When an actor and their role are the perfect fit, it can give way to an iconic status that makes them a huge star. It can also be a little hard to move on from, and often leaves an actor pigeonholed for the rest of their career. You'd think that having a major role handed to you is the ultimate blessing that no one could refuse, but there are downsides that every artist must consider.
Surprisingly, many of the most respected actors in Hollywood have turned down huge opportunities for reasons that would seem trivial to the average person. Click through this gallery to see which actors almost passed on the roles that defined their careers.