MomSkoop
Hollywood can be a tricky place where fame arrives fast but disappears even faster. Some actors reach the top of their careers only to see it all crumble because of decisions they made themselves.
Whether it was bad behavior on set, controversial statements, or serious legal troubles, these stars learned the hard way that talent alone cannot save a career. Here are seventeen actors who had everything going for them until their own choices changed their paths forever.
1. Sean Young
Sean Young was a rising star in the 1980s, known for her roles in Blade Runner and No Way Out.
Her career seemed unstoppable until reports of erratic behavior on film sets began to surface.
She allegedly clashed with directors and costars, which made studios hesitant to hire her.
One infamous incident involved her showing up uninvited to a studio lot in a homemade Catwoman costume, hoping to land a role she was not offered.
These odd choices and confrontations damaged her reputation severely.
Hollywood insiders started viewing her as difficult to work with, and roles dried up quickly.
Young’s talent was undeniable, but her unpredictable behavior overshadowed her skills and ended her momentum in the industry.
2. Terrance Howard
Terrance Howard earned an Oscar nomination for his role in Hustle & Flow and starred as Rhodey in the first Iron Man film.
Everything seemed perfect until contract disputes with Marvel Studios led to his departure from the franchise.
Howard reportedly demanded more money and clashed with producers over his salary.
Marvel replaced him with Don Cheadle, and Howard’s career never fully recovered from losing such a high-profile role.
He also faced legal troubles and allegations of domestic violence, which further tarnished his reputation.
His public statements about unusual mathematical theories also raised eyebrows.
Howard’s choices to argue over money and his personal controversies derailed what could have been a legendary career.
3. Lea Michele
Lea Michele became a household name thanks to her role as Rachel Berry on the hit show Glee.
Her powerful voice and stage presence made her a fan favorite, and many expected her career to soar even higher.
However, after Glee ended, former castmates came forward with allegations of bullying and diva-like behavior on set.
Several actors described Michele as difficult, mean-spirited, and unwilling to treat others with respect.
These revelations damaged her public image and made casting directors think twice about hiring her.
Broadway opportunities and television roles became scarce.
Michele’s choices to treat colleagues poorly cost her the bright future many predicted for her after Glee.
4. Mischa Barton
Mischa Barton became a teen icon as Marissa Cooper on the popular series The O.C.
Her character’s dramatic storylines made her one of the most talked-about young actresses of the early 2000s.
However, Barton chose to leave the show before its final season, hoping to pursue a film career.
That gamble did not pay off, as the movies she starred in flopped at the box office.
Personal struggles, legal issues, and a highly publicized hospitalization also hurt her career prospects.
Studios became wary of casting her in major roles.
Barton’s decision to leave a hit show too early, combined with personal troubles, meant she never reclaimed the fame she once enjoyed.
5. Armie Hammer
Armie Hammer seemed destined for superstardom after roles in The Social Network and Call Me by Your Name.
His charming looks and strong performances earned him critical praise and a loyal fanbase.
Then, in 2021, disturbing allegations surfaced on social media involving graphic messages he allegedly sent describing violent fantasies.
Multiple women came forward with accusations of emotional abuse and manipulation.
These shocking revelations led to Hammer being dropped from several major projects, including a film with Jennifer Lopez.
His agency and publicist also cut ties with him.
Hammer’s alleged behavior and the choices he made in his personal life completely destroyed his once-promising Hollywood career almost overnight.
6. Emile Hirsch
Emile Hirsch delivered powerful performances in films like Into the Wild and Milk, establishing himself as a talented young actor.
Hollywood insiders predicted a bright future for him.
However, in 2015, Hirsch was arrested for assaulting a female film executive at a party during the Sundance Film Festival.
He pleaded guilty to the assault charge and served time in jail.
The incident shocked fans and industry professionals alike, and major studios became reluctant to cast him in leading roles.
Hirsch’s career shifted to smaller independent films and direct-to-video releases.
His violent outburst and the legal consequences that followed derailed the momentum he had built with his earlier acclaimed performances.
7. Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan was a child star who successfully transitioned to teen roles in hits like Mean Girls and Freaky Friday.
Her talent and charisma made her one of Hollywood’s most promising young actresses.
Unfortunately, Lohan’s struggles with substance abuse and repeated legal troubles derailed her career.
She missed filming days, showed up late to sets, and became known as unreliable.
Multiple DUI arrests, rehab stints, and court appearances dominated headlines instead of her work.
Studios stopped offering her major roles because insuring her became too expensive and risky.
Lohan’s choices to prioritize partying over professionalism cost her the superstar status she once seemed destined to achieve.
8. Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen was one of television’s highest-paid actors, earning millions per episode on Two and a Half Men.
His career spanned decades with hits like PlatoonWall Street and .
But Sheen’s battles with substance abuse and erratic public behavior became impossible to ignore.
He made bizarre statements in interviews, coined strange phrases like “winning” and “tiger blood,” and publicly attacked the show’s creator.
CBS and Warner Bros. fired him from Two and a Half Men in 2011.
His replacement show, Anger Management, did not achieve the same success.
Sheen’s choices to indulge in destructive behavior and burn professional bridges cost him his lucrative career and reputation.
9. Danny Masterson
Danny Masterson became famous playing Hyde on the beloved sitcom That ’70s Show.
His comedic timing and cool-guy persona made him a fan favorite throughout the show’s eight-season run.
Years later, multiple women accused Masterson of sexual assault, with incidents allegedly occurring in the early 2000s.
Netflix fired him from The Ranch after the allegations became public.
In 2023, Masterson was convicted of two counts of rape and sentenced to thirty years to life in prison.
His career ended completely, and he now faces decades behind bars.
Masterson’s criminal actions and the choices he made destroyed not only his career but his freedom and reputation forever.
10. Jennifer Grey
Jennifer Grey became a cultural icon after starring as Baby in the classic film Dirty Dancing.
Her chemistry with Patrick Swayze and the movie’s success made her one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood.
Shortly after her breakthrough, Grey chose to get a nose job that dramatically changed her appearance.
The surgery made her almost unrecognizable, and she lost the unique look that had made her famous.
Casting directors struggled to see her as the same actress, and roles became scarce.
Grey later admitted the decision hurt her career significantly.
Her choice to alter her distinctive features cost her the momentum and opportunities that followed her breakout role.
11. Ansel Elgort
Ansel Elgort shot to fame with roles in The Fault in Our Stars and the Divergent series, becoming a teen heartthrob.
His charming performances and good looks earned him millions of fans worldwide.
In 2020, a woman accused Elgort of sexually assaulting her when she was seventeen years old.
The allegations spread quickly on social media, causing public backlash and damaging his reputation.
Although Elgort denied the claims, the controversy affected his career opportunities.
His role in West Side Story received less promotion because of the scandal.
While his career has not completely ended, the accusations and how he handled them significantly hurt his once-bright future in Hollywood.
12. Gina Carano
Gina Carano became a breakout star as Cara Dune on the Disney+ series The Mandalorian.
Her background as a mixed martial arts fighter brought authenticity to her action scenes, and fans loved her tough character.
Carano’s career took a sharp turn when she posted controversial statements on social media.
Her posts comparing political differences to the Holocaust and spreading misinformation sparked widespread outrage.
Disney and Lucasfilm fired her from The Mandalorian and canceled future projects with her.
Her talent agency also dropped her as a client.
Carano’s choices to share divisive and offensive content on social media destroyed her role in one of the biggest franchises in entertainment.
13. Lillo Brancato
Lillo Brancato showed promise early in his career with a role in A Bronx Tale and later on The Sopranos.
His performances demonstrated real talent, and many believed he could have a long career in Hollywood.
However, Brancato struggled with drug addiction, which led him down a dangerous path.
In 2005, he was involved in a burglary that resulted in the death of an off-duty police officer.
Brancato was convicted of attempted burglary and spent nearly a decade in prison.
His acting career essentially ended with his incarceration.
Brancato’s choices to abuse drugs and commit crimes cost him his freedom and any chance of continuing his once-promising acting career.
14. Jussie Smollett
Jussie Smollett was a rising star on the hit series Empire, playing Jamal Lyon to critical acclaim.
His character broke barriers as an openly gay Black man in the music industry, and Smollett’s performance earned praise.
In 2019, Smollett reported being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago.
Police investigation revealed that Smollett allegedly staged the attack himself, paying two men to carry it out.
He was charged with filing a false police report and later convicted of felony disorderly conduct.
Fox removed him from Empire, and his career collapsed.
Smollett’s choice to fabricate a hate crime destroyed his reputation and ended his promising career in television.
15. Katie Holmes
Katie Holmes became famous as Joey Potter on Dawson’s Creek, one of the defining teen dramas of the late 1990s.
Her girl-next-door charm and acting skills made her a beloved figure.
Holmes’ career took an unexpected turn when she married Tom Cruise and became deeply involved with Scientology.
Her public image shifted from independent actress to celebrity wife, and her film choices during that period did not perform well.
After divorcing Cruise, Holmes struggled to regain her former career momentum.
While she continues to work, she never reached the heights many predicted.
Holmes’ choice to step back from her career during her marriage cost her valuable years and opportunities in Hollywood.
16. Shia LaBeouf
At one point, he seemed unstoppable, headlining franchise blockbusters while stealing scenes with manic charm.
Then the offscreen drama grew louder than any opening weekend: arrests, public outbursts, and a headline-making performance piece that blurred art and apology.
You watched talent get eclipsed by chaos, one decision after another compounding the damage.
He tried reinvention through indie projects and raw confessionals, showing flashes of the actor everyone once expected.
Accountability came in careful statements and courtroom realities, not just scripts and red carpets.
The lesson lands hard for anyone chasing success: momentum is fragile, and choices write the final act.
17. Katherine Heigl
Katherine Heigl won an Emmy for her role as Dr. Izzie Stevens on Grey’s Anatomy and starred in successful romantic comedies.
Her career seemed unstoppable until she made comments criticizing the writers of Grey’s Anatomy and withdrew her name from Emmy consideration.
She also spoke negatively about her film Knocked Up, calling it sexist.
These public complaints earned her a reputation as difficult and ungrateful in Hollywood.
Studios and producers became hesitant to work with someone who might publicly criticize their projects.
Heigl’s career opportunities dried up quickly after these incidents.
Her choices to speak negatively about her own work cost her the leading lady status she had worked hard to achieve.