Every actor dreams of that breakout role. Some spend their entire careers chasing the shadow of an iconic character, while others might even apologize for a particularly bad performance. But imagine the sting of landing a role only to have someone else’s voice come out of your mouth! Here are ten actors who experienced just that.
Andie MacDowell
In 1984, Andie MacDowell was a rising star, known for her modeling work in Vogue and Calvin Klein commercials. She made her acting debut that year in Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes. As Jane Porter, she looked stunning and seemed to embody the character with her refined voice.
However, the voice wasn’t hers. Director Hugh Hudson, disliking MacDowell’s Southern accent, had Glenn Close, an acclaimed actress, dub her lines. Despite the initial embarrassment, MacDowell’s career flourished, with roles in Sex, Lies and Videotape, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Groundhog Day.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
It’s hard to believe now, but Arnold Schwarzenegger, a bodybuilding champion, struggled to break into Hollywood. In his 1970 debut, Hercules in New York, his thick Austrian accent and the difficulty people had pronouncing his name led to his casting under the name “Arnold Strong.” His voice was dubbed by an uncredited actor.
The result was, to put it kindly, campy. It took twelve more years for Schwarzenegger to land his breakthrough role in Conan the Barbarian. From there, he became a global action superstar and even the Governor of California, proving that second chances do exist.
Sam Jones
Sam J. Jones, though not as widely celebrated as some actors, achieved fame by beating out Kurt Russell and Arnold Schwarzenegger for the lead in Flash Gordon. The film, now a cult classic, initially aimed to launch a popular sci-fi franchise. Despite moderate box office success, the film had a memorable soundtrack by Queen, sparking interest in a sequel.
However, Jones clashed with producer Dino de Laurentiis and left before post-production. Consequently, his dialogue was dubbed by Peter Marinker. This hurt Jones’s budding film career but hasn’t diminished the film’s appeal to sci-fi fans.
Anita Ekberg
Anita Ekberg, a Swedish starlet, arrived in Hollywood years before her iconic role in Fellini’s La Dolce Vita. After participating in the 1951 Miss Universe pageant, she signed with Universal Studios. Later, Paramount Pictures cast her in mostly non-speaking roles due to her beauty and difficulty with English.
Yet, director King Vidor cast her as Princess Hélène in War and Peace. Although her beauty was a draw, her lines were redubbed in post-production, along with those of her Swedish castmate May Britt. This role boosted Ekberg’s career, leading to her being dubbed “Paramount’s Marilyn Monroe.”
Debbie Reynolds
Debbie Reynolds’s debut in Singin’ in the Rain is legendary. Ironically, in a film where her character dubs the voice of the ditzy Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen), Reynolds herself was dubbed twice for both singing and dialogue.
In the “Would You?” sequence, singer Betty Noyes dubbed Reynolds’s singing because of Reynolds’s youthful voice. Even more ironically, Hagen dubbed Reynolds’s delivery of the line, “Our love will last ’til the stars turn cold.” Despite the complexities, the result is a perfect musical production from Hollywood’s Golden Era.
David Niven
David Niven, known for his sophisticated demeanor and voice, had a successful career spanning over fifty years, with roles in films like The Pink Panther and Around the World in 80 Days. He won an Academy Award for Separate Tables. However, in 1981, he was diagnosed with ALS, affecting his ability to perform.
Despite his condition, Niven made a final appearance in Curse of the Pink Panther (1983). Due to his inability to deliver lines audibly, impressionist Rich Little dubbed his dialogue. This was unknown to Niven until he read about it. Despite this, Niven remained a respected actor and British patriot.
Peter O’Toole
Peter O’Toole, known for his incredible voice and roles in epic films like Lawrence of Arabia and Becket, was surprisingly dubbed early in his career. In Nicholas Ray’s The Savage Innocents (1960), his accent was deemed unsuitable.
Robert Rietti dubbed O’Toole’s lines to give his character a more Canadian sound. O’Toole, later nominated for eight Academy Awards, requested his name be removed from the credits. It’s shocking that such a distinguished actor had his voice replaced.
Sir Laurence Olivier
Sir Laurence Olivier, a legend in stage and screen, had one of the most recognizable voices of all time. So why was he dubbed?
In the 1991 restoration of Kubrick’s Spartacus, deleted scenes were re-edited into a “Director’s Cut.” During the “snails and oysters” scene, the audio was lost. Tony Curtis redubbed his dialogue, but Olivier had passed away. Anthony Hopkins flawlessly impersonated Olivier, re-recording his lines for the re-release.
Gert Fröbe
Gert Fröbe’s portrayal of Auric Goldfinger is one of the most memorable Bond villains. His menacing presence and iconic lines made the character unforgettable. He delivered the chilling line, “No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!”
However, British actor Michael Collins actually delivered the line. Fröbe’s limited English proficiency led to Collins dubbing most of his dialogue. Goldfinger is considered one of the best Bond films, especially those starring Sean Connery.
Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson, from Australian tough guy to acclaimed director, has had a celebrated career. His role as “Mad Max” Rockatansky launched him to stardom. The first Mad Max movie became the most profitable film ever made upon its release in 1979.
Ironically, despite being cast with Australian actors, the heavy use of Aussie slang confused American audiences. The entire film was redubbed with American voice actors. Gibson, born in the U.S., later mastered the American accent. Mad Max launched his career, which continues to thrive.
These actors prove that even a change in voice doesn’t have to derail a career. Sometimes, it’s just a quirky footnote in the story of their rise to fame!
Which of these facts surprised you the most? Leave your comment below!
