Jamie Lee Curtis recently shared that she was nearly considered for a pivotal role in The Exorcist as a child, shedding light on a remarkable moment in her early career. The revelation about the Jamie Lee Curtis Exorcist audition emerged during her appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, offering new perspective on one of Hollywood’s most iconic horror films.
Origins of a Missed Opportunity for Jamie Lee Curtis
As a young teenager, Jamie Lee Curtis was approached to try out for the famous 1970s film The Exorcist, a project being produced by Ray Stark, who was a friend of her mother, Janet Leigh. The request to audition came directly to her mother, reflecting the close connections in Hollywood at the time. Curtis recounted how Stark reached out, showing interest in her energetic personality and on-screen potential.
“He called my mom and said, ‘Hey, I’m producing the movie of the book The Exorcist. Will you let Jamie audition for it?’”
– Jamie Lee Curtis, Actor
At the age of around 12, Curtis was described as lively and full of personality, traits noticed by Stark at social gatherings. Despite the potential opportunity in such a high-profile production, Curtis’s mother declined the audition request, driven by her own priorities for her daughter’s well-being.
“At the time I was probably 12 and, like, cute and kind of sassy and I had some personality and I’m sure he saw me at a party and was like, ‘Oh, she’d be funny.’”
– Jamie Lee Curtis, Actor
Janet Leigh’s Decision to Protect Childhood
Janet Leigh, herself a celebrated actress, decided not to let Jamie Lee audition for The Exorcist. Leigh’s rationale stemmed from her desire to ensure her daughter had a normal upbringing, free from the demands and pressures of the film industry at such a young, formative age. Speaking about this pivotal moment, Curtis expressed gratitude for her mother’s foresight.
“My mom really wanted me to have, thank God, a childhood.”
– Jamie Lee Curtis, Actor
Linda Blair eventually took on the iconic role in The Exorcist, solidifying her status in horror cinema history. Even though Curtis did not join the cast, the film still played a surprising role in her own life a few years later.
The Exorcist’s Lasting Impact on Jamie Lee Curtis
Although she never appeared in the movie, The Exorcist had a lingering effect on Curtis. At a birthday party when she turned fifteen, Curtis hosted a screening of the film in her family home, which had its own cinema setup. The experience left a deep impression, with the film’s intense horror impacting both her and her friends at school.
“We had a house that actually had a screening capability and we screened The Exorcist for my fifteenth birthday, for my friends,”
– Jamie Lee Curtis, Actor
“It scared me so badly that my friends would taunt me in school.”
– Jamie Lee Curtis, Actor
Jamie Lee Curtis’s Rise to Scream Queen Status
Despite her early fear of horror movies, Curtis forged a celebrated career as one of Hollywood’s original ‘Scream Queens.’ Her breakthrough came in 1978 with Halloween, which launched both her stardom and a trend of strong female leads in the genre. Curtis has openly described the early days of her career as driven by excitement and a lack of expectation among the young crew and cast.
“We had nothing to lose; we didn’t know that we had anything to gain,”
– Jamie Lee Curtis, Actor
“We were just so happy to have this gig.”
– Jamie Lee Curtis, Actor
“The original Halloween was made in 17 days with like 12 people,”
– Jamie Lee Curtis, Actor
“Everybody was young. There was magic happening and none of us, not one person—I would dare say even [director] John Carpenter and [writer] Debra Hill—I don’t think anybody knew.”
– Jamie Lee Curtis, Actor
Other Near-Misses: Hollywood’s Iconic Casting Choices
Jamie Lee Curtis’s near-audition for The Exorcist is one of many fascinating stories of stars almost landing iconic television and film roles. Glen Powell, for example, auditioned for Tim Riggins on Friday Night Lights, though the part ultimately went to Taylor Kitsch. Similarly, Chris Pine lost the role of Ryan Atwood on The O.C. due in part to challenges with acne as a teenager.
“I had awful skin as a teenager,”
– Chris Pine, Actor
“and then I when I came after college, my skin started breaking out again.”
– Chris Pine, Actor
Jason Biggs reflected on passing up the lead in How I Met Your Mother as a major regret, while Alden Ehrenreich nearly played Dan on Gossip Girl, losing out due to concerns about his height compared to Blake Lively.
Rob Lowe famously declined the character Derek Shepherd on Grey’s Anatomy—his turn-down resulted in what he later joked was a significant financial loss, and a mismatch for his career preferences at the time.
“That’s probably cost me $70 million,”
– Rob Lowe, Actor
“and when they started calling the handsome doctor ‘McDreamy,’ I was like, ‘yeah, that’s not for me.’”
– Rob Lowe, Actor
Missed Roles That Changed Television and Film
Major stars nearly cast in genre-defining roles are a Hollywood staple. Benedict Cumberbatch tried out for Bill Compton in True Blood, Jessica Chastain for Sookie Stackhouse, and Jennifer Lawrence came close to being cast as Crystal Norris—but her age played a factor in the decision. Lindsay Pulsipher ultimately got the part.
Tiffani Thiessen auditioned for Rachel on Friends but was considered too young, while Katherine Langford almost played Betty Cooper on Riverdale. According to Riverdale’s Camila Mendes, she socialized with Langford and other hopefuls during the process.
“I remember we went out and we got falafel with a guy who was auditioning for Archie,”
– Camila Mendes, Actor
The Unknowns Behind Famous Faces
Katherine Heigl could have become Jen Lindley on Dawson’s Creek, though the role ultimately went another direction, as creator Kevin Williamson explored star options. Selma Blair was nearly cast as Joey Potter, only for Katie Holmes’s memorable audition tape to sway the choice dramatically.
“She looked slightly older at that time. Even though she was younger, I just think she was more mature,”
– Kevin Williamson, Creator
“She gave a great audition, I remember we were all sort of like, ‘Wow, she’s good.’”
– Kevin Williamson, Creator
“I really loved Selma until, of course, I got the infamous videotape from the basement of the Holmes family in Toledo, Ohio,”
– Kevin Williamson, Creator
“And when that video showed up, it changed my whole life.”
– Kevin Williamson, Creator
Alternates Who Waited in the Wings
Lisa Edelstein nearly portrayed Sex and the City’s lead Carrie Bradshaw and was even under contract, pending Sarah Jessica Parker’s decision. Casting director David Rapaport remembered Ashley Olsen being considered for Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl but opting for Blake Lively instead, largely due to her unique presence and suitability for the character.
“I was terrified we wouldn’t get her or they wouldn’t like her because, honestly, the show lived and died on her and I had absolutely no other ideas,”
– David Rapaport, Casting Director
The CW network entertained casting Rumer Willis as Blair Waldorf, but Rapaport pushed for less known talent to capture the show’s unique essence.
“She’s grown into quite an amazing actress and person, but that, to me, was based on protecting the investment of a television show where creatively, these lesser-known girls really captured the essence of the show and carried it for six years.”
– David Rapaport, Casting Director
Actors Competing for Game-Changing Roles
Keke Palmer was in the running for Iris West on The Flash. Rapaport later recalled finding the right fit with Candice Patton after initial hesitations about the cast’s age balance.
“We had seen Candice initially, but I think we were too early on in the process to cast her so we ended up testing Keke Palmer and this other girl, but they felt a little too young next to Grant [Gustin],”
– David Rapaport, Casting Director
Iwan Rheon advanced to the final two in the Jon Snow auditions for Game of Thrones, ultimately finding acclaim as Ramsay Snow. Chris Pratt, meanwhile, could have starred as Chuck in Chuck; Josh Schwartz shared that Pratt was his initial pick, though destiny had other plans.
“He was the first guy I wanted to play ‘Chuck’. But as fate would have it, he was destined to guard the galaxy, not the Buy More,”
– Josh Schwartz, Producer
“And might I add, couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.”
– Josh Schwartz, Producer
Celebrity Choices That Redirected Careers
Katie Holmes had meetings regarding the role of Piper in Orange Is the New Black, and even Buffy the Vampire Slayer—a role Holmes turned down to finish high school. Sarah Michelle Gellar secured the latter, becoming synonymous with the character.
Cobie Smulders was in contention for Kate Austen on Lost, alongside eventual star Evangeline Lilly. Smulders humorously took credit for the outcome.
“She owes a lot to me because I went in and I bombed the audition. And she was like, ‘Thank you!’”
– Cobie Smulders, Actor
Illustrious Stars Reconsider Roles
The Good Wife almost starred Ashley Judd or Helen Hunt before Julianna Margulies landed the part. Lorraine Bracco chose not to play Carmela Soprano on The Sopranos, citing her previous similar work in Goodfellas. Taraji P. Henson reflected on her audition for Olivia Pope on Scandal, stating how certain she was that the role was meant for Kerry Washington.
“When I went in to read for Shonda Rhimes, in my mind I was like, ‘This is Kerry Washington. Why am I even in here?’”
– Taraji P. Henson, Actor
Hollywood’s Casting Dominoes
Gillian Anderson could have portrayed Lady Cora on Downton Abbey, and Ashlee Simpson was the first choice for The Vampire Diaries’ Elena Gilbert. Whitney Houston declined a lead in The Cosby Show to focus on her music. Dana Delany passed on Sex and the City’s Carrie due to previous adult-themed work, while Paul Schaffer missed out on Seinfeld’s George after not responding to Jerry Seinfeld’s offer.
Network and Studio Influences on Casting
Roles are sometimes affected by studio and network decisions, not only by star preferences. AMC originally wanted Thomas Jane for Don Draper in Mad Men, but Jon Hamm ultimately won the part after Jane opted for other projects. Many of these casting “what ifs” are shaped as much by timing and relationship as by auditions or talent alone.
The Enduring Fascination with Near-Misses
The stories of Jamie Lee Curtis, who missed her chance at The Exorcist, Kit Harington cementing his career as Jon Snow, and so many others illustrate how much of Hollywood history is written in these behind-the-scenes moments. Each missed opportunity has the potential to change the trajectory of a career and the course of film and television history. Whether driven by parental wisdom, personal circumstances, or sheer serendipity, these casting decisions continue to intrigue both fans and industry professionals alike. The Jamie Lee Curtis Exorcist audition remains a notable example of the complexities behind the choices that shape Hollywood legends, and further stories like these highlight the unpredictable, intertwined fates across generations of actors, creators, and iconic roles.
