MomSkoop
Hollywood’s glitz and glamour often hide the struggles behind the scenes. Many famous actors we love today almost threw in the towel before catching their big break. Their stories remind us that success usually comes after facing rejection, living on ramen noodles, and wondering if dreams ever come true. Let’s look at 11 stars who nearly walked away from Tinseltown before fame finally found them.
1. Joe Pesci’s Pizza Shop Plan B
Before becoming a legendary gangster film icon, Joe Pesci was ready to hang up his acting dreams for good. After years of struggling with bit parts and rejections, he had actually quit acting altogether and was running a restaurant in the Bronx.
Director Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro had to convince him to come back for ‘Raging Bull’ in 1980. Pesci was so done with Hollywood that he initially refused the role! The part earned him his first Oscar nomination, and later he won for ‘Goodfellas.’
Imagine if he’d stayed flipping pizzas instead of delivering one of cinema’s most memorable “Funny how?” scenes.
2. Jon Hamm’s Teaching Deadline
Hollywood almost lost its Don Draper when Jon Hamm set a do-or-die deadline for his acting career. At 29, he promised himself he’d return to teaching if he didn’t make it by age 30. Living in Los Angeles with barely enough money for gas, Hamm was dropped by his agency for not landing enough roles.
Just as his self-imposed deadline approached, he auditioned for ‘Mad Men.’ Creator Matthew Weiner fought for this unknown actor against network executives who wanted a bigger name.
Hamm was 35 when ‘Mad Men’ finally premiered, proving sometimes the best opportunities arrive just when you’re ready to walk away.
3. Jane Lynch’s Airline Ticket Home
Comedy powerhouse Jane Lynch once bought a one-way ticket back to Chicago, ready to abandon her Hollywood dreams. After years of auditions leading nowhere significant, the future ‘Glee’ star had packed her bags and was prepared to restart her life in the Midwest.
Lynch had actually decided acting might just be a hobby rather than a career. A last-minute commercial booking changed everything, providing enough money to stay a bit longer in Los Angeles.
That small break led to Christopher Guest discovering her, casting her in ‘Best in Show,’ and launching the career of the woman who would become the hilariously terrifying Sue Sylvester.
4. Bradley Cooper’s Rock-Bottom Moment
Bradley Cooper nearly walked away from acting after his small role on ‘Alias’ was significantly reduced. Battling addiction issues and depression, he seriously considered leaving Hollywood altogether. The future Oscar nominee even asked to be written off the show.
Rock bottom came when he tore his Achilles tendon and couldn’t work or audition. During recovery, Cooper got sober and recommitted to his craft with a new perspective.
His career turnaround began with ‘The Hangover’ in 2009, proving sometimes you need to hit pause before finding your true path. Today, he’s one of Hollywood’s most respected actor-directors.
5. Henry Cavill’s Gaming Distraction
Superman himself almost missed his heroic calling! Henry Cavill was so close to quitting acting that he ignored the call telling him he’d won the Man of Steel role. The British actor had faced years of near-misses, including being director’s choice but studio reject for both James Bond and Superman in earlier productions.
When Zack Snyder called about ‘Man of Steel,’ Cavill was actually playing World of Warcraft and couldn’t be bothered to pick up the phone! Fortunately, he called back.
Before this life-changing role, Cavill was considering joining the military if his acting career didn’t take off soon.
6. John Krasinski’s Waiting Tables Ultimatum
Before becoming Jim Halpert, John Krasinski was just another waiter in New York City with fading Hollywood dreams. He had promised his mother he’d try acting for exactly three years before giving up and getting a “real job.”
With only three months left on his self-imposed deadline, Krasinski was ready to call it quits. His mother encouraged him to stick it out just a little longer.
Two weeks before his deadline expired, he auditioned for a little show called ‘The Office.’ Nine seasons, a directing career, and a blockbuster franchise (‘A Quiet Place’) later, we’re all thankful he didn’t hang up his acting hat for good.
7. Gal Gadot’s Law School Backup Plan
Wonder Woman almost traded her golden lasso for law books! Gal Gadot was seriously considering abandoning acting to study law in Israel. After appearing in a few Fast & Furious films, Gadot found herself struggling to land meaningful roles in Hollywood.
The constant rejection and frustration had her ready to use her law school acceptance letter. Gadot was literally packing up her Los Angeles apartment when her agent called about a secret audition for an unnamed Warner Bros. project.
That mystery role turned out to be Diana Prince in ‘Batman v Superman,’ which led to her iconic ‘Wonder Woman’ solo film. Talk about a last-minute save!
8. Chris Hemsworth’s Desperate Financial Straits
Before wielding Thor’s mighty hammer, Chris Hemsworth was dead broke and ready to return to Australia. After a small role in ‘Star Trek’ (2009), he faced months of failed auditions while his savings dwindled dangerously low.
The situation got so dire that Hemsworth couldn’t even pay his rent. He seriously considered calling his parents for a plane ticket home to restart his career there.
His Thor audition initially went nowhere—his brother Liam was actually closer to getting the part! When director Kenneth Branagh decided to take another look at Chris’s tape, movie history was made. The struggling actor who couldn’t make rent became one of Marvel’s biggest stars.
9. Melissa McCarthy’s Comedy Last Chance
Melissa McCarthy was ready to leave Hollywood behind after a decade of bit parts and unfulfilled promises. At 40, she had resigned herself to the fact that her big break might never come, despite steady work on ‘Gilmore Girls.’
McCarthy was seriously considering moving away from Los Angeles altogether. She had even started looking at houses in other states, believing her career had peaked.
Then came the audition for ‘Bridesmaids’ and her scene-stealing role as Megan. The performance earned her an Oscar nomination and launched her into comedy superstardom. Today, she’s one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood—proof that some careers bloom later but bigger.
10. Lily Gladstone’s Return to Montana
Before her Oscar-nominated role in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ Lily Gladstone had actually retreated from Hollywood. After years of minimal roles and financial struggles in Los Angeles, she moved back to her home state of Montana, believing her acting dreams might be over.
Gladstone took a job at a Native American museum and focused on regional theater work. She had largely accepted that mainstream success might never happen for her.
When Martin Scorsese’s team reached out about auditioning for ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ she was stunned. Her performance opposite Leonardo DiCaprio has now made her one of the most respected new stars in Hollywood—proof that sometimes going home isn’t giving up, but regrouping.
11. Jacob Elordi’s Last $800
Australia’s Jacob Elordi was down to his last $800 in Los Angeles when he nearly bought a one-way ticket home. After moving to America with big dreams, the young actor found himself sleeping in his car and taking showers at a local gym while going to auditions.
Elordi had promised himself he’d return to Australia if he couldn’t make it work. With funds nearly depleted, he was days away from giving up.
Then came the life-changing call about Netflix’s ‘The Kissing Booth.’ That teen rom-com led to HBO’s ‘Euphoria,’ and now Elordi is one of Hollywood’s fastest-rising young stars. His portrayal of Elvis in ‘Priscilla’ has shown his serious acting chops beyond heartthrob roles.