The rotund actor was the first choice to play "Waldo Lydecker" but his premature and tragic death paved the way for another actor to become a movie star in the role.

In his DVD commentary, film historian Rudy Behlmer reports that Marlene Dietrich had expressed interest in playing the title role in a film.

Turned down the role of a chic mystery woman in a film that became a film noir classic.

Turned down the lead role of the alluring mystery woman.

According to her 1976 autobiography, Rosalind Russell was offered the title role in this film noir classic. She turned it down because her character arrived on screen well into the picture.