The Man Who Almost Played Al Bundy

When we think of Al Bundy in “Married… with Children,” it’s hard to imagine anyone else but Ed O’Neill. But before he got the part, they thought about giving it to comedian Sam Kinison. It’s important to consider different options before picking an actor for a show, movie, or play. In the end, Ed O’Neill became Al Bundy, and the rest is TV history.

Ed’s Walk Of Fame

Ed O’Neill, known for his role as Al Bundy, got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They put it right in front of a shoe store, which makes sense because Al Bundy sold women’s shoes on the show. Fans came to get his autograph, and some had him sign their shoes. It was a fun and clever tribute to his famous character.

Roseanne Barr was Almost in the Show

Similarly to how Sam Kinison almost played Al Bundy, Roseanne Barr was the producers’ first choice for the role of Peggy Bundy. However, both ultimately turned down the roles to pursue other film and television endeavors.

Ed O’Neill was Hired on the Spot

As we said above, Ed O’Neill definitely wasn’t the producers’ first choice for the role of Al Bundy, but when he came in for an audition, they loved him so much that they hired him before he even uttered a word!

Michael Richards Auditioned for the Role of Al Bundy

That’s right, Kramer himself auditioned for the role of Al Bundy. While he was probably sad about not winning the part, he can’t be too sad about it since he was cast as Kramer in Seinfeld two years later!

The Show Nearly Ruined Ed O’Neill’s Career in Film

Believe it or not, Ed O’Neill was actually dropped from a film he was working on after winning the part of Al Bundy. Test audiences for Flight of the Intruder couldn’t stop bursting into laughter whenever he appeared in a scene.