19 Actors Whose Careers Were Destroyed Just As They Were About To Make It Big
In the glitzy world of Hollywood, the ascent to stardom can be both exhilarating and precarious. Many actors find themselves on the brink of major success, only to see their careers derailed by scandal, controversy, or misfortune. Here are 19 actors who experienced a dramatic fall from grace just as they were poised to make it big.
1. Percy Hynes White
Percy Hynes White captured attention with his role in the hit series Wednesday, seemingly on the verge of becoming a Hollywood It Boy. However, in January 2023, he faced serious allegations of sexual assault, claiming he hosted parties where minors were given drugs and alcohol. Despite his strong denial of the accusations, he was reportedly written out of Wednesday‘s second season, marking a swift decline in his burgeoning career.
2. Emile Hirsch
After gaining acclaim for his performance in Into the Wild, Emile Hirsch’s career took a nosedive following a violent incident at Sundance in 2015, where he assaulted a female Paramount executive. His guilty plea led to a brief jail sentence, and while he attempted to revive his career with a role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, he has since been relegated to small indie films with poor ratings.
3. Matthew Fox
Matthew Fox rose to fame as Jack Shephard on Lost, but his transition to film was marred by controversy. In 2011, he was accused of assaulting a bus driver, and a DUI arrest followed. Despite denying the allegations, Fox’s reputation suffered, leading to a long hiatus from acting, with only a few projects since then that failed to recapture his former glory.
4. Gina Carano
Gina Carano’s transition from MMA fighter to actress seemed promising with her role in The Mandalorian. However, her career took a sharp turn after she made controversial social media posts, including a Holocaust comparison. Lucasfilm dropped her from the series, and her plans for a spin-off were scrapped, leaving her with limited opportunities in Hollywood.
5. Jussie Smollett
Jussie Smollett was a rising star on Empire until he staged a hate crime against himself in 2019. Once the truth emerged, he was fired from the show and faced legal repercussions, ultimately being sentenced to jail time for lying to police. His reputation shattered, Smollett’s return to Hollywood remains uncertain.
6. Hartley Sawyer
Hartley Sawyer gained popularity on The Flash, but his career came to a halt when old racist and misogynistic tweets resurfaced in 2020. He was promptly fired from the show, and despite issuing an apology, he has not secured any new acting roles since.
7. Blake Jenner
Blake Jenner’s career took off after winning The Glee Project, but it plummeted following allegations of abuse from his ex-wife, Melissa Benoist. Despite some attempts to continue acting, including a DUI arrest, his opportunities have dwindled, with only minor roles in low-profile projects.
8. Cas Anvar
Cas Anvar’s star was on the rise with his role in The Expanse, but allegations of sexual misconduct in 2020 led to his dismissal from the series. Since then, his career has stagnated, with only minor roles in low-budget productions.
9. Elizabeth Berkley
Elizabeth Berkley became a household name as Jessie in Saved by the Bell, but her career suffered a major setback after the release of Showgirls, which was critically panned. Despite continued work in film and television, she never regained her former status.
10. Jennifer Grey
Jennifer Grey’s career was on the upswing after Dirty Dancing, but a botched nose job changed her appearance and, she claims, her career trajectory. After the surgery, she struggled to find roles, leading to a significant decline in her visibility in Hollywood.
11. Isaiah Washington
Isaiah Washington was a key player on Grey’s Anatomy until he was fired for using an anti-gay slur on set. His subsequent projects have been largely forgettable, and he has struggled to regain the prominence he once enjoyed.
12. Katherine Heigl
Katherine Heigl’s career suffered after she made critical remarks about her projects and their writers. Her reputation as "difficult" led to a significant decline in roles, and she spent years trying to rebuild her career amidst the backlash.
13. Shannen Doherty
Shannen Doherty was a major star in the ’90s, but her reputation for being difficult led to her firing from Beverly Hills, 90210 and later leaving Charmed. Her career has since been marked by low-profile projects and reality television.
14. T.J. Miller
T.J. Miller was on the rise with roles in Silicon Valley and the Deadpool franchise until allegations of sexual assault and a fake bomb threat incident derailed his career. He has since appeared in only a couple of poorly received films.
15. Ansel Elgort
Ansel Elgort’s star was on the rise after Baby Driver, but allegations of sexual assault in 2020 led to a significant retreat from the public eye. His involvement in West Side Story was overshadowed by the controversy, and he has not secured any major projects since.
16. Armie Hammer
Armie Hammer’s career skyrocketed with Call Me By Your Name, but he was quickly dropped from multiple projects following allegations of sexual assault and disturbing messages that surfaced in 2021. His retreat from Hollywood has left him with no upcoming roles.
17. Ezra Miller
Ezra Miller’s rise to fame as The Flash was marred by numerous controversies, including allegations of grooming and assault. While The Flash was released, it failed to meet expectations, and Miller’s future in Hollywood remains uncertain.
18. Jason Mitchell
Jason Mitchell gained fame with roles in Straight Outta Compton and The Chi, but allegations of misconduct led to his firing from both projects. His subsequent legal troubles have further hindered his career, leaving him with limited opportunities.
19. Jonathan Majors
Jonathan Majors was poised to become a major player in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after his breakout role in Lovecraft Country. However, his arrest and conviction for domestic violence have led to his dismissal from Marvel projects and a significant decline in his career prospects.
These actors serve as a reminder that the path to stardom can be fraught with peril, and a single misstep can lead to a dramatic fall from grace. The entertainment industry is unforgiving, and for these stars, the dream of Hollywood success has turned into a cautionary tale. What other stars fell from grace just as they were poised to make it big? Let us know in the comments.
