5. Paul Giamatti: Michael Scott in The Office
The actor was still riding a wave of publicity after successful movie “Sideways” and didn’t like the idea of appearing in a TV show.
He turned the part down, and it became a major launching pad for Steve Carell.
Other actors that were considered to play the iconic boss included Ben Falcone, Alan Tudyk and Rainn Wilson who eventually went on to play Dwight instead.
Giamatti probably doesn’t regret his decision too much as he went on to star in hit films such as “Cinderella Man” opposite Russell Crowe, musical “Rock of Ages” with Tom Cruise and the recent Academy Award winner for Best Picture “12 Years a Slave.”
His decision also pleased Steve Carell who won critical acclaim as the hapless office manager. “The Office” is a UK sitcom created by comedians Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. The show was hugely successful both in the UK and the US and has won an impressive collection of Golden Globes, BAFTAS, Emmy Awards and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Buy “The Office” (The Complete Series) and enjoy more than 70 hours of laughter
It has been adapted for audiences in Germany, France, Chile, Sweden, Israel and Canada.
