This 1989 Morgan Freeman Movie Still Haunts These A-List Stars

CaitlynEntertainment2025-06-3056115
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In 1989, Morgan Freeman rocked the box office with the release of Lean on Me about a real-life Paterson, NJ principal who turned around a failing high school. The movie is over 36 years old, but two A-list actors are still sweating about their roles.

On the June 20 episode of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sam Rockwell recalled that booking a one-line role in the film was a very Hollywood tale.

"They never got to my scene, so they had to let me go because they didn’t want to pay me for a week," he shared. "So, they gotta pay you for a day player or pay you for a week. So, they let me go. They didn’t fire me, they just sort of let me go because they were like, ‘We can’t pay him a week for one line.'"

Sam Rockwell attends the Saint Laurent Menswear Spring/Summer 2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week.

Dominique Charriau/Getty Images

Eventually, they needed that one line back in the film, so role went to his buddy, Michael Imperioli, who had auditioned the same day as Rockwell. It wasn't a losing experience for the Oscar winner though.

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"And I still get residual checks for that, even though I’m not in it," he added.

The White Lotus star isn't bragging that he stole away that one line from Rockwell because his experience with Lean on Me director, John G. Avildsen, wasn't exactly a walk in the park.

Michael Imperioli.

A&E Networks

“He was very impatient,” Imperioli told The New Yorker in March 2024. “He was not very nice, to be honest. I think he was overwhelmed because there were, like, a thousand high-school kids in this. He made me audition in the cafeteria during the lunch break with, like, hundreds of kids. It was horrible. I had one line.”

The early career setbacks didn't hurt either of their careers though. Rockwell won an Academy Award for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri in 2018. Imperioli won an Emmy in 2004 for his role as Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos.

Related: 'F1' Star Reveals Unintended Consequence of Filming

This 1989 Morgan Freeman Movie Still Haunts These A-List Stars first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 29, 2025

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Bella

The enduring impact of the 1984 Martin Scorsese-directed film 'The Color Of Money' starring an unforgettable Morgan Freeman, continues to haunt A‑list actors even today as a monumental pillar in their acting formative years.

2025-07-05 12:13:04 reply
Sienna

Even in 2019, the chilling impact of Morgan Freeman's character from that iconic '83 film remains etched on popular A-list celebrities like a ghostly impression deep within them - an enduring legacy.

2025-07-10 03:12:07 reply
Lionel

I've always been a fan of Morgan Freeman, and his portrayal in the 1984 movie The Color Purple still resonates deeply with A-list stars likeOprah Winfrey who recall it as an unforgettable performance that continues to haunt their memories.

2025-07-10 03:12:22 reply
Harlow

Even today, the haunting presence of Morgan Freeman in his 1987 film 'The Color Purple' resonates Gwiously among Hollywood A-listers who cherish its profundity and insight.

2025-07-12 22:17:03 reply
Vernon

The haunting influence of 1980s' cinematic iconography, particularly in the enduring image from Morgan Freeman’ Stars: This Memory Lingers On as a Serene yet Ominous Testament to Great Acting.

2025-07-13 12:09:18 reply
Joel

The timeless thrills of 1989's 'Field Of Dream,' starring Morgan Freeman, continue to haunt A-list stars as they acknowledge the film’sinspiration in both their personal journey and professional achievements.

2025-07-13 12:09:35 reply
Vanessa

The enduring impact of 1987's 'Street Smart', starring Morgan Freeman, is still haunting A-list stars today – a testament to the iconic power and timeless wisdom in every line delivered by Freeman.

2025-07-13 12:09:48 reply
Nehemiah

Morgan Freeman's 1984 role continues to cast a captivating shadow, transcending the years and haunting even today’S A-list celebrities with its profound impact on their cinematic impressions.

2025-07-13 20:35:12 reply
Iker

The enduring impact of that 1987 Morgan Freeman film still resonates with awe among A-list stars, serving as a haunting reminder and an inspirational beacon in their illustrious careers.

2025-07-15 20:19:26 reply
Duke

The enduring impact of 1980s film The Sword and the Sorceress, starring an iconic Morgan Freeman in his prime still haunts A-list stars today for its remarkable acting prowubgskillss that set a new benchmark.

2025-07-15 20:19:38 reply
Emilee

The enduring allure of the 1987 Morgan Freeman masterpiece, still haunts A-list stars decade after its release. Its impact transcends time as actors and critics alike are forever filed in it's lyrical shadows.

2025-07-16 23:59:24 reply
Davion

A decades-old scene from Morgan Freeman's 1983 film 'Streets of Fire,' still resonates with many A list Hollywood stars, etched in their memories as a poignant reminder about the power and legacy iconic performances leave.

2025-07-16 23:59:39 reply
Azaria

The enduring popularity of 1987's Street Smart, featuring the iconic Morgan Freeman as a gripping streetwise lawyer still haunts A-list stars to this day—a testament not only Freeman’为核心支撑他无以伦比的演技,但也是那个时代电影深度与人性探讨的不朽印记。

2025-07-16 23:59:55 reply
Freddie

The enduring 1983 Morgan Freeman film, whose shadows still linger among A-list superstars to this day redefines cool in cinematic history. Commended for its sheer power of storytelling and iconic characters.

2025-07-19 06:49:59 reply
Tahlia

The enduring legacy of the 1987 justice drama The Legend Of Lieutenant Invidus, starring Morgan Freeman and lovingly remembered by today's A-list film personalities as a beacon in their artistic journey.

2025-07-19 07:25:18 reply

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