SMC Extras

I've always enjoyed those couldabeen casting stories. You know the famous ones: Ronald Reagan in Casablanca, Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones. So, I'm reading an article about Caddyshack in Sports Illustrated (no free link) and was surprised to discover the perfect choices in that classic almost weren't.

Get this: they originally wanted Don Rickles for the Rodney Dangerfield part. Not a huge shock--Rickles did have more acting experience. But the reason Rodney nailed it so perfectly was that he didn't play the loudmouth jerk as an actual jerk. Despite his self-deprecating, sad dog schtick, he never failed to show an underlying charming kindness.

But wait, there's another one. Pay attention, Vin. The original choice for the role of nice guy caddie trying to get to college Danny Noonan (played by Michael O'Keefe) was...Mickey Rourke. I checked, yes, that Mickey Rourke. Keep in mind that at the time, Mickey was still a fresh-faced struggling actor. He didn't blow up until Diner two years later. And didn't blow up his career for another 10. O'Keefe went on to marry Bonnie Raitt (uh...) and then became a Zen priest, whatever that is. Mickey Rourke, as you all know, went on to become, well, Mickey Rourke.