, and the actor confesses that the audition was not one of his best.
Not just Meryl Streep had a terrible audition. When actors make silly mistakes, like stuffing the bra with toilet paper or drinking too much the night before, things can get even worse. Even though the majority of them were unsuccessful, at least they have a compelling story to share.
Find out which Academy Award-winning star got drunk for his audition in the hopes of getting into character. Which matinée idol was dubbed "the worst actor he had ever seen" by Peter Jackson? When he auditioned for James Bond, which dashing British hunk was dubbed "chubby"?
Take a look at these times major auditions were blown by A-list actors.
#1 Dakota Johnson got too involved in the scene
Source: @lovelyxdakotaa
It seems that everyone in the room was surprised. "And then afterward, they were like, 'Uh, that was great. That was really nice,' and I was like, 'Thank you,' and had to pick my shirt up off the floor and still talk to them and put it back on. It was inappropriate. And also still embarrassing, and I'm more embarrassed that I just told that story," she said.
#2 Drew Barrymore had an audition in a basement
Source: @drewbarrymore
The actress understood it wasn't the best performance in her career. "They think I'm such s—t that I'm here on a Sunday with the assistant, giving myself the finger in the mouth. This is a low point.," said Barrymore.
#3 Felicity Huffman felt humiliated
Source: @marciacross_dh
"I leaned down to get my bag, and somehow, the arm of toilet paper—it was God's joke— came and went out of my dress like that. So I had to pick up my ego and my toilet paper and walk out of the room," she said.
#4 Henry Cavill was too chubby to play James Bond
Source: @henrycavill
"I remember the director, Martin Campbell, saying, 'Looking a little chubby there, Henry,'" Cavill said. "I didn't know how to train or diet. And I'm glad Martin said something because I respond well to the truth. It helps me get better." Things did not work out for James Bond, but he was cast as Superman, a role that changed his life.
#5 Jake Gyllenhaal got a harsh feedback
Source: The Playlist
"Literally, Peter Jackson was like, [facepalm], he explained. " [He said,] 'You are the worst actor that I have ever seen. Did anyone tell you you're supposed to have an accent?'" Unsurprisingly, he didn't get the part, and Elijah Wood was chosen to play Frodo.
#6 Matt LeBlanc suffered an injury before an audition
Source: @mleblanc
However, the injury had a positive outcome. When LeBranc told the story during the audition, Marta Kaufmann, the sow's creator, thought it was an event that could have happened to Joe Tribbiani, and he received the role.
#7 Meryl Streep was too ugly for a role
Source: @merylstreep
Meryl Streep, then 26, auditioned for the lead role in King Kong in 1975. "Why do you bring me this ugly thing?" said director Federico De Laurentiis in Italian as Streep entered the room. "I'm sorry I'm not beautiful enough to be in King Kong," Streep responded in Italian.
#8 Nicholas Hoult And His Spanish Accent
Source: @nicholashoult
"I was doing the scene, but in my head before saying each line, I was trying to do my Antonio Banderas impression, saying [in a Desperado voice] 'I am Prince Caspian!' It was horrendous. It sounded more like Borat," he stated in an interview.
#9 Ryan Reynolds Gets Nervous When He Has To Sing
Source: @vancityreynolds
Reynold did not reveal which film he was auditioning for, but he did discuss his performance. "So I did an audition where I had to sing, and it was pretty bad. It's one of those auditions that was so bad that I look back, and I think, 'What if that tape surfaces at some point? That'll be the death of me.''
#10 Tom Holland Could Not Stop Laughing
Source: @tomholland2013
Holland, unsurprisingly, did not get the role, and the actor confesses that the audition was not one of his best.
Share this article
Advertisement