In Hollywood, the stories of the roles actors didn’t take are often just as fascinating as the ones they did. For comedy legend David Alan Grier, one of those missed opportunities happens to involve arguably the most successful sitcom in television history: Seinfeld.
During a recent appearance on TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle, the veteran actor and comedian opened up about some of the massive projects he passed on throughout his career. After discussing a separate script that he turned down, which Jim Carey famously took and reinvented into a massive success, the hosts playfully called Grier out for another legendary “fumble” on his resume.
When the hosts brought up the rumor that Grier could have been on Seinfeld in the iconic role of George Costanza, he then confirmed that he did, in fact, audition to play the neurotic best friend of Jerry Seinfeld, a role that ultimately went to Jason Alexander and became a cornerstone of pop culture. So, why didn’t Grier want the gig? Simply put, he didn’t see the vision.
Recalling the audition process, Grier explained that his read with the show’s creator and star left him completely underwhelmed.
“Okay, so I auditioned for George Costanza, and I read with Jerry,” Grier shared. “And I’m like, ‘Well, listen, man, he can’t act. It’s not funny.'”
At the time, the concept of a “show about nothing” led by a stand-up comedian didn’t translate for Grier. He predicted the show’s fate, telling himself, “This will never be a hit.”
Of course, Seinfeld went on to run for nine massive seasons, dominating the ratings and cementing itself as one of the greatest television shows of all time. Looking back at his hilariously inaccurate prediction, Grier took the L, laughing with the hosts and admitting, “Well. Wrong again!”
