15 Actors Who Foolishly Turned Down Career-Making TV Roles

12. Paul Giamatti Was Almost Michael Scott - The Office

Since the American spin-off of The Office premiered in early 2005 on NBC, many rumours have come to light of various actors who were up for different roles on the show but for one reason or another, didn't get the part. To many viewers' surprise, Steve Carell wasn't producers' first choice to play Michael Scott. They instead had their sights set on Paul Giamatti who was fresh off of 2004's Sideways, which had just received an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay along with four other nominations at the 77th annual Oscars. Giamatti was offered the role of Dunder-Mifflin's dysfunctional boss when the show was still in development but ultimately turned it down. While Giamatti probably kicks himself every once in a while for missing out on the show, he has carved out a very successful career nonetheless in both dramas and comedies such as the aforementioned Sideways, American Splendor, The Illusionist and Win Win, and he's set to baffle and delight in equal measure as the most unlikely member of The Amazing Spider-Man 2's rogue's gallery. So he's probably not short a few dollars - but it would have been an issue of boosted profile, rather than monetary gain. Overall, Giamatti denying the role turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it gave former Daily Show correspondent, Steve Carell the chance to blossom in a role that was ultimately perfect for him until he departed after seven seasons to focus on his movie career, which many still think was a mistake in itself.