20 Things You Didn't Know About A Serious Man
12. The Film's Indirect Endorsement From Harold Ramis
It is a fairly well-known fact that esteemed actor and director Harold Ramis preferred directing and writing to acting. This was evident in his choices as one of the many behind-the-scenes creative voices in films such as Ghostbusters (in addition to having a starring role), Groundhog Day, and National Lampoon's Vacation.
So it came as something of a surprise when his daughter, Violet Ramis Stiel, stated in her memoir that A Serious Man was one that the late filmmaker was interested in acting in. She stated that he never got the chance to be in the film despite auditioning for a yet unknown role.
It is interesting to speculate on what the role could have been, though it is easy to imagine him in the role of Sy Abelman due to Ramis' calm demeanour and would have served as a fitting final film for the comic giant.