What actor played a role so iconicly that it's unimaginable anyone else could replace them?

[KohanMike]

Walter Matthau as Oscar Madison in the Odd Couple.

I read an interview that in real life Walter Matthau is the more kempt/organized person compared to Jack Lemmon.

 

[Plake]

If you have never seen the movie please dont think im a lunatic. Great performance. And i'll add his role in Primal Fear as well.

 

[WG Plum]

 

[SteveCS]

I'll take a Toofer if that's OK:

 

[Deleted member 394181]

The Fonz

 

[Deleted member 394181]

Some of your choices have actors that can, and have very effectively played other roles, besides one they are well known for.

 

[Passinwind]

What actor played a role so iconicly that it's unimaginable anyone else could replace them?

Bugs Bunny

 

[Richland123]

Carroll O'Connor as Archie Bunker

 

[Tom Bomb]

 

[Richland123]

Leslie Nielsen as Lt. Frank Drebin in the Naked Gun movie series and Police Squad TV Show.

 

[WG Plum]

 

[ThudThudThud]

Carroll O'Connor as Archie Bunker

He was re-imagining a part immortalised by Warren Mitchell as Alf Garnett:

 

[Nashrakh]

I'll take a Toofer if that's OK:
View attachment 5087834

I was going to say Bela Lugosi as Dracula, but Christopher Lee makes a good case... hard to choose between the two.

Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger. The second Nightmare initially had another actor play Freddy, but the film crew noticed fairly quickly that the movie just ain't workin' without him. The 2010 remake proves my point.

 

[ThudThudThud]

There were six Lassies, all played by male dogs.

 

[ThudThudThud]

 

[Mike N]

Werner Klemperer as Colonel Klink.

 

[hbarcat]

LOL!!!

 

[Bob_Ross]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[hbarcat]

 

[E2942]

couldn't imagine any other over-actor than William Shatner as Capt. Kirk

They had someone play the role on Strange New Worlds & the fans' reactions were wildly disapproving.