19 Roles That Ruined Actors’ Careers

1.

The Star Wars prequels have been infamously poorly acquired (although time has been kinder to them), with Jake Lloyd’s efficiency as a younger Anakin Skywalker in Episode I particularly getting panned. Lloyd retired from performing in 2001, quickly after the 1999 movie (his final performing credit are as Anakin in Star Wars video video games), and blamed Star Wars for making him “hate it when the cameras are pointed at” him. “They might make the sound of the lightsaber each time they noticed me. It was completely mad. My whole college life was actually a dwelling hell — and I needed to do as much as 60 interviews a day,” he stated.

Nevertheless, his mom would later declare that Jake didn’t stop as a result of backlash from Star Wars, which she says she protected him from, however due to his schizophrenia analysis. Contemplating Lloyd retired a few years earlier than his 2008 analysis (his final movie was in 2001), this timeline feels a little bit shaky.

2.

One other little one actor whose profession was ruined earlier than it actually obtained began was Noah Ringer. Fully unknown when he starred in Avatar: The Final Airbender, he was thrust into the limelight solely to shortly be topic to derision. The movie was panned, and its casting, particularly, was criticized, particularly on account of a number of characters’ whitewashing. It could be slight dishonest to incorporate Ringer on this listing, as Ringer additionally appeared within the equally panned Cowboys & Aliens, which was the nail within the coffin for his profession. Ringer pivoted to a profession in martial arts, the place he is discovered success.

3.

Faye Dunaway rose to prominence within the Sixties on Broadway and thru movies like Bonnie and Clyde and continued her success into the ’70s, even profitable an Oscar for Community. However in 1981, a single position modified the general public’s notion of her, touchdown the Academy Award-winning actor a Razzie.

That movie was Mommie Dearest, which was based mostly on the memoir written by Joan Crawford’s daughter about her upbringing with Joan, whom she painted as unstable and hooked on alcohol. Dunaway portrayed Joan within the movie, which was broadly negatively acquired, with reviewers contemplating it overly melodramatic. “I believe it turned my profession in a route the place folks would irretrievably have the unsuitable impression of me,” she later stated. “And that is an terrible exhausting factor to beat. I ought to have recognized higher, however typically you are susceptible, and you do not understand what you are moving into.”

Dunaway then made a string of poorly acquired movies, together with Supergirl, which earned her one other Razzie nomination. She turned extra in direction of TV for a bit, profitable a Golden Globe, earlier than efficiently returning to Hollywood, although her profession by no means reached the identical heights it had within the ’70s…particularly after one other position additional broken her popularity. That position was within the Broadway adaptation of Sundown Boulevard. Andrew Lloyd Webber famously fired Dunaway for, in his opinion, not having the ability to sing effectively sufficient. This led to Dunaway suing Webber; the 2 later settled.

4.

In one other much more ~classic~ instance, Greta Garbo not solely tanked her profession with a single position, nevertheless it really ended up being her final. Garbo efficiently transitioned from silent to sound movies and remained a celebrated actor all through the Twenties and ’30s. Whereas she hit some setbacks, her profession was trying good going into the ’40s, having simply been nominated for an additional Oscar. After which she starred in Two-Confronted Girl.

The movie was so notoriously ill-received (due largely to its risque subject material round an affair) that Garbo, then a serious star, by no means made one other movie. The 1941 movie carries a 30% ranking on Rotten Tomatoes, although fashionable critics have been kinder to Garbo’s try at comedy than the critics of the time.

5.

Elizabeth Berkley grew to become a teenage heartthrob as “woman subsequent door” Jessie in Saved by the Bell, however her first massive film position after the collection principally singlehandedly sank her profession.

The movie was Showgirls, which garnered a Rotten Tomatoes Rating of 23 p.c. Not solely did the NC-17 movie tank, however Berkley’s efficiency was panned, inflicting Berkley’s profession to flounder simply as quickly because it had begun. Berkley continued to work in movie for the subsequent decade or so, however her profession by no means fairly recovered.

6.

Sofia Coppola’s performing profession was equally over earlier than it had even actually begun. When Winona Ryder had to drop out of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Half III, Coppola determined to forged his daughter as an alternative. Whereas the third installment in Coppola’s Oscar-winning collection didn’t measure as much as the primary two, one issue garnered extra destructive consideration than anything within the movie: Coppola’s efficiency.

Coppola’s efficiency was so panned that she was even accused of “com[ing] near wrecking the film.” The backlash was so intense that Coppola’s performing profession shortly ended. Nevertheless, Sofia proved her abilities elsewhere and have become a celebrated director.

7.

Coppola is not the one nepo child who made an ill-fated movie debut at their mum or dad’s insistence. After starring within the acclaimed movie The Pursuit of Happyness together with his father, Will Smith, after which holding his personal in The Karate Child, Jaden Smith starred once more alongside his dad in After Earth (12% on Rotten Tomatoes). The movie was a colossal flop and a important failure, with the Guardian writing that Jaden “performs the position all through with a face like a smacked bum.”

Will Smith has expressed remorse for teaching Jaden into the position within the years since, writing how “Jaden took the hit” for the movie’s failure and that “followers and the press have been completely vicious.” Jaden took an prolonged break from performing after the movie’s launch, focusing as an alternative on music, and he nonetheless hasn’t returned to a blockbuster movie since.

8.

Within the ’90s and early 2000s, it appeared Mike Myers may do no unsuitable. After rising to fame via SNL, Wayne’s World, and the Austin Powers collection, Myers voiced the titular character in Shrek and have become well-known to a complete new era. However post-Shrek, his profession took a pointy nosedive: the third Austins Powers was a notable decline from the primary two, after which he starred because the eponymous cat in The Cat In The Hat (10% on Rotten Tomatoes). Myers’ character was extra creepy than enjoyable, and the movie had little plot to talk of.

Myers’ profession continued to flounder because the Shrek franchise declined (Shrek the Third obtained solely 42% on Rotten Tomatoes), however the nail within the coffin for Myers’ movie profession was The Love Guru (13% on Rotten Tomatoes). Movie critic Rober Ebert wrote, “Myers has made some humorous motion pictures, however this movie may have been written on bathroom partitions by callow adolescents,” in a scathing assessment that lined up with what just about everybody else considered the movie. Most of Myers’ following initiatives have been Shrek-related shorts, although he did have a few bit elements in critically acclaimed movies like Bohemian Rhapsody and Inglourious Basterds.

Myers pivoted to TV within the 2020s with The Pentaverate, which he wrote, nevertheless it was launched with little fanfare. It is clear he does not have the comedy lead profession he as soon as had, although he will seem in Shrek 5, and there was discuss of an Austin Powers 4…so we’ll see what occurs!

9.

Myers’ SNL and Wayne’s World costar Dana Carvey had an analogous profession downturn, ending with a movie so dangerous that there was no coming again. Whereas Mike Meyers had his share of failures submit-SNL, none of his flops measured as much as Carvey’s Grasp in Disguise, which acquired a whopping 1% on Rotten Tomatoes. Roger Ebert known as the movie a “determined miscalculation” and in contrast it to “a celebration visitor who thinks he’s humorous and is unsuitable.”

Whereas Carvey claimed to have stepped away from Hollywood for his children, it is exhausting to imagine the movie — and its suggestion that Carvey’s comedy did not translate effectively to movie — did not have no less than one thing to do with it.

10.

Batman & Robin was so poorly acquired (11% on Rotten Tomatoes) that director Joel Schumacher even apologized for it, and its personal star, George Clooney, known as the movie horrible. Nevertheless, the largest casualty of the movie was not Schumacher or Clooney, however Alicia Silverstone, who performed Batgirl. Silverstone, who had risen to fame a number of years prior in Clueless, gained a Razzie for her efficiency, and the position is commonly described as having “ruined” her profession.

Nevertheless, it does appear that Silverstone made a acutely aware effort to go away Hollywood because of Batman & Robin as an alternative of the movie actively ending her profession for her. “That undoubtedly wasn’t my favourite film-making expertise,” Silverstone stated. “There have been working circumstances that have been lower than favorable when it comes to how issues went down. And no, I did not say ‘F— you’ and are available out like a warrior, however I might simply stroll away and go, ‘Okay, I do know what that’s, and I am performed; I am not going close to that once more.’ I finished loving performing for a really very long time.” She additionally struggled with the concentrate on her weight within the media. Silverstone did proceed to behave — and nonetheless does right now — however her profession by no means reached the identical heights.

11.

Taylor Lautner appeared poised to turn into a serious main man after the Twilight collection. He was already a Hollywood heartthrob, and whereas he might not have had the Oscar-worthy chops and penchant for indie movies of his costars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, there appeared no purpose why he would not proceed to seek out success. After which Abduction occurred. Its New York Instances assessment title was “At Least His Abs Get a Exercise,” and its scathing tone did not finish there: the reviewer in contrast Lautner to “a sophisticated robotic simulating human speech with out registering emotion and even comprehension.”

The movie, which acquired solely 5% on Rotten Tomatoes, largely completed Lautner’s profession, and if it had any hope of resurrection, the eight-time Razzie nominee, Grown Ups 2, ended that. Lautner went from being the highest-paid teenager in Hollywood to a TV star engaged on and off. He’s presently set to star in a collection about his post-Twilight years as himself, so we’ll see how that goes, however he is actually not transferring away from the movie he is finest recognized for.

12.

Rachael Leigh Cook dinner additionally appeared poised to carry onto her breakout teenage stardom submit She’s All That, however then her subsequent massive movie, Josie and the Pussycats, famously flopped (although it is now a cult traditional). Cook dinner herself has stated that she felt like she was put in “film jail” after its lack of success and that her choices started to dry, even when it got here to indie movies. Whereas Cook dinner was capable of transition to TV, her fame slowly dwindled till she was doing direct-to-video and Hallmark initiatives that didn’t reside as much as the profession she appeared destined for as a teen.

13.

We have got one other failed teen idol story for you, this time regarding Taylor Kitsch, whose profession was flying excessive after starring in Friday Night time Lights. Forged because the star of the huge Disney blockbuster John Carter, Kitsch appeared like he’d hit the Hollywood jackpot. As a substitute, John Carter grew to become one of the most important field workplace failures of all time, adopted shortly by Battleship, which did not fare as terribly however was actually no hit. Whereas Kitsch has continued to work in Hollywood, his probabilities as an A-Lister blockbuster star appeared perpetually dashed.

14.

Actuality star Paris Hilton tried to make a foray into the world of performing within the early 2000s, showing on teen dramas equivalent to Veronica Mars and The O.C. Nevertheless, her appearances amounted to little greater than cameos…till the horror flick The Home of Wax. The movie acquired solely 28% on Rotten Tomatoes, and The Hollywood Reporter apparently known as Hilton “so dangerous she steals the present.” Different critiques have been barely kinder, nevertheless it appeared most simply wished to see A) Hilton in her underwear, and B), Hilton’s character get killed.

Whereas Hilton appeared in a number of extra cameos and straight-to-video initiatives over the subsequent few years, her performing profession was largely over. Her subsequent starring position was within the a lot smaller movie, The Hottie and the Nottie, which was much more critically panned (6% on Rotten Tomatoes), incomes Hilton a Razzie for Worst Actress.

15.

Shaq equally tried to make a profession pivot into Hollywood with the movie Blue Chips, which earned him a Razzie nomination for Worst New Star. Nevertheless, Staq saved at it with the household movie and field workplace bomb Kazaam after which the superhero movie Metal. Metal, referred to by some because the “worst superhero film of all time,” acquired solely 12% on Rotten Tomatoes and proved the ultimate straw for Shaq’s floundering movie profession. Even the director later admitted he should not have forged him, saying Shaq “was no actor.”

16.

Mariah Carey additionally tried to make a serious profession soar, going from singing to performing with the star car Glitter in 2011. The movie was a large failure, incomes solely 6% on Rotten Tomatoes and making $5.2 million in opposition to a price range of $22 million. The movie even induced Virgin Data to drop Mariah from their label – now, clearly, Carey’s music profession was capable of get better, however regardless of a smattering of different initiatives, it was clear she was by no means going to be a film star.

Critics known as her efficiency “about as recent as rancid Chinese language meals that has been caught at the back of the fridge for a number of months,” whereas one other said Carey had “the performing vary of a parakeet.” The movie’s personal cinematographer known as it one of many worst movies ever made.

17.

Equally, Kelly Clarkson’s performing profession was over earlier than it began after she appeared in one other of the oft-mentioned “worst movies ever made,” From Justin to Kelly. The movie was nominated for 10 Razzies, together with “Worst Actress” for Kelly, and gained two. Her efficiency was panned, and he or she by no means appeared in one other movie or TV mission besides as herself or in a voice-only position — besides, randomly, in two episodes of the present American Goals.

Nevertheless, to be honest to Clarkson, she by no means wished to star within the movie…or act in any respect. She was contractually obligated to do the movie after profitable American Idol. “I knew after I learn the script it was going to be actual, actual dangerous, however after I gained, I signed that piece of paper, and I couldn’t get out of it. Severely, I by no means thought I may act, however I knew I may sing. To not sound cocky, however I can,” she stated in 2006. Clarkson was proper: her singing profession has endured for over 20 years, and he or she now has her personal discuss present.

18.

After having fun with a booming profession within the ’80s and ’90s, the start of the top for Eddie Murphy’s profession was the 2002 movie The Adventures of Pluto Nash (5% on Rotten Tomatoes). Selection known as the movie an “ill-conceived and costly mission,” and with a gross of simply over $7 million in opposition to a $100 million price range, the movie was one of the largest flops ever.

With the Shrek franchise, Daddy Day Care, The Haunted Mansion, and an award-nominated position in Dreamgirls, it appeared Murphy would possibly survive Pluto Nash’s virtually unprecedented failure. However then Norbit (9% on Rotten Tomatoes) got here alongside and kind of ended Murphy’s profession for the subsequent decade. Murphy himself later admitted that each one the flicks he made within the 2000s have been “shitty” and induced him to take an prolonged performing hiatus.

Nevertheless, Murphy was capable of make a comeback in a giant means with Dolemite is My Title, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe. He additionally appeared in sequels for his movies Beverly Hills Cops and Coming to America within the 2020s. Together with Mike Myers, he’s set to seem in Shrek 5. Whereas Murphy is not the field workplace draw he was, his comedy legacy appears no less than considerably protected.

19.

And at last, we talked about Jake Lloyd, who performed Anakin in Star Wars: Episode I, earlier on this submit — the identical curse appeared to additionally befall Hayden Christensen. His profession was not ruined fully, and he is since made a comeback (which included returning to the Star Wars franchise). Nonetheless, the extreme destructive reception of his position as Anakin in Episodes II and III tremendously impacted his place as a rising star in Hollywood.

He gained two Razzie Awards after his efficiency was panned, and plenty of of his scenes and contours of dialogue have been overtly mocked for years. He appeared in 5 movies between 2005 (when the final prequel got here out) and 2008, however none gained over 24% on Rotten Tomatoes besides New York, I Love You, which obtained 37%. Jumper, particularly, was panned (and has additionally been blamed for tanking Christensen’s profession). Whereas he appeared in initiatives afterward (after a brief break), none have been notable till he returned to Star Wars.