Actors in film and television often face moments where they draw the line on what they are willing to say on screen. Here are notable instances where actors refused to deliver specific lines or participate in scenes due to personal beliefs, creative differences, or discomfort:

  1. Angela Kinsey, "The Office": Kinsey objected to a joke in the "Gay Witch Hunt" episode, feeling it misrepresented her character's faith and played into stereotypes. Show creator Greg Daniels removed the joke.

  2. Patrick Warburton, "Family Guy": Warburton refused to participate in an episode he found offensive related to a joke about Christ on the cross, resulting in its removal from the script.

  3. Robert Downey Jr., "The Avengers": Unhappy with the original "What's next?" line for Iron Man, Downey suggested the now-famous "ever tried shawarma?" remark.

  4. Jenna Ortega, "Wednesday": Ortega significantly altered lines on set herself, as she felt the original script did not make sense for her character, Wednesday Addams.

  5. Robert Redford, "The Way We Were": Refused to deliver a line implying his character was bad in bed, which he felt did not fit his image.

  6. Jensen Ackles, "The Boys": Declined to perform a scene he found crossing a personal line, resulting in a compromise with showrunner Eric Kripke.

  7. James Cagney, "Sinners' Holiday": Debuted in 1930 by refusing to say a line he found unconvincing, leading to its omission.

  8. Harrison Ford, "The Empire Strikes Back": Rewrote the scene where Han Solo famously says, "I know," instead of the scripted "Just remember that, because I’ll be back.”

  9. Christopher Lee, "Dracula" (1958): Requested the removal of his character's lines, which he found unsatisfactory, enhancing Dracula's mute menace.

  10. Tessa Thompson, "Men in Black: International": Rejected a nostalgic line, "I make this look good," to maintain her character's uniqueness.

  11. Hattie McDaniel, "Gone with the Wind": Refused to say the N-word, leading to its omission from the film, despite its presence in the book.

  12. Ian Wright, "Ted Lasso": Refused to praise Tottenham in his cameo, aligning with his true football loyalties.

  13. Matthew Perry, "Friends": Objected to a storyline where Chandler would visit a male strip club; producers altered the script.

  14. Robert Reed, "The Brady Bunch": Declined to say, "It smells like strawberry heaven in here," insisting strawberries do not emit a scent when cooked.

  15. John Krasinski, "The Office": Refused to shoot a scene where his character, Jim, cheats on Pam, leading to the storyline’s cancellation.

  16. Will Smith, "Bad Boys": Initially resisted saying "I love you" to his on-screen partner but later relented in the sequel.

These instances reflect actors' influence over their characters and the dialogue they deliver, showcasing their personal and professional boundaries within the entertainment industry.