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One can only imagine what it would feel like to have been passed up for a main role on Friends. The beloved '90s sitcom is heralded as one of the most successful shows of all time.
In a resurfaced Howard Stern Showinterview from 2016, actor Jon Cryer talked about being passed over after auditioning for the now-iconic role of Chandler Bing, which ultimately went to actor Matthew Perry.
Cryer initially sat down with Stern to talk about his book So That Happened: A Memoir. Stern subsequently probed Cryer about his feelings surrounding his disappointing audition for Friends—an experience that Cryer elaborates on in his memoir.
While at first Stern characterized the snub as "heartbreaking," Cryer was quick to clarify, noting:
"It's only heartbreaking to me. I think the world got Chandler Bing by Matthew Perry, which was, I think, a work of genius. So the world did not get its heart broken. I however did."
"I think I could have been a decent (Chandler Bing). I don't think I would have been at the level of Matthew Perry."
"And on some level, and I talk about this in the book, when you audition for something and don't get it it's only when you see somebody do it not well that you get mad."
"I don't get mad. When I see an actor hit it out of the park, it's like, well of course, no wonder they gave it to that guy."
See full clip below:
Despite being passed up for Friends, Cryer was eventually able to get his big break on the sitcom Two and a Half Men.
Two and a Half Men experienced its own enormity of success with the show airing for 12 seasons. Cryer's role as Alan Harper was widely acclaimed, and he won two Primetime Emmy awards for his performance.
For some, fame and accolades often lead to hippopotamus-sized egos and someone with an ego complex might feel a bit sour over losing out on the role of a lifetime.
However, comments from the Howard Stern interview have been quick to commend Cryer for his humble response over being passed up.
@sternshow/Instagram
@sternshow/Instagram
@sternshow/Instagram
@sternshow/Instagram
Others praised Cryer for his role in Two and a Half Men.
@sternshow/Instagram
@sternshow/Instagram
@sternshow/Instagram
The actor has since gone on to play Lex Luther in the popular CW series Supergirl.
Cryer played Luther for seven seasons up until the series finale in 2021. He also reprised the role across other shows in the DC universe.
Cryer also has some promising new projects on the horizon.
It's rumored that he is set to return to sitcom glory as the star of a new comedy series in the works for NBC.
The show takes him back to his Two and a Half Men roots where he will play a divorcee named Jim who shares child-caring duties in the same household as his ex-wife, Julia. However, things get interesting when the owner of Jim's favorite sports team ends up sparking a relationship with Julia.
If the show's pilot is picked up, fans may once again get to see Cryer in his primetime comedic form.
But for now they'll just have to wait and see.