The success of Seinfeld can be attributed to the iconic characters created by the show’s writers and actors. One of the most memorable characters is Cosmo Kramer, played by Michael Richards. However, it’s interesting to note that Tony Shalhoub auditioned for the role of Kramer before Richards was cast. Shalhoub went on to gain fame through his role on Wings and other film appearances.
Tony Shalhoub Auditioned To Play Kramer on ‘Seinfeld’
Shalhoub auditioned for the role of Kramer in the Seinfeld pilot before Richards was cast. Shalhoub is a talented actor with a great sense of comedic timing, which may have suited what was intended for the Seinfeld pilot. However, Shalhoub was still a relatively unknown actor at the time, and casting a less popular star in a series intended to be a major hit may have been a risky prospect for Seinfeld’s producers. Richards had already established himself as a fixture of comedy television with his roles on the ABC sitcom Fridays and the cult satirical miniseries Fresno.
Although losing out on the Seinfeld gig may have been a major disappointment for Shalhoub, it was his role on Wings that earned him the reputation he has today. Wings was set within a fictionalized Massachusetts airport, and focused on the brothers Joe and Brian Hackett. Shalhoub’s character, Antonio Scarpacci, was a hopelessly romantic taxi driver, who became one of the most popular characters in the series. Docile, sincere, and often shy, Scarpacci was about as different from Kramer as could be. Wings ran for eight seasons, and its popularity allowed Shalhoub to earn some of his most famous film roles.
A Still From Forgotten Roles and Iconic Characters (Via IMDB)
It is interesting to note that Shalhoub and Richards were up for the same role in Monk, with Richards turning down the role due to his previous work as a private investigator. Shalhoub perfectly captured the mix of integrity, idiosyncrasy, and intelligence that made Monk such a beloved character. Shalhoub’s performance inspired the show to a successful eight-season run, as well as the upcoming spinoff film Mr. Monk’s Last Case.
In the end, it is good that Richards was cast in Seinfeld and Shalhoub was cast in Monk. Kramer became such an iconic character partly because of Richards’ absurd physical shenanigans. Richards was perfect as Kramer because he was used in a limited capacity, but he may have been too silly of a character to be the star of a series in his own right. Shalhoub, on the other hand, was able to ensure that Monk didn’t fall into the same trap by showing how Monk’s various phobias were linked to his wife’s death.
