Missed Opportunity: Elvis Presley's Decision to Decline A Star Is Born Role
In a famous Hollywood tale, Barbra Streisand approached Elvis Presley backstage at a concert in 1975 to offer him a role in her movie project, A Star Is Born. However, Presley declined the role, which eventually went to Kris Kristofferson. There were speculations that Presley's manager demanded too much money and had concerns about Streisand overshadowing him or the film affecting his reputation.
Elvis' ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, revealed that he regretted not taking the part as he wanted to explore more serious acting roles. However, his manager, Colonel Parker, believed it was not a good idea for Presley to play a character that could be seen as a loser, as it might affect his image.
At the time of the film offer, Presley was struggling with substance use and facing challenges in his personal and professional life. Kris Kristofferson, who eventually played the role, credited the film, especially his on-screen death scene, for inspiring him to get sober.
Elvis Presley passed away from a heart attack in 1977 at the age of 42, while Kris Kristofferson lived until 2024, passing away at the age of 88. A Star Is Born, released in 1976, earned Streisand and Kristofferson Golden Globe awards and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song with "Evergreen."