In Hollywood, one bad movie can make or break an actor’s career. While some manage to bounce back, others find themselves struggling to regain their former glory. Here are ten actors whose careers took a serious hit after starring in a film that flopped or became mired in controversy.
1. Taylor Kitsch – John Carter (2012)
Taylor Kitsch was on the rise after his success in Friday Night Lights, but the colossal failure of John Carter ended his momentum. The film was a critical and commercial disaster, costing Disney over $200 million, and it severely damaged Kitsch’s standing as a bankable leading man. He has since taken on smaller roles, but his career never fully recovered from this big-budget misfire.
2. Halle Berry – Catwoman (2004)
Fresh off her Oscar win for Monster’s Ball, Halle Berry’s career nosedived after starring in Catwoman. The movie was widely panned, earning Berry a Razzie Award for Worst Actress. Despite her talent, Berry struggled to regain her A-list status in the years that followed, and Catwoman remains one of the most infamous superhero flops in Hollywood history.
3. Eddie Murphy – The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002)
Eddie Murphy was one of the biggest comedy stars of the 1980s and 1990s, but his career took a hit after The Adventures of Pluto Nash bombed at the box office. The sci-fi comedy lost over $100 million and is considered one of the biggest box-office failures of all time. Though Murphy had some success afterward, this film marked the beginning of a career slump.
4. John Travolta – Battlefield Earth (2000)
John Travolta’s career was riding high after Pulp Fiction, but he crashed back down with Battlefield Earth, a sci-fi film based on the works of L. Ron Hubbard. The movie was widely mocked for its incoherent plot, poor direction, and campy performances. Travolta’s reputation took a serious hit, and he has since struggled to regain the career momentum he once had.
5. Elizabeth Berkley – Showgirls (1995)
Elizabeth Berkley was best known for her role in Saved by the Bell before she starred in the NC-17 rated film Showgirls. The movie was intended to be her breakout role but was instead a critical and commercial disaster. Showgirls was derided for its poor acting, dialogue, and over-the-top eroticism, and Berkley’s career never fully recovered from the backlash.
6. Colin Farrell – Alexander (2004)
Colin Farrell was a rising star when he took on the title role in Oliver Stone’s Alexander. However, the historical epic was a massive disappointment, both critically and financially. Despite Farrell’s talent, the film’s failure caused Hollywood to lose faith in his ability to carry big-budget films, and it took years before he could rebuild his career with more modest roles.
7. Geena Davis – Cutthroat Island (1995)
Geena Davis was a major star in the early ’90s, but Cutthroat Island sunk her career. The pirate adventure film was a notorious box-office bomb, losing nearly $100 million and contributing to the bankruptcy of Carolco Pictures. Davis’ career never fully bounced back after the disaster, and she saw fewer and fewer leading roles in Hollywood.
8. Mike Myers – The Love Guru (2008)
Mike Myers was once a comedic powerhouse thanks to Austin Powers and Wayne’s World. However, The Love Guru was a critical and commercial flop, with many considering it one of the worst comedies ever made. Myers’ career in live-action films took a sharp decline afterward, and he largely disappeared from the spotlight.
9. Chris O’Donnell – Batman & Robin (1997)
Chris O’Donnell was poised for stardom after his role as Robin in Batman Forever. However, Batman & Robin was a critical and commercial failure, widely considered one of the worst superhero movies ever made. The film’s campy tone and O’Donnell’s portrayal of the character hurt his career, and he struggled to find leading roles afterward.
10. Brendan Fraser – The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)
Brendan Fraser was a major star in the early 2000s, thanks to The Mummy franchise. However, the third installment, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, was a disappointment, both critically and commercially. The film’s failure, combined with personal struggles and health issues, caused Fraser’s career to decline. He eventually took a break from acting and has only recently started to make a comeback.
