It is difficult to build a reputation in Hollywood due to the many actors, all capable of playing similar roles. One great part can lead someone to a lifetime of success, but at the same time, a negative role can set someone back, whether the film is poor or the acting itself. Some roles have completely derailed a person’s career.
Halle Berry in Catwoman
Halle Berry’s performance in Catwoman was widely criticized, earning her a Razzie Award for Worst Actress. Despite her previous success with an Oscar win for Monster’s Ball, this role set her backward, as many took it to mean she couldn’t be a prominent leading lady in the industry.
John Travolta in Battlefield Earth
People know John Travolta best for his role in Grease, but later in his career, he began adding a lot of quality movies to his resume. Battlefield Earth isn’t one of those, as this was a huge flop.
Elizabeth Berkley in Showgirls
Going from television to film can be a challenge, and Elizabeth Berkley found that out the hard way. Taking on a role in Showgirls, she failed to break away from the tropes she’d been stereotyped in beforehand. The movie was a financial flop, and that hurt her moving forward.
Taylor Kitsch in John Carter
The idea with John Carter was that Taylor Kitsch was set to prove himself as a leading man to the rest of the industry. However, poor box office numbers led to this being considered a flop, making it tough to return.
Geena Davis in Cutthroat Island
This pirate adventure had the potential to be something special. Still, it ended up being a financial disaster and a huge flop. Geena Davis suffered greatly from this, while Carolco Pictures closed down because of it.
Kevin Costner in Waterworld
Waterworld should’ve been a hit on paper due to its high budget, incredible effects, and stunts. But it disappointed most, and it hurt Kevin Costner a lot coming out of it.
Mike Myers in The Love Guru
Best known for his comedy parts in Austin Powers or Wayne’s World, Mike Myers built up a good reputation. He undid lots of that by being the lead in The Love Guru. Not only was this movie not funny, but it was criticized for being offensive.
Sean Connery in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Sean Connery’s decision to star in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen led to his retirement. Despite being a legendary figure in acting, this movie received poor reviews and many production issues, all of which contributed to the British actor’s exit from the industry.
Demi Moore in G.I. Jane
Demi Moore’s performance in G.I. Jane was intended to showcase her versatility, but the film’s poor reception and her highly publicized personal life led to a significant career downturn. It took her years to regain her standing in Hollywood.
Lindsay Lohan in I Know Who Killed Me
When an actor gets stuck as a teenage star, breaking out of that situation and establishing as a leading lady can be difficult. That’s an issue Lindsay Lohan dealt with, which is why she appeared in I Know You Killed Me. Unfortunately, it led to her earning two Razzie Awards as her performance was not met with positive reviews.
Jake Lloyd in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
The prequel Star Wars movies are often heavily panned by critics and fans alike, even though there are some positive moments throughout. However, one actor who had a torrid experience was Jake Lloyd, who played Anakin Skywalker in the first movie. He was bullied coming out of this due to his performance, despite being a child. But the experience ruined his acting career, and he quit the business.
Brandon Routh in Superman Returns
Playing Superman is a big responsibility that catapulted many actors to huge success. Brandon Routh’s experience was different as Superman Returns wasn’t met with a positive reception. It took him years to get significant roles once again, proving the damage this part had done.
Chris Klein in Rollerball
Chris Klein’s role in the remake of Rollerball was meant to establish him as a leading man, but the film was a critical and commercial flop. The negative response impacted his career and any progress he hoped to make.
Jennifer Lopez in Gigli
Gigli starred Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck but was a notorious box office bomb. Even though they should’ve had natural chemistry due to their real-life relationship, everything felt awkward in this one. It impacted Lopez the most as she struggled for some time to get things back on track in her career.
Shaquille O’Neal in Kazaam
NBA star Shaquille O’Neal isn’t best known for being an actor, so nobody expects Oscar-worthy performances. But when a major sports star tries to branch into this world, they must choose the right parts. Playing a genie in Kazaam was the opposite of that. It was labeled one of the worst movies ever made and instantly made getting into Hollywood a struggle.
Jessica Alba in Fantastic Four
Nowadays, participating in a superhero movie is a surefire recipe for success due to its quality. However, that wasn’t the case for Jessica Alba when she played Sue Storm in Fantastic Four. The movie and her performance weren’t well received, which impacted her career moving forward.
Adam Sandler in Jack and Jill
Few actors can boast a filmography as strong as Adam Sandler. He’s a comedy genius who has brought some amazing stories to life throughout his career but has also had some misses. Jack and Jill were the worst of the bunch, leading to him winning several infamous Razzie Awards. He took on both the lead roles in this movie, but his performances were far too goofy for anyone to enjoy.
George Clooney in Batman & Robin
George Clooney is one of the most successful actors of all time, but even he isn’t immune to making mistakes and taking parts that aren’t right for him. His role in Batman & Robin was heavily criticized, with his version of Batman being one that people didn’t enjoy. Rather than being severe and gritty like The Dark Knight trilogy, this was much more goofy and child-friendly. Unfortunately, it didn’t work, and it hurt his career overall.
