42 Surprising Facts About Well-Known Hollywood Actors – Part 2

Seth MacFarlane was originally a writer and animator for classic shows like Johhny Bravo and Dexter's Laboratory.

2. Marlon Brando was once in an acting class that was told to act like chickens and that a nuclear bomb was about to fall on them. Most of the class clucked wildly, but Brando sat calmly and pretended to lay an egg. When Stella Adler asked why he said, “I’m a chicken, what do I know about bombs?”

3. The only character to appear, played by the same actor, in 10 different series is Richard Belzer's, Detective John Munch. He has appeared as this character in crossover shows ranging from X-Files to Arrested Development. His character has even been on five different TV networks.

4. Actor Kevin James was the number one spot on his high school wrestling team until he had a season-ending back injury. His friend took over his place and became WWE star, Mick Foley.

5. Actor Paul Newman made his own food brand just to let all the income go to charity. He also built a camp for seriously ill children. To this day, “Newman’s Own” has donated over $350 million to thousands of charities around the world.

Leonardo DiCaprio was offered the lead role in “Hocus Pocus” but turned it down to act in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.” Though he was paid far less, it earned him his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

7. Jason Alexander threatened to quit "Seinfeld" in the third season. After the table read of "The Pen", which features only Jerry and Elaine, Alexander pulled Larry David aside and said, "if you write me out again, do it. permanently." In 9 seasons, that was the only episode he wasn't in.

8. Peter Cushing, the actor for Grand Moff Tarkin, found his costume's boots to be very uncomfortable. Any time his feet were not visible in the shot he would be wearing comfy slippers. Grand Moff Tarkin destroyed Alderaan wearing comfy slippers.

9. Christopher McDonald, the actor who played Shooter McGavin in Happy Gilmore, says he never pays for a round of golf because of his widespread fame from that role.

10. Actor Peter Ostrum who played Charlie in the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was offered a three-picture deal after filming. He declined the offer and bought a horse with his earnings from the movie which spawned a love for animals. He then decided not to pursue acting and became a vet.

Billy Crystal's character, Miracle Max, in the Princess Bride was so funny that it nearly stopped the production of the movie. One actor bruised a rib from clenching to try not to laugh.

12. Alan Rickman had been with his first girlfriend (Rima Horton) since 1965 - when he was 19 years old.

13. Sacha Baron Cohen left the Freddie Mercury biopic over creative differences with Queen. He was told Mercury died in the middle of the film. Impressed, he thought they meant a non-linear story structure like Pulp Fiction but realized the second half would be how the band “carried on.”

14. Rainn Wilson originally auditioned for the role of Michael Scott in "The Office." The producers didn’t like his audition but offered him the role of Dwight.

15. Hugh Laurie auditioned for his role in House M.D. by shooting a video in a hotel bathroom. Director Bryan Singer, unaware that Laurie is English, commented: "See, this is what I want: an American guy."

Pavel Chekov did not appear on 'Star Trek' until the first episode of the second season. The character was created to attract young viewers by resembling Davy Jones of The Monkees.

17. Superman actor Christopher Reeve was interested in Scientology until he was auditing and told them about a "past life" that was really a story from Greek mythology. He was disillusioned that they believed his lie and stopped pursuing Scientology.

18. Jackie Chan never really liked the Rush Hour Series but continued starring due to the “irresistible” amount of money he was offered.

19. Actor Vincent D'Onofrio holds the record for most weight gained for a movie role. He gained 70 pounds to play the role of Private Leonard Lawrence (aka Private Pyle) in Full Metal Jacket.

20. When Paul Rudd was 10, he made a large LEGO model of Steelers punter Craig Colquitt. 30 years later, Craig's son moved next door to Paul Rudd. Paul wanted to use this opportunity to give the LEGO model to Craig, but Paul's mother broke it one day before Craig came into town to visit his son.

Stan Lee's eyesight has deteriorated to the point where he can no longer read comic books.

22. Actor David Yost, who played the original Blue Ranger from “The Power Rangers” TV Series walked off set one day during lunch and never came back due to perpetual harassment from producers and crew members over him being gay.

23. In the ‘50s, Christopher Lee was engaged to Henriette von Rosen, daughter of Count Fritz von Rosen. After hiring private detectives to investigate the actor and demanding references, the Count refused to allow his daughter to marry him unless Lee got the blessing of the King of Sweden. Lee got it.

24. The visor that Geordi La Forge wore to give him the vision in Star Trek: The Next Generation made actor Levar Burton 90% blind while filming.

25. John Cusack once asked his agent to present him with the "craziest, the most unproduceable script you can find." His agent presented "Being John Malkovich". Impressed with the script, Cusack auditioned and won a role in the film.