#23: How Fay Wray Was Misled Into Starring in King Kong

In 1933, King Kong became a cinematic legend, but its journey to the screen had its own share of Hollywood trickery. Director Merian C. Cooper was determined to cast Fay Wray, but he needed a clever hook to win her over.

Teasing her with the promise of Hollywood’s “tallest, darkest leading man,” he conveniently left out one key detail—her co-star wasn’t Cary Grant or Clark Gable, but a 25-foot-tall ape. When she realized the truth, it was too late to back out. Wray’s screams became iconic, and King Kong cemented its place in movie history.