Acting is a notoriously tough profession—not just because it requires the skill to convincingly become someone else, but also because breaking into the industry and making it big is nearly impossible.
It’s especially disappointing when a rising star seems poised for success, only to fade into obscurity just as quickly. Recently, Redditors shared their thoughts on actors who had all the potential to become household names but never quite made it. Scroll down to see their picks, and let us know if you have any to add!
#1
Every time I hear about an actress “disappearing” I always assume they refused Weinstein’s advances.
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#2
Josh Holloway from Lost.
Image credits: Zoomryder
#3
When Ferris Bueller came out everybody was saying how Mia Sara (Who played his girlfriend) was destined for stardom. I even remember Siskel and Ebert saying how she was going to be the next big thing. She had a few small roles, but never blew up like many predicted.
Image credits: MacReady82
Defining whether an actor has truly “made it” can be tricky. Success in Hollywood looks different for everyone: some see it as simply earning a steady paycheck, while others dream of global fame and multi-million-dollar contracts.
But according to a comprehensive study published in Nature Communications, which looked at 2,408,501 performers, “as low as 2% of actors are able to make a living out of acting.” Not becoming the next Scarlett Johansson—just making a living. It’s an unpredictable career, and certainly not for the faint of heart.
#4
Timothy olyphant should be a household name.
Image credits: troutsniffher
#5
I'm still holding out for Haley Joel Osment. He absolutely stole the show in everything he was in as a kid. I can see he does a lot of voice acting, but I wish he could somehow get a really solid role in something sneaky good in film festivals or something to give him a chance at a resurgence.
Also, anybody that watched Once Upon A Time knows that Robert Carlyle was criminally under appreciated for his role as Rumpelstiltskin. I believe he should be a household name and getting regular roles like Willem Dafoe or David Tennant get.
Image credits: CMengel90
#6
Leelee Sobieski.
Image credits: KingCobra1998
As audiences, we naturally root for actors who capture our attention on screen. So when a promising star suddenly steps out of the spotlight, it often leaves us wondering—what went wrong?
That curiosity led Redditor TheBilliard to start a discussion with other users about which actors out there had the potential to go far but didn’t. Speaking to Bored Panda, he told us that the idea came to him after rewatching Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.
“The film is one of my favorites, and Paula Patton’s character, Jane Carter, was an extremely positive standout,” he said. “I did some research afterward and found that she didn’t have nearly as large a career as I would’ve thought. This may or may not be related to personal issues.”
#7
Eric Bana, 20 years ago he was skyrocketing with Black Hawk Down and Troy. But unfortunately he never became that A list actor he should have been.
Image credits: Bronson1968
#8
Lizzie Caplan.
Image credits: Unusual-Ad4890
#9
Fairuza Balk from The Craft.
Image credits: TheSeptuagintYT
As a big action-thriller fan, TheBilliard didn’t just share thoughts on underrated actors—he also brought up some movies he feels deserve more recognition.
- Mortal Engines – “Not a great film by any means, especially when compared to the books, but still an enjoyable ride nonetheless,” he said. “The acting and sets are great, and the vibe of the film is captured nicely.”
- Tombstone – “I don’t care how popular you think this film is, it’s not popular enough!” TheBilliard argued. “Val Kilmer is clearly the standout, but Kurt Russell deserves a lot of credit for his role as Wyatt Earp. An instant classic.”
- Solo: A Star Wars Story – “Like Mortal Engines, this isn’t a top-tier film by any means. But it’s good. Better than you remember,” he said. “Woody Harrelson and Emilia Clarke’s characters are show stealers, and the humor in this movie is honestly solid. Plus, who can forget the train heist scene?”
Hopefully, even if these movies or actors haven't reached the peak of fame by Hollywood standards, they can take comfort in knowing that Redditors—and our readers—still remember them. And in the end, that’s the kind of legacy that matters. As long as their work continues to be watched, appreciated, and talked about, they’ll never truly fade away.
#10
Guy Pearce - with LA Confidential and Memento between 1997-2000 (and I loved Ravenous, but that is pretty unknown). I thought he would be massive. He continuously works but didn't get the A-list, leading man roles I thought he would.
Image credits: lemons714
#11
I thought Clive Owen was skyrocketing to superstardom and then just plateaued. He just disappeared into a series of lesser known projects. And then out of the blue saw him promoting like one mini series a year it seems. I think he did like 4 back to back.
Image credits: unprogrammable_soda
#12
Sean William Scott could have been the first Ryan Reynolds, not sure what happened, but pretty sure it was his MTV Cribs that soured him on everyone.
Image credits: smoothVroom21
#13
Always thought Moon Bloodgood was headed for stardom. Her name alone seemed destined for greatness.
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#14
I went to high school with both Lee Pace and Matt Bomer. They have both had very successful careers. I thought Matt Bomer was going to be a super star.
EDIT: To be clear, they've both had very good careers. I just thought Bomer would be an A lister some day, like Brad Pitt level star. Now he's doing voice work and maybe going back to TV.
Image credits: Supermac34
#15
I thought Karl Urban was going to be the next big thing in action movies and it just didn’t happen. He found success in TV, but I thought Cole Hauser was going to be a much bigger movie star.
Image credits: Imnotthatduder
#16
Gemma Arterton. She was the leading lady of Clash of the titans and Prince of Persia and was even a Bond girl but her career just faded.
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#17
Summer Glau. I thought she was amazing in the Sarah Connor Chronicles, but since then she’s only had smaller roles.
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#18
Aaron Paul.
Dude was remarkable in Breaking Bad and then did a couple of s****y movies because studios knew they’d make bank off his name and now he’s just kinda disappeared.
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#19
Charlie Hunnam.
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#20
Dacre Montgomery. He’s still young but I figured he’d be getting big roles by now.
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#21
Skeet Ulrick.
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#22
Aaron eckhart was the second best actor in the dark knigth after heath ledger imo , but after that he has mostly done s****y action movies , I’ve read that he was apparently very difficult to work with so I guess that migth have something to do with it.
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#23
After American Beauty i thought Wes Bentley would be a huge star. Also Nick Stahl. But d***s derailed both of their careers. Wes did bounce back, but still.
Image credits: ArtTheClown2022
#24
Shannyn Sossamon.
"A Knight's Tale"
"40 Days and 40 Nights"
"Rules of Attraction"
Out of the gate, 3 decent films, and then, "Oh, I remember her" appearances in middling TV shows and movies.
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#25
Joel Kinnaman.
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#26
Claire Forlani.
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#27
Michael Biehn really should've had more important roles than he did after his appearances in terminator and aliens, but that old bottle held him back I guess.
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#28
Patrick Fugit. He was so good in Almost Famous and then just disappeared.
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#29
Shailene Woodley is very talented, but her career seems to have stalled as of late. I wonder if being in a relationship with Aaron Rodgers had something to do with that.
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#30
Anson Mount.
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#31
Emmy Rossum.
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#32
Sam Witwer needs more live action roles.
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#33
I’m shocked Michael Shannon hasn’t blown up in a big way. I feel like he was on his way, and then chose Zod in the Snyderverse, which didn’t pan out. I think hes an amazing actor, though, and will keep getting work into his golden years.
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#34
Taylor Kitsch. After John Carter, then Lone Survivor I thought he was going to be in everything.
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#35
Alicia Vikander.
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#36
Tessa Thompson. She seemed to be on the verge a few years ago and now? Nothing.
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#37
Natasha Henstridge.
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#38
Leighton Meester was not only drop dead gorgeous but the best actor on Gossip Girl.
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#39
Olga Kurylenko.
Image credits: Reasonable-Aide7762
#40
Matthew Fox from LOST. I loved his acting and saw he had so much potential for lead roles but never got to see him in much after that.
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#41
James Badge Dale was in Rubicon and The Departed and I just thought a role would come along that would break through but it never has.
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#42
Rooting for Paula Patton to resume her career.
Image credits: Superb-Possibility-9
#43
I thought Tia Carrera would be successful.
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#44
Emile Hirsch. To say he’s gone no where might be a little harsh, but early on with movies like The Girl Next Door, Alpha Dog, and Into the Wild I thought he was gonna end up being pretty big.
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#45
I always said Walton Goggins, but he's finally starting to blow up, so I always though micheal pitt was gonna be huge.
Image credits: This_Fkn_Guy_
