Take a Bite Out Of This: Behind the Scenes Facts About Jaws

Richard Dreyfuss Wasn’t The First Choice For Hooper

Photo Credit: Universal Studios

Although we can’t see Hooper being played by anyone else, he was not Spielberg’s first choice. Initially, Spielberg thought that John Voight, Timothy Bottoms, or Jeff Bridges would all be prime choices to play the brainiac oceanographer. However, when none of those actors committed to the movie, it was George Lucas that recommended Richard Dreyfuss to Spielberg.

Lucas had worked with him in American Graffiti and vouched for his talent. Dreyfuss, in turn, accepted the role because he wanted to redeem himself after his disappointment for his performance in the film The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz.