Geena Davis reveals why Brad Pitt was cast in Thelma & Louise 😍 | The Graham Norton Show - BBC

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Geena Davis on the audition she had with Brad Pitt for Thelma & Louise (1991).
#BBC #TheGrahamNortonShow #BBCiPlayer #GrahamNorton #GeenaDavis #BradPitt #GeorgeClooney
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[@bigheadrhino]

The way she told the story was perfect. Amazing!

[@26DeislerFCB]

you know in every talk show they ask the guests what they wanna talk about its all like a script, but well done anyway

[@calisongbird]

@@26DeislerFCB so what? What does that have to do with the original comment about the perfect way she told the story?

[@ksionc100]

@@26DeislerFCB wait so Norton is always acting like this AFTER having time to think...

[@MalissiaCreates]

I was thinking it was painful to listen to her get it out but great story once she finally got there.

[@abdiver12]

Geena is so sweet and down to earth. And what a great story about one of the greatest films ever made. How magnetic and charismatic was Brad Pitt if Geena couldn't even remember George Clooney, lol?

[@Terra_Lopez]

Yeah, I can't imagine forgetting George Clooney!

[@melissanoyb]

She's also an actual genius

[@arcadegeek]

"one of the greatest films ever made" - uh wut?

[@pnut3844able]

Greatest ever made? Hahahaha no.

[@gailjacobson7088]

@@melissanoyb Mensa

[@SJ47668]

George Clooney plays George Clooney in every role he’s ever done.

[@jeffclark2675]

youve never seen o brother where arr thou?

[@thomasmagnum3588]

I agree. But still he is in that old school classic movie star league along with Gary Cooper and Cary Grant. Other handsome leading men who were long on looks and charm, but woefully short on acting ability.

[@BlazingShackles]

Not like Gene Hackman or Tom Cruise. Those are the worst.

[@vuxdinh]

Right. Because he is the guy who got married and then got cheated on like the one in The Descendants. There is a fine line between being yourself and playing yourself. The fact you use his name as synonymous as a role only proves his acting is pretty good.

[@BlazingShackles]

@@vuxdinh Hes "ok" but mostly just another Hollywood nepo-baby.

[@jimkeller998]

I love Geena Davis. She could be in every movie and I would never get tired of her.

[@camtra18]

Geena Davis was the first actress I met where I was completely mesmerized, she was so kind, tall and absolutely gorgeous, this was in the 1990's. We had lunch and she never let me feel less than, she was just so nice. My mom was the nanny for her friend.

[@jaysky2000]

Great story! What fun!

[@jessfawkes5727]

Wow that’s amazing. Your so lucky!

[@jessekittrell2946]

Legit the perfect casting for A League Of Their Own....

[@JoyInAccomplishment]

I first remember seeing her do a guest role on “Family Ties” and she was adorable, gorgeous, and unforgettable. A real standout. Her immense height didn’t intimidate Alex P. Keaton at all. If I recall correctly, actor Michael J. Fox (Alex Keaton) pulled her down to his level and gave her solid smoocheroo 💋. Such a funny and cute episode!

[@spanqueluv9er]

@@jessfawkes5727 ^*you’re, not your ffs🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@SERGIO-cr6uy]

I miss seeing Geena in movies. I loved her in Long Kiss Goodnight

[@debbiedoodiedandi]

Love that movie! Doesn't get enough credit for what a great action movie it is

[@jasontodd804]

@@debbiedoodiedandi it’s one of her best movies not a lot of people know about it

[@CheeraraTT]

I remembered That movie and Cuthroat Island ruined her movie career.

[@nicolapowell7730]

Brilliant movie!

[@rbu2136]

Does her face look frozen? So much injections.

[@BlazingShackles]

By shear luck and a scheduling snafu, I ended up sitting next to Geena on a flight from NY to Miami back in the late 90's. She was so gracious and charming. We talked a little about T & L, but mostly talked about A League of Their Own which is one of the best movies ever made. She had endless stories about Tom Hanks, Rosie and Madonna. The flight went by too fast.

[@thomasmagnum3588]

Endless stories! Please share one good one. I love that movie….so re watchable !

[@BlazingShackles]

@@thomasmagnum3588 you'll just have to get lucky and sit next to her sometime. Good luck!

[@spanqueluv9er]

@@BlazingShackles ^*sheer (thin), not shear (to cut) ffs🙄🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤡🤡

[@BlazingShackles]

@@spanqueluv9er No it was sheer luck, cuz I cut in line at the ticket counter.

[@Naneve1970]

@@spanqueluv9eryour the one looking like a clown

[@sarkahalastova9667]

George Clooney’s charisma and looks blossomed with age. I can imagine he was not the guy back then.

[@AlbertZonneveld]

He was charismatic in ER already

[@wwbuirkle]

Clloney's a douche

[@comicus01]

@@AlbertZonneveld He was maybe not so charismatic on "The Facts of Life".

[@erstwhile6163]

Geena Davis looks so beautiful and she seems really fun. Brad WAS amazing in that role.

[@melisentiapheiffer3034]

He is not the classic Hollywood beauty.

[@inthedarkwoods2022]

Are you blind. she looks like she melted

[@frebo8921]

And so natural 😂😂😂

[@eddieingalls534]

Always felt her performance made the film work - no smart ass lines or quips, no high kicks and beating up of 20 men but a vulnerable character who, as we all can, finally snaps. Very convincing.

[@MsTemptation]

Wow. She picked Brad Pitt over George Clooney and didn’t know that Clooney had also tried out for the role. He was that forgettable. I love her even more.

[@brandonmontgomery9694]

I think George Clooney would've nail that role

[@shaomongoloid]

Honestly, young Clooney kind of looked like Jay Leno. There's a reason why he didn't get famous until after he had already started to turn grey. Also, Pitt was objectively the prettiest and daintiest of them all, which makes more sense for a film about women navigating the turbulent waters of self-empowerment. The audience would only allow that character to fall into a trap that wasn't a reflection of traditional patriarchy. In their scenes together, Pitt actually feels smaller and weaker than her but still intensely attractive, and it's that harmlessness along with her desire to take ownership of her own sexuality that makes it believable that she could allow all that money to be lost, which is a major event in the picture that funnels those characters to that famous choice they make in the end.

[@TylerDurden-td2yg]

​@@brandonmontgomery9694 Maybe. But Brad Pitt did it too, so why bother?

[@IceWolfLoki]

Clooney improved with age he was pretty generic in his 20's.

[@totallytivo]

George Clooney was taken for granted until he was cast on ER in 1994. Facts Of Life and Roseanne didn’t know what to do with him. Even Brad Pitt was taken for granted until Thelma and Louise.

[@jonaspereira007]

This goes to show how tough it is to make it in Hollywood. Mark Ruffalo, Clooney and Brad Pitt against each other. Only one could get the job. It is like the Champions League final.

[@pbfuentes]

So hard that you only mentioned the A listers and forgot Grant Show 😅

[@jamesanthony5681]

Depends what you want. If you want straight acting, then Ruffalo. If you want pure looks with little acting ability, then Clooney's your man. If you're looking for looks who can back it up with acting ability and on-screen charisma, then Brad Pitt.

[@jonnyrondo507]

@@pbfuentes Clean your ears out! She did!

[@YouzTube99]

@@jonnyrondo507 The "you" to whom 'P' referred was jonaspereira007, not Ms. Davis.

[@mtnstrand2819]

When it comes to real talent, it real boils down to Mark Ruffalo, George Clooney and only then Brad Pitt.

[@tabathaogost4982]

Who wasn't mesmerized by him!! My jaw dropped every time he was on screen!

[@Frank75288]

most women cream their knickers when Brad's on the screen

[@Woo_Woo_Woman]

@camelpissflavour, given your name its not surprising you're both vulgar and ignorant.

[@Clubber-Slang]

@@Woo_Woo_Woman vulgar? I guess if you're prudish, but ignorant? No, considering it's an accurate statement.

[@theshypersistence]

Imagine being so mesmerized by a young Brad Pitt, that you completely overlook Grant Show, Mark Ruffalo and George Clooney!

[@thememoryremains23]

Ninguno de ellos era igual de guapo que brad Pitt Otra cosa es si por ejemplo un joven Johnny Depp hubiera querido el papel Ente brad Pitt joven y Johnny depp joven es mucho más difícil escoger

[@Xiroi87]

@thememoryremains23 you obviously have no idea how absolutely amazing Grant Shaw looked in the 90s. And without Brad Pitt's acne scarring.

[@musicfangirl7403]

Totally! I think Clooney hit his stride in his 30’s and 40’s but Grant Show was really hot back then.

[@sangeetaalva650]

Sounds like Geena is the lucky charm. Whoever auditioned with her have gone on to have a fabulous career! And Geena herself is just amazing!!

[@charityscreams5366]

It was very sweet and polite the way she way over complimented GC before admitting that he was forgettable.

[@mrsbluesky8415]

Pitt was memorable in that movie. He was so gorgeous it’s all everyone talked about. Turns out he’s a pretty good actor too.

[@angelashrum3581]

Brad had such a memorable part in that movie!! Magnetic all the way through! I completely understand why she was so mesmerized by him in the audition. I would imagine it would have been hard to film it. 🤣🤣 Their chemistry was incredible.

[@chelseaandhobbes]

Brad is a much much better actor than he is given credit for

[@coletteleroux4636]

One of my favourite movies ever Pure girly film 👍 classic

[@S.Pociecha]

@@chelseaandhobbes, I know, right?! Try Snatch if anyone's in doubt. And War Machine, and Inglorious Basterds. Determined not to *just* be hot as hell.

[@nickmcp7191]

@@S.Pociecha He's always played unhinged characters well, too; try Twelve Monkeys or Kalifornia, for example.

[@lisaburnage]

​@@nickmcp7191Legends of the Fall too.. fabulous film.

[@calcham1]

It really is amazing how difficult it must be to get parts in movies, no matter how good looking or talented you are. It's a good thing that none of those guys gave up on the industry.

[@kellydalstok8900]

Even though they didn’t have to sleep with anyone

[@13blackcatzzz]

Especially George. He tried for years before finally making it. He was far from an overnight success.

[@BetterWithBob]

Oh yes, getting the part is difficult, because most people who get the audition are already very talented anyway. It's a combination of who the director likes or who the studio wants. Holly Marie Combs almost didn't get cast on Charmed despite Aaron Spelling wanting her because the network insisted she didn't have "star power"

[@TheBOG3]

It's certainly not just talent but luck that plays a part in the careers of the "A" Listers.

[@thememoryremains23]

Hay actores que tienen suerte y consiguen a la primera como Tom Cruise, el desde joven ya era un éxito en taquillas, de hecho para cuando salió Thelma y Louise el ya era una super estrella del cine, y bras Pitt apenas empezaba a aparecer

[@TheRowlandstone73]

The one and only man crush I've ever had was Brad Pitt in the early 90s! First I saw of him was in the Levi 501 advert just before Thelma and Louise came out. I was like, "No guy should be that good looking!"

[@HarrisonHollers]

This show has the best stories! The group setting makes such a comforting and revealing setting for the stars!

[@carolking1502]

Total jaw drop! So funny that Brad and George are great friends today!

[@nuclearwinter6231]

That’s actually a great story, but tbh Brad did a brilliant job

[@sogorgeous2257]

To me still his best role ever.

[@sandraleigh4023]

I swear I KNEW when I saw that film, that Brad Pitt had "IT" and that he was going to be hugely successfull!! I'm NOT making that up!! I still wear my Thelma and Louise jean jacket with the turquoise car printed on the back. I will be buried in it.

[@pavelskop305]

@@sogorgeous2257 i probably havent seen it, so shameful!

[@eleanoraquitaine2966]

When he came on screen onThelma and Louise, I said out loud in a packed theater, "Lord, have mercy." He just oozes charisma. It's not just his looks. There are handsomer men who don't resonate like him.

[@ShaunHensley]

Pitt is an exceptional actor.

[@markimakki1953]

Geena Davis is so lovely and incredibly underrated as an actor. She's just charming ..funny to hear her say Brad Pitt was charismatic as she herslf is so charismatic. Soft place in my heart for this lady 😍

[@jamesmcinnis208]

She's underrated? By whom? What is her rating? What should it be?

[@markimakki1953]

@@jamesmcinnis208 I mean that she has not received the acclaim of other big name actors like Meryl Streep or Nicole Kidman or Jennifer Lawrence. It's not a measure of her worth but of her fame considering her talent.

[@jamesmcinnis208]

@@markimakki1953 I like her, too.

[@laurencaulton103]

Brad Pitt leapt off the screen in his scenes. A great performance in a great movie.

[@NoName-jq7tj]

“Why did you say yes to him” 😂😂😂😂😂

[@unknowng888]

This is such a incredible story but Geena is so unassuming I love it

[@TimeIdle]

She's a good storyteller, saving the reveal to the last second.

[@phoenixrising2268]

George Clooney would have been totally wrong for Brad Pitt's part in Thelma & Louise.

[@danacaro-herman3530]

@Phoenix Rising22. I couldn't agree more!!

[@Lilo-A]

Thelma and Louise was the first time I saw Brad Pitt I was blown away.

[@marcd1981]

Probably the first time most people saw him.

[@georgeschaut2178]

He actually appeared in seven films starting in the late 80's before appearing in Thelma & Louise, & had been on TV (in 21 Jump Street). But Thelma was his breakout role. Glad he got it. Loved him in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

[@mililaniman]

Thelma and Louise is one of my favorite movies. Geena Davis still looks beautiful.

[@krullebol74]

Yes she does!!

[@sogiki]

I’ve seen Pitt twice in person and dear Gawd he’s beautiful.

[@thomassanio8745]

LA area? Or abroad? He strikes me as a little more low key than Hollywood.

[@texas4648]

😮

[@maxn.7234]

I usually have no use for Hollywood types, but damn Graham Norton always manages to make them charming.

[@glengamble526]

An interesting story; at least I think so anyway - Brad Pitt originally moved to LA to try and make it as a musician and was spotted by a casting Director, I believe at the laundromat, and convinced to audition for this role. This led to him becoming who he is today. But it’s funny that he originally, like Johnny Depp, Michael, J Fox, and many others, moved to Hollywood to try and make it in Music. In fact, in the late 90s a friend of mine worked for Brad as his hair and make up person, and she told us that he was a great, down to earth guy who still had his buddies over on the weekend to sit around and jam with acoustic guitars and congas.

[@aewtx]

Don't know about that. I know Brad Pitt had already done acting before this movie. He played a small guest role in Growing Pains.

[@karenjanicehollick1545]

A lovley story currently read is biography mentioned his claim to fame , can imagine him that way ,never heard a cross word said about him except from his now ex wife ,!

[@plinpain]

Geena Davis is such a treasure

[@gamerspeaks711]

lol, George & Brad are best mates now and love making films together - great hearing these type of stories.

[@1ftsports678]

I saw Geena at the bakery one time. She maintains an incredible classic thin Hollywood figure.

[@johnnyace2287]

Thank you Geena Davis for your hard work in movies!!

[@themenacingbeast5437]

Glad it worked out for all of the guys who auditioned

[@DJ-1Q84]

Geena Davis stepping over Clooney's tears so she could oogle Brad Pitt 🤣

[@windermere2330]

Geena was like SCHWING! When she saw Brad Pitt!

[@harleyquiinnnn]

Thelma and Louise is one of the best films of all time

[@harleyquiinnnn]

@@rosselliswilkinson bitter much?

[@phoenixrising2268]

I agree with you! In my top 10.

[@romanireva]

She is SO beautiful !

[@SergioHernandez-le8wp]

I like her voice. I love just listening to her talk

[@Spock_Rogers]

I love Geena Davis! 🌷

[@user-xk3jt6sr8t]

she’s still so beautiful and elegant.

[@jamesanthony5681]

@@user-xk3jt6sr8t For a 65+ year old.

[@hegmonster]

"Does he know who he's sitting next to?!"

[@Mary-vo4dj]

Great show tonight, so entertaining!! ... I saw Thelma and Louise and it has to be one of my favourite movies, love Geena Davies. What a great story!!

[@josephhertzberg2734]

She is just beautiful

[@marcd1981]

Too much work done. Unfortunately, women in Hollywood don't get the same breaks men get when getting older.

[@sandraleigh4023]

This show is so terrific - I've loved every clip I've seen here - wish we could get it in the states!!

[@Lulubelle-dm6ro]

You can - I record the shows from the BBC America channel

[@sandraleigh4023]

@@Lulubelle-dm6ro Thank you so much, but I only get BBCA and it doesn't have that kind of programming. I'm maxed out on budget for cable, streaming, etc! Oh well.....

[@souljahroch2519]

That was one helluva casting director👏

[@doylelacrua]

She's a pretty good storyteller.

[@nicolindura]

wow!! Amazing story! what a great cast to choose from!

[@williamwade7059]

She developed that story well.😊

[@MrVladinci]

I’m so sad and devastated, because my country was so powerful and now is just beautiful… For all of you who didn’t know there was wonderful and amazing country called Yugoslavia, that country was one of the biggest in east Europe and one of most powerful, during the early 90s we braked to 6 smaller countries ( Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia (including the regions of Kosovo and Vojvodina) and Slovenia ) Croatia and Montenegro have one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and exactly at that place ( Montenegro- Kotor - my home country) Brad Pitt started his career, he was rejected in many auditions before, but in 1988 he had his chance to play with most beautiful women from Yugoslavia Milena Dravic ( his mother in movie ) and the most talented musician Kornelije Kovac who done music for the movie… “The Dark Side of the Sun” The Dark Side of the Sun is a 1988 American-Yugoslavian drama film directed by Božidar Nikolić and stars Brad Pitt in his first leading role, as a young man in search of a cure for a rare and deadly skin disorder.

[@JavenarchX]

Uggghhhhh! I've always loved Gina. I still have to watch that show where she was the president... So amazing to see that she is still out there.

[@bonochibear7895]

I love brad Pitt

[@GaiaShield]

When she said he said I hate Brad Pitt I knew the other one was George Clooney. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I was suspicious it was him before that because of the delay in saying it but as soon as I hate came out my suspicion was confirmed.

[@wickedwitchoftheeast88]

Now we know why he always pranks Brad Pitt lol

[@healingypsy]

She's a beauty

[@judiroth7855]

Love this woman - so authentic❤️❤️👏👏👏❤️

[@justino2096]

Well, to be fair... nobody rates George Clooney with such high regard more than himself.

[@MsTemptation]

True. So very very true.

[@jessfawkes5727]

Do u think so? I didn’t think George would be like that

[@jaengen]

Wow such negativity for someone you have never met. I have and he was very nice and unassuming.

[@mikestibor1]

I’m not sure that’s a thing.

[@EM2theBee]

​@@jessfawkes5727I don't think any of the nay sayers have met, let alone know, Mr. Clooney.

[@faafafineartist]

Brad Pitt WAS stunning in this.

[@ipKonfig]

I had such a crush on her back 80s/90s when I was little. Such a beautiful women

[@2beJT]

A League of Their Own is still in a league of its own!

[@lucu01]

f'in classic, last name drop, she's such a classy lady

[@Josh_Exitcamper]

I miss her in A league of their own.

[@keleziz76]

Grant Show, Mark Ruffalo, George Clooney, Brad Pitt… what a line up!

[@sogorgeous2257]

Because he was so talented Geena keeps saying…cuz he was so sexy you really mean to say!!!

[@SummerofKittyLove]

When Harvey Keitel kept hitting him over the head 😂

[@debra1363]

One of my favorite parts of Thelma and Loise was hearing Harvey Keitel do a southern accent.

[@Thukhawchang]

That's a good storyteller

[@juabenrodriguez9113]

Fun fact: Thelma & Louise isn't Brad Pitt's first movie, he's been in movies since the late 80s, but Thelma & Louise is his first masterpiece he's ever been in.

[@Sublime_37]

She’s so lucky lol. Love Gina Davis!’

[@Lola_Santoro]

Geena's had some very iconic movies.

[@cjmiller6741]

Brad Pitt had been the lead in at least two feature films before this role, a few tv movies, and several tv series and soaps, since around 1988. One of his early feature movies is the underrated slasher, Cutting Class.

[@sharionsutherland8950]

I met Geena Davis when I worked at a hotel once. She's gorgeous and very lovely

[@MsOSheDidIt]

I love Geena Davis; She is so amazing and just down to earth! U could see us sitting around drinking tea and just reading the news! I love everything even Long Kiss Goodnight! I didn't expect it to be so amazing but WOW she is Good! Love her!

[@tomg8673]

I’ve never seen Lebron look so GREAT !!!

[@rejectionisprotection4448]

Very funny.

[@JamieSMB]

I've just been watching Thelma & Louise, people might disagree but I feel like it's such a classic movie now.

[@marklola12]

Brad was at his peak of hotness in this movie

[@patbaxter3538]

Damn, what a great story. I love these!

[@erin7755]

Love her, she looks great!

[@Yuneed2no]

Brad Pitt did perfect. Hands down he was best option.

[@lorib360]

He's really talented! Haha. She says it with such conviction.

[@Ulbre]

I love her in "A League Of Their Own" :)

[@terrygracy8345]

When I saw that movie for the first time, after five minutes of Brad being on screen I said “ that dudes going to be a star” and I hated him at the same time. 😂.

[@toriellezz192]

Love Brad Pitt

[@NeversurrenderMM66]

After my parents saw T&L, Dad developed a crush on Geena & Mom on Brad. They were at the top of each's "free pass" list. Ha! My folks had great senses of humor.

[@TheChef470]

Hey I'm a straight male and Brad makes my knees weak lol !

[@johnthehumanist2333]

HERE COME THE DOUBLE STANDARDS!!!🤣

[@toddsmitts]

It's always neat to hear about what other actors were up for a role. Mark Ruffalo? Grant Snow? Clooney? Wow.

[@willyhwang1059]

for me, Grant Show was the most handsome of the four.

[@j.j.4150]

Sure, every time she said talented, what she really meant was attractive 😂.

[@Adasteia]

Geena Davis can Rock anything she's in ! I.think their dating even.if it wasn't for long was very sweet. They were adorable in the movie, considering they were playing outlaws !

[@elw2827]

bc..Brad is F.I.N.E.....periodt.

[@hushmahmouth8857]

Geena looks fab!

[@Naessey]

What a fabulous story!

[@_PURAVIDA]

Whaaaaaaaa!!! I knew about Brad Pitt’s debut thanks to Ms Davis but I didn’t know it was over George Clooney. WOW! That’s Hollywood history 😂

[@jt1929]

I thought she was gonna say the last guy was Harvey Fierstein.

[@akamoroff]

That would have been funny.

[@masterwatch]

that is actually very cool.

[@ABC-yt1nq]

She was sensational in The Fly. A Gothic, tragic love story.

[@davidbrock2871]

That was a very high powered audition. Maybe explains the origin of the Clooney Pitt love hate bromance.

[@altorres5988]

I had a small cameo in Stuart little as one of the orphans kids in the beginning of the movie I had a brief conversation with her she was a really nice lady