Question
Risky Business promo shot

Which actress turned down the role of Lana, the call girl, in "Risky Business"?

Last updated: August 5, 2025

Tom Cruise sliding across that living room floor in his underwear made 1983's "Risky Business" an instant classic. Rebecca De Mornay served as the sultry call girl who changed his character's life forever, but the producers originally offered the role to a different bombshell. Which actress turned down the role of Lana in "Risky Business"?

Correct Answer: Michelle Pfeiffer

(Source)

Michelle Pfeiffer once claimed her agent called her "Dr. No" and "Risky Business" might've been where it all started. Fresh off the success of "Grease 2," Pfeiffer turned down the role of Lana with no reason given. Her rejection handed Rebecca De Mornay the role that would make every teenage boy in America suddenly very interested in running their own small business. Pfeiffer went on to become a massive star anyway, starring in "Scarface" which debuted later that same year. Clearly she didn't need to seduce Tom Cruise to pay her bills, but you have to wonder if she ever watched that movie and thought "Well, that looked fun."

Share This Trivia

Want More Nostalgia?

Check out our other quizzes and random trivia questions!