Geena Davis opens up about painful audition that changed her career
The actress recalled an early career rejection but said her comedic talent still earned her a memorable part
Geena Davis has reflected on an early Hollywood rejection, revealing she was once told she wasn't attractive enough to land the female lead in the 1985 comedy Fletch.
Speaking on Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast, the Oscar-winning actress recalled auditioning for the role eventually played by Dana Wheeler-Nicholson alongside Chevy Chase.
“I originally auditioned for the lead female character,” Davis said. “I'm pretty sure they said, 'You're not attractive enough to play that part.'”
Despite the rejection, the casting team was impressed by her comedic talent and offered her a much smaller role instead.
Davis ultimately played the quirky morgue chief, a character originally written as a man named Larry. She even requested that the character keep the name after it was rewritten for her.
Reflecting on the experience, Davis said the filmmakers told her they wanted her in the movie because they found her “so funny,” turning a disappointing audition into one of her earliest film appearances.
The actress also praised co-star Chevy Chase, dismissing his reputation for being difficult on set.
“He seemed fun and funny and chill and great,” Davis said.
The setback did little to slow Davis' career. She went on to star in acclaimed films including The Fly, Thelma & Louise and A League of Their Own, earning an Academy Award for The Accidental Tourist and later becoming a leading advocate for gender representation in Hollywood through the Geena Davis Institute.
