Most movie stars can survive a flop or two. But then there are roles that completely upend an actor’s career, leaving them out of work or forever changed in the eye of the public. These pivotal moments often define how audiences perceive an actor, sometimes overshadowing their entire body of work. It's fascinating how a single performance can shift the trajectory of a career.
Notably, it's not really possible to talk about Faye Dunaway’s career without mentioning her notorious performance in Mommie Dearest. Similarly, Brandon Routh is often remembered for his role in Superman Returns, raising the question: what happened to these once-promising careers? In a world where talent abounds, the film industry can be brutally unforgiving, especially when a particular project fails to resonate with audiences.
Often, this is unfair—women historically tend to bear the brunt of career-shaking backlash. There are typically many different reasons why movie stardom hits a wall, but whenever an actor seems to drop off the radar, it’s usually a specific film that is to blame. From Meg Ryan’s unfairly maligned erotic thriller to the body-swap comedy that prevented Judge Reinhold from becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest comedy stars, here are 17 films that derailed the fortunes of their stars single-handedly.
Table of Contents
- Faye Dunaway in Mommie Dearest
- Elizabeth Berkley in Showgirls
- Shannen Doherty in Mallrats
- David Caruso in Jade
- Sofia Coppola in The Godfather: Part III
- Rupert Everett in The Next Best Thing
- Lea Thompson in Howard the Duck
- Matthew Modine in Cutthroat Island
- Judge Reinhold in Vice Versa
- Kelly Clarkson in From Justin to Kelly
- John Gilbert in His Glorious Night
- The Monkees in Head
- Maxwell Caulfield in Grease 2
- Jennifer Grey in Wind
- Brandon Routh in Superman Returns
- Meg Ryan in In the Cut
- Greta Garbo in Two-Faced Woman
Faye Dunaway in Mommie Dearest
Released in 1981, the Joan Crawford biopic Mommie Dearest—starring Faye Dunaway—painted the star in a less than flattering light. Namely, as an unhinged tyrant prone to chewing up her daughter as well as the scenery of every room she was in. This film took a pick-axe to her leading-lady roles, as she drew the worst reviews of her career, along with a Worst Actress Razzie. Dunaway was so embarrassed by the film that she rarely spoke about it again.
In a series of rare comments made in 2016, Dunaway expressed, “The film turned my career in a direction where people would irretrievably have the wrong impression of me.” She added, “That’s an awful hard thing to beat.” This performance remains a defining moment in her career, illustrating how public perception can pivot dramatically based on a single project.
Elizabeth Berkley in Showgirls
Expectations were high for the release of Showgirls in 1995, marking a reunion between Basic Instinct’s director and screenwriter. Many assumed that Elizabeth Berkley, the film's star, would be catapulted into Hollywood stardom, much like Sharon Stone. However, audiences were shocked when they actually saw the film, which was widely panned upon its release.
While Showgirls has since gained a cult following, the initial negative response cratered Berkley’s fledgling movie career almost overnight. She noted in 2020, “There was so much cruelty around it. I was bullied.” This highlights how the film industry can be a double-edged sword, where a role intended to elevate an actor can instead lead to public scorn.
Shannen Doherty in Mallrats
After leaving the popular teen soap Beverly Hills 90210, Shannen Doherty aimed to launch a movie career. However, her project choice—Kevin Smith’s comedy Mallrats—was a box-office flop, and as the biggest name in the cast, she took on the blame. Doherty remarked, “It died and so did my film career,” reflecting on how the perception of being the lead can be a double-edged sword in the face of failure.
She explained that, “People literally thought that I was carrying the movie,” which intensified the aftermath of its failure. This case illustrates the precarious nature of Hollywood, where one misstep can jeopardize a promising career.
David Caruso in Jade
David Caruso, now known for his role in CSI: Miami, was once poised to be a major movie star. After a high-profile exit from NYPD Blue, he had high hopes for his film career. However, his 1995 films, Kiss of Death and the erotic thriller Jade, were critical and commercial failures.
Caruso stated, “When Jade came out and did $4m at the box office, the town went silent.” This experience showcases the harsh reality of the entertainment industry—one miscalculation can lead to a swift fall from grace. He ended up returning to television, a stark contrast to the film stardom he once sought.
Sofia Coppola in The Godfather: Part III
Sofia Coppola’s acting career took a hit with her role in The Godfather: Part III. Cast as Michael Corleone’s daughter, her performance was widely criticized, with some calling it “hopelessly amateurish.” Despite the backlash, Coppola later transitioned behind the camera to become a celebrated director, but the impact of that role was undeniable.
Coppola remarked, “It was embarrassing to be thrown out to the public in that kind of way.” This highlights how an actor's initial failures can sometimes lead to unforeseen opportunities, as seen in her successful directing career.
Rupert Everett in The Next Best Thing
Rupert Everett was once seen as an anomaly in Hollywood, a prominent out gay actor. However, after starring in the disastrous romantic comedy The Next Best Thing, everything changed. He described the experience of career decline as “career death,” emphasizing how quickly the industry can turn.
Everett said, “It blew my new career out of the water and turned my pubic hair white overnight.” This statement illustrates the shocking and often unforgiving nature of Hollywood, where a single project can entirely derail a promising career.
Lea Thompson in Howard the Duck
Lea Thompson starred in the infamous Howard the Duck, a film that many consider one of the worst in cinematic history. Despite her success in Back to the Future, this 1986 flop left a lasting mark on her career. Thompson later noted the difficulty of balancing a hit and a bomb within the same year.
She reflected, “In the course of a year, I was in the biggest hit and the biggest bomb.” This illustrates how the industry can be unpredictable, with success and failure often intertwined in an actor's career.
Matthew Modine in Cutthroat Island
Matthew Modine starred in Cutthroat Island, one of Hollywood's biggest box office bombs. The film was a disaster that affected not only Modine but also Geena Davis and director Renny Harlin. Mod
