John Lithgow wonders 'what might have been' after turning down Frasier Crane on Cheers
John Lithgow has reflected on his decision to turn down the role of Frasier Crane on 'Cheers'.
John Lithgow "sometimes" wonders how turning down 'Cheers' changed his career path.
The 79-year-old actor famously turned down the role of Frasier Crane in the iconic 1980s sitcom, with Kelsey Grammer being cast in the third season and eventually launching the character's own spin-off, which in turn has made a comeback with its own revival in recent years.
Asked if he thinks "about what might have been", John told the UK's Radio Times magazine: "Sometimes.
"When it came up, it was my early years in Hollywood, and I'd had two Oscar nominations in two years.
"There was a chance to play a supporting role on 'Cheers' and my agent and I agreed, 'Let's not think about episodic TV'.
"I can't help but wonder about the road not travelled. But I have so few regrets. For one thing, I did do '3rd Rock From The Sun' for six years, which was a glorious experience."
The 'Conclave' star also revealed how he has turned down offers to play Donald Trump on screen, insisting it's not the right time.
He said: "I've been asked to do it a few times. I wasn't interested. I feel the only way to play him is by being an outrageous caricature of him.
"I also think we need a little distance. Give me a few years!"
During Trump's first term as President of the United States, John would lampoon him in satirical poems, and has now described him as a "ghastly threat to America".
And while he insisted that the businessman turned politician's first presidency "hurt our country", he urged people to "satirise him relentlessly".
He explained: "No, I think it's important to satirise him relentlessly. It really gets up his nose.
"But it's difficult because it's hard to change people's minds in politics these days, and it's hard to run against demagoguery and deceit, and a lack of conscience or remorse."
