Actresses Who Have Gotten Worse at Acting Over Time

Careers in film and television rarely move in a straight line. Training, genre shifts, long franchises, and time away from the camera can change how any performer approaches roles. Audiences also meet actresses at different stages—some arrive with festival buzz, others break out through comedies or action films, and many later pivot toward directing, producing, or entrepreneurial work that pulls them partly off-screen.

Below is a look at 25 actresses whose later work has often been defined by different choices than their early breakthroughs. For each, you’ll find concrete context—formative roles, awards, collaborations, genre pivots, and off-screen commitments—so you can trace how their filmographies evolved without leaning on hot takes.

Cameron Diaz

Diaz broke out with scene-stealing turns in ‘The Mask’ and quickly balanced broad comedies like ‘There’s Something About Mary’ with dramas such as ‘Being John Malkovich’. She showed a consistent ability to draw big audiences in ‘Charlie’s Angels’ while also working with auteur-driven ensembles.

She later stepped away from acting to focus on family and business ventures, authoring wellness books and co-founding a wine brand. Her return projects have included streaming features and reunions with past collaborators that leverage nostalgia for her earlier hits.

Megan Fox

Fox gained wide recognition through action-adventure spectacles like ‘Transformers’ and became a pop-culture fixture through high-visibility press and modeling work. She also headlined genre entries such as ‘Jennifer’s Body’, which later found an expanded audience on streaming.

In subsequent years she appeared in independent thrillers and action films aimed at global markets while taking television guest roles. She has diversified into lifestyle ventures and public advocacy, maintaining a public profile alongside periodic screen releases.

Katherine Heigl

Heigl earned mainstream attention on television with ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ before leading romantic comedies like ’27 Dresses’. Her combination of TV visibility and box-office performance made her a frequent choice for studio rom-coms.

She later pursued producing roles and a mix of television thrillers and legal dramas, including streaming series. Public focus on behind-the-scenes negotiations and career strategy often paralleled her shifts between network shows and independent features.

Jessica Alba

Alba’s early work included action and sci-fi projects such as ‘Dark Angel’ and ensemble comic-book adaptations like ‘Fantastic Four’. She also fronted thrillers and dance-driven films that capitalized on her action training and crossover appeal.

She founded a consumer-goods company that expanded significantly, taking on executive responsibilities that shaped her schedule. Screen appearances since have included family films, indie features, and occasional television arcs arranged around entrepreneurial commitments.

Kate Beckinsale

Beckinsale moved from period pieces and literary adaptations to action-horror with ‘Underworld’, where she anchored a long-running franchise. She maintained a balance between studio thrillers and comedies while collaborating with European and American filmmakers.

More recent credits emphasize genre fare—assassin stories, supernatural thrillers, and streaming features—alongside social-media engagement and festival appearances. She continues to work internationally, often in productions designed for quick global distribution.

Milla Jovovich

Jovovich transitioned from modeling and art-house dramas to headlining action-horror with ‘Resident Evil’. She became closely associated with physically demanding roles, performing extensive stunt work across multiple installments.

Later projects have remained action-centric, including fantasy adventures and video-game adaptations. She also develops projects with frequent collaborators and participates in fashion and music endeavors that complement her screen presence.

Angelina Jolie

Jolie established herself with performances in ‘Girl, Interrupted’ and action titles such as ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’. She paired blockbuster leads with character dramas and voice roles in family animation.

She expanded into directing with films like ‘Unbroken’ and ‘First They Killed My Father’, taking substantial time behind the camera. Her humanitarian work and producing responsibilities continue alongside selective acting choices in fantasy, superhero ensembles, and international co-productions.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Paltrow’s early career featured prestige dramas and romantic comedies, including ‘Shakespeare in Love’. She later joined large-scale franchises with a recurring role that kept her present in big-budget releases.

She founded a lifestyle company that grew into a major focus, adding product development, events, and publishing to her workload. Acting appearances have been periodic, often as guest roles or in projects that align with her existing collaborations.

Jennifer Lopez

Lopez combined music and film careers from the outset, earning notice with thrillers like ‘Out of Sight’ and biographical drama ‘Selena’. She built a multiplex presence with romantic comedies and dance-centered stories.

Her later slate mixes television producing, reality competition judging, and concert tours with feature leads in heist, romance, and action projects. She frequently releases new music alongside film campaigns, coordinating cross-platform promotion.

Halle Berry

Berry’s range includes character dramas such as ‘Monster’s Ball’ and action-centric roles in superhero and spy franchises. She has also participated in ensemble thrillers and disaster films that travel well internationally.

In recent years she has explored directing, fitness entrepreneurship, and genre-driven features, including mixed-martial-arts stories. She continues to appear in franchise entries and high-intensity action pieces while developing projects for streaming platforms.

Keira Knightley

Knightley rose with period dramas and franchise adventures like ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, establishing a strong presence in historical and romantic narratives. She also balanced indie films with larger studio productions and theatre work.

Her subsequent choices lean into literary adaptations, journalistic thrillers, and ensemble dramas. She often collaborates with British and European filmmakers and participates in advocacy and documentary projects between film shoots.

Alicia Silverstone

Silverstone became a cultural touchpoint with teen comedy ‘Clueless’ and followed with thrillers, comic-book entries, and family films. She appeared in music videos and early internet campaigns that broadened her visibility.

Her later career includes independent dramas, horror-comedy, and frequent voice work in animation. She has published books and engaged in advocacy, maintaining a steady presence across stage, screen, and streaming.

Lindsay Lohan

Lohan’s early filmography combined family comedies like ‘The Parent Trap’ with teen hits such as ‘Mean Girls’. She quickly became a tabloid mainstay, which often paralleled her release schedule.

She has since worked on streaming romances, European-shot indies, and television cameos while exploring podcasting and brand partnerships. Public appearances and event hosting regularly coincide with new project launches.

Hilary Duff

Duff’s breakthrough came via the sitcom ‘Lizzie McGuire’, which expanded into feature films and music releases. She remained a favorite for family-friendly comedies and TV movies during that period.

Her later work centers on television comedies like ‘Younger’ and ‘How I Met Your Father’, paired with entrepreneurial ventures in publishing and fashion. She balances acting with voice roles and ongoing music projects.

Kristen Stewart

Stewart moved from indie dramas to worldwide attention with the ‘Twilight’ series. She maintained parallel work in smaller, director-driven films that played at major festivals.

In subsequent years she continued to alternate between experimental indies and studio projects, including action-adventure and biographical drama. She has collaborated with international auteurs and pursued directing, expanding her creative scope.

Natalie Portman

Portman’s early trajectory spanned ‘Léon: The Professional’, ‘Garden State’, and franchise science-fiction. She complemented studio work with stage performances and academic pursuits.

She later tackled superhero entries, space-race dramas, and music-adjacent projects while producing films through her company. Philanthropy and advocacy remain part of her public activities, and she periodically returns to limited-series television.

Jennifer Lawrence

Lawrence gained notice with indie dramas like ‘Winter’s Bone’ and then headlined franchise science-fiction and adventure films. She built an awards-season presence while maintaining high-profile studio collaborations.

After a brief step back, she returned with character-driven comedies and streaming dramas, often producing. She continues to work with a mix of established auteurs and emerging filmmakers across theatrical and platform releases.

Brie Larson

Larson’s early work included indie comedies and dramas such as ‘Short Term 12’, alongside television ensembles. She later joined superhero franchises while maintaining interest in smaller, character-focused projects.

She has directed short-form work and participates in game-streaming and social media initiatives tied to fan communities. Recent credits span action, limited series, and advocacy-related documentary appearances.

Gal Gadot

Gadot transitioned from modeling and pageantry to on-screen roles in action franchises like ‘Fast & Furious’. She achieved global visibility with a superhero lead that anchored multiple tentpoles.

Her subsequent filmography includes spy thrillers, heist adventures, and international co-productions designed for broad streaming audiences. She frequently serves as producer on star vehicles and develops projects across multiple territories.

Melissa McCarthy

McCarthy’s breakthrough on ‘Bridesmaids’ followed years of television comedy, including ‘Gilmore Girls’ and ‘Mike & Molly’. She became known for studio comedies that highlighted physical humor and improvisation.

She has since mixed biographical dramas, musical adaptations, and family fantasy with continued comedic leads. Producing partnerships with regular collaborators guide many of her film and TV projects across studios and streamers.

Zoe Saldaña

Saldaña built a sci-fi and action résumé with ‘Avatar’, ‘Star Trek’, and comic-book ensembles, often involving performance-capture and extensive stunt coordination. She has also appeared in dance and heist films that broadened her range.

More recent work includes limited series, culinary-themed reality content with family members, and continued franchise commitments. She supports Latin American and Caribbean storytelling initiatives and participates in global press tours linked to tentpole releases.

Emilia Clarke

Clarke became internationally recognized through a landmark fantasy series, which opened doors to romantic dramas and sci-fi adventures. She also took stage roles in London and New York, expanding beyond screen work.

She continues to develop genre projects, graphic-novel writing, and charity campaigns focused on brain injury awareness. Recent credits include streaming miniseries and voice roles that fit around convention appearances and book promotions.

Sophie Turner

Turner’s breakout also came from a major fantasy series, leading to superhero franchises and thriller features. She has engaged in fashion campaigns and brand partnerships that run parallel to acting commitments.

Her later projects include limited series, true-crime dramatizations, and festival-screened indies. She maintains an active presence at fan events and collaborates with European directors on mid-budget dramas.

Amber Heard

Heard’s early filmography featured indie dramas and genre thrillers, alongside supporting roles in larger studio projects. She worked across action, horror, and period pieces, building a varied list of credits.

In later years she has appeared in international co-productions and festival titles while engaging in humanitarian work. Public legal matters intersected with her release schedule, and she continues to participate in independent cinema and arts initiatives.

Scarlett Johansson

Johansson moved from indie dramas like ‘Lost in Translation’ to large-scale action and sci-fi, maintaining a steady presence in ensemble franchises. She has also done notable voice work in animation and AI-themed dramas.

More recently she has mixed prestige dramas with genre entries while expanding into producing. Stage performances and brand collaborations round out her portfolio, and she remains active in both studio films and director-led indies.

Think we missed someone or want to chart a different career arc? Share your thoughts in the comments!