MomSkoop
Hollywood can be a tough place, even for the biggest stars. Sometimes celebrities find themselves on the outside looking in, facing fewer roles and opportunities than they once had.
Whether due to controversial statements, difficult on-set behavior, or personal scandals, these twenty actors and performers reportedly experienced a Hollywood blacklist that changed their careers forever.
1. Ashley Greene
Best known for playing Alice Cullen in the Twilight saga, Ashley Greene seemed poised for major stardom after the vampire franchise ended.
However, her career never quite reached the heights many expected.
Industry insiders suggest that Greene struggled to break free from her Twilight image, leading to fewer high-profile roles.
Some reports indicate that her team’s aggressive negotiation tactics and demands rubbed studio executives the wrong way.
Greene has since shifted focus to smaller independent films and television projects.
While she continues working steadily, the A-list movie career many predicted hasn’t materialized.
Her experience shows how challenging it can be to transition from a franchise role to diverse leading parts in Hollywood.
2. Cody Simpson
Australian singer Cody Simpson made waves as a teen pop sensation before trying his hand at acting.
His transition to Hollywood didn’t go as smoothly as planned.
Reports suggest that Simpson’s focus on multiple careers simultaneously, including competitive swimming, made studios hesitant to invest in him for major projects.
Some casting directors felt he lacked the dedication needed for serious acting roles.
His romantic relationships with high-profile celebrities also drew more attention than his actual work.
Simpson eventually returned to music and competitive swimming, representing Australia in swimming competitions.
His Hollywood dreams took a backseat to other passions, though whether by choice or necessity remains debated among industry watchers.
3. Megan Fox
Megan Fox’s comparison of director Michael Bay to Hitler during the Transformers press tour became one of Hollywood’s most infamous moments.
The comment led to her departure from the franchise and reportedly made other directors wary of working with her.
Studio executives allegedly circulated word that Fox was difficult and ungrateful.
For several years, her career stalled with few major offers coming her way.
Fox has since spoken openly about being labeled difficult simply for standing up for herself on set.
She’s experienced a career resurgence in recent years with roles in indie films and mainstream projects.
Her story highlights how speaking out against powerful figures can have serious professional consequences in Hollywood.
4. Azealia Banks
Rapper Azealia Banks burst onto the music scene with incredible talent and the hit song “212.” However, her career has been overshadowed by numerous public feuds and controversial social media posts.
Banks has engaged in highly publicized conflicts with countless celebrities, from Iggy Azalea to Zayn Malik.
Her inflammatory statements about race, sexuality, and other sensitive topics have led to cancelled performances and dropped record deals.
Many industry professionals now consider her too risky to work with despite her undeniable musical abilities.
Banks has expressed frustration that her controversies overshadow her artistry.
Her situation demonstrates how social media behavior can significantly impact professional opportunities in the entertainment industry.
5. Drake Bell
Drake Bell rose to fame on Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh, becoming a beloved teen star.
His career trajectory changed dramatically following a 2021 guilty plea to child endangerment charges involving a minor.
The legal troubles resulted in immediate cancellation of projects and distancing from former colleagues.
Bell’s reputation in Hollywood suffered irreparable damage, with networks and studios severing ties.
He relocated to Mexico, where he’s attempted to rebuild his music career under a different name.
Former fans and industry professionals have largely turned their backs on the actor.
His case serves as a stark reminder that certain actions can permanently end even the most promising entertainment careers.
6. Carrie-Anne Moss
After playing Trinity in The Matrix trilogy, Carrie-Anne Moss seemed destined for continuous blockbuster success.
Yet she’s been notably absent from major Hollywood productions for extended periods.
Moss has spoken candidly about ageism in the industry, revealing that offers dried up dramatically after she turned forty.
She described receiving a script for a grandmother role the day after her fortieth birthday.
The experience opened her eyes to Hollywood’s harsh treatment of aging actresses.
Moss has since focused on independent films and streaming series like Jessica Jones.
Her honest discussions about ageism have sparked important conversations about how the industry treats women over forty.
7. Taylor Kitsch
Taylor Kitsch starred in Friday Night Lights and seemed poised to become Hollywood’s next action hero.
Then came 2012, when both John Carter and Battleship, two massive-budget films starring Kitsch, bombed spectacularly at the box office.
The back-to-back failures cost studios hundreds of millions of dollars combined.
Hollywood quickly labeled Kitsch box office poison, making studios reluctant to cast him in leading roles.
He’s since worked primarily in supporting parts and television series like True Detective.
Kitsch has handled the setback with grace, focusing on quality projects rather than blockbuster stardom.
His experience shows how quickly Hollywood can turn on an actor after financial failures beyond their control.
8. Jami Gertz
Jami Gertz starred in beloved 1980s films like The Lost Boys and Less Than Zero.
Despite her talent and screen presence, Gertz’s acting career slowed considerably in the 1990s.
She’s since become better known as a billionaire through her marriage to investor Tony Ressler.
Some speculate that Hollywood’s difficulty casting actresses as they age contributed to fewer role offers.
Others suggest Gertz simply chose family and business ventures over pursuing acting opportunities.
She’s now part-owner of the Atlanta Hawks NBA team and focuses on philanthropy.
Gertz occasionally takes acting roles but no longer pursues Hollywood stardom, having found success and fulfillment elsewhere in life.
9. Christina Milian
Christina Milian achieved success as both a singer and actress in the early 2000s.
Her career momentum slowed after several high-profile projects failed to connect with audiences.
Record label issues and management problems reportedly complicated her music career.
In Hollywood, Milian struggled to land substantial roles despite her talent and charisma.
Some industry observers suggest that she fell into the difficult middle ground of being too famous for small roles but not quite famous enough for leads.
Milian has reinvented herself through reality television and social media influence.
She’s found success as an entrepreneur and continues performing, though not at the level her early career suggested was possible.
10. Sam Worthington
Australian actor Sam Worthington starred in Avatar, the highest-grossing film of all time, along with Terminator Salvation and Clash of the Titans.
Despite this incredible start, Worthington never became the household name many predicted.
His performances received mixed reviews, with critics noting a lack of charisma in leading roles.
Several of his non-Avatar films underperformed financially, making studios hesitant to cast him in big-budget projects.
Reports of on-set intensity and method acting approaches also circulated throughout Hollywood.
Worthington has since focused on Australian productions and smaller American films.
He’ll return for the Avatar sequels, but his career path illustrates how even massive box office success doesn’t guarantee sustained stardom.
11. Phoebe Cates
Phoebe Cates became an icon of 1980s cinema with memorable roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Gremlins.
Her career slowed in the 1990s, and she eventually stepped away from acting almost entirely.
Unlike some on this list, Cates made a conscious choice to prioritize family over Hollywood.
She married actor Kevin Kline and focused on raising their children away from the spotlight.
Cates has occasionally expressed interest in returning to acting but hasn’t actively pursued roles.
She now owns a boutique in New York City and lives a relatively private life.
Her story represents a different kind of Hollywood departure, one based on personal choice rather than industry rejection.
12. Eric Bana
Eric Bana seemed destined for major stardom after impressive performances in Black Hawk Down and Chopper.
His starring role in Ang Lee’s Hulk was supposed to launch him into the superhero stratosphere.
The film’s disappointing reception and mixed reviews hurt Bana’s momentum significantly.
While he’s continued working steadily in films like Munich and Star Trek, the A-list status never quite materialized.
Bana has spoken about preferring to work in Australia and being selective about projects.
Some wonder if his choosiness cost him opportunities during crucial career moments.
He remains respected in the industry but never achieved the superstardom his early career suggested was inevitable.
13. Kate Bosworth
Kate Bosworth showed promise in Blue Crush and won the role of Lois Lane in Superman Returns.
However, Superman Returns underperformed, and the planned sequels were cancelled, derailing what should have been a career-defining franchise.
Bosworth’s subsequent film choices failed to connect with audiences or critics.
Industry insiders suggested she lacked the star power to carry major productions.
Her high-profile relationships also generated more publicity than her actual work.
Bosworth has since shifted toward independent films and television projects.
She’s carved out a respectable career but never reached the blockbuster stardom that once seemed within reach after her early successes.
14. John Cusack
John Cusack was one of the most bankable stars of the 1980s and 1990s with films like Say Anything and High Fidelity.
His outspoken political views and controversial social media posts have reportedly made him less appealing to studios seeking broad audience appeal.
Cusack has never shied away from expressing strong opinions, sometimes in combative ways.
Industry sources suggest that his reputation for being difficult and his political activism have cost him mainstream roles.
He’s transitioned primarily to direct-to-video action films and smaller independent projects.
Cusack maintains that he chooses these projects deliberately.
Whether by choice or circumstance, his days as a romantic comedy leading man are clearly behind him.
15. Jamie Lynn Spears
Jamie Lynn Spears was Nickelodeon’s golden girl, starring in the hit show Zoey 101.
Her pregnancy at age sixteen abruptly ended the series and effectively halted her acting career.
The scandal dominated tabloid coverage and overshadowed her considerable talent.
Nickelodeon and other networks were reportedly uncomfortable working with her afterward.
Spears has attempted comebacks in both acting and country music with limited success.
Her recent involvement in sister Britney’s conservatorship controversy has further complicated her public image.
Spears represents how a teenage pregnancy, which shouldn’t define someone’s entire life, can permanently alter a young star’s career trajectory in unforgiving Hollywood.
16. Minnie Driver
British actress Minnie Driver earned an Oscar nomination for Good Will Hunting and seemed poised for major stardom.
However, her career never quite reached the heights that nomination suggested.
Driver has spoken about experiencing ageism and being typecast in certain roles.
She’s also been candid about Hollywood’s treatment of women who speak their minds.
Driver’s willingness to discuss industry sexism may have cost her opportunities with risk-averse studios.
She’s found consistent work in television series and continues acting regularly.
Driver’s talent has never been questioned, but the leading lady roles in major films largely dried up as she aged.
17. Alex Pettyfer
British actor Alex Pettyfer seemed destined for heartthrob stardom after I Am Number Four and Magic Mike.
Then reports emerged of unprofessional behavior on various film sets.
Channing Tatum publicly stated he would never work with Pettyfer again after Magic Mike.
Stories circulated about Pettyfer’s entitled attitude and conflicts with directors and co-stars.
Hollywood quickly labeled him difficult and unreliable, resulting in dramatically fewer opportunities.
Pettyfer has since apologized for his past behavior and acknowledged his mistakes.
He’s worked to rebuild his reputation through smaller films and more mature conduct, but the damage to his once-promising career was substantial and lasting.
18. Linda Fiorentino
Linda Fiorentino delivered a career-defining performance in the neo-noir thriller The Last Seduction.
Despite critical acclaim, her Hollywood career essentially ended in the early 2000s.
Reports suggest Fiorentino developed a reputation for being extremely difficult to work with on set.
Directors and producers allegedly found her challenging and unpredictable.
She reportedly turned down numerous roles and burned bridges with powerful industry figures.
Fiorentino hasn’t appeared in a film since 2009 and has essentially retired from acting.
Her situation illustrates how talent alone isn’t enough if relationships with industry gatekeepers become irreparably damaged through difficult behavior.
19. Steven Seagal
Steven Seagal dominated action cinema in the late 1980s and early 1990s with hits like Under Siege.
His career collapsed amid numerous allegations of sexual harassment and assault from actresses and stunt performers.
Multiple women came forward with disturbing stories about Seagal’s on-set behavior.
His reputation for being difficult and his alleged ties to controversial political figures further damaged his standing.
Major studios stopped offering him theatrical releases, relegating him to direct-to-video productions.
Seagal now primarily works in low-budget action films released overseas.
His fall from major Hollywood player to persona non grata represents one of the industry’s most dramatic career declines.
20. Dakota Fanning
Dakota Fanning was one of Hollywood’s most talented child actresses, earning critical acclaim before age ten.
As she transitioned to adult roles, the parts didn’t come as easily or frequently.
Some suggest that Hollywood struggles with former child stars taking on mature roles.
Fanning’s careful project selection and desire to attend college may have also slowed her career momentum.
She’s never stopped working but hasn’t achieved the adult superstardom her childhood success predicted.
Fanning continues taking interesting independent film roles and seems content with her career path.
Her experience highlights the difficult transition many child actors face when growing up in the public eye.