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The role of Rob Petrie nearly went to this late-night host
Television nearly saw a very different Rob Petrie.
Life is a series of revolving doors, and every person simply has to trust that their life is taking them where they deserve to go. Luckily, Dick Van Dyke had faith in his own destiny, and look where it took him!
Today, we know Van Dyke as a star of both film and television. Originally, the actor got his big break starring in The Dick Van Dyke Show alongside Mary Tyler Moore. Van Dyke later enjoyed success in films like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Disney’s Mary Poppins.
During a recent interview with Today, Van Dyke revealed that originally, Van Dyke almost didn’t win the role of comedy writer Rob Petre; the role nearly went to another familiar face.
“Carl Reiner said it was between Johnny Carson and me,” said Van Dyke.
Luckily, Reiner ultimately decided to give the role to Van Dyke, who won various awards for his portrayal of Rob Petrie. Of course, Carson didn’t get off too badly either; the comedian went on to host The Tonight Show, becoming one of the most iconic late-night hosts of all time.
“Fortunately, we both fell in the right places, cause Johnny would have been terrible as Rob Petrie and I would have been rotten as Johnny Carson.”
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