Diving into the Hollywood acting industry is proven to be onerous. It is a widely known fact that when in Hollywood, actors either make it or break it regardless where their starting lines are. Moreover, when actors manage to kick off their Hollywood dream career, they would have to endure endless rounds of battles in the fighting ring to secure a spotlight for the long run.
Naturally, devoted followers are irked when an actor’s career comes to a descending point and eventually are not involved in the scenes of Hollywood. These 25 seemingly familiar faces might take you back to the classic movies you might have watched!
1. Phoebe Cates
Phoebe Cates is one of the few actors who had gotten genders on both side crushing on. The former film actress, singer and model made her first Hollywood appearance in 1982’s “Fast Time at Ridgemont High” gave her roles in other films throughout the 80s to the early 90s. But as fast as she was won many hearts, she was gone from the screens just as quick.
In 1994, Cates had resigned from her acting days and dedicated her time on her marriage to Kevin Kline and their two children. Despite retiring from the scenes of Hollywood, Cates was seen in a movie “The Anniversary Party” as a favor to the movie’s director, Jennifer Jason Leigh.
2. Dave Chappelle
Dave Chappelle’s fantastic debut in Mel Brooks’ 1993 “Robin Hood: Men in Tights”, showered him with the Hollywood spotlight aspiring actors dream for. Taking on roles in movies; Con Air and The Nutty Professor and a natural when it comes to comedy, Chappelle decided to rest his career on his own comedy sketch show, “Chappelle’s Show“, back in 2013. The show pocketed colossal success before Chappelle himself decided to put the project to a halt years later.
Chappelle made a big comeback on Netflix in 2016, receiving 20 million dollars for each of his four specials. Prior to his success, Chappelle received the epithet “Comic Genius of America“.
3. Amanda Bynes
Infamous for her psychotic breakdown during the spike of her acting career, is Amanda Bynes. The previously successful and talented child star was last seen on television in a 2010 hit show titled “Easy A”. Her psychotic breakdown in public in the same year resulted Bynes to be present in psychiatric wards instead of Hollywood films.
Other than acting, Bynes attended fashion design school as she was very fond of fashion. Although her episode of having a psychotic breakdown gave her a bad reputation in her acting career, Bynes gave acting another try as audiences are on the edge of their seats to witness her comeback.
4. Allison Mack
Famous for her unparalleled Hollywood career, is Allison Mack. Mack kicked off her career in a TV role on an episode of the WB’s series “7th Heaven” before engaging with the role as Chloe Sullivan in the 2001 one hit show called “Smallville” that acquired her a few awards.
However, Mack’s success was cut short in 2011 when she was found to have followed the “NXIVM” cult that was infamous for outrage of modesty to women. Mack’s engagement in the cult and the crimes committed resulted to arrests including her arrest in Brooklyn on April of 2018 by the FBI for sex trafficking and forced labor conspiracy.
5. Jesse Eisenberg
The appearance that led to the breakthrough of his career is Jesse Eisenberg’s role in the comedy-drama film; “Adventureland“. He later took on the main role in “Zombieland“,the popular 2009 American post-apocalyptic horror-comedy film. Eisenberg received many nominations including the Academy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for the Best Actor in his role as Mark Zuckerberg in the film “The Social Network“.
Upon receiving many acknowledgements from his Hollywood acting career, Eisenberg decided to put his career to a brief layoff but is now seen busy and back in the scene of sets with several films that are to be released in 2019.
6. Carey Mulligan
The charming and very talented Carey Mulligan have had not much luck in the Hollywood industry as she sadly failed securing roles in recent years. Mulligan’s only leap in her career was in 2009 when she played a role “An Education” of which drew her a nomination any fresh actors could have ever dreamed of, an Oscar.
Despite the young actress’ victorious score by receiving an Oscar as a newbie in the sets of Hollywood productions, Mulligan faced struggles in attaining major roles in the preceding years. Mulligan finally received the role of Daisy Buchanan that won our hearts in the romantic drama film based on a novel; “The Great Gatsby”.
7. Ronda Rousey
The former UFC fighter who removed herself from the scenes after her defeat in 2015 to Holly Holm is the famous Ronda Rousey. Hosting SNL, starring in the “Furious 7” and “The Expendables 3” in 2010, Rousey’s career did not receive much luck similarly to her previous career. Rousey resurfaced after three years of being off grids, with her role in the 2018 action-thriller film; “Mile 22“. Regardless of the film’s exceptional cast that starred Mark Wahlberg and John Malkovich, the film received many bad reviews.
Nonetheless, Rousey fixed her title as a UFC fighter and success in WWE as a professional wrestler.
8. Aaron Eckhart
If you are a big fan of the Batman film; The Dark Knight, then Aaron Eckhart will not be an unfamiliar face to you. Eckhart caught the attention of the audiences on the opposite side of the screen when he played the role of “George” in the movie “Erin Brockovich”. Eckhart’s role in the 2005 film “Thank You For Smoking” won him a Golden Globe award 2006, not to mention that he was also listed as the 100 most beautiful people in People’s magazine.
Although Eckhart was off the screens after his appearances of his last two movies, he is making a resurgence in the American war film based; Midway.
9. Martin Lawrence
One of Hollywood’s most successful celebrities in the 90s, Martin Lawrence starred in hit films “Do The Right Thing“, “House Party” and even hosted his own show. Lawrence’s career began tumbling south when he experienced a violent episode that led him to be hospitalized while he was on the set of “The Thin Line Between Love And Hate“.
Shortly after, he was arrested for carrying a firearm at a junction in Ventura Boulevard while claiming that someone was attempting to kill him. Lawrence got himself into trouble with the authorities when he assaulted a man in a nightclub before being accused of sexual harassment in 1996.
10. Sally Field
One of Hollywood’s familiar faces, Sally Field has been seen regularly in the film sets of Hollywood. Field’s Oscar award nomination for her role in “Lincoln” and the “Spiderman” gave her much success in her career. Throughout her career, Field collected many other awards such as a Screen Actors Guild Award, three Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards and two Academy Awards in her classic roles on “Steel Magnolias”, “Mrs. Doubtfire”, and “Forrest Gump”.
With an array of awards and her very own star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Field has been rather absent on screens but is now seen in a few projects such as Netflix’s “Little Evil”.
11. Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Jonathan Taylor Thomas was one of the hit 90s teenagers in the scenes of Hollywood when he was on almost all the covers of 90s teen magazines and played one of the main roles on “Home Improvement” as “Randy Taylor”. Thomas is also recognized for his role in voicing over as “Simba” in the classic animated Disney movie; “The Lion King“.
This child star who has been appearing on the screen since he was as young as 8 years old, decided to go off the grids in the year 2000 when he admitted on the “People Magazine” that he wanted to spend his time to travel and focus on his studies.
12. Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman, an actor turned into a novelist of historical fiction, police thriller and Western novel, decided to put his acting days to a stop after winning two Academy Awards, Four Golden Globes, one Screen Actors Guild Award, and two BAFTAs in the span of his acting career. His career as both a successful actor and novelist lasted for an impressive time span of more than six decades!
The 89 year old is happily married to his longtime wife of 26 years, Betsy Arakawa, while embarking on his very successful writing career in the past couple of decades upon retiring from his Hollywood acting career.
13. Mischa Barton
The American teen drama television series, The O.C., brought Mischa Barton the spotlight that she dreamed for. Playing as “Marissa Cooper” for three years straight on this hit show, it was apparent that she had climbed to the highest cliff of her acting career. And when the show managed to gain more and more popular, Barton was given the moment to fly around the world along with her crew.
During the first year of the show being aired, Barton was titled the “It Girl” of the Entertainment Weekly. However Barton got into trouble with her drinking habits when she was caught drunk driving resulting her to have a bad reputation.
14. Jack Gleeson
The American fantasy drama television show “Game of Thrones” had everyone hooked since it aired its first episode on April 17, 2011. And if you are a fan of the show, then Jack Gleeson will not be a strange face to you. Gleeson played as the most hated enemy on the show,”King Joffrey” in the show and despite the show being a hit, Gleeson has not received any new roles since 2014 to the point of him wanting to resign from acting and focusing on academics.
Upon retiring from the show in 2014, Gleeson ended up opening a successful touring theater company.
15. Nikki Blonsky
After working side by side with Hollywood’s A-list celebrities in the 2007 musical romantic comedy film “Hairspray” as “Tracy Turnblad”, we assume that Nikki Blonsky has got a bright path in her Hollywood acting career. Blonsky was given the opportunity to work with Hollywood’s finest to name a few, Zack Efron, John Travolta and Queen Latifah before her career got nicked off after the release of “Hairspray”.
Instead of continuing with her acting career, Blonsky proceeded to acquire a license in cosmetology and a part-time makeup artist. It was inappropriately rumored that her acting days were cut short as Hollywood did not fancy plus-sized actors.
16. Gary Dourdan
Gary Dourdan is known for being one of the legendary faces of the hit tv show “CSI”. In this hit crime television, Dourdan played the role of “Warrick Brown” for eight seasons straight. Dourdan is known for having a similar life off the screens as he had a background of having infamous relationships, struggling with gambling addiction and getting along with his colleagues.
In addition to this was his personal criminal background with his finances, drugs and assault upon resigning from the hit television show. The 52-year old has been seen in minor roles of the 2013 “Mistresses” and the 2015 “Being Mary Jane” shows.
17. Leelee Sobieski
Leelee Sobieski’s exceptional performance in the 1998 American sci-fi movie “Deep Impact” won her the approval of Hollywood’s spotlight. Her spotlight and fame was short-lived when she failed to guarantee any major roles in the sets of Hollywood after a period of time after the famous sci-fi movie.
After Sobieski’s appearance in the 1999 Canadian television film, Joan of Arc, she managed to receive an Emmy nomination before separating from Hollywood’s spotlight in order to fully divert her attention to her family in 2012 when she mentioned that she does not want to be involved in movies as her roles most of the time contained sexual references.
18. Meg Ryan
Adding on to Hollywood’s favorite 90s teens is no other than America’s sweetheart, Meg Ryan. Famously known for starring in rom-coms such as “You’ve Got Mail” in 1998, “When Harry Met Sally” in 1989 and “Sleepless in Seattle” in 1993 proving herself to be the empress of romantic comedy. In the early 2000s, Ryna was involved in several movies such as “Against the Ropes” in 2004 and “Going Against Type”.
However, Ryan’s gigs that failed to be as successful as the famous romantic comedies she starred on earlier in the start of her acting days took a big drop in her Hollywood career.
19. Freddie Prinze Jr.
His starring role in the 1997 American slasher film, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and 1998’s “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer”, catapulted Freddie Prinze Jr’s Hollywood career. Prinze later then had a back to back starring roles in television shows “Friends” in 2002, “Freddie” in 2005 to 2006 and also played the voice of “Kanan Jarrus” in Disney’s series “Star Wars Rebel”.
However, while on the set of the American action drama television series, Prinze’s clash with Kiefer Sutherland resulted to Prinze’s resignation in acting. And although Prinze is no longer seen in the sets of Hollywood, he is now happily married to his dear wife, Sarah Michelle Gellar and is a father of two kids.
20. Jonathan Bennet
This familiar face that starred in the one and only 2004 American teen comedy film “Mean Girls“,that is partly based on a 2002 non-fiction self-help book as Lindsay Lohan’s big time crush, is Jonathan Bennet. His gained much attention as he managed to be almost every teenage girl’s fancy after starring in “Mean Girls”. Bennet however, was entirely not present in the screens of Hollywood after.
During his break, Bennet was rumored to be instructing spin classes in Los Angeles shortly before he became more present on Hollywood’s screens hosting Food Channel’s programs, “Halloween Wars” and as well as “Cake Wars“.
21. Rick Moranis
Appearing in various shows and films inclusive of the classics “The Flintstones”, “Ghostbusters”, “Spaceballs” and “Honey I Shrunk The Kids” is Rick Moranis. Just when Moranis assessed that he had secured his spot amongst the Hollywood stars, his whole career startlingly came to a sloping drop. After the loss of his beloved wife from breast cancer, Moranis came to be a single father in the early 90s.
Moranis resigned from the big Hollywood film industry after feeling overwhelmed by his obligations as an actor and a responsible single parent to his children. Monaris’ latest work was his album that was released in 2013; “My Mother’s Brisket & Other Love Songs”.
22. Andie MacDowell
Receiving a Golden Globe Award nomination for the Best Actress from her role in “Sex, Lies and Videotape” in 1989 is Andie MacDowell. After her great achievement in the Hollywood industry, MacDowell advanced with her talent in several other productions together with; “Green Card”, “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and “Groundhog Day”. MacDowell came across a few obstacles after her success in the 90s when it was tough securing roles. MacDowell managed to participate in light projects and films while exploring her other talent in modelling.
MacDowell then modeled for Calvin Klein Inc and represented L’Oreal as a spokeswoman since 1986.
23. Paz de la Huerta
Paz de la Huerta’s jump start in her Hollywood career was at its best after playing the main role for two whole seasons on “Broadwalk Empire”. Huerta’s spotlight in the scenes of Hollywood was cut short when she did not receive roles resulting her career to descend into a slow decline.
And when Huerta played a role in “Nurse 3D”, she did not receive such great critics to the point of Huerta bringing the filmmakers to a lawsuit in 2015 claiming that they had ruined her acting career. Huerta was infamous for her drinking habits which led her to crash award shows too.
24. Lark Voorhies
Scoring her shot in the Hollywood scene from her role as Lisa on ABC’s sitcom, “Saved by the bell”, is Lark Voorhies. The former actress, singer, spokeswoman and model was nominated for the Young Artist Award at an astonishing number of six times, winning in 1990 and 1993 for her work on the ABC sitcom that highlights serious social topics. She vanished from the acting sets shortly after her peak of her Hollywood career when the sitcom aired it’s last eighty-sixth episode of the show’s final fourth season in 2001.
We assume that Voorhies might be making a comeback after seeing her present on a handful of red carpet events.
