The one-of-kind star was director Frank Capra's first choice to play "Mary Hatch Bailey."

De Havilland was one of the many major actresses at the time offered the role of Mary Bailey, opposite her former real life sweetheart Jimmy Stewart. She rejected it, taking an Oscar winning role instead in to Each His Own. It was the third role Frank Capra thought of her for, but unfortunately they never worked with each other.

Another actress offered the role of Mary Bailey .

Frank Capra considered using W.C. Fields in the role of Uncle Billy.

Grant was the top choice for It's a Wonderful Life when the film was still titled "The Greatest Gift."

Was under consideration to play villainous "Mr. Potter" in director Frank Capra's classic.

Ginger Rogers was asked to play the part of Mary, the wife of George Bailey, but turned it down because the part was so small.