c.) Cary Grant. When casting the $17 million film adaptation of the Broadway show, Warner Bros. worried about hiring two low-profile actors for the leads, even though Rex Harrison had had a modestly successful screen history and he and Julie Andrews packed the Mark Hellinger Theater consistently. When Cary Grant was offered the role, he said, "If Rex Harrison doesn't play Henry Higgins, I won't even see it!"

Too bad Audrey Hepburn didn't stand so firm behind Andrews, though. Hepburn took the part when offered, even though she couldn't sing (Marni Nixon crooned unseen). Curiously, Oscar voters refused to nominate her even though she portrayed the fair lady in the title of the film that won 8 Academy Awards, including best picture.

Ironically, when Andrews wasn't cast in "My Fair Lady," she was free to take the lead role in "Mary Poppins." She ended up winning best actress on the same night that Harrison won best actor.