Was originally hired to play Arthur Adamson in
Alfred Hitchcock's final film,
Complot de famille (1976), but
Hitchcock had always wanted
William Devane for the part. Devane was originally unavailable, so Hitchcock began filming with Thinnes in the role. When Devane became suddenly available one month into filming, Hitchcock unceremoniously fired Thinnes without explanation and replaced him with Devane (Hitchcock later claimed he was dissatisfied with Thinnes' performance). The way Hitchcock handled the firing led to a famously public confrontation between the two men in a crowded Chasen's Restaurant. Thinnes can be seen in several publicity stills from the production, but no footage apparently exists.
