David Duchovny Hilariously Recalled Auditioning For All The Lead Roles In "Full House" And Not Getting A Call Back

    “They kept trying to plug me into the show, and I was wrong for every single one of them.”

    Joyann Jeffrey
    by Joyann Jeffrey

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Getting cast in Full House wasn’t as easy as David Duchovny thought.

    The cast of Full House, including Jodie Sweetin (Stephanie), Bob Saget (Danny), Candace Cameron (D.J.), John Stamos (Jesse), Mary Kate/Ashley Olsen (Michelle), Dave Coulier (Joey)
    ABC Photo Archives / Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

    The X-Files actor recently appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and revealed that he auditioned for all the lead roles in the ’90s sitcom.

    David Duchovny smiling at the X-Files panel during 2017 New York Comic Con, Day 4
    Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images

    But ultimately, the male characters Danny Tanner, Uncle Jesse, and Joey Gladstone were played by Bob Saget, John Stamos, and Dave Coulier.

    Bob Saget (right) played widower Danny Tanner, the father of three girls, Michelle, D.J. and Stephanie, who had his friend, Joey Gladstone (Dave Coulier, left) and the girls' Uncle Jesse (John Stamos)
    ABC Photo Archives / Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

    “It was my first time out in LA, and I ended up going to a lot of Full House stuff,” he explained. “They kept trying to plug me into the show, and I was wrong for every single one of them.”

    David Duchovny attends the premiere of Fox's "The X-Files"
    Kevin Winter / Getty Images

    David joked that he even tried out for the little girls’ roles but was told no for those as well.

    David Duchovny speaks onstage at the X-Files panel
    Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images

    The process of getting a lead role on Full House was so exhausting that David told Jimmy Kimmel about it a few years ago.

    David Duchovny arrives at the Premiere of NBC's "Aquarius" Season 2
    Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

    “I wanted to eat,” he joked to Jimmy about wanting to get on the show. “I would go home and I'd get the call, ‘You’re not that guy.’ I’d go in for this guy...not that guy. I’d go in for this guy...not that guy. Go home.”

    David Duchovny smiles and poses with his hands in his pants pockets for a portrait during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival
    Larry Busacca / Getty Images

    Ouch! I guess there really ain’t no business like show business.

    David Duchovny arrives at the CBS/CW/Showtime Television Critic Association's summer press tour party
    Gregg Deguire / WireImage / Getty Images