Geena Davis says an early audition for Fletch ended with filmmakers deciding she was not attractive enough to play the movie’s female lead, but still creating another opportunity for her because they found her funny.
During the July 20 episode of Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, Davis recalled auditioning to play Gail Stanwyk in the 1985 Chevy Chase comedy.
The role ultimately went to Dana Wheeler-Nicholson.
“I’m pretty sure they said, ‘You’re not attractive enough to play that part,’” Davis told Shepard. She also remembered arriving at the audition with her hair styled “all curly and weird.”
The Rejection Led to Her Memorable Role as Larry
Davis said the filmmakers proposed casting her as the morgue chief, a character who had originally been written as a man named Larry. They were willing to change the character for her, but Davis had one request: “But I still want to be Larry.”
Shepard, who described himself as a major Fletch fan, said keeping the unexpected name helped make Davis’ brief appearance memorable. Her character assists investigative reporter Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher as he looks into the claims made by wealthy businessman Alan Stanwyk.
The part was considerably smaller than Gail Stanwyk, Alan’s wife and the role Davis had initially pursued. Davis had made her movie debut three years earlier in Tootsie and had appeared on television in Family Ties, Knight Rider and the short-lived sitcom Sara.
Chevy Chase Was Relaxed and Funny on the Set
Shepard also asked Davis about working with Chase, referencing the comedian’s later reputation for being difficult. Davis said she did not encounter that behavior while making Fletch.
“Not at all,” she said when asked whether Chase had been grouchy. Davis remembered him as relaxed, funny and enjoyable to work with, suggesting that he appeared to be having a particularly good time during the production.
The Michael Ritchie-directed comedy starred Chase as a Los Angeles newspaper reporter who adopts a series of disguises while investigating a businessman’s suspicious request to be killed. The cast also included Tim Matheson, Joe Don Baker, Richard Libertini and M. Emmet Walsh.
Davis Soon Became a Hollywood Leading Lady
One year after Fletch, Davis starred opposite Jeff Goldblum in David Cronenberg’s The Fly. She later played Barbara Maitland in Beetlejuice, Thelma Dickinson in Thelma & Louise and baseball star Dottie Hinson in A League of Their Own.
Davis won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in 1988’s The Accidental Tourist. She later received a Best Actress nomination for Thelma & Louise.