Ferris Bueller Was Almost Played by Sitcom Star, Says Book

An upcoming book reportedly claims that a popular sitcom star nearly portrayed the titular protagonist in the 1986 teen comedy movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Matthew Broderick ultimately played the character, and the movie became one of the most culturally significant releases of the decade.

New book says sitcom star nearly played titular role in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

According to Ferris Bueller…You’re My Hero: The Story of the World’s Most Famous Day Off, an upcoming book by author Jason Klamm, Jon Cryer almost played the role of Ferris Bueller. In the book’s third chapter, Klamm writes that writer-director John Hughes approached Paramount executives Ned Tanen and Lindsay Doran with a pitch for the movie. One of the things they discussed during that meeting was the prospect of casting Cryer as Ferris Bueller (via Entertainment Weekly).

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off debuted in US theaters on June 11, 1986. By then, Cryer had worked in several teen movies, including the iconic Pretty in Pink. He went on to appear in different projects before headlining the CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men with Charlie Sheen.

The above-mentioned outlet reports that Klamm interviewed Cryer for the book. The two-time Emmy winner apparently told the author that he didn’t know that the studio and the filmmaker were considering him for the role. However, he was aware of their interest in him for Cameron Frye, Ferris’ closest friend. Alan Ruck eventually got the role.

Cryer proceeded to recall to Klamm that he felt “a little jealous at the time” because he thought it would have been a “fun project” to do with Hughes.

Following its debut, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off made a $70 million at the box office (via Box Office Mojo). The movie currently has an 83% approval rating on the review-aggregating site Rotten Tomatoes.

Ferris Bueller… You’re My Hero: The Story of the World’s Most Famous Day Off will be released in June 2026.

Source: Comingsoon.net