Top 10 Failed Oscar Bait Movies That RUINED Actor's Careers
#10: James Corden
Top 10 James Bond Movies
“Cats” (2019) Was there anything audiences liked about this one? From the rudimentary CGI to the overly dramatic performances, “Cats” was destined for the litter box. Corden has gained a reputation for appearing in sub-par movie musicals, and this one was a real low point. Even though his part as Bustopher Jones was cringeworthy at best, his reputation caused him to receive more criticism than any other celeb in the film. Unfortunately, he followed up “Cats” with another movie musical, “The Prom.” This time, he was criticized for overusing LGBTQ+ stereotypes for laughs. His part in 2021’s “Cinderella?” Not much better. Needless to say, fans aren’t clamoring to see Corden on the big screen again any time soon.
#9: Cuba Gooding Jr.
“Radio” (2003) He gave an infamously rousing acceptance speech at the 1997 Academy Awards. After winning Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Jerry Maguire,” fans expected big things from Cuba. Unfortunately, he followed up with some lackluster films, most noteworthy being his titular role in “Radio.” Several non-disabled actors have seen Oscar success playing disabled characters, though the practice has become more heavily scrutinized in recent years. But Gooding Jr.’s performance might go down in the history books as the most ill-advised portrayal. The movie won no nominations nor many fans, especially considering it was based on a true story. Add to that the fact that Gooding has been plagued by legal issues and misconduct accusations in more recent years, and it’s doubtful his reputation will ever fully recover.
#8: Nate Parker
“The Birth of a Nation” (2016) This ruined rep may have less to do with the film and more to do with off-screen actions. Parker was one of Hollywood’s up-and-coming stars. The release of “The Birth of a Nation,” which he wrote, directed, produced, and starred in, brought with it resurfaced assault allegations from his college years. Though the movie was favorably rated, the director’s personal drama and poor box office turnout may have kept it from garnering any Oscar buzz. Or it could be that the movie just didn’t live up to the standards of the other films released that year, including the critically acclaimed “Moonlight,” “La La Land,” and “Manchester by the Sea.” Regardless of the reason, Parker’s career was tainted, and he’s only released one film since.
#7: Emilio Estevez
“Bobby” (2006) If you were a movie fan in the 80s, you remember Estevez as one of Hollywood’s rising Brat Pack stars. Appearing in dozens of movies, many times alongside his brother Charlie Sheen, Estevez became a household name. Before writing and directing “Bobby”—a film about the day presidential hopeful Bobby Kennedy was assassinated—Estvez’s career had slowed down considerably. Some predicted a career resurgence. However, the typical ensemble cast Oscar-bait film didn’t garner the recognition many expected. Even though it starred huge names like Harry Belafonte, Lindsay Lohan, Demi Moore, and even Estevez himself, it faltered at the box office and earned zero nominations. The former Brat Pack-er hasn’t done much acting or directing since.
#6: Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Top 10 Joseph Gordon-Levitt Performances
“Snowden” (2016) What do you get when you cast everybody’s quirky man-crush to play a significant political figure? The creators of this film hoped it would lead to an Oscars statuette. After all, JGL has been on our screens for decades, from his roles as a child star to cute rom-coms and mind-bending thrillers. Why wouldn’t he do well in a biopic about the world’s most infamous whistleblower? Unfortunately, the film received mixed reviews and didn’t perform up to expectations at the box office. While some critics praised Gordon-Levitt’s performance, others said the film didn’t go far enough. Since the film’s release, the actor hasn’t had many leading parts, focusing instead on supporting roles and TV appearances.
#5: Jim Caviezel
Top 10 Failed Oscar Bait Movies of 2019
“The Passion of the Christ” (2004) Once you play Jesus, it’s all downhill from there. That’s what Caviezel found out when he starred in this Mel Gibson-directed, produced, and co-written film about the last days of Christ. Because of the subject matter, many had high hopes for the film’s Oscar potential. Although it did garner three nominations for cinematography, makeup, and original score, it didn’t manage to win any statues. It also failed to secure nominations in the big acting and directing categories. As far as Caviezel’s career, he found it challenging to win roles because of his association with the film. His career was pretty up in the air until 2011 when he landed a starring role on the successful CBS drama, “Person of Interest.” Amen for that!
#4: Warren Beatty
“Rules Don’t Apply” (2016) Before starring in “Emily in Paris,” Lily Collins acted alongside screen legends like Annette Bening and Ed Harris in this little-known film. Beatty’s starring turn as Howard Hughes marked his return to the screen after a 15-year gap. The Hollywood veteran also wrote the screenplay and directed. Despite this impressive pedigree, the movie bombed at the box office. In fact, it was the worst Thanksgiving film debut ever recorded. It also received middling reviews, which kept it from receiving even one Academy Award nomination. It’s also Beatty’s final credited film role—but will it be his last? I guess we have to wait and see.
#3: Kris Kristofferson
“Heaven’s Gate” (1980) It’s not often that a film is critically panned upon release and then lauded decades later. But that’s exactly what happened to this Western. A box office bomb, the film was nominated for five Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Picture and Kristofferson for Worst Actor. Michael Cimino even won the prize for Worst Director. A Best Art Direction nomination aside, it failed to garner much Oscar attention and was panned by critics. That was until the 21st century when directors and experts reassessed “Heaven’s Gate,” even voting it one of the best American films ever made. But the damage to Kristofferson’s acting career had been done. Though he’s still a consistent actor, he didn’t star in another blockbuster for 18 years with “Blade.”
#2: Faye Dunaway
“Mommie Dearest” (1981) It’s difficult to watch this movie and not wonder why Dunaway turned it up to 11. The actress found out that throwing literally everything into her portrayal of film legend and Oscar winner Joan Crawford would stick with her for the rest of her life. She did move on to many roles. But she told People in 2016 that the image of her as Crawford was hard to shake, and her career was never the same. The biopic managed not to garner any Oscar nods, but did win Worst Picture of the Decade at the 1989 Razzies. Dunaway’s performance has also left behind an enduring legacy of infinitely quotable lines. Drag queens everywhere will continue to recite them until the end of time.
#1: Colin Farrell
Top 10 Colin Farrell Performances
“Alexander” (2004) He was an A-list celeb after movies like “Minority Report” and “Phone Booth.” So, of course, something had to come along and take him down a few pegs. Enter “Alexander,” a sweeping, 3-hour-long biopic about Alexander the Great starring Farrell in the titular role. While historical dramas tend to fare well with the Academy, “Alexander” was an exception. Both critics and historians took issue with the film’s portrayal of ancient Greek life, and it received zero nominations. As for Farrell, his reputation was tarnished. For years, his career was filled with some ups but mostly downs. That was, until recently, when he received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in “The Banshees of Inisherin.” Things are looking up!
