Audrey Hepburn: Roles She Missed That Other Actresses Made Famous

Audrey Hepburn has been described as "magical" and "fawnlike," but she may be best known as a style icon and humanitarian.

Hepburn, star of "Breakfast at Tiffany's," is one of the few actresses to win an Emmy, Tony, Grammy, and Academy Award, but she didn’t play every role that came along. Here are a few of the roles she missed that other actresses made famous:

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1. "West Side Story"
Hepburn declined the role as Maria in 1961's "West Side Story" because she was pregnant, and after two miscarriages, did not want to risk over-exerting herself, MentalFloss reported.  Natalie Wood got the part in the film that went on to win 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

2. "40 Carats"
Hepburn turned down the role of 40-year-old divorcee Ann in the sophisticated romantic comedy “40 Carats.” “The role was considered a plum part for older actresses and was in high demand throughout Hollywood,” said Turner Classic Movies. Acclaimed Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann ultimately got the part.

3. "Cleopatra"
The leading role in this film was originally meant for Joan Collins, but when the project took longer than expected, the filmmakers had to find a new star. Hepburn was considered, but the role famously went to Elizabeth Taylor. While Taylor was already a star before "Cleopatra," it was significant in that it was the first time an actor was paid $1 million for a single film.

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4. "Doctor Zhivago"
Audrey Hepburn was considered for the role of Tonya, but Director David Lean "was so impressed with [Geraldine Chaplin's] audition that he nixed the idea of Hepburn and gave Chaplin the part," according to "Casting Might-Have-Beens." Chaplin, the daughter of Charlie Chaplin, was nominated for a Golden Globe for the role.

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