Top 20 Actors That Turned Down Incredibly Massive Roles

21. Chevy Chase – Lester Burnham

While American Beauty is certainly not for everyone, it was a critical success. Chevy Chase was originally offered the role of Lester Burnham, but the famed actor turned it down because he was worried it would damage his family-friendly image. While that may be true, the role did get Kevin Bacon an Oscar. So it might have been worth tarnishing that family image just a bit — though Chevy does not regret turning it down.