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 Roles turned down by Gary Cooper:

Foreign Correspondent
Cooper admitted later that he regretted having turned down the chance to star as an American newspaper man caught in a web of spies in Alfred Hitchcock's classic.
Actor who got the part: Joel McCrea

Gone with the Wind
Gary Cooper was seriously considered for the part of Rhett Butler.
Actor who got the part: Clark Gable

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Gary Cooper was director Frank Capra's first choice to play Jefferson Smith.
Actor who got the part: James Stewart

The Night of the Hunter
Gary Cooper was considered for the role of the phony preacher which eventually went to Robert Mitchum.
Actor who got the part: Robert Mitchum

Red River
Director Howard Hawks originally offered the starring role in his masterrful Western to Cooper, who declined it because he felt the role was too driven and ruthless to suit his screen image.
Actor who got the part: John Wayne

Saboteur
Gary Cooper turned down the chance to work for director Alfred Hitchcock, who wanted him to play an innocent man on the run.
Actor who got the part: Robert Cummings

Stagecoach
Legendary producer David O. Selznick refused to make this classic Western unless Gary Cooper played "The Ringo Kid."
Actor who got the part: John Wayne

A Star Is Born (1954)
Cooper declined the great role of "Norman Maine," the major movie star aging and falling on hard times.
Actor who got the part: James Mason






Did you know that Gary Cooper was not the only choice for these movies? (click to learn more)
» Design for Living
» High Noon
» Love in the Afternoon
» Sergeant York

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