- Leonard Whiting, Romeo and Juliet, UK-Italy, 1967. The first version where the stars were close to the ages of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers. Leonard Whiting and Olivia were 15 and 17. At MGM, circa 1935, Leslie Howard and Norma Shearer were, ridiculously, 43 and 35! Italian director Franco Zeffirelli saw 14 Juliets but only eight possible Romeos from Hollywood’s Jeff Bridges, Richard Dreyfuss, Tim Matheson, Kurt Russell and the two eldest Osmond brothers, Alan and Wayne … to UK rocker Phil Collins (a previous child actor) . Lulu had been in their Juliet mix. Phil’s daughter, Lily, was first choice for the 2013 version, but had to pass Juliet to Hailee Steinfeld. Fellow mujsic legend, Paul McCartney was also considered. Hey Jul’!
- Alexei Sayle, Doctor Who #142: Revelation of the Daleks, 1985. The Liverpool sand-up won The DJ away from future Harry Potter star Robbie Coltrane, Kenneth Cranham, Nicky Henson and two genuine BBC disc-jockeys: Alan Freeman and the dreaded Jimmy Saville (as repugnant a paedophile as the ‘80s Whoreying producer John Nathan-Taylor – both preying on their shows’ fans). Plus rocker Collins, a former child actor who returned to movies with the bio of Great Train Robber Buster Edwards in 1988.
- Joe Pesci, Home Alone, 1990. It was so patently obvious that the kid of the hour – Macauley Culkin – was going to steal everything but the cinema seats that most of The Names avoided the burglar clown called Harry Lime, more of a fourth Stooge than Orson Welles. Those refusing to be second banana to a moppet included Rowan Atkinson, Robert De Niro, Danny De Vito, Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Jon Lovitz and two musical Brits: Phil Collins and Dudley Moore. ”Hardest thing fior Pesci,” said cinematographer Julio Macat, “was not swearing! “
- Rick Moranis,The Flintstones, 1994. Yabba-dabba-don’t! When Steven Spielberg’s Amblin took over the rights for a live action take on the cartoon series (The Simpsons of its days, 1960-1966), the first idea was Robin Williams and Collins as Fred and Barney. The Genesis rock band drummer (and singer when Peter Gabriel quit) started as a child actor – as the Artful Dodger in the West End’s Oliver! He made his movie debut in The Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night, 1963, as: Seated Fan Wth Necktie. Spielberg had already featured him as Inspector Good in Hook, 1990. Phil won an Oscar when marrying both interests with his 1999 Tarzan song, “You’ll Be In My Heart.”
- Patrick Ryecart, Doctor Who #143: The Trial of a Time Lord, 1986. The rock singer, drummer and Oscar-winning composer was in the wish-list for brain surgeon Dr Crozier at the trial of Doc6 Colin Baker by the High Council ofTime Lords on theirhome planet of Gallifrey – for breaking several rules including interference with outside worlds and… genocide. IThe 14-episode past-present-future arc lasted the entire Season 23.(Hello, A Christmas Carol!_.
- Eric Roberts, Doctor Who (The Movie), TV, 1996.
Birth year: Death year: Other name: Usual occupation: SingerCasting Calls: 6