Get unlimited access to everything VICE has to offer.

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

4 Magazines Delivered to Your Door

29 Years Ago, ‘Friends’ Almost Cast This Music Icon to Play Ross’s Father-in-Law

A ‘Friends’ casting director said McCartney personally turned down the role of Emily’s father due to a busy schedule.

Share on X (Opens in new window)X

Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook

Share using Native toolsShareCopied to clipboard

During its 10-season run on NBC, Friends welcomed its fair share of A-list celebrity guests. Everybody from Brad Pitt to Bruce Willis to Susan Sarandon took the time out of their busy schedules to appear on the show over the years. Even Danny DeVito popped up at one point. But there was another entertainment icon the showrunners weren’t able to get for the role of Ross’s one-time father-in-law.

As you may remember, we’re first introduced to Stephen Waltham, as played by Tom Conti, in the........

© Vice