In the fast-paced world of Hollywood, one poor choice can flip an actor’s rising star into a cautionary tale. Whether it was a weak script, awkward casting, or backlash that spiraled out of control, these 17 performances did more harm than good. Some actors clawed their way back. Others were never the same.

Here’s a list of roles that pushed careers to the edge—and in some cases, right over it.

Dwayne Johnson – Black Adam

With all the hype surrounding Black Adam, it looked like Dwayne Johnson was about to dominate the superhero genre. But when the movie underperformed, the fallout was swift. Despite his larger-than-life persona, Johnson was dropped from future DC plans. It wasn’t just a box office failure—it was a major reputation hit.

Video: Black Adam – Official Trailer

Camila Cabello – Cinderella
Camila had conquered the music charts, but her acting debut in Cinderella fell flat. Critics weren’t impressed, calling her portrayal lifeless. Despite her vocal talents, she couldn’t bring the character to life on screen. After this stumble, she left acting behind and refocused on music.

Jared Leto – Morbius
Morbius may have generated memes, but not in a good way. Jared Leto’s performance became the punchline of 2022. Even after Sony tried a second theatrical release, the response was the same: disappointment. Now, Leto’s facing a long road if he wants to regain his dramatic credibility.

Anne Hathaway – The Witches
This remake should’ve been a fun revival. Instead, The Witches sparked controversy over how Anne Hathaway’s character was designed—offending disability advocates worldwide. Hathaway had to apologize publicly, and the role that was meant to be magical turned into a PR mess.

Meg Ryan – Proof of Life
Known for her romantic comedy magic, Meg Ryan stepped into unfamiliar territory with Proof of Life. The film was underwhelming, but it was her off-screen romance with Russell Crowe—while married to Dennis Quaid—that did real damage. Her squeaky-clean image took a hit, and so did her career.

Ezra Miller – The Flash

The Flash didn’t just fail critically—it arrived under the shadow of Ezra Miller’s troubling off-screen behavior. Allegations, arrests, and general chaos followed them leading up to the release. The studio backed away, and Miller’s future as a leading star looks more uncertain than ever.

Video: The Flash – Official Trailer

Pamela Anderson – Barb Wire
Pamela was all-in on Barb Wire, even getting an actual barbed-wire tattoo. But the film bombed, hard. It didn’t help that the role leaned into style over substance. The dream of Oscar glory quickly turned into a Golden Raspberry—and the beginning of a long decline.

January Jones – X-Men: First Class
Jones’s turn as Emma Frost didn’t win over fans or critics. Her wooden delivery was widely mocked, and rumors of tension with the director didn’t help. Afterward, her film appearances dropped sharply, and she disappeared from big studio projects.

Dev Patel – The Last Airbender
After Slumdog Millionaire, Patel was riding high. But The Last Airbender derailed that momentum. Between the poor direction, awful reviews, and clunky storytelling, the film is still remembered as one of the worst of the decade. Patel has since avoided major studio fantasy roles—and who can blame him?

Michael B. Jordan – Black Panther
Jordan crushed his role as Killmonger, but the intensity left a mark. He admitted later that he needed therapy after filming. The emotional toll was real. The role didn’t damage his career, but it showed the cost that comes with bringing a complex character to life.

Mischa Barton – The O.C.
Barton shot to fame fast with The O.C.—too fast. The pressure, the fame, the spotlight—it overwhelmed her. She left the show, left Hollywood, and took years off. Though she’s made some small returns, she never fully recaptured that early momentum.

Taylor Lautner – Abduction

After Twilight, Lautner was positioned to be the next action star. Then came Abduction—a critical flop that exposed his acting limitations. The film bombed, and Hollywood cooled off fast. He faded from the big screen almost overnight.

Video: Abduction (2011 Movie) – Official Trailer – Taylor Lautner

Jessica Alba – An Invisible Sign
Alba’s star was shining until a string of lackluster films—including An Invisible Sign—tarnished her box office pull. The film scored a rare 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. After that, Alba stepped back from acting and focused on her lifestyle brand instead.

Hugh Grant – Did You Hear About the Morgans?
This rom-com was supposed to be a sure thing. It wasn’t. Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker had no chemistry, and the awkward humor didn’t land. Grant took a three-year break afterward to let audiences forget. It wasn’t until Cloud Atlas that he found redemption.

Jessica Chastain – The 355
Chastain helped create and produce The 355, an all-female spy thriller. Unfortunately, it didn’t make waves. Critics found it forgettable, and despite the star power, it faded fast. Chastain bounced back with other roles, but this one left a smudge on her resume.

Angelina Jolie – Eternals
With Jolie and Marvel in the same film, expectations were sky-high. But Eternals underwhelmed, and fans were disappointed with how little Jolie had to do. It wasn’t a disaster, but it didn’t add much to her legacy either. A rare misfire in an otherwise iconic career.

Brendan Fraser – Monkeybone
Fraser was a box-office favorite in the early 2000s—until Monkeybone. A strange mix of animation and live action, the movie confused audiences and bombed hard. It marked the beginning of a quiet period for Fraser, one he only recently broke with his critically acclaimed comeback.

Acting is a gamble. One bad movie can stain a decade of good work. These 17 roles remind us that no one—no matter how famous—is immune to career stumbles.

But failure isn’t the end. Some of these stars bounced back stronger than ever, while others took detours or disappeared. Either way, these moments prove that even in Hollywood, recovery is possible—but the fall can be steep.