10 Times Actors Were So Desperate for a Role They Begged and Pleaded
Have you ever wanted a job so badly that pride stopped mattering? In Hollywood, that feeling hits even the biggest names. Casting is unpredictable, directors are stubborn, and sometimes the only move left is to plead your case out loud. These actors didn’t hope for the phone to ring. They chased the role, pushing past rejection, and occasionally embarrassed themselves to get what they wanted.
William H. Macy (Jerry Lundegaard)
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When William H. Macy read the script for Fargo, he felt strongly drawn to it. He first auditioned for another role and did not get it. Instead of walking away, he followed the casting process closely and became convinced Jerry Lundegaard was meant for him. Macy flew to New York without being invited and showed up at auditions to make his case directly to the Coen brothers. His confidence paid off. The role became one of the most disturbing and memorable performances of his career.
Kate Winslet (Rose DeWitt Bukater)
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After reading the Titanic script, Kate Winslet contacted director James Cameron directly and made clear she wanted the role. After auditioning, she heard nothing back. Winslet then sent Cameron roses signed “From your Rose.” He eventually cast her. Winslet went on to star in a film that grossed about $2.2 billion worldwide and helped redefine what a blockbuster lead could look like.
Leonardo DiCaprio (Amsterdam Vallon)
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As for Leonardo DiCaprio, Gangs of New York became his mission. He hunted down the script specifically to access Martin Scorsese, then pitched himself relentlessly as Amsterdam Vallon. Financing leverage helped, but conviction sealed it. That insistence sparked a collaboration that reshaped Leo’s career and modern prestige filmmaking for the next two decades of influential cinema worldwide.
Charlize Theron (Anna)
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Casting expectations worked against Charlize Theron on A Million Ways to Die in the West. Studios rarely looked to her for broad comedy, which made the role a harder sell. After finishing the script, she reached out to Seth MacFarlane herself and asked directly for Anna. She stayed persistent despite doubts about fit. MacFarlane eventually agreed, giving her room to shape the role. The result surprised audiences and shifted how her range was discussed in mainstream comedy circles.
Julia Roberts (Vivian Ward)
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When Pretty Woman was taking shape, Richard Gere had already turned the role down. Julia Roberts stepped in and personally pushed for him, convinced he was right for Edward. She spoke with him at length about the tone and the characters, easing his doubts. Gere eventually agreed. Their chemistry elevated the film, turning a small romantic project into a global box-office hit that defined the genre for years.
Sally Field (Mary Todd Lincoln)
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Concerns about age almost kept Sally Field from playing Mary Todd Lincoln. Steven Spielberg was unsure she fit the role, but Field did not let the idea go. She repeatedly asked for a chance to audition and eventually secured a screen test with Daniel Day-Lewis, who flew in from Ireland. The test changed everything. Field was cast and later earned an Academy Award nomination for a performance that became one of the most closely examined portrayals in American film history.
Shailene Woodley (Hazel Grace Lancaster)
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Before casting began, Shailene Woodley emailed author John Green about The Fault in Our Stars, explaining her connection to Hazel and requesting an audition. The writer lacked casting power but encouraged it. Shailene won over the director independently, leading a film that connected deeply with emotionally invested young audiences worldwide, across theaters and reader communities.
Channing Tatum (Jody Domergue)
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Email persistence became Channing Tatum’s way in. Eager to work with Quentin Tarantino on The Hateful Eight, he wrote to him every day for weeks. Tatum openly shared his concern that other actors might take the role first. Tarantino eventually cast him as Jody Domergue. The surprise mid-film reveal caught audiences off guard and sparked immediate buzz in theaters and online during opening weekend.
Ryan Gosling (Unconfirmed Role)
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While filming Blade Runner 2049, Ryan Gosling asked Harrison Ford to mention him to Steven Spielberg for the Indiana Jones role. Ryan publicly acknowledged he was still working on it. As development continued, no role materialized, proving that persistence sometimes ends without payoff, even for bankable stars navigating long-running legacy series controlled by cautious studios and constantly shifting schedules.
Carey Mulligan (Sissy Sullivan)
Credit: IMDb
When Steve McQueen asked if she could sing for Shame, Carey Mulligan said yes, even though she could not. Panic set in, followed by urgent lessons. McQueen wanted the song captured in one uninterrupted take. Mulligan went through with it and delivered. That risk reinforced her reputation for total commitment and fearlessness, shaping how directors and casting teams spoke about her work afterward.