In 1986, Don Johnson, the star of the hit television series Miami Vice, chose not to accept the lead role in Brian De Palma’s crime drama The Untouchables. Though the film would become a classic, Johnson was reluctant to revisit the police officer persona that had made him famous. His decision to turn down the Kevin Costner Untouchables role was rooted in a desire to avoid typecasting after years of playing similar roles.
At the time, Miami Vice was a major success, airing on NBC from 1984 to 1989 and building Johnson’s reputation as the stylish undercover detective Sonny Crockett. Despite this fame, Johnson was wary of repeating the same character traits, fearing it would limit his growth as an actor.
How Miami Vice Transformed Don Johnson into a Household Name
Before Miami Vice, Don Johnson was relatively unknown, with his most prominent part being in the 1975 low-budget sci-fi film A Boy and His Dog. The sudden explosion of his popularity in 1984 was largely thanks to the show’s unique blend of music, style, and crime drama. Johnson’s portrayal of Sonny Crockett became iconic, characterized by his sharply tailored outfits designed for Florida’s heat and his portrayal as an undercover cop in high-end sports cars.
His effortless style sparked trends among men and won him admiration from female fans, some of whom saw him as a sex symbol, while Italian pop culture even embraced his influence. Despite his rising fame, Johnson felt burdened by the attention, uneasy with the overwhelming idolization his role brought.
The realism and cool aesthetic popularized by Miami Vice left an enduring impact on television crime dramas, influencing how action scenes and characters have been portrayed since.
Rejecting a Role: Style Icon or a Victim of His Own Image?
By the mid-1980s, Johnson was determined to break away from the image of a suave cop chasing criminals. The opportunity to star as Eliot Ness in The Untouchables arrived at a time when Johnson was focused on diversifying his career. He did not want to be forever associated with high-fashion police roles.
On Brian De Palma’s offer, Johnson immediately felt the script lacked depth and was just another “dress-up” role similar to his previous characters. On Marc Maron’s WTF podcast in March 2025, Johnson explained,
“The thing I realized early on was that, okay, I gotta separate myself from this character. I gotta separate Don Johnson from Sonny Crockett, ASAP. … It was really sort of about picking projects that were diametrically opposed to what I had just done so that I didn’t get typecast in just this one thing.”
He was unaware that renowned actor Robert De Niro would join the cast, as well as Sean Connery, which eventually elevated the film to critical acclaim. Johnson’s hesitation stemmed from his desire for more challenging roles, not recognizing that the Untouchables would become a defining film for many.
Why Kevin Costner Got the Role and Its Impact on His Career
The lead role in The Untouchables did not attract many established stars initially. The script had been offered and turned down by actors like Michael Douglas, Gene Hackman, Harrison Ford, and Mickey Rourke. Kevin Costner, then a relatively unknown actor with limited film credits and a cut role in The Big Chill, was given the chance to star alongside legends including Connery and De Niro.
Gracefully accepting the part that others declined, Costner used the opportunity to launch a major film career. His portrayal of Eliot Ness established him as a leading man and opened doors to directing, producing, and writing in Hollywood. The role changed the trajectory of his profession and remains one of his most memorable breakthroughs.
The Untouchables became one of the decade’s best political thrillers, though critics were split in their reception of the film. Nevertheless, it made Kevin Costner a household name and set him apart from his peers in Hollywood.
Don Johnson’s Career Path After Passing on The Untouchables
Choosing to decline The Untouchables, Johnson instead starred in a romantic comedy called Sweet Hearts Dance in 1988, which performed poorly at the box office. The film about a suburbanite going through a midlife crisis was a marked departure from his Miami Vice image but did not establish him as a major movie star.
Following this, Johnson appeared in multiple comedy films, including Tin Cup, where he shared the screen with Kevin Costner once again. These roles reflected his willingness to experiment but did not achieve significant blockbuster success.
Returning to Television and Later Roles
Ironically, after trying to distance himself from the cop image, Johnson revisited a similar role in 1996 with the television series Nash Bridges. The show revived his presence on the Friday night TV lineup and allowed him to play a detective once more, but this time with more depth and maturity.
Later in his career, Johnson took on character roles in films such as Django Unchained and Knives Out, showing versatility beyond his earlier typecasting. Despite occasional setbacks, like the cancellation of ABC’s Doctor Odyssey after one season, he has maintained steady work both on television and in movies.
His interviews suggest he harbors no regrets about passing on the Untouchables role. At the time, he was busy forging interests in music and powerboat racing, focusing on pursuits beyond acting.
The Lasting Impact of a Career-Shaping Choice
Don Johnson’s decision to forgo the Kevin Costner Untouchables role illustrates the difficult balancing act between avoiding typecasting and missing out on potentially career-defining opportunities. While Costner’s performance launched him into Hollywood stardom, Johnson’s path remained rooted in television and character-driven roles.
This choice highlights the anxious uncertainty actors face when deciding which roles to take in a competitive industry. Johnson’s story serves as a reminder that career-defining success can come from unexpected places and that personal and professional priorities often guide these pivotal decisions.
