Scrubs Actor Had to Audition 5 Times Despite the Dr Cox Role Description Referencing Him

According to IMDB, John C. McGinley had to audition five times before he eventually landed the role of Dr Perry Cox in Scrubs. Which doesn’t seem too far-fetched – until you hear the rumour that the script notes for the pilot episode described Dr Cox as a “John C. McGinley-type", at which point you start to wonder how much more like John C. McGinley the casting directors wanted the actual John C. McGinley to be before they were prepared to give him the part.

Obviously, whatever he did in his fifth audition was enough to convince them that he did indeed have what it takes to play a character somewhat like himself as he appeared in all 178 episodes of the show as a main character.

But legend has it the role nearly went to Neill Flynn who auditioned for the part of Dr Cox but was eventually cast as the Janitor – whose real name we’re still not entirely clear on as, just after he revealed to JD that he was called Glenn Matthews, was then addressed as Tommy.

Flynn’s character was only scheduled to appear in the first episode but went on to feature throughout the first 8 seasons and certainly helped with the comedy element of the comedy-drama show. He also made a guest appearance in season 9 after Scrubs had moved to ABC.

Interestingly, there are three elements of the character of Dr Cox that are noticeable and that McGinley says he brought to the role to make it his own:

• Continually calling JD by girl’s names – which the actor says he does with all his real friends
• That distinctive whistle
• His habit of touching his nose which is a nod to Robert Redford in The Sting

These characteristics helped define who Dr Perry Cox was, making him a distinct, memorable and successful character. Which backs up the original notes that apparently suggested he should be like John C. McGinley. What’s less clear is why he had to audition so many times to get the part.

Whatever the reason, it’s safe to say things worked out in the end; McGinley made the role of Cox his own, Flynn created a now legendary character who wasn’t destined to have such a key part in the show, and Scrubs, certainly in its original run, being critically acclaimed and being nominated for 17 Emmys.

Source: IMDB, Reddit.