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Before Martin Sheen became the iconic President Josiah Bartlet onThe West Wing, the show’s creators wanted to cast legendary actor Sidney Poitier. His potential casting would have been a groundbreaking moment for television, as it would have made him the first Black actor to portray a U.S. president on screen. However, despite the initial interest, the plans with Poitier didn’t happen.
After considering other actors, the role of Bartlet ultimately went to Martin Sheen, whose performance became one of the most beloved aspects of the show.
How did Martin Sheen land the role of President Bartlet over Sidney Poitier?
When casting for the role of President Josiah Bartlet inThe West Wing,producers knew they needed someone who could bring both strength and relatability to the character. The role required an actor who could command respect while also being warm and approachable, which led them to consider a few big names.
One of the most notable choices was Sidney Poitier, a legendary actor who made history as the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role inLilies of the Field.
According to interviews with the show’s creators viaLooper, Poitier was the first actor approached for the role of President Bartlet. However, despite his impressive career, talks between the actor and the producers ultimately fell through. This left the producers in need of a new candidate and next on their list was Jason Robards, a two-time Academy Award winner.
Unfortunately, Robards’ health was declining, making it clear that he wouldn’t be able to handle the demanding schedule of a weekly TV series. The search continued, with actors like Hal Holbrook and John Collum auditioning for the part. Before they could settle on one of these actors, producer John Wells suggestedMartin Sheen.
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Wells had previously worked with Sheen onThe American President, and after reading the script, Sheen was eager to take on the role. Initially, the president was not meant to be a main character, but his performance was so impressive that test audiences loved him, leading producers to expand his role from a few episodes to 13.
Had Poitier been cast as President Bartlet,The West Wingwould have made history by featuring the first Black actor to portray a sitting U.S. president. Instead, Sheen’s portrayal of Bartlet became one of the most iconic performances in television history. Though we’ll never know how Poitier would have played the role, Sheen’s performance continues to be celebrated by fans around the world.
Al Pacino recalled Martin Sheen’s selfless gesture when he struggled as an actor
In his memoirSonny BoyviaYahoo!,Al Pacino opened up about a time in his early career when he was struggling to make ends meet and how his close friend, Martin Sheen, stepped in to offer help. Pacino and Sheen had both studied under Charlie Laughton at the Herbert Berghof Studio in New York City and even shared a flat in the South Bronx.
Despite their strong bond, their careers were on different paths, with Sheen gaining regular acting work while Pacino faced difficulties.
Pacino recounts a chance encounter in the New York City subway when Sheen spotted him looking down on his luck. Pacino humorously recalled,“I looked like I was playing a part in a Charlie Chaplin film from the silent era.”Recognizing his friend’s situation, Sheen offered him a lifeline, asking if he would understudy for him in an off-Broadway production ofThe Wicked Cooks.Despite knowing thatAl Pacinowasn’t experienced enough for the role, his offer was rooted in kindness.
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Pacino agreed to the opportunity, although he struggled with the performance and was unable to step in when Sheen fell ill. Nonetheless, Sheen, who was already well-established in his career, paid Pacino out of his own salary, saying,“Marty was paying me himself, out of his own salary. He just wanted me to have the money.”This generous gesture left a lasting impact on Pacino, strengthening their strong friendship.
You can watchThe West Wingon Max.
Sakshi Singh
Articles Published :1435
Sakshi Singh has written over 1,300 entertainment articles, mostly about Netflix shows and reality TV. She’s spent the last two years covering everything from surprise engagements to shocking eliminations and previously wrote for Essentially Sports in their Netflix Junkie division. A self-proclaimed reality TV addict, Sakshi has watched all 48 seasons of Survivor and never misses a new dating or competition series. She loves watching how strangers meet, fall in love, team up, or betray each other - it’s the mix of strategy and drama that keeps her hooked. When she’s not glued to a reality show, she’s usually watching a crime thriller or tracking the next big streaming hit.
