When you think of Woody Harrelson, you probably picture his legendary performances in Cheers, Natural Born Killers, and The People vs. Larry Flynt. But here's something you might not know: the iconic actor once said no to a role that would later launch Tom Cruise into even greater fame. That’s right, Woody passed on playing Jerry Maguire. Can you imagine how different that movie would have been with Woody at the helm?

Woody Harrelson Opens Up About Missing Out on 'Jerry Maguire'

During a candid chat with Esquire, the now 64-year-old actor shared some surprising insights into his career decisions. When he was first offered the part, Woody recalls telling James L. Brooks, one of the film’s producers, “Nobody is going to give a s—t about an agent.” At the time, Woody just couldn’t see himself connecting with the character or the story. As it turned out, Tom Cruise stepped in and delivered a performance that became one of the most memorable of his career. Who knew how iconic those words "Show me the money!" would become?

Tom Cruise's Triumph with 'Jerry Maguire'

Released in 1996, 'Jerry Maguire' went on to gross an impressive $273 million worldwide, solidifying Tom Cruise's status as a Hollywood powerhouse. It was also a banner year for Tom, as he released Mission: Impossible around the same time. Meanwhile, Woody Harrelson hasn’t done too shabby either. With three Oscar nominations under his belt, Woody continues to impress audiences with his work, including his upcoming role in the sequel to one of his most beloved films, Zombieland. Despite his initial skepticism, Woody admits that he was won over by the script, saying, “Damn. That’s good writing.”

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Family First for Woody Harrelson

When Woody isn’t busy deciding which roles to take, he’s focused on being a devoted family man. The True Detective star married his wife, Laure Louie, in 2008, and together they have three