Top 10 Actors Who Took the Biggest Career Risks

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the entertainers that made the most daring decisions in their careers, whether they worked out or not.

#10: Demi Moore

“G.I. Jane” (1997)

A risk may not pay off in the moment, but that doesn’t mean it won’t in the future. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Demi Moore found acclaim through her roles in romantic and coming-of-age movies. Towards the end of the millennium, she drastically pivoted by appearing in “G.I. Jane”. Not only was it her first action role, she also shaved her head and underwent rigorous training to prepare for it. Her efforts fell flat, with the film being derided and her earning a Razzie award. She experienced a lull in her career in the following years. She and others who worked on “G.I. Jane” have gone on to say it's her best work— even if the reception at the time claimed otherwise.

#9: Chloë Sevigny

“The Brown Bunny” (2003)

Even as an adult, participating in mature scenes is a risky move. Following an Academy Award nomination, Chloë Sevigny’s career was on an upward trajectory. Unfortunately, it nearly spiraled out just a few years later after taking on the role of Daisy in “The Brown Bunny”. All it took was one scene featuring the character— and the actress herself— performing an explicit act for her to nearly lose everything she’d built for herself so far. She received backlash from her peers and viewers alike, prompting her to defend herself and the role. Despite the negative reaction at the time, she was able to overcome it and go on to achieve great things in television and the indie film scene alike.

#8: Christian Bale

“American Psycho” (2000)

Had he not taken this risk, Hollywood as we know it today may not be the same. Though Christian Bale got his start as a child actor, he had trouble breaking out as an adult. He had his heart set on playing Patrick Bateman in “American Psycho”, preparing for it long before it was confirmed to be his. Those who worked with him were against it, claiming that playing such a reprehensible character would lead to him being typecast as a villain. The fear of losing everything made him want it even more. The role did anything but limit his opportunities, with him even going on to play the antithesis to Bateman less than a decade later in “The Dark Knight” trilogy.

#7: Dave Bautista

“Blade Runner 2049” (2017)

Following his initial rise to fame as a wrestling champion, it would’ve been easy for him to simply transition into life as an action star. His recurring role as Drax in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” series seemed to confirm that trajectory for Dave Bautista. However, he yearned for a respected reputation as an actor, rather than just being known for his physicality. His first big step in the right direction was as Sapper Morton in “Blade Runner 2049”, a role that allowed him to show off his onscreen brawling and, more importantly, a subdued, dramatic performance. It showed he had much more to offer than humorous one-liners, and acted as the catalyst to his career’s second peak, with roles in huge franchises and Netflix originals alike.

#6: Jim Carrey

“Man on the Moon” (1999)

When an actor finds success in one genre, it can be hard to take on another. When his career first took off, Jim Carrey gained recognition in movies that allowed him to show off his comedic timing and physicality. Though those early roles helped him gain a household name, he knew he had more to offer than slapstick. Starting in the late 90s, he began to push himself as an actor. He risked losing the fan-base he’d built up, but projects like “The Truman Show” and “Man on the Moon” proved that he could play a serious character with the gravitas required. Even if the films themselves weren't box office hits, they were proof to critics and viewers everywhere that he couldn’t be typecast.

#5: Brendan Fraser

“The Whale” (2022)

Comebacks aren’t always guaranteed. After a strong start in the 1990s, Brendan Fraser hit a lull due to a series of physical and emotional challenges. Though he was working consistently, nothing was catching the public eye the way his earlier work had. That is, until he took on the starring role in “The Whale”. He knew playing Charlie— a morbidly obese man struggling to maintain his relationships— would be a sharp departure from his usual fare, especially for his first lead role in over a decade. However, he knew it was his chance to re-introduce himself. He threw himself into the part, and it paid off. Not only did it earn him an Academy Award, it reignited his career and helped him re-write his legacy.

#4: Elizabeth Berkley

“Showgirls” (1995)

Not all risks pay off. Elizabeth Berkley learned that the hard way shortly after her tenure as Jessie Spano on “Saved by the Bell”. Initially, she’d been excited to take on deeper roles that would help display her growth as an actor and artist. Unfortunately, her first post-sitcom role was as the lead in “Showgirls”. Though undoubtedly more adult, the movie and her involvement in it were panned critically. She went on to win multiple Golden Raspberry awards for the poor performance, and she was relentlessly mocked within the industry and beyond. Though she was able to slowly build her reputation back up with parts in independent films and off-screen productions, for a while it did seem that her mainstream career permanently affected.

#3: Tom Hanks

“Philadelphia” (1993)

Though he’s now known for his most dramatic roles, that wasn’t always the case. Prior to 1993, Tom Hanks was known for his work in lighter comedies. That year, he signed on to “Philadelphia”, where he played a lawyer suing his old firm after being fired for his sexuality and AIDS diagnosis. At the time, the illness was a controversial topic to cover, even for a beloved Hollywood actor. Hanks knew he was gambling everything he’d worked for, but was also aware that it could broaden his career. His risk paid off in spades. Not only did it win him his first Academy Award, it also provided the catalyst for his legacy as one of the best actors of his generation.

#2: Charlize Theron

“Monster” (2003)

Throughout the 1990s, her striking looks helped her find initial success. Despite that, Charlize Theron feared that the same beauty that gave her an advantage would lead to her being offered a limited range of roles. That changed just a few years later when she portrayed serial killer Aileen Wuornos in “Monster”. She took on a physical and mental commitment to play the role, leaving her all but unrecognizable to audiences. It was proof that she was willing to make drastic changes to better fit a role and that she could play more than traditionally beautiful characters, which opened her up to a vast array of opportunities. She won an Oscar for her efforts, and since then she’s enjoyed a variety of roles across several genres.

#1: Matthew McConaughey

“Dallas Buyers Club” (2013)

Becoming popular is one battle; earning respect is another. Thanks to his initial work in romantic-comedies, Matthew McConaughey became one of the most well-known actors of his generation. Despite his success, he wasn’t satisfied. After a two-year break, he was determined to branch out. The 2010s began the McConaissance and his journey into complex roles. His most daring was “Dallas Buyers Club”, where he portrayed the real-life story of a man living in the aftermath of his AIDS diagnosis. Besides being a physical risk that led to him losing forty pounds, it was also drastically different from any of his other movies. His performance was met with resounding critical success, leading to him winning his first Academy Award and shedding his rom-com image for good.

Which actor do you think benefitted the most from taking a huge career risk? Let us know in the comments below!