‘Brothers’ Star Woody Harrelson Reflects on Losing Role in ‘As Good as It Gets’

Hollywood is filled with tales of near-misses, where roles almost went to different actors before fate intervened. One of the most candid confessions comes from Woody Harrelson regarding the role that ultimately went to Greg Kinnear in the 1997 film ‘As Good as It Gets.’

These days, Harrelson rarely auditions, a privilege earned through decades of credibility in the industry. However, one particular audition has lingered in his memory for nearly thirty years, and it’s not for a good reason.

In a reflection from 2020, Harrelson recounted the last audition he distinctly remembers, which was for director James L. Brooks. He read opposite Jack Nicholson for the role of Simon Bishop, the artist and neighbor to Nicholson’s character Melvin Udall in ‘As Good as It Gets.’ Unfortunately, he did not land the part.

The role of Simon ultimately went to Greg Kinnear, who received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance. Harrelson has graciously accepted the outcome, acknowledging that Kinnear was indeed the right choice and understanding Brooks’ decision.

However, Harrelson couldn’t shake the feeling that nerves got the better of him during the audition due to the presence of Nicholson. He recognized that many other actors were vying for the role, so he doesn’t dwell on the loss, but he genuinely believes he could have performed better had he not been so starstruck. Auditioning alongside Nicholson left him feeling completely off his game.

‘As Good as It Gets’ became a defining film of the late 1990s, sweeping major acting categories at the Academy Awards with wins for both Nicholson and Helen Hunt, and earning a total of seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Kinnear’s portrayal of Simon, a sensitive gay artist dealing with physical recovery and a challenging relationship with his difficult neighbor, served as one of the film’s emotional anchors.

Harrelson has openly stated that this audition stands out because it was the last one he can remember, marking a significant milestone in his career, which had already progressed significantly by the late 1990s thanks to his years on ‘Cheers’ and his expanding film résumé.

Despite acknowledging the missed opportunity, Harrelson’s reflection is devoid of the bitterness often found in such stories from actors looking back on roles they lost. He has made peace with the outcome, crediting Brooks’ casting instincts and Kinnear’s ultimately Oscar-nominated performance.

This honest glimpse reveals that even seasoned performers can feel intimidated by a scene partner, regardless of their accumulated experience.

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