10 TV Stars Whose Movie Careers Didn't Go As Expected

10 TV Stars Whose Movie Careers Didn’t Go as Expected

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re looking at TV stars whose movie careers didn’t go as expected.

Jon Lovitz

Lovitz was a saving grace during one of “SNL’s” darkest periods. He even survived the cast purge between Seasons 11 and 12. In addition to “SNL,” Lovitz voiced several “Simpsons” characters. Showrunners Al Jean and Mike Reiss had Lovitz in mind for the role of Jay Sherman when they created “The Critic,” originally envisioning a live-action sitcom. Lovitz turned them down, saying, “I can’t do a TV show! I’m a MOVIE STAR!!!” The “SNL” alumn had three movies planned: “City Slickers II,” “North,” and “Trapped in Paradise.” To accommodate his schedule, they offered to make “The Critic” animated. While short-lived, “The Critic’ gained a cult following. That’s more than can be said about Lovitz’s cinematic ventures, which he described as “Three movies, three BOMBS!”

David Duchovny

Along with Gillian Anderson’s Dana Scully, David Duchovny became a TV icon as Fox Mulder on “The X-Files.” Their dynamic was integral to the sci-fi series, which proved so popular that it inspired a 1998 feature film. This seemed like a natural stepping stone for Duchovny to pursue a movie career. Unfortunately, his rapport with Minnie Driver in the rom-com “Return to Me” couldn’t match his chemistry with Anderson. The alien comedy “Evolution” played like Mulder’s fever dream after watching “Ghostbusters.” The sex dramedy “Full Frontal” was no “Californication,” which marked Duchovny’s return to television. He’d also reprise his role as Mulder in another theatrical film and an “X-Files” TV revival. So, we guess his career came full circle.

Luke Perry

In a series full of decade-defining teen idols, no resident of Beverly Hills, 90210 stood out quite like Dylan McKay, played by Luke Perry. After starring in the movie version of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and the Western “8 Seconds,” Perry left “90210” in hopes of pursuing more adult roles. With his looks and charisma, some felt Perry could have a career like James Dean’s, but with a longer lifespan. While Perry received praise for his performance in 1994’s “Normal Life,” few saw that film. Even fewer saw “American Strays,” which played in one theater. Although Perry popped up in some high-profile films like “The Fifth Element,” he bookended his tragically short life on the teen drama “Riverdale,” now playing the father of a teenager.

Katherine Heigl

Between the box office success of “Knocked Up” and winning an Emmy for “Grey’s Anatomy,” 2007 was the year of Katherine Heigl. The actress unwisely threw shade at those who helped her ascent. She called “Knocked Up” “a little sexist” and pulled herself out of the following year’s Emmy race, feeling the writers didn’t give her the best material to work with. While Heigl still headlined a couple of profitable rom-coms like “27 Dresses” and “The Ugly Truth,” everything went downhill once she left “Grey’s.” On the heels of “Killers,” “One for the Money,” and several other box office disappointments, the industry began to rethink whether Heigl was truly “America’s new sweetheart,” a title she never felt suited her. Heigl thus retreated back to television.

Matt LeBlanc

Of all the “Friends” cast members, Matt LeBlanc had the roughest film career, starring opposite a chimpanzee in 1996’s “Ed.” What? But chimps can’t play professional baseball. Oh, the hijinks! Despite having an IMDb page, we’re still not convinced this is real. It looks like a fake movie Joey Tribbiani would’ve done. Then again, wasn’t Ross the one with a monkey? LeBlanc shifted gears with 1998’s “Lost in Space,” although his line reads were a little too Dr. Drake Ramoray-esque. The two “Charlie’s Angels” movies did alright, but it’s not like LeBlanc was the selling point. While LeBlanc staged a TV comeback, his most recent film work includes the 2014 rom-com “Lovesick” and an executive producer credit on “Jonah Hex”... for some reason.

Aaron Paul

As Jesse Pinkman on “Breaking Bad,” Aaron Paul won three Primetime Emmys. With that series ending on a high note in 2013, now was the time for Paul to capitalize on the cinematic front. His big star vehicle was a film about vehicles, an adaptation of the video game “Need for Speed.” The film didn’t exactly require Paul to stretch his acting muscles, nor did it launch the franchise the studio was hoping for. Sorry, but the only car we want to see Paul in is an El Camino, which would bring him back to the “Breaking Bad” universe. Paul has found success in other shows like “BoJack Horseman,” “Westworld,” and “Black Mirror.” As for his film career, the “Central Intelligence” cameo remains the highlight.

Emilia Clarke

This English actress ascended to superstardom as Daenerys Targaryen on “Game of Thrones.” Like Daenerys’ fate in that fantasy series, though, Clarke’s silver screen offerings haven’t entirely lived up to expectations. Granted, romance flicks like “Me Before You” and “Last Christmas” brought Clarke some modest success. It’s the franchise pictures where Clarke hasn’t had the best luck. With “Terminator Genisys” providing a clean slate, it seemed Clarke would get to play Sarah Connor in at least two more movies. This didn’t pan out, but Clarke landed a guaranteed hit with “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” After all, a “Star Wars” movie had never lost money… until now. While Clarke has the makings of a movie star, the right role just hasn’t come her way.

Kirk Cameron

For a minute in the 80s, it seemed Kirk Cameron might be the next Michael J. Fox. Where Fox went from Alex Keaton to Marty McFly, Mike Seaver’s transition to film had growing pains. Critics took an axe to “Like Father Like Son” and “Listen to Me,” relegating Cameron back to the small screen. Yet, Cameron managed to carve out a niche for himself on the cinematic frontier: faith-based films! Who needs the “Back to the Future” trilogy when you have the straight-to-video “Left Behind” trilogy? Then in 2014, Cameron gifted the world his magnum opus, playing himself in “Saving Christmas.” Sure, it got a rare 0% on Rotten Tomatoes, but clearly that was a conspiracy designed to bring the film down… according to Cameron.

Shelley Long

With Sam and Diane’s will they/won’t they relationship being such a pivotal part of the first five seasons, you’d think “Cheers” would’ve fallen apart once Shelley Long left. Proving the strength of its writing and ensemble, “Cheers” went strong for seven more seasons without jumping the shark. Long might’ve needed “Cheers” more than “Cheers” needed Diane. During her time on the sitcom, Long did show promise as a film star with “Irreconcilable Differences” and “The Money Pit.” Going all-in on movies seemed like a smart move, but not when “Hello Again,” “Troop Beverly Hills,” and “Frozen Assets” are the scripts coming your way. While we have a soft spot for “The Brady Bunch Movie,” “Cheers” remains the place where everybody knows Long’s name.

Bill Cosby

Many struggle revisiting “The Cosby Show,” knowing what we know now about its star. Nothing has changed with Bill Cosby’s films, however. They were always unwatchable. While the 70s had a few bright spots like “California Suite,” 1981’s “The Devil and Max Devlin” was the most telling sign that Cosby should stick to the small screen. With “The Cosby Show” dominating the ratings, though, Hollywood took a second look at Cosby, wondering if there was untapped potential. Ironically, it was at the height of his popularity on TV that Cosby made two of the worst comedy movies of all time: “Leonard Part 6” and “Ghost Dad.” Roger Ebert summed up the former saying Cosby “ought to be ashamed of himself.” You have no idea.

Which TV stars are you surprised never quite made it in film? Let us know in the comments.