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In 1989, John Lithgow was told he was “next in line” for an iconic, Oscar-winning role: “If he turns it down, it’s yours”
John Lithgow says he was considered for Hannibal Lecter in 1989, after director Jonathan Demme had offered the role to Anthony Hopkins. Demme told Lithgow he was “next in line” if Hopkins declined, but Hopkins accepted and went on to give the role its celebrated, Oscar-winning portrayal.
The article places the near-miss among several roles Lithgow missed or turned down, including Seth Brundle in *The Fly* and Frasier Crane. Sean Connery and Gene Hackman had already passed on *The Silence of the Lambs* before Hopkins was offered the part. Lithgow later played the “Trinity Killer” in *Dexter*, a role the article cites when considering how he might have approached Lecter.
In short
- Lithgow was next in line to play Hannibal Lecter.
- Anthony Hopkins accepted the role instead.
- Lithgow’s career includes many other near-misses.