Oscar-winning actor Sam Rockwell revealed a surprisingly interesting fact about his early career not too long ago. He accomplished that very thing recently during an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. Despite being let go from the 1989 film Lean on Me before filming his scene, Rockwell continues to receive residual checks for the role that never materialized.
Rockwell’s audition story for Lean on Me was particularly memorable, and combined with hearing fellow actors Michael Imperioli and Kevin Corrigan made for a great listen. The trio rode together to Jersey, excited to test for their roles within the movie. They both auditioned for the same part, and Imperioli was the one who finally landed it. Rockwell was first cast, but he was dropped from the project before shooting began.
At first, Rockwell had only been awarded a supporting role in the movie directed by John G. Avildsen. However, only a day into production, he was fired, which is how Imperioli ended up stepping into the role. Reflecting on this experience, Rockwell humorously noted that he had one line in an unrelated context: “Hey, I’m gonna be a star.”
Rockwell shared some insight into his post-Moonlight Hollywood projects. He still managed to land a part in Iron Man 2, in a scene that was cut entirely—although he joked, “they never got to my scene.” This throughline of missed opportunities serves as a lens to view the chaotic environment of the film business.
Most recently in 2025, Rockwell at the Newport Beach TV Fest. He opened up about his experiences in Hollywood and the invaluable lessons he’s learned through it all.
Now looking back on many of his roles, Rockwell shares insights and reveals surprising results. His discoveries show the tricky balancing act that actors have to play throughout their careers. His story is a testament that this happened even to big names in the industry today.
