Sam Rockwell

 Sam Rockwell was director George Clooney's only choice to play Chuck Barris in "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" (2002). This film was initially a Johnny Depp project, but when Clooney came on-board as director, he decided that this movie would work better with a less well-established actor in the lead role.

Prior to his audition, Rockwell "immersed" himself in the role by watching episodes of The Gong Show in an attempt to impress the filmmakers. "I went to LA [and] did an old-fashioned screen test, like a real Scarlett O'Hara-type screen test, which you know they don't really do anymore," the actor remembered. For research, Rockwell spent two and a half months with Barris. "We went to coffee shops and dinner and movies, took walks, went to the zoo; I even filmed him," Rockwell explained. "I had him tape my lines in a tape recorder, and I listened to that to get his voice down."
Miramax was unsure of Clooney's decision to cast Rockwell over other famous actors such as Robert Downey, Jr., and Ben Stiller. Clooney convinced the studio into giving him the right of final cut privilege and casting Rockwell in exchange for first-look deals on "Full Frontal" (2002) and other low-budget films from Clooney's Section Eight Productions. Clooney also agreed to cameo in Miramax's "Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams" (2002) so Rockwell could be cast. Rockwell would win the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 2003 Berlin International Film Festival for his performance.
Rockwell on what he would do if he wasn't an actor: "I have no skills. There's absolutely nothing I know how to do. So I'd be f**ked otherwise. I'm very fortunate to be an actor. I know I'm very lucky to be doing this. And though I'm not sure where I'm going to end up, whether it's in major films, independents, or theater work, I'm just happy getting to do roles that are really juicy, meaningful, and allow me to keep adventuring the way I have been."