Nick Nolte and Jeff Bridges[11][12] were considered for the role of Sonny Crockett, but since it was not lucrative for film stars to venture into television at the time, other candidates were considered.[13] Mickey Rourke was also considered for the role, but he turned down the offer.[14] Larry Wilcox, of CHiPs, was also a candidate for the role of Crockett, but the producers felt that going from one police officer role to another would not be a good fit.[15] After dozens of candidates and a twice-delayed pilot shooting, Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas were chosen as the vice cops.[6] For Johnson, who was by then 34 years old, NBC had particular doubts about the several earlier unsuccessful pilots in which he had starred.[7] Jimmy Smits played Eddie Rivera, Crockett's ill-fated partner in the pilot episode.