Octavia Spencer Auditioned For 'Parks And Recreation'

The TV Role Octavia Spencer Lost Out On
PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 19: Actress Octavia Spencer poses for a portrait during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival at the Getty Images Portrait Studio at Village at the Lift on January 19, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 19: Actress Octavia Spencer poses for a portrait during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival at the Getty Images Portrait Studio at Village at the Lift on January 19, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Before she was an Oscar winner, Octavia Spencer was a character actress, making regular guest star appearances on shows like "The Wizards of Waverly Place" and "Ugly Betty" ... and even auditioning for the role of Donna on "Parks and Recreation."

When Retta -- the actress who got the part on the beloved NBC comedy -- was asked how she transitioned from standup to "Parks and Rec," she said, "My manager called and said they were casting a pilot. Octavia Spencer and a lot of other of my 'types' were there."

Rainn Wilson recently revealed famous names who auditioned for key roles on "The Office" before the show was cast, including Adam Scott for Jim, Anne Dudek and Mary Lynn Rajskub for Pam and Alan Tudyk for Michael Scott.

Click through the slideshow below for more famous faces who almost played key TV roles.

Watch "Parks and Recreation" -- and imagine what could have been -- on Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Ray Liotta as Tony Soprano, "The Sopranos"

Stars' Missed TV Opportunities

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