Was Chuck Norris Offered Red’s Role On ‘That 70’s Show’?
There are many urban legends surrounding TV shows and movies. One even focused on That 70s Show. This specific rumor claims Chuck Norris was offered the role of Red on the popular sitcom. Kurtwood Smith ended up playing this role, and it’s hard to see anyone else in it.
As That 90s Show returns for the second half of its second season, Smith himself discusses the rumor and reveals whether it is an urban legend or true.
Kurtwood Smith Talks Chuck Norris Rumors
That 90s Show features Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp returning as Red and Kitty Forman. They are the main returning cast members from That 70s Show, although others have made guest appearances. The new show features Kitty and Red with their granddaughter and her friends.
Rumors have circulated that the producers offered Chuck Norris the role of Red before Kurtwood Smith signed on. This is even listed on IMDb as trivia, although anyone can submit things there, and not everything is accurate. However, it claims that Norris was not available because he was still appearing on Walker, Texas Ranger in 1993.
However, when asked about these rumors, Kurtwood Smith said they were untrue. “No, it’s not true at all,” Smith said (via Forbes). “It certainly was a well-spread rumor. I remember asking the producers about it at one point and they were, ‘No, who told you that?’ That was all pretty much made up.”
Rupp backed Smith up on this, saying, “No, noooo. There’s no way I would have let that happen. No.”
That 90s Show Returns For Third Season
Like That 70s Show, the rebooted series The 90s Show takes place mostly in Red and Kitty’s basement. However, it is their kids instead of Eric, Donna, Michael, and Jackie hanging out there. Leia (Callie Haverda) is Red and Kitty’s granddaughter, the daughter of Eric and Donna.
Jay (Mace Coronel), Michael and Jackie’s son, is dating Leia. Red and Kitty are mostly the same as in the original series. There have been a lot of cameos in the series as well. Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, and Tommy Chong appeared. Wilmer Valderrama had a recurring role in Season 1 as Fez.
This Netflix original series premiered in 2023 with 10 episodes. The second season was split into two parts, with the first eight episodes arriving in June 2024 and the second eight arriving on August 22, 2024.
There is even a big moment for fans of Red in the finale of the recent releases. Red is known for calling people “dumbass” and hadn’t done it yet at all on the new series. According to Smith, he delivers the biggest “dumbass” insult of them all. “It hadn’t really registered with me that we didn’t use it on the show,” Smith said. “I think the writers were waiting for an appropriate moment.”
What are your thoughts on the Chuck Norris rumors from That 70s Show? Have you heard of the rumor before? Are you disappointed it isn’t true? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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