Melora Hardin Opens Up About Being Fired From ‘Back To The Future’ Due To Height Difference

Melora Hardin is widely recognized today for her memorable portrayal of Jan Levinson in the hit comedy series ‘The Office’. Many fans might not realize that she was extremely close to starring in one of the biggest science fiction films of the 1980s. The actress was originally cast as Jennifer Parker in the 1985 classic ‘Back to the Future’. She secured the role when actor Eric Stoltz was set to play the lead character of Marty McFly. However, a major casting change involving the male lead ultimately cost Hardin her job before she could truly begin.

During a recent appearance on the ‘Still Here’ podcast hosted by Steve Hytner and Kevin Farley, Hardin shared the detailed story behind her sudden departure. She explained that she had already completed costume fittings and was completely ready to begin filming alongside Stoltz. The production team eventually decided that Stoltz was not capturing the specific comedic energy they needed for the film. They decided to replace him with their original choice, Michael J. Fox. This switch created a significant logistical problem regarding the physical appearance of the central couple.

Hardin revealed that her natural height became the sole deciding factor in her dismissal from the project. She was taller than Michael J. Fox, and the producers felt this visual difference would not work for the story they wanted to tell. The creative team was specifically concerned that she would be towering over the protagonist throughout the movie. In the 1980s, it was quite uncommon for a female love interest to be taller than the male hero. Consequently, the filmmakers decided they had to let her go to maintain the traditional aesthetic they desired.

The actress vividly recalled receiving the heartbreaking news while she was at a dance studio. She picked up a payphone to speak with writer and producer Bob Gale regarding the status of the production. He informed her that they had let Eric Stoltz go and that she was unfortunately being released from her contract as well. Hardin admitted that she burst into tears immediately upon hearing the final decision. It was a devastating blow for the young actress who was only seventeen years old at the time.

Despite the intense pain of losing the high-profile role, Hardin possessed a surprising amount of foresight regarding the future success of the film. She told her mother through her tears that Michael J. Fox was actually the perfect choice for the role of Marty McFly. She predicted that the movie would be a massive hit and that Fox would become a huge star because of it. Her intuition proved correct as ‘Back to the Future’ became a global phenomenon. The role of Jennifer Parker eventually went to Claudia Wells, who was considered a better height match for Fox.

Hardin reflected on how the entertainment industry has changed since that difficult moment in her teenage years. She noted that seeing a taller woman with a shorter man is much less of an issue in modern cinema. At the time, however, the height difference was seen as potentially emasculating for the leading man. While she missed out on that specific opportunity, Hardin went on to build a successful and enduring career in Hollywood.

Please tell us if you think the producers made the right choice by recasting the role based on height in the comments.