Celebrities Who Turned Down Role in Cheating Story Lines: From Matthew Perry to John Krasinski
Discover how actors like John Krasinski and Matthew Perry stood their ground against storylines portraying their characters as unfaithful in popular shows like 'The Office' and 'Friends', challenging the norms of their roles Michelle Rodriguez's defiance in the 'Fast and Furious' franchise also makes the list
Matthew Perry and John Krasinski are among the actors who made the decision to prevent their fictional characters from being entangled in cheating storylines. Krasinski gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Jim, one of the beloved couple Jim and Pam, in the critically acclaimed sitcom The Office. The show, set in a small paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania, aired from 2005 to 2013.
Jim and Pam's love story was the focal point of the show, leading to their eventual marriage in later seasons. However, when Pam went on maternity leave, there were discussions about Jim potentially being unfaithful with her temporary replacement, Cathy (Lindsey Broad).
Speaking about this situation, Krasinski reflected on his stance, expressing, "That was the moment when I firmly stood my ground. I found myself saying things that I had never expected, like, 'I refuse to film that scene.'"
Meanwhile, Perry reportedly intervened when a suggestion was made that his Friends character, Chandler Bing, would have an affair with Monica Geller (Courteney Cox), his on-screen wife. Lisa Cash, who was supposed to portray the hotel worker involved with Chandler, recalled the scrapped storyline following Perry's death in October 2023.
"We had practiced and prepared for it, but the day before we were set to film in front of a live audience, I was informed that [Matthew] had approached the writers stating that the audience would never forgive him for betraying Monica," Cash revealed to TMZ one month later. "He was probably right. It could have altered the trajectory of the show and his character."
Scroll down for more actors who refused to film cheating story lines:
John Krasinski (‘The Office’)
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Recalling the past, the actor expressed his opposition to Jim being unfaithful in 2021’s The Ultimate Oral History of The Office. He believed that there was a limit to how much the audience could handle. The audience was immensely devoted, and their dedication had been respected throughout. However, if the show were to portray Jim cheating, it was feared that the audience would be lost forever.
Greg Daniels, the show creator, ultimately agreed to remove the scene but still supports the concept. In the book, he explains, "I think it was beneficial for the fans to have that concern because it made them more engaged. I wanted to make them worry that I might give them a disappointing ending, so they would be relieved when they received a satisfying one."
However, Fischer, in a September 2023 episode of her "Office Ladies" podcast, expressed doubts about the planned plot. She stated, "Jim would never have had an affair or involvement with Cathy. Nevertheless, there were aspects of the proposed storyline that both John and I found problematic."
Matthew Perry (‘Friends’)
YouTube
Cash revealed that according to him, the heated argument between Monica and Chandler in Las Vegas was originally intended to result in infidelity. However, Perry reportedly intervened, expressing doubt that Chandler would betray Monica. Cash commended Perry's decision, stating that unlike Ross and Rachel's infamous "we were on a break" scenario, Chandler and Monica's situation did not involve a break. Therefore, Perry's call prevented Chandler from making the choice to cheat on Monica.
Michelle Rodriguez (‘Fast and Furious’)
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Rodriguez, known for her role as Letty in the ongoing Fast and Furious film franchise, vividly remembers refusing a storyline that involved her character betraying Dominic (played by Vin Diesel) for Brian O'Conner (played by Paul Walker).
In an interview with the Daily Beast in 2017, she emotionally expressed, "I remember crying and telling them, 'I'm going to quit'. I pleaded, 'Please don't sue me—I'm sorry, but I cannot portray this in front of millions of people.' My purpose as an actress is to live out my dreams, and I certainly don't aspire to be portrayed as promiscuous! Can you relate?"
Rodriguez recounted how Vin was the first person to comfort her when she was in tears. He assured her of his support and told her to relax while he dealt with the situation, acknowledging that it also reflected poorly on him. This marked the start of the enchanting tale of Letty.
