9 Brilliant Actresses Who Had Troubles In Getting The Role Due To Their Looks

Hollywood is famously obsessed with youth and beauty. While some actors’ incredible acting skills are undeniable, ageism and physical appearance have been obstacles in their careers.
Although there is progress in terms of the representation of women on the big screen, better late than never, we’re still seeing older actresses shut out and weird pairings being made. It is one of the main reasons that shake the casting directors in hiring an actor. Sometimes, actresses’ appearances don’t match the characters. The problem comes with several surprising stories of great actresses who were dropped from iconic roles.
Below is a list of 9 actresses who are so brilliant but had problems getting roles because of their looks.

#1 Kate Beckinsale

Source: © Pearl Harbor / Jerry Bruckheimer Films and co-producers

The attractive actress, Kate Beckinsale, played beauties on screen time many times. But, she was considered that her beauty was not enough for a role once. The actress shared that  Pearl Harbor film director didn’t think she was beautiful enough for the role of Nurse Evelyn. Despite getting the role, she underwent a strict diet and exercised a lot.

#2 Keira Knightley

Source: © Pride & Prejudice / Universal Pictures and co-producers

Sometimes, Keira Knightley's beauty cost her a role. When she auditioned for "Pride and Prejudice", the director didn't want to hire her because she was so pretty. Anyway, she landed the role.

#3 Emma Thompson

Source: © Sense and Sensibility / Columbia Pictures and co-producers

The actress has encountered ageism throughout her career because someone said she was too old to play Hugh Grant’s love in "Sense and Sensibility". She was only a year older than him.

#4 Amanda Seyfried

Source: © Mamma Mia! / Universal Pictures and co-producers

Amanda Seyfried was criticized for her body shape. She almost missed the chances to play several roles because of her weight. To be cast for the role in the movie, "Mamma Mia!", the actress had to work out a lot.

#5 Amy Schumer

Source: © Trainwreck / Universal Pictures and co-producers

Amy Schumer revealed that if she didn't lose weight, she'd never get the role. Before shooting "Trainwreck", she was told that an actress should never weight more than 140 pounds. At the time, Schumer succumbed to the pressure and dropped a few pounds. She told that she'd never do it again.

#6 Mädchen Amick

Source: © Gilmore Girls / Warner Bros. Television and co-producers

Mädchen Amick almost got the role of Lorelai in "Gilmore Girls" because producers changed their minds, thinking she was too young to play a mother. Eventually, Lauren Graham landed the role, but she is only 3 years older than Amick.

#7 Meryl Streep

Source: © The Devil Wears Prada / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers

Meryl Streep thought that her career was over at the age of 40. She was offered the roles of witches 3 times in a year's time. But she managed to break this stereotype, portraying many other memorable characters. Eventually, she played a witch though, but it happened when she was 65.

#8 Emmy Rossum

Source: © Shameless / Warner Bros. Television and co-producers

Many might not know that Emmy Rossum almost didn't star in "Shameless". The producers didn't let her audition because she was too glamorous and beautiful to play a girl from a dysfunctional family. She made a video of herself as Fiona and sent it to the producers of the show. After 3 more auditions, she got what she wanted.

#9 Olivia Wilde

Source: © The Lazarus Effect / Lionsgate and co-producers

Olivia Wilde missed the chance to become a part of "The Wolf of Wall Street". The casting directors said she was too old to play the main character's wife. Finally, Margot Robbie got the role and she was 6 years younger than Wilde.