Sam Rockwell may have received an Emmy nomination this year for his performance inThe White Lotusseason 3, but the acclaimed actor has revealed that he bombed an audition for one of television’s most iconic shows,ER. The iconic medical series premiered on NBC on June 10, 2025, and ran for 15 seasons.
ERstarred Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Noah Wyle, Julianna Margulies, and other well-known actors.Wyle, who played another doctorin a medical drama series this year from HBO calledThe Pitt, played John Carter inER. Carter, who starts season 1 as a med student, is a main character inERuntil the end of the eleventh season.
During a group interview withEntertainment Tonightthat promoted Rockwell’s new movieThe Bad Guys 2, he shared that he auditioned for the role of John Carter forER. While Rockwell assumed he had done a great job on the audition initially, the producers were allegedly put off by an unorthodox prop. Check out his comments below:
I came with a lab coat and a hypodermic [needle]. But not the needle part, just the plastic part… [I] thought I nailed it… It’s almost like I brought a gun to an audition. They were looking at me with this hypodermic thing… There was no needle! Just to be clear. I’m not that crazy."
What This Meant For Sam Rockwell’s Career
Image via Max
Rockwell did not get the role that ultimately went to Wyle, who received critical acclaim for his performance. However, Rockwell went on to appear in many notable films around the time thatERwas airing, includingGlory Daze, The Green Mile, Charlie’s Angels, andThe Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Rockwell was able to not only establish himself as a movie star, but as a staple on television as well.
If Rockwell had won the role of John Carter, he would have been busy filmingER, and he may not have had time to appear in any of these films. While he may not have grabbed the attention of theERproducers, Rockwell was able to not only establish himself as a movie star, but as a staple on television as well.
In addition to his beloved guest performance as part ofThe White Lotusseason 3’s cast, Rockwell also starred as Bob Fosse in the award-winning miniseriesFosse/Verdon.
Our Take On Rockwell Bombing His ER Audition
Wyle is extremely iconic as John Carter, and it’s hard to imagine anybody playing him. While Rockwell most likely would have been excellent as John, Wyle nails the role incredibly well. He was nominated 5 different times for an Emmy for his portrayal of John, further showcasing just how born for this role Wyle is.
Ultimately, it was better off for Rockwell’s career that he lost this role to Wyle. This is because Rockwell’s career flourished without the show, andERserved as Wyle’s breakout, and both fine actors deserved their chance to shine.
ER
Cast
In Cook County General Hospital’s emergency department, the doctors and nurses tackle every patient’s medical puzzles, all while dealing with the challenges in their personal and professional lives.
