MomSkoop
Hollywood can be a fickle place where stars rise to dazzling heights only to vanish from the spotlight just as quickly. Some actors capture our hearts with breakthrough performances that seem to promise long, successful careers. But for various reasons – from personal choices to industry challenges – not all stars continue to shine. Here’s a look at 12 actors who experienced meteoric rises to fame followed by surprising departures from the limelight.
1. Mark Hamill Before Star Wars Resurrection
Cast as Luke Skywalker in 1977, Mark Hamill became an instant global icon. His face appeared on everything from lunch boxes to bedsheets, with fans worldwide idolizing the farm boy turned Jedi knight.
After the original trilogy, Hamill’s on-screen presence diminished dramatically. A serious car accident in 1977 altered his appearance, potentially limiting his leading man prospects. While he continued working, most fans lost track of him until decades later.
His career found a second life through voice acting (notably as the Joker in Batman animations) before J.J. Abrams brought him back to the Star Wars universe in 2015, reintroducing him to a new generation.
2. Mara Wilson’s Childhood Stardom
The adorable face of “Matilda” and “Mrs. Doubtfire” captured hearts with her precocious charm and intelligence beyond her years. Mara Wilson seemed destined for long-term Hollywood success after starring in several hit films of the 1990s.
Her departure from acting came as a surprise to fans. Following the death of her mother during the filming of “Matilda,” Wilson gradually lost interest in Hollywood. The awkward transition from cute child roles to teen parts also influenced her decision.
She chose education instead, attending NYU and becoming a writer. Today, Wilson occasionally appears in voice acting roles but has been refreshingly candid about the challenges child actors face.
3. Jake Lloyd’s Star Wars Curse
Landing the role of young Anakin Skywalker in “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” should have been a dream come true. Instead, it became a nightmare for 10-year-old Jake Lloyd as he faced brutal criticism and bullying after the film’s release.
The backlash against his performance was relentless. Lloyd later revealed that he was teased mercilessly at school, with classmates making lightsaber sounds whenever he walked by. This traumatic experience led him to quit acting entirely.
His struggles continued into adulthood with mental health challenges. Lloyd’s story stands as a sobering reminder of how fame—especially at a young age—can come with devastating personal costs.
4. Carrie Henn’s One-Hit Wonder
Sometimes a single perfect performance is enough to secure a place in film history. Carrie Henn had never acted before being cast as Newt in James Cameron’s “Aliens” (1986), where she delivered a haunting portrayal of a traumatized child survivor.
Her chemistry with Sigourney Weaver created one of cinema’s most memorable protective relationships. Despite universal praise and a Saturn Award for her performance, Henn never appeared in another film.
She chose a completely different path, returning to normal life and eventually becoming an elementary school teacher. Unlike many child actors, her decision wasn’t driven by negative experiences but by simple preference for an ordinary life over Hollywood’s uncertainties.
5. Phoebe Cates’ Voluntary Exit
Her unforgettable pool scene in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (1982) became an instant cultural touchstone. Phoebe Cates followed this breakthrough with roles in “Gremlins” and “Drop Dead Fred,” establishing herself as one of the most promising actresses of the 1980s.
At the height of her fame and beauty, Cates made a surprising choice. She stepped away from Hollywood in the early 1990s to focus on raising her children with actor Kevin Kline. This deliberate retreat from fame came when many actresses would be fighting for their next big role.
Unlike stories of careers derailed by scandal or typecasting, Cates simply prioritized family over fame. She later opened a boutique in New York, occasionally returning for select projects.
6. Brandon Routh’s Superman Setback
Landing the role of Superman seemed like the ultimate career launch pad. When relatively unknown Brandon Routh was cast as the Man of Steel in Bryan Singer’s “Superman Returns” (2006), comparisons to Christopher Reeve’s career trajectory seemed inevitable.
The film received mixed reviews despite Routh’s well-regarded performance. Warner Bros. ultimately decided not to produce a sequel, leaving Routh in an awkward position of having played an iconic character without the franchise continuing.
His career stalled in the aftermath, with smaller roles following instead of the A-list trajectory expected. Ironically, he later found success in the DC universe again, playing Ray Palmer/The Atom in various television shows, proving his superhero career wasn’t completely over.
7. Gretchen Mol’s Magazine Cover Curse
Few actors have experienced the double-edged sword of premature hype like Gretchen Mol. In 1998, Vanity Fair controversially featured her on their cover with the headline “Is She Hollywood’s Next ‘It’ Girl?” – despite having few significant roles to her name at that point.
The publicity backfired spectacularly. The pressure of living up to this manufactured expectation proved impossible, and Mol’s subsequent films underperformed. Industry insiders cited this as a classic example of Hollywood’s machine creating unearned buzz.
Though she continued working steadily in smaller roles, the mainstream stardom predicted never materialized. Mol eventually found respect in independent films and television, notably in HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire,” proving talent outlasts manufactured hype.
8. Taylor Lautner’s Post-Twilight Fade
When “Twilight” mania swept the globe, Taylor Lautner transformed from a supporting character to a leading heartthrob. His physical transformation for the role of Jacob Black turned him into an overnight sensation, complete with screaming fans and a reported $7.5 million per film paycheck.
The end of the franchise in 2012 should have launched bigger opportunities. Studios invested heavily in Lautner as their next action star with films like “Abduction,” but audiences didn’t follow. Critical reception to his post-Twilight work was harsh, questioning his range beyond the werewolf role.
Unlike co-stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, who successfully transitioned to respected indie careers, Lautner’s star faded quickly. He’s since appeared mainly in television comedies rather than blockbuster films.
9. Geena Davis’ Box Office Slump
Few actresses achieved Geena Davis’ level of success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. With an Oscar for “The Accidental Tourist” and iconic roles in “Thelma & Louise” and “A League of Their Own,” Davis seemed unstoppable until a series of commercial failures changed everything.
The pirate film “Cutthroat Island” (1995) became one of Hollywood’s most notorious box office bombs, even bankrupting its studio. This was followed by the expensive failure of “The Long Kiss Goodnight,” creating a one-two punch that derailed her leading lady status.
Though she continued working in television, her film career never recovered its former glory. Davis later channeled her energy into advocacy, founding an institute studying gender representation in media, finding purpose beyond acting.
10. Shannon Elizabeth’s American Pie Aftermath
Her role as exchange student Nadia in 1999’s “American Pie” turned Shannon Elizabeth into an instant sex symbol. The scene of her character changing clothes while being secretly broadcast online became one of the most paused moments in film history.
Elizabeth parlayed this fame into roles in horror films like “Thirteen Ghosts” and comedies like “Scary Movie” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.” But as the 2000s progressed, substantial roles became increasingly scarce. The very scene that made her famous may have contributed to her typecasting.
She eventually shifted her focus to other passions, particularly professional poker and animal rights activism. Elizabeth founded an animal rescue nonprofit organization in South Africa, finding purpose beyond the limiting roles Hollywood offered her.
11. Nikki Blonsky’s Hairspray Heartbreak
The story seemed straight from a Hollywood fairy tale. Nikki Blonsky was discovered working at Cold Stone Creamery and cast as Tracy Turnblad in the 2007 musical adaptation of “Hairspray,” starring alongside John Travolta and Michelle Pfeiffer. Her performance earned Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice nominations.
The happy ending never materialized. Despite her acclaimed debut, substantial follow-up roles failed to materialize. Her ABC Family series “Huge” was canceled after just one season, and subsequent opportunities dwindled to small guest appearances.
Blonsky eventually returned to working conventional jobs, including reportedly as a hairstylist and makeup artist. Her story highlights how even tremendous talent and a perfect breakout role don’t guarantee sustained success in an industry that often prioritizes conventional looks.
12. Alicia Silverstone’s Post-Clueless Struggle
“As if!” With that catchphrase and her charismatic performance as Cher Horowitz in 1995’s “Clueless,” Alicia Silverstone became the definitive teen queen of the mid-90s. At just 18, she signed a multi-million dollar deal with Columbia Pictures and seemed destined for Julia Roberts-level stardom.
The ascent quickly stalled with a series of critical and commercial disappointments. Her turn as Batgirl in the much-maligned “Batman & Robin” (1997) subjected her to cruel body-shaming in the press. The scrutiny proved overwhelming for the young actress.
While never completely disappearing, Silverstone retreated to smaller independent films and focused on environmental activism and veganism. Recent years have seen a welcome resurgence with roles acknowledging her unique place in pop culture history.