Missing out on a role that Michael C. Hall portrayed in the classic HBO series,Six Feet Under, almost made Adam Scott give up his acting career entirely. That means that fans almost missed out on seeingScott in great shows likeThe Good PlaceorSeverance.

Six Feet Underfollows the story of the Fisher family, who own a funeral home in Los Angeles. Hall portrayed David Fisher, the middle child of the family, who has to come to terms with being gay. The series preceded Hall’s career-defining role as Dexter Morgan onDexterand its various spinoffs.

Six Feet Under the Fisher family and Federico sitting at the funeral home

Scott discussed auditioning forSix Feet Underwhen he appeared on Amy Poehler’sGood Hangpodcast. After telling Poehler that he got so close that he screen-tested for the role, Scott made the following remarks about wanting to give up on acting after he lost theSix Feet Underrole.

It’s good that I didn’t get it because it wouldn’t be nearly as good if I had done it because he was perfect and incredible.

The Good Place Adam Scott as Trevor

He’s incredible, and I wasn’t ready. It was the one where I was like, ‘I might stop doing this'. I think that it’s time for me to read the tea leaves and walk away.

What Adam Scott Almost Quitting Acting Over Six Feet Under Meant For His Career

During Scott’s aforementioned podcast appearance, he told Amy Poehler that, in retrospect, he now believes he wasn’t ready to star inSix Feet Under. At the time,Scott was still booking work in projects likeStar Trek: First ContactandBoy Meets World, but had yet to land a role that would make him a household name.

Of course, it is terrible that Scott was so upset that he seriously considered giving up acting. That said, the truth is that it now seems like it was a great thing for the world and Scott that he didn’t star inSix Feet Under. This would lead to Hall’s role onDexterand one of Scott’s biggest roles onParks and Recreation.

Six Feet Under TV poster

While many fans may not accept the idea that Scott wasn’t ready to star inSix Feet Under, the fact remains that things have clearly worked out. Hall gave an incredible performance during hisSix Feet Undertenure, abd Scott has had a legendary career since that time.

Our Take On Adam Scott Almost Quitting Acting

Throughout Adam Scott’s career, he has appeared in too many beloved shows and movies to count. Between starring in shows likeSeverance,Party Down, andBig Little Lies, Scott has cemented his reputation as one of the best actors of his generation.

Given everything that Scott has accomplished as an actor, it is staggering to think that the world could have missed out on those performances. Of course, Scott’s fans can rest easy knowing that they have gotten to see his sensational acting skills. However, learning Scott almost gave up on acting is further proof of how much the world has missed out on.

While Scott ultimately decided to keep going after hisSix Feet Underexperience, there is no doubt that many talented actors have given up when they kept getting rejected. The fact that so many performers missed out on their big break and viewers never got to see their work is heartbreaking to consider.

Six Feet Under

Cast

Created by Alan Ball, Six Feet Under is a Black Comedy and Drama series that stars Peter Krause, Frances Conroy, Rachel Griffiths, and Michael C. Hall. Running for five seasons between 2001 and 2005, the plot revolves around a dysfunctional family that owns and operates a funeral home.