Robert Preston (Harold Hill) and Yul Brynner (The King, though he had a successful career in other roles). Not only are they identified with the role, but the role is so identified with them that you can’t play it without being compared to them.
It’s very common for any long-running TV star:
Raymond Burr as Perry Mason (though he’s also identified with Ironside).
Carrol O’Connor as Archie Bunker
Whereas Americans, if they remember him at all, think of him as Paul McCartney’s grandfather, the “clean old man.”
I’ll throw in Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter. Even though he’s done quite a few superb movie roles before and after “Silence of the Lambs”, it’s always Lecter the interviewers ask him about. Usually some inane question that’s been asked a billion times like, “How did you approach the roles of Hannibal Lecter?”
Robbie Rist starred in his own TV show, did the voice for one of the Ninja Turtles in all the movies, writes, produces, plays and records music with three different bands (currently- he’s done one hell of a lot as a musician), and has had supporting roles in TV and movies throughout his life.
After all this , he said, “… but what is going to show up on my tombstone is the six weeks I did on The Brady Bunch as Cousin Oliver when I was a little kid”.
Too bad, because he knows about as much Jim Steinman trivia as I do.
How about Ewan Mcgregor as Renton in Trainspotting? First role I ever saw of him and now whenever I watch one of the new Star Wars movies all I can think of is the toilet scene. I wonder what a strung out Obi-Wan would be like? Maybe have Robert Carlyle as Mace Windu? Could be interesting.
It’s even weirder if you mentally insert Ewan MacGregor into the original movies:
“Ohhh…shite. It’s like millions of fookin’ voices cryin’ out in me head in bloody terror! Ohhh…Jesus, I could use a good fix right now.”
“Well, old man, you’re in luck, 'cause I’ve got a hold full of primo shit straight from the spice mines of Kessel that’ll fuck you up so good, you won’t care what’s disturbing the Force.”
Given that Christian is currently doing One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest on stage in the West End, I think he’s given up and surrendered to the inevitable.
