Could you imagine Susan Seaforth Hayes as Stephanie Forrester? or how about John Aniston as Doug Williams? or Jane Eliot as the great Felicia Gallant?

Well it might have happened. Find out what stars auditioned for other roles or what roles were supposed to have been played by someone else.

• Mary Kay Adams - auditioned for the role of Jessie Matthews on The Guiding Light
  
• Timothy Adams - auditioned for Sean Bridges on Young & the Restless
  
• Nancy Addison - originally auditioned for the role of Faith on Ryan's Hope
  
• Laura Allen - auditioned for the role of Michelle Bauer on The Guiding Light
  
• Laura Allen - auditioned for the role of Dr. Melanie McGiver on One Life To Live
  
• John Aniston - auditioned for the role of Doug Williams on Days of Our Lives
  
• Rod Arrants - auditioned for the role of Frank "Buzz" Cooper on The Guiding Light
  
• Rod Arrants - auditioned for a role on As The World Turns in 1992
  
• Nancy Barrett - auditiioned for the role of Victoria Winters on Dark Shadows
  
• Les Brandt - auditioned for the role of Tony Viscardi on Young & the Restless
  
• Jennifer Bransford - originally auditioned for the role of Reese on General Hospital
  
• Tamara Braun - originally audtioned for the role of Sarah Webber on General Hospital
  
• Tracy Bregman - auditioned for the role of Sammy Jo on Dynasty
  
• Jason Brooks - originally auditioned for the role of Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives
  
• Lisa Brown - originally auditioned for the role of Morgan Richards on The Guiding Light
  
• Dylan Bruce - tested for the role of Phillip Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives during contract negotiations between the series and Jay Kenneth Johnson in 2008
  
• Chris Bruno - auditioned for Sean Bridges on Young & the Restless
  
• Rebecca Budig - auditioned for the role of Kelsey Jefferson on All My Children before accepting her GL role
  
• Steve Burton - originally auditioned for the role of A. J. Quartermain on General Hospital
  
• Judith Chapman - auditioned for the role of Pamela Barnes Ewing on Dallas and was an early contender
  
• Chrystal Chappell - was wanted for the role of Dr. Paige Miller on One Life To Live, but the role eventually went to Alexandra Neil
  
• Eddie Cibrian - auditioned for the role of Nicholas Newman on Young & the Restless, but lost it due to age and they created Matt Clark for him
  
• Christie Clark - auditioned for the role of Victoria Newman on Young & the Restless when Heather Tom chose to leave
  
• Christie Clark - auditioned for the role of Summer on General Hospital
  
• Juanin Clay - was supposed to be part of the original cast of L. A. Law as a judge but was cut at the last minute
  
• Bradley Cole - originally auditioned for the role of Edmund Winslow on The Guiding Light
  
• Terri Colombino - originally auditioned for the role of Georgia on As The World Turns
  
• Bert Convy - was an early choice for the role of Barnabas Collins on Dark Shadows
  
• Kevin Costner - auditioned for the role of Jake Kositcheck on Days of Our Lives
  
• Brock Cuchna - auditioned for the role of River on One Life To Live
  
• Robert Culp - was set to take over as J. R. Ewing on Dallas but Larry Hagman decided to return in the 3rd season
  
• Bryan Dattilo - was set to play Brandon Walsh on Beverly Hills 90210 until his real life sister dropped out of the project
  
• Doris Day - was considered as a replacement for Barbara Bel Geddes as Ellie Ewing on Dallas (Donna Reed got the role)
  
• Eric Dearborn - auditioned for the role of Jamal Woods on Port Charles
  
• Kassie Wesley DePaiva - auditioned for the role of Amanda Cory Fowler on Another World between her stints on The Guiding Light and One Life To Live
  
• Leonardo DiCaprio - almost got the role of Hobie on Baywatch; a role eventually won by Brandon Call
  
• Michael Dietz - originally auditioned for the role of Dr. Chris Ramsey on Port Charles
  
• Josh Duhon - tested for the role of Phillip Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives during contract negotiations between the series and Jay Kenneth Johnson in 2008
  
• Jane Elliot - part of Felicia Gallant on Another World was created with her in mind, but she was unable to take the role
  
• Linda Evans - was considered for the role of Pamela Barnes Ewing and Sue Ellen Shepherd Ewing on Dallas
  
• Sandra Ferguson - was considered for the role of Lily when Martha Byrne was fired from ATWT
  
• Frances Fisher - was approached by ABC to take over the role of Siobahn Ryan when Ann Gillespie departed the role
  
• Robert Foxworth - approached to play J. R. Ewing on Dallas
  
• Mary Frann - considered early on to play Sue Ellen Shepherd Ewing on Dallas
  
• Carrie Genzel - auditioned for the role of Victoria Newman on Young & the Restless
  
• Jenna Gering - almost became the new Carly on General Hosptial but Jennifer Bransford won the role
  
• Zen Gesner - auditioned for Sean Bridges on Young & the Restless
  
• Karl Giralamo - tested 3 times for Luke Snyder on As The World Turns
  
• Ricky Paull Goldin - auditioned for the role of Tony Viscardi on Young & the Restless
  
• Karen Lynn Gorney - originally auditioned for the role of Erica Kane on All My Children
  
• Karen Lynn Gorney - mentioned as a possible Nicole Travis recast on The Edge of Night at one time
  
• Deidre Hall - auditioned for the role of Krystle Carrington on Dynasty
  
• Susan Haskell - was considered for the role of Lily when Martha Byrne was fired from ATWT
  
• Susan Seaforth Hayes - was the original choice for the role of Stephanie Forrester on Bold & the Beautiful
  
• Anne Heche - a role was created specifically for her on As The World Turns while she was still in high school but she turned the job down as she did not want to leave home at that time
  
• Marilu Henner - was considered as a replacement for Victoria Principal on Dallas during some tense contract talks one season
  
• Jon Hensley - tested for Another World before being cast as Brody Price on One Life To Live
  
• Jon Hensley - was in negotiations with All My Children to play Jake Martin in 1996 when As The World Turns lured him to come back
  
• Catherine Hickland - auditioned for the role of Tina Roberts on One Life To Live
  
• Catherine Hickland - was reported to be considered heavily for the role of Krystal Carey on All My Children
  
• Steve Kanaly - originally auditioned for the role of Bobby Ewing on Dallas
  
• Liz Keifer - originally auditioned for Eve Guthrie on The Guiding Light
  
• Ken Kercheval - originally auditioned for the role of Ray Krebbs on Dallas
  
• Brian Kerwin - auditioned for the role of Clint Buchanan on One Life To Live but the role went to Jerry ver Dorn
  
• Stephanie Kramer - of the crime drama Hunter was a strong contender to play Lucy Ewing on Dallas
  
• Katherine Kelly Lang - originally auditioned for the role of Caroline on Bold & the Beautiful
  
• Eva LaRue - turned down the role of Rosanna Cabot on ATWT to return to All My Children; the role ultimately went to AMC castmate Cady McClain
  
• Christian Jules LeBlanc - auditioned for the role of Tad Martin on All My Children
  
• Jack Lemmon - auditioned for and was narrowly beaten for the starring role of Tom Corbett in Tom Corbett, Space Cadet by Frankie Thomas
  
• Judy Lewis - mentioned as a possible Nicole Travis recast on The Edge of Night at one time
  
• Rita Lloyd - was considered for several roles on As The World Turns including Mrs. Eldridge but was considered too young. She eventually came on as Edwina Walsh.
  
• Lisa Lociero - almost was cast as Lois when the role was recast; the role went to Lesli Kay
  
• Eva Longoria auditioned for the role of Hannah Scott on General Hospital.
  
• Susan Lucci - originally auditioned for the role of Tara Martin on All My Children
  
• Randolph Mantooth - auditioned for the role of Clint Buchanan on One Life To Live, but role went to Jerry Ver Dorn
  
• Juliana Margulies - auditioned for the role of Dr. Maria Santos on All My Children
  
• Pamela Sue Martin - was considered as a replacement for Victoria Principal on Dallas during some tense contract talks one season
  
• Beverlee McKinsey - the roles of the sisters, Mary & Jessica, were created by Susan Harris with Beverlee McKinsey in mind to play one of the roles
  
• Daniel McVicar - originally auditioned for the role of Ridge Forrester on Bold & the Beautiful
  
• Johnny Mesner - auditioned for Sean Bridges on Young & the Restless
  
• Nolan North - auditioned for the role of Steven Lars Webber on General Hospital
  
• J. Eddie Peck - auditioned for the role of A. C. Mallet on Guiding Light
  
• Christopher Pennock - originally auditioned for the role of Philip Todd on Dark Shadows
  
• Jon Prescott - tested for the role of Phillip Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives during contract negotiations between the series and Jay Kenneth Johnson in 2008
  
• Erin Hershey Presley - auditioned for the role of Victoria Newman on Young & the Restless
  
• Cynthia Preston - was a strong contender for the part of Cassie Winslow on The Guiding Light when Laura Wright left the show
  
• George Reinholt - tested for several roles in the mid-90's but most casting directors were reluctant to hire him
  
• Lisa Richards - auditioned for the role of Victoria Winters on Dark Shadows
  
• Julia Roberts - auditioned for the role of Linda Warner on All My Children
  
• Jada Rowland - was considered for the role of Faith on Ryan's Hope
  
• Paul Satterfield - auditioned for the role of Eliot Freeman on All My Children
  
• Stephen Schnetzer - auditioned for the role of Eliot Freeman on All My Children
  
• Camilla Scott - auditioned for the role of Frankie Frame on Another World
  
• Kathryn Leigh Scott - auditioned for the role of Victoria Winters on Dark Shadows
  
• Erika Slezak - auditioned for the role of Mary Kennicott on All My Children
  
• Jaclyn Smith - auditioned for the role of Victoria Winters on Dark Shadows when Alexandra Moltke left
  
• Paul Anthony Stewart - originally auditioned for the role of Cooper Alden on Loving
  
• Sharon Stone - auditioned for General Hospital in the late 1970's
  
• Susan Sullivan - either tested or was considered for the role of Victoria Lord on One Life To Live before Gillian Spencer won the role
  
• Michael Swan - auditioned for the role of Eliot Freeman on All My Children
  
• David Tom - originally auditioned for the role of Joey Buchanan before being cast as Paul on One Live To Live
  
• Christine Tudor - auditioned and won the role of Karen Wolek on One Life To Live when Judith Light left, but the producers decided at the last minute to write the character out of the show
  
• Paul Michael Valley - auditioned for the role of A. C. Mallet on Guiding Light
  
• Aaron Van Wagner - originally auditioned for the role of Shawn D. Brady on Days of Our Lives
  
• Marcy Walker - originally auditioned for the role of Amanda, Liza Colby's friend, on All My Children
  
• Victor Webster - originally auditioned for the role of Brandon Walker on Days of Our Lives
  
• Mackenzie Westmore - originally auditioned for the role of Gwen on Passions
  
• Sharon Wyatt - was asked to audtion for the role of Gloria Abbott on Young and the Restless when Joan Van Ark departed
  

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Agnes Nixon / Don Hastings - almost both worked togheter on The Brighter Day; Rachel/Ada (AW) and Erica/Mona (BD) were originally intended to be characters on the show

From what I was told, Nixon was working on GUIDING LIGHT and BRIGHTER DAY was floundering. P&G was impressed with what she had done on GL and thought she could be helpful to BRIGHTER.

Nixon felt the show need a bad girl to stir the pot, so she was going to introduce her and her mom, who was a beautician. Also, Emily Potter and Richard Dennis had a nephew who was coming to town. He was a young intern. If I'm not mistaken, Don Hastings was to be cast in this role. He was going to leave EDGE OF NIGHT and they wanted him to play the doctor.

For some reason, it all fell through. Maybe (I'm guessing here) Nixon learned that CBS was taking over the show and moving it to Hollywood and she didn't want to do it.

Once Dr. Dennis arrived on the scene, his family would have been slowly introduced, two siblings and parents. I think the plan was to gradually get rid of the original Dennis family.

I understand that the plan was to air a half-hour BRIGHTER DAY at 3:00 EST followed by EDGE OF NIGHT and SECRET STORM.

EDGE was airing at 4:30 and CBS wanted to give that time to the affiliates.

Edited June 20, 201015 yr by Gilbert

Speaking of Passions, Dana Sparks said she initially read for Ivy. Thank god that ultimately went to Kim Ulrich, she and Ben Masters had great chemistry. 

1 hour ago, LostinHarmony said:

Speaking of Passions, Dana Sparks said she initially read for Ivy. Thank god that ultimately went to Kim Ulrich, she and Ben Masters had great chemistry. 

I miss Kim so much in Daytime. Maybe she will pop up on BTG at some point? she can be Vanessa's mom maybe?

My other choice would have been as a recast Tawny on B&B since Andrea Evans has sadly passed, but I don't trust the show to do her justice. haha

1 hour ago, LostinHarmony said:

Speaking of Passions, Dana Sparks said she initially read for Ivy. Thank god that ultimately went to Kim Ulrich, she and Ben Masters had great chemistry. 

Sparks was so dreary to me...and somehow they cast her in a dual role.

That amount of talent allegedly in the mix with this show and the people they ended up with is embarrassing.

Passions did launch the careers of Jesse Metcalfe and Justin Hartley.

Edited April 16Apr 16 by kalbir

10 minutes ago, kalbir said:

Passions did launch the careers of Jesse Metcalfe

And Jesse was terrible on it!

2 hours ago, LostinHarmony said:

Speaking of Passions, Dana Sparks said she initially read for Ivy. Thank god that ultimately went to Kim Ulrich, she and Ben Masters had great chemistry. 

Someone in casting must've watched the episode of "Murder, She Wrote" that they co-starred in and felt the same way, lol.

1 hour ago, Vee said:

And Jesse was terrible on it!

Has he ever been better? Maybe he has improved in those Hallmark films...

9 hours ago, Vee said:

That amount of talent allegedly in the mix with this show and the people they ended up with is embarrassing.

If anything, PASSIONS needed those actors (and more) in order to sell JER's atrocious writing to the audience.  Instead, they settled on actors who would've been lousy even on "Saved by the Bell."

Reading through this and there's some interesting Jane Elliott info. I searched and could only find a few mentions of her in the thread (the article doesn't mention Felicia Gallant being created for her, which is on an old page in here).

A previous page mentions Jane being considered for Stephanie on B&B. Jane says Gail Kobe actually hired her, but Bill Bell went with Susan Flannery instead. 

Jane also mentions testing for Abby on Knots Landing, and Gina Dante on GH.

'General Hospital's Jane Elliot Dishes on Her Awesome 50-Year Run in Soaps

11 hours ago, DRW50 said:

Reading through this and there's some interesting Jane Elliott info. I searched and could only find a few mentions of her in the thread (the article doesn't mention Felicia Gallant being created for her, which is on an old page in here).

A previous page mentions Jane being considered for Stephanie on B&B. Jane says Gail Kobe actually hired her, but Bill Bell went with Susan Flannery instead. 

Jane also mentions testing for Abby on Knots Landing, and Gina Dante on GH.

'General Hospital's Jane Elliot Dishes on Her Awesome 50-Year Run in Soaps

I still hate how KL wasted JE.  Judy Trent, IMO, was a nothing character.  There wasn't even any way to expand her place on the show beyond Gary, Val and Abby.

4 hours ago, Khan said:

I still hate how KL wasted JE.  Judy Trent, IMO, was a nothing character.  There wasn't even any way to expand her place on the show beyond Gary, Val and Abby.

I know she said it was cut short by a strike but there wasn't much left, I agree. The only way it might have worked is if she'd ended up getting a job with Laura or Richard - I would have enjoyed seeing Jane vs Constance.

Anyone know what character?

 

4 hours ago, cassadine1991 said:

Anyone know what character?

 

Ohh - I didn't realize that, but based on timing, my guess would be Hayley?  Kelly Ripa came in with jet black hair and was a punk.  I could see that with Shannen.  90210 started around the same time, so not sure. I can't think of another new teen before Hayley.

1 hour ago, alwaysAMC said:

Ohh - I didn't realize that, but based on timing, my guess would be Hayley?  Kelly Ripa came in with jet black hair and was a punk.  I could see that with Shannen.  90210 started around the same time, so not sure. I can't think of another new teen before Hayley.

There was also Hilary and Cecily, but I'm not sure if Shannen was on Our House around that point.