John Stamos reveals why he missed out on playing Grinch after being set for the role
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: John Stamos shared a surprising revelation about his near-miss with one of the most iconic roles in holiday cinema.
Speaking on the December 23 episode of the ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast', hosted by Wondery and Dr Seuss Enterprises, the 'Full House' star disclosed that he was once set to play the titular character in the 2000 film 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'.
John Stamos on his missed opportunity in the 2000 holiday classic
John Stamos’ aspirations to portray the beloved green villain came to an abrupt halt during the makeup test phase.
The 61-year-old actor explained that he had an allergic reaction to the prosthetics, which ultimately prevented him from continuing in the role.
The part of the Grinch, as fans know, eventually went to Jim Carrey, whose performance alongside Taylor Momsen, Jeffrey Tambor, and Christine Baranski became a holiday classic.
During his conversation with podcast host James Austin Johnson, who voices the Grinch, Stamos recalled the moment he realized he could not proceed with the role.
"I went to the makeup test, and I was allergic to all the prosthetics," Stamos recounted, according to People.
This unexpected obstacle forced him to bow out, paving the way for Carrey’s now-iconic portrayal.
Jim Carrey’s legacy as the iconic Grinch
Jim Carrey’s performance as the Grinch earned critical acclaim and audience adoration.
The movie, based on Dr Seuss’ 1957 children’s book, was a box office hit and received three Academy Award nominations, winning one for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
Carrey also secured a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.
Despite the physical demands of the role, including enduring hours of strenuous makeup application, Carrey has expressed openness to revisiting the character under specific conditions.
Jim Carrey's condition for his return to star in a Grinch sequel
In a recent interview with ComicBook, Jim Carrey mentioned the potential of using modern technology like motion capture to avoid the challenges of prosthetics.
“On the day, I do that with a ton of makeup and can hardly breathe. It was an extremely excruciating process,” he recalled, adding, “Now, with motion capture and things like that, I could be free to do other things. Anything is possible in this world."
In 2023, despite online rumors suggesting a sequel was already in the works, Carrey’s representative dismissed those claims.
During the podcast, Johnson’s Grinch character humorously chimed in, sharing his perspective on Carrey’s portrayal and the film’s eerie similarity to his own “life.”
