Robert Redford Was Denied the Lead in the Graduate Because He Could Never Play a Loser
Redford and director Mike Nichols met to discuss The Graduate because Redford was vying for lead. Nichols insisted that Redford couldn’t play the part because the main character was “a loser,” and nobody would believe Redford was a loser. Redford replied, “What do you mean? Of course I can play a loser.” Nichols asked, “Okay, have you ever struck out with a girl?” Redford genuinely replied, “What do you mean?”