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Andy Griffith's 'Face in the Crowd' role: A wild audition tale
2 Oct
Summary
- Griffith aggressively secured 'A Face in the Crowd' role by grabbing director Elia Kazan.
- Linda Purl shared Griffith's intense audition story on the Still Here Hollywood podcast.
- Griffith's performance in 'A Face in the Crowd' is considered one of his best.
Linda Purl recently shared a remarkable anecdote about Andy Griffith's aggressive audition for the 1957 film "A Face in the Crowd." Griffith, who would later become known for his wholesome comedic roles, was determined to play the part of Larry "Lonesome" Rhodes.
According to Purl, Griffith's persistence involved showing up at director Elia Kazan's office repeatedly. When that failed to secure him a meeting, Griffith resorted to extreme measures, confronting Kazan directly. Griffith recounted grabbing Kazan by the collar and asserting his suitability for the role, famously stating, "I am that man." This bold move ultimately convinced Kazan to cast him.
Purl, who starred with Griffith in the first season of "Matlock," discussed this on the Still Here Hollywood podcast. She emphasized that the public only saw a fraction of Griffith's acting talent, describing him as brilliant and complex. "A Face in the Crowd" is now remembered as featuring one of Griffith's most powerful screen performances.
