“‘The Untouchables’: Don Johnson Declined the Role That Made Kevin Costner a Star”
In 1986, at the height of his fame on Miami Vice, Don Johnson made a surprising career decision: he turned down the lead role in Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables. The part would ultimately go to Kevin Costner and help launch him into movie stardom. So why did Johnson say no to a major role in what would become a modern gangster classic?
At the time, Johnson was already deeply entrenched in the world of cops and crime dramas. Miami Vice—one of the most expensive and stylish shows on television—had made him a household name. But with that fame came a growing fear: being typecast. Johnson didn’t want to pigeonhole himself as just another actor in a badge and gun role. Concerned about creative repetition and his long-term versatility, he decided to pass on the film.
Running from 1984 to 1989, Miami Vice built a massive following and turned Johnson into one of the most in-demand actors on television. But when The Untouchables came calling, he opted out, seeking more varied opportunities. In a recent interview, Johnson explained that the role didn’t feel like a step forward for him at the time.
Meanwhile, Kevin Costner took the role and ran with it, using the film’s success as a springboard for a career that would expand into producing, directing, and writing. As the saying goes, “The clothes make the man”—and in this case, the badge and trench coat certainly made Costner.
