John Stamos Once Auditioned to Play the Grinch but Was ‘Allergic' to the Prosthetics

Mar. 15, 2025

John Stamos; Jim Carrey as the Grinch in ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ in 2000.Photo:Getty(2)

Getty(2)

John Stamosalmost put the mean in green.The actor, 61, revealed on the Dec. 23 episode of the‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcastthat he auditioned to play the Grinch in the 2000 Christmas favoriteHow the Grinch Stole Christmas.The podcast from Wondery and Dr. Seuss Enterprises featuresSaturday Night Livecast memberJames Austin Johnsonas the cynical green character.John Stamos attends Cool Comedy Hot Cuisine Benefitting The Scleroderma Research Foundation at Fairmont Century Plaza on October 29, 2024 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez/GettyIn the episode, Stamos said he was unable to continue going for the iconic role in the adaptation of  Dr. Seuss’ 1957 children’s book because he had an allergic reaction to the prosthetics during a makeup test. The part ultimately went toJim Carrey, who played oppositeTaylor Momsen,Jeffrey TamborandChristine Baranski.“Hey, you know, I have something. Here’s an interesting fact you don’t know about me,” Stamos told Johnson’s Grinch character.“Shoot,” the Grinch replied.The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!“I was originally going to play you in the movie that Jim Carrey got,” theFull Housealumnus said. “Did you know that? I went to the makeup test.“The Grinch reacted in surprise as Stamos continued, “And I was allergic to the, you know, all the prosthetics.“Jim Carrey as the Grinch in ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’ in 2000.Universal/GettyThe actor went on to ask the villainous character if he enjoyed Carrey’s portrayal.“You know, they brought me in a couple days to do some consulting,” he answered with a wink, adding that he was “a little triggered” on set due to its uncanny resemblance to his own life.“I was a little triggered walking around the set, just cause it’s like, you know, when they build an exact replica of your neighborhood and you’re walking around but you know that you’re on a soundstage in freaking Burbank,” the Grinch said. “It’s like, it’s a little eerie.“The 2000 movie premiered to great success at the box office and among audiences. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, winning one for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Carrey also earned a Golden Globe nomination for best actor in the movie’s genre.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.TheSonicactor said in a recent interview withComicBookthat he’d be open toreprising his legendary roleif they could figure out a way for him to avoid the strenuous makeup process.“The thing about it is, on the day, I do that with a ton of makeup and can hardly breathe. It was an extremely excruciating process,” he told the outlet. “The children were in my mind all the time. ‘It’s for the kids. It’s for the kids. It’s for the kids.’ And now, with motion capture and things like that, I could be free to do other things. Anything is possible in this world.“Maybe in that case, they can figure out a role for Stamos as well!

John Stamosalmost put the mean in green.

The actor, 61, revealed on the Dec. 23 episode of the‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcastthat he auditioned to play the Grinch in the 2000 Christmas favoriteHow the Grinch Stole Christmas.

The podcast from Wondery and Dr. Seuss Enterprises featuresSaturday Night Livecast memberJames Austin Johnsonas the cynical green character.

John Stamos attends Cool Comedy Hot Cuisine Benefitting The Scleroderma Research Foundation at Fairmont Century Plaza on October 29, 2024 in Los Angeles.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

In the episode, Stamos said he was unable to continue going for the iconic role in the adaptation of  Dr. Seuss' 1957 children’s book because he had an allergic reaction to the prosthetics during a makeup test. The part ultimately went toJim Carrey, who played oppositeTaylor Momsen,Jeffrey TamborandChristine Baranski.

“Hey, you know, I have something. Here’s an interesting fact you don’t know about me,” Stamos told Johnson’s Grinch character.

“Shoot,” the Grinch replied.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

“I was originally going to play you in the movie that Jim Carrey got,” theFull Housealumnus said. “Did you know that? I went to the makeup test.”

The Grinch reacted in surprise as Stamos continued, “And I was allergic to the, you know, all the prosthetics.”

Jim Carrey as the Grinch in ‘How The Grinch Stole Christmas’ in 2000.Universal/Getty

Universal/Getty

The actor went on to ask the villainous character if he enjoyed Carrey’s portrayal.

“You know, they brought me in a couple days to do some consulting,” he answered with a wink, adding that he was “a little triggered” on set due to its uncanny resemblance to his own life.

“I was a little triggered walking around the set, just cause it’s like, you know, when they build an exact replica of your neighborhood and you’re walking around but you know that you’re on a soundstage in freaking Burbank,” the Grinch said. “It’s like, it’s a little eerie.”

The 2000 movie premiered to great success at the box office and among audiences. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, winning one for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Carrey also earned a Golden Globe nomination for best actor in the movie’s genre.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

TheSonicactor said in a recent interview withComicBookthat he’d be open toreprising his legendary roleif they could figure out a way for him to avoid the strenuous makeup process.

“The thing about it is, on the day, I do that with a ton of makeup and can hardly breathe. It was an extremely excruciating process,” he told the outlet. “The children were in my mind all the time. ‘It’s for the kids. It’s for the kids. It’s for the kids.’ And now, with motion capture and things like that, I could be free to do other things. Anything is possible in this world.”

Maybe in that case, they can figure out a role for Stamos as well!

source: people.com