The Classic TV Show Brad Pitt Was Rejected From—And The Reason He Didn’t Make the Cut

Brad Pitt’s journey to superstardom was not without its bumps and setbacks. Known today for his stunning performances in both dramatic and comedic roles, from Fight Club to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Pitt has honed his craft over the years to become one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors. But in his early days, not even his striking looks could guarantee success, especially in the world of comedy.

While Brad Pitt has since proven his comedic chops in films like Guy Ritchie’s Snatch, the Coen brothers’ Burn After Reading, and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, he faced significant struggles early in his career. His attempts to break into comedy were not always met with success. In fact, there was one iconic TV show that deemed him simply not funny enough for its cast, despite being one of the most popular shows in television history: Cheers.

In 1987, the same year that Pitt made his screen debut, he auditioned for a role in Cheers, which was the most-watched sitcom on television at the time. Cheers had an average viewership of just under 11 million during its first season and reached its peak in the eighth season with nearly 35 million viewers. With such a massive audience, securing even a small guest spot on the show was a major opportunity for any actor. However, despite his undeniable charm and striking looks, Pitt failed to make an impression on Cheers‘ casting director, Jeff Greenberg.

Greenberg, a seasoned casting director with multiple Primetime Emmy nominations, was clearly no stranger to talent. He had worked on shows like Modern Family and Frasier, and his instincts were sharp when it came to selecting the right fit for a role. But when Pitt auditioned for Cheers, Greenberg’s assessment was brutally honest: “My only note was, ‘Not funny,’” he recalled in an interview with People. “For the part, he wasn’t funny. He’s been funny since.”

While Greenberg acknowledged that Pitt would go on to become a major star, his comedic skills just weren’t up to snuff for the role in Cheers. At the time, Pitt was still a young actor trying to establish himself in a competitive industry, and this rejection was one of many he faced in his early career.

Though Pitt may not have been the right fit for Cheers, it was far from the end of his career. In fact, it was just the beginning. The rejection from Cheers is a reminder of the harsh realities of the entertainment industry, where even actors with star potential often face rejection before finding their breakout roles. Pitt’s eventual rise to stardom came through a combination of hard work, perseverance, and his ability to evolve as an actor.

While he may not have been good enough for Cheers at the time, Brad Pitt would go on to build a career that far exceeded the expectations of those who doubted him in the early days. Today, he’s an award-winning actor with a diverse body of work, proving that even the most promising actors have to face challenges on the road to success. From being rejected for a role on Cheers to winning an Academy Award for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Pitt’s journey remains a testament to the power of persistence and the importance of timing in an actor’s career.