1. – Ramon Novarro, Ben-Hur, 1926. As various mergers created MGM, the original Ben-Hur was a $2.8m nightmare in Italy. Metro boss LB Mayer and his production genius, Irving Thalberg, figured another $1.5m could save the mess. They pulled the plug on director Charles Brabin, producer June Mathis and started searching for a more Jewish-looking replacement for Raoul Walsh’s actor-brother (a Fairbanks rival) in the chariot. The axing killed his stardom, he continued in supporting roles until 1936.
Birth year: 1889Death year: 1981Other name: Casting Calls: 0