- Ilene Kristen, Ryan’s Hope, TV, 1975-1978 and 1982-1983 and, indeed, 1986-1989. Lost the love-to-hate character of Delia Ryan one of the iconic daytime, soap characters – in the life of a blue collar Irish-American family. Brooklyn’s Kristen was in and out of the devious catalyst of most issues… depending on her weight.
- Keli Maroney, Ryan’s Hope, TV, 1979-1982. Perkins lost Kimberly Harris Beaulac in the ABC Daytime soap when Maroney blew into New York from Minneapolis, bergan studying at the National Shakespeare Company Conservatory and won the evil teen…all in two weeks. She made 319 episodes.
- Roxanne Hart, HIghlander, 1985. Some 16 guys were up for Christophe(r) Lambert’s immortal clansman, Connor McLeod. But as many as 24 women for Brenda Wyatt, the modern-day forensics cop bedded by him. Brooke Adams… who must have felt she had as great chance, having already successfully partnered Connery in The Great Train Robbery, 1978, and Cuba, 1979. Her rivals were Karen Allen, Rosanna Arquette, Jennifer Beals, Lorraine Bracco, Elisabeth Brooks, Kate Capshaw, Glenn Close, Lisa Eilbacher, Linda Fiorentino, Kim Greist (Terry Gilliam’s huge Brazil error), Linda Hamilton, Diane Lane, Carolyn McCormick, Demi Moore, Annette O’Toole, Elizabeth Perkins, Tanya Roberts (booked for 007’s View to a Kill), Annabella Sciorra, Diane Venora, Sela Ward, Sigourney Weaver and (phew!) Sean Young. Broadway’s rank outsider won!
- Holly Hunter, Broadcast News, 1987. Seen after Debra Winger quit and before Holly was signed.
- Meg Ryan, When Harry Met Sally, 1989. Tom Hanks was Harry and director Rob Reiner juggled various Sallies. His first choice Susan Dey, from TV’s Partridge Family. She virtually ended her movie career by rejecting the role. Rob next looked at both Elizabeths (Perkins and McGovern) and was thisclose to signing Molly Ringwald when t’other MR nailed it! Meg and Hanks next made another hit, Sleepless in Seattle., 1992. But after a bunch of near-misses, Inner Space, Promised Land, Rom Com Queen, DOA, The Presido, plus her image-destroying Proof of Love affair with Russell; Crowe she was toast. Playing unmemorable mothers of Colin Hanks here and Kristen Stewart there.
- Lolita Davidovich, The Object of Beauty, 1990. An illness ruled Perkins out as Andie MacDowell’s best friend in an often witty – if rarely amusing character piece. The other character pieces were John Malkovich, Joss Ackland, Peter Riegert, Bill Patterson.
- Demi Moore, A Few Good Men, 1992. Read for the part. So did the “don’t-ever-flirt-with-me attitude” of the 7 1/2 month pregnant Moore
- Sherilyn Fenn, Three of Hearts, 1992. To join – then – Bridget Fonda opposite William Baldwin.
- Lauren Graham, MYOB, TV, 2000. Perkins was Opal in the NBC pilot. But Graham had the role for the series – axed after othger eight episodes were shot and four screened.
- Nicole Kidman, Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus, 2006. Producer Bernie Brillstein had set up the bio of photographer Diane Arbus at MGM in 1993, based on Patricia Bosworth’s book… for Elizabeth.
- Delta Burke,Counter Culture, TV, 2012. On completingher seven-year run on Weeds, 2005-2012, Perkins was juggling three pilot offers for the new season. Top two were from producer Claudia Lonow. Perkins dropped Counter Culture for How To Live With Your Parents. Well, the Culture synopsis featured the dreadful word “ageing” while her whacky parent was rewritten younger to please, and maybe even, suit her. Didn’t.
Birth year: Death year: Other name: Casting Calls: 11