3. Burt Ward - Benjamin Braddock (The Graduate)
If you've never heard of Burt Ward, it's probably because you've never seen him in anything - that is, unless you're a fan of the old
Batman TV series from the '60s. You know, the campy one with the Godawful costumes and title cards that appear to let you know the difference between a "ka-pow!" and a "zok!" Ward might have become more famous, though, he had ended up playing the famous character he was originally suppose to have played. That's right: Robin was the first person cast as lost twentysomething Benjamin Braddock in Mike Nichols' seminal masterpiece,
The Graduate. If you've seen Ward at work, you'll know he isn't the most subtle actor, but he got through the audition process and was considered to be the director's first choice. Sadly,
Batman wouldn't have let him take the role due to contractual obligations, and he had to pass. Dustin Hoffman filled in, of course, and the rest his history. Though I certainly feel sorry for Ward, I'm seriously glad Hoffman won out in the end.