Crispin Glover
publication date: Monday, October 16, 2023 (part of October 2023)
category: 
Movies
clue: He got a kick out of appearing on David Letterman's show, but his career never quite recovered from it. Subsequently, the most influence he had in Hollywood was by not appearing in Back to the Future Part II.
explanation: In 1986, Glover was ascendant in Hollywood after playing George McFly in the surprise hit Back to the Future, but a wild appearance on Late Night with David Letterman in which he became agitated and tried to kick Letterman in the head led to his being removed from the show, and it's widely speculated to have contributed to his difficulty finding major roles since. In 1990, footage of Glover from Back to the Future was edited into its sequel without Glover's permission or payment. He successfully sued the studio over it, inspiring changes to Screen Actor Guild contracts that effectively ended the widespread practice. more…
intended difficulty: medium
solved by: Russ Wilhelm, Steve West, and Erik Bates
trivia: This goo reminded Scott of the goo of Eric Stoltz, which was similarly about Stoltz not appearing in Back to the Future. Scott wondered if he could have pulled off a themed week of "People Who Didn't Appear in a Back to the Future Movie," such as actors Marc McClure and Wendie Jo Sperber who played Marty's disappearing siblings in the photograph and had their own careers as character actors, or actress Claudia Wells who was replaced as Marty's girlfriend in the sequels, or rock & roll legend Chuck Berry who was on the other end of the phone call during the school dance but didn't speak.
Similar Goos
Donald Pleasence
This actor lent his pleasant presence to such diverse film series as James Bond, Halloween, and Escape. Go »
John Ford
A four-time Academy Award winner, this director was an accomplished soldier, awarded 21 medals and citations during WWII and the Korean War. Go »
Tobe Hooper
This director tormented audiences with classic movie monsters from Mars, Jerusalem's Lot, and his native Texas, but his career never overcame the rumors that one of his biggest successes was actually directed by Steven Spielberg. Go »
Eric Idle
This British actor has done anything but sit still ever since Monty Python wrapped up: He went on the run as a nun, adventured with Baron Munchausen, and enchanted Shrek (but not Ella). Go »
Kelly LeBrock
This model and actress was everywhere in the eighties, being computer-generated by a couple of horny teenagers, getting rescued by her almost immortal then-husband Steven Seagal, and imploring shampoo consumers not to hate her because she was beautiful. Go »
