10 Iconic TV Characters Only ONE Actor Could Play

5. George Constanza - Seinfeld

Scott Bakula Quantum Leap
NBC

Just try and picture anyone but Jason Alexander playing the role of Seinfeld's George Constanza. It just isn't possible.

You might be able to imagine other actors playing Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), and Kramer (Michael Richards), but Alexander owns the George character in such an overpowering way that it's nigh-on impossible to separate the two.

Though George is based largely on Seinfeld co-creator Larry David himself, David didn't even consider playing George as he believed that NBC wouldn't approve his casting.

The casting process for George was lengthy and frustrating, but once David and Jerry Seinfeld saw Jason Alexander audition, they apparently knew he was the man for the job after he'd spoken just two lines.

Simply, most actors would screw up George: they'd either play him as too much of a cartoon in order to soften his edges or conversely make him too much of an obnoxious a**hole to the point of irritation.

But Alexander's performance is laser-dialled into David's comedic sensibilities, and given that David was literally unable to play the part himself, there was nobody better to fill the shoes.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.