Top 20 Actors Who DESTROYED Their Careers with One Movie
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 20 Actors Who Destroyed Their Careers With One Movie. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most awful films that single-handedly ruined a performer’s acting prospects. That’s not to say these thespians never bounced back, but they definitely had to hit rock bottom first. Which of these actors are you most excited to see make a comeback? Let us know in the comments below!
#20: Hayden Christensen
“Jumper” (2008)
With an $85 million budget on the line, it makes sense that Hollywood suits wanted a big-name star to headline this sci-fi romp. Unfortunately, Hayden Christensen wasn’t the sure thing they’d hoped for. His work in the “Star Wars” franchise wasn’t exactly what you’d call “well-received.” So, without a lightsaber in his hand, audiences weren’t as keen on checking him out. “Jumper’s” critical disappointment seemingly proved that Christensen’s value was limited to the galaxy far, far away. In layperson’s terms, that meant his solo career was pretty much DOA. At least he fell in love with co-star Rachel Bilson, because otherwise, “Jumper” was pretty much a misfire.
#19: Emile Hirsch
“Speed Racer” (2008)
An adaptation of a beloved anime by the directors of the “Matrix” should’ve hit the gas all the way to box office gold. But 2008’s “Speed Racer” couldn’t even cross the finish line of profitability. The film’s dastardly returns crashed into Hollywood infamy, and it took Emile Hirsch’s mainstream career with it. After a few standout showings in the mid 2000s, the actor leveraged all his capital on this CGI spectacle. So when “Speed Racer” swerved off course, there was nothing Hirsch could do as his leading man status dwindled away. He’s been mostly stuck in bit parts ever since, which is a far cry from what he could’ve accomplished had “Speed Racer” not derailed his bankability.
#18: Madonna
“Swept Away” (2002)
There are several examples of music artists successfully transitioning to film careers. However, Madonna in “Swept Away” is not one of them. To be fair, the Queen of Pop was no stranger to a movie set by 2002. But this starring role was clearly above her capabilities. So when her lackluster performance sank the movie, both critics and audiences agreed Madonna should just stick to singing. In fact, she echoed that sentiment herself. Following “Swept Away’s” critical bloodbath, Madonna vowed to never act again. Since this film is often cited as one of the worst ever made, it’s safe to say that the feeling is mutual from Hollywood.
#17: Justin Chatwin
“Dragonball Evolution” (2009)
It’s almost impressive to assemble a cast this wooden, especially with such acclaimed source material to base off of. Although, in his defense, Justin Chatwin’s flat turn as Goku is just one of the many, many issues plaguing this maligned adaptation. But as the face of it all, it’s Chatwin’s movie career that’s in most need of resuscitation. Ever since his starring vehicle was ripped to shreds, Chatwin has shifted to independent films and a prominent role on “Shameless.” To this day, he’s yet to book a gig that’s anywhere near the profile of his work before “Dragonball Evolution.” But that’s what headlining one of the most hated films of the 2000s will get you.
#16: Topher Grace
“Spider-Man 3” (2007)
We all know him from the huge “That ‘70s Show,” but his big movie appearances have been somewhat of a rarity. Being cast as Venom in “Spider-Man 3” should have been a massive career booster for Grace, but unfortunately, it sucked. True, “Spider-Man 3” is admired by many, but the movie did receive heavy criticism for trying to shoehorn in too many villains, Grace’s Venom being the straw that broke the camel’s back. His portrayal of the disgraced journalist and anti-Spidey wasn’t bad, it’s just unfortunate that a lot of the animosity towards the movie’s villain problem ended up on his shoulders. And he’s yet to have an acting gig of the same status since.
#15: Meg Ryan
Top 10 Actors Who Destroyed Their Careers with One Movie
“Proof of Life” (2000)
Like Demi Moore and Julia Roberts, Meg Ryan was ‘90s movie royalty, with starring roles in “You’ve Got Mail” and “Sleepless in Seattle.” When she lined up alongside Russell Crowe for the movie “Proof of Life,” a story about hostage negotiations, it seemed like a guaranteed thrill ride. Well, turns out: it was not. The movie had a few good twists and turns, and Ryan’s performance was commendable, but overall it was flat and predictable – and since then Ryan’s big roles have been few and far between. Here’s to hoping that she’ll pop up in another legendary diner scene someday soon.
#14: Chris O’Donnell
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“Batman & Robin” (1997)
The only justice here is that this film never got its planned sequel. But, in order to spare the masses another round of Bat-nipples, Chris O’Donnell’s movie career had to be sacrificed. The proposed “Robin” spinoff was canned, but that was the least of his issues. The toxic reaction to “Batman & Robin” allegedly kept the Boy Wonder’s actor out of a job for almost two years. Since then, he’s slowly rebuilt his reputation doing regular gigs on network TV. But it’s taken him the better part of two decades to fully recover. Clearly, O’Donnell’s turn as Robin didn’t buy him any industry goodwill, even with a Bat-credit card.
#13: Demi Moore
“Striptease” (1996)
In 1996, Demi Moore became both a trailblazer and a cautionary tale for the exact same project. She was paid a staggering $12.5 million for her work in “Striptease,” becoming the then-highest-paid actress in film history. However, Moore was unable to deliver a film befitting such a payday. While “Striptease” was a moderate financial success, it was demolished by critics, and deemed not worth Moore’s hefty price tag. Afterwards, with her brand on shaky footing, Hollywood’s “it” girl struggled to recapture the same celebrity she had in the ‘90s. A few films, a hiatus, and lots of drama later, Moore still hasn’t completely recovered.
#12: Warren Beatty
“Town & Country” (2001)
At the end of the day, movies are made to make money. So after delivering one of the biggest box office bombs in American history, it’s no surprise Warren Beatty hid his face in shame. In fact, in the decades following “Town & Country,” he’s only appeared in three onscreen projects. With a sharp downturn like that, it’s clear that this bomb sent Beatty into a premature retirement. Although, it’s hard to say if that was self-mandated, or because no one was willing to pay him anymore. After all, nothing can change the fact that Beatty is the star of a movie that only made back a ninth of its production budget.
#11: Halle Berry
“Catwoman” (2004)
After a historic Oscar win for 2001’s “Monster’s Ball,” Halle Berry cashed in her industry cred for roles in high-paying blockbusters. But, just when she was about to enter permanent A-list status, she starred in a little film called “Catwoman.” To call it the runt of the litter would be putting it nicely. The film’s downright atrocious reception single-handedly stopped Berry’s career in its tracks. Then, with a new Razzie award for Worst Actress, her box office numbers sank to very worrying lows. It’s taken the better part of fifteen years, but Berry’s career has begun to show signs of life again. For everyone’s sake, fingers crossed she stays away from the cat claws this time.
#10: John Travolta
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“Battlefield Earth” (2000)
So much good will after “Pulp Fiction.” So much potential. So what the hell is this? Based on the L. Ron Hubbard novel of the same name, “Battlefield Earth” follows a human rebellion against a race of alien overlords. John Travolta, whose career up to this point boasted movies like “Grease,” the aforementioned “Pulp Fiction,” “Saturday Night Fever” and “Face/Off,” played a lead role in the movie mainly because it was linked into his Scientology beliefs. Criticized for its acting, script, special effects and, well, pretty much everything, it’s a sci-fi feast of cheese. For a certain generation, Travolta will be forever known as “the ‘Battlefield Earth’ guy.”
#9: Taylor Kitsch
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“John Carter” (2012)
This is a strange one. It’s a sci-fi Disney movie with tons of action, great special effects and a large number of admiring fans. So why is it on this list? Well, due to some questionable marketing – and the fact that the title “John Carter” hardly inspires excitement – the movie did kinda poorly at the box office. Like, failed to recoup its budget poorly. The only entry in a proposed trilogy, “John Carter” saw its lead and titular actor just... fade away. Sure, Kitsch has had some decent supporting roles since, but it’s a long way from starring as the lead in a Disney blockbuster.
#8: Jamie Kennedy
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“Son of the Mask” (2005)
The phrase “like father, like son” apparently doesn’t apply to movies. Sure, no one was ever going to match Jim Carrey’s pitch-perfect comedic timing, but this sequel couldn’t even get close. And who else is there to blame other than the man himself, Jamie Kennedy? Hollywood certainly thought so, and ever since the film’s disastrous debut, Kennedy hasn’t garnered much traction in the industry. Nowadays, he’s mainly relegated to TV roles or stand-up comedy, and even those have dwindled in recent years. In 2021, he released a series of videos on his YouTube channel attributing the film’s failures to its haphazard production schedule. But in any case, that’s hardly a consolation.
#7: Taylor Lautner
“Abduction” (2011)
As the “Twilight” saga inched towards its conclusion, its young stars were some of the most promising in cinema, Taylor “Jacob” Lautner included. And after starring in a huge franchise like that, your next steps are crucial. Unfortunately for Lautner, his big action blockbuster “Abduction” didn’t earn him the title of action hero like he’d hoped. Criticized for its awful writing, and the fact that it was basically a lame rip-off of the Jason Bourne movies, “Abduction” was universally panned, and Lautner has struggled to regain his A-list status since. The Golden Raspberry Award nomination he earned for the movie is still hanging around his neck like an albatross.
#6: Cuba Gooding, Jr.
“Boat Trip” (2002)
Since earning himself a well-deserved Best Supporting Actor Oscar for “Jerry Maguire,” Cuba Gooding, Jr.’s career has been a bit of a roller coaster. Although starring in several great films since then, his filmography has also been filled with lower-budget, direct-to-DVD movies, and a few really, really bad movies, of which have hampered his rise back to Oscar form. One of the main offenders was undoubtedly “Boat Trip.” Lewd, awkward to watch, and boasting a 7% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s about two straight guys who end up on a gay cruise – and the fun just never starts. I mean, this is the guy that gave us “show me the money.” Come on, man!
#5: Roberto Benigni
“Pinocchio” (2002)
In the 1990s, Roberto Benigni wrote, directed, and starred in the Italian film “Life Is Beautiful.” It went on to receive seven Academy Award nominations and three wins, including his trophy for Best Actor. So when he tackled a story as famous as “Pinocchio,” hopes were high he’d be able to capture the same lightning in a bottle. However, the film makes some very questionably creative choices. After just one scene, it’s clear why Benigni’s career has been rather muted ever since; he hasn’t quite reclaimed his dignity yet. That’s the dual-edged sword of writing and directing yourself - you keep all the glory, and all the infamy, as well.
#4: Mike Myers
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“The Love Guru” (2008)
Times change rapidly in the movie business. What worked in the ‘90s or the 2000s may not work today. Case in point, Mike Myers’s “The Love Guru.” Known for his irreverent ‘90s comedies, especially the “Austin Powers” movies, Myers’s style of comedy has been pretty consistently silly over the years. But when he tried to sell the ridiculous “Love Guru” to audiences in 2008, it didn’t land well at all. With inappropriate, cringeworthy, gross-out gags coming out of its ears, the movie left Myers with more Razzies than a trifle. And since then, he’s not done any movies flaunting his old brand of humor. Which is probably for the best.
#3: Geena Davis
“Cutthroat Island” (1995)
Following a series of runaway hits in the ‘80s and early ‘90s, this actor seemed poised to take over Hollywood. And yet, all it takes is one flop to knock a performer off their throne. In Geena Davis’s case, that was “Cutthroat Island.” The actor had seemingly hoped the swashbuckling adventure film would turn her into an action star. And it certainly did change her image, just not for the better. The movie was an unmitigated disaster and marked the end of her lucrative track record. Her career still hasn’t quite found its footing again, but on the bright side, Davis has become very comfortable behind the scenes instead.
#2: Eddie Murphy
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“Norbit” (2007)
At the height of his popularity, this legendary comedian bet hard on himself. So, Eddie Murphy starred in “Norbit” as not one, not two, but three separate characters. However, the only impressive part of this performance is how ludicrously annoying it is. The harshly negative reactions to the film spelled doom for the shtick Murphy had defined his career by. Then, without audience goodwill or a hot IP to prop him up, the actor’s popularity nosedived. You can count on one hand how many films he was in during the 2010s. Murphy has returned with a few prominent releases around the turn of the 2020s, but the jury’s still out if the “Norbit” stench has faded or not.
#1: Elizabeth Berkley
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“Showgirls” (1995)
We’ve tried to give the benefit of the doubt where possible, but when it comes to “Showgirls,” we got nothin’. This movie is so bad it earned a record number of Razzie Award nominations and a cult status for its sheer awfulness. Unfortunately for former teen actress Elizabeth Berkley, she played the lead role. The film as a whole is bad and weird in its own right, but Berkley’s acting is dire throughout, as she famously overacts in many of the scenes. The fallout from the movie was so bad, she was dropped by her agent as a result. And although she’s been in tons of movies since, “Showgirls” will forever be a defining black mark on her career.
