Christina Applegate initially refused her breakout Kelly Bundy role on 'Married... with Children'
Christina Applegate revealed that she initially turned down the role of Kelly Bundy on 'Married... with Children' because she found the concept unappealing.
In a recent appearance on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live,' actress Christina Applegate shared insights about her early career, particularly how she nearly missed out on her iconic role as Kelly Bundy on the hit sitcom 'Married... with Children.' Initially, Applegate found the storyline unappealing and expressed her reluctance by saying, "Boo on your story," reflecting her disdain for the content and direction of the character. The show's producers had to search for other young actors after Applegate's initial rejection, ultimately leading back to her when those auditions didn't pan out.
As Applegate recounted, once the show's producers approached her again, she began to see the humor in the role, stating, "It was funny. And I was like, 'Oh, OK. I like it.'" The sitcom, set in Chicago, follows Al Bundy, a beleaguered shoe salesman, and his eccentric family, which includes his wife Peggy and their children Kelly and Bud. Over time, 'Married... with Children' became known for its boundary-pushing humor, cleverly addressing social norms and stereotypes of the time, which may have contributed to Applegate's eventual change of heart regarding her character.
The impact of her role as Kelly Bundy not only catapulted Applegate into stardom but also helped to reshape the landscape of primetime comedy. As audiences embraced the show's satirical take on family life, Applegate emerged as a poster child for the ambiguously rebellious teenager, leading to various future roles in film and television that further cemented her status in Hollywood.