Actresses Who Killed Their Careers

Hollywood is a tough place where one mistake can end a promising career. These actresses were once stars or on their way to stardom, but bad choices, scandals, or unfortunate events derailed their paths.

From legal troubles to public meltdowns, their stories show how quickly fame can fade. Here’s a look at 50 actresses whose careers took a hit due to their actions or circumstances.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan was a child star with hits like ‘The Parent Trap’ and ‘Mean Girls’. She seemed destined for greatness until her personal life spiraled.

Drug addiction, arrests, and erratic behavior led to her being dropped from projects. Despite attempts at comebacks, her reputation as unreliable has kept major roles out of reach.

Amanda Bynes

Amanda Bynes charmed audiences in ‘She’s the Man’ and ‘What I Like About You’. Her comedic talent made her a teen idol in the early 2000s.

Mental health struggles and legal issues, including DUIs and public outbursts, halted her career. She’s stepped away from acting, focusing on recovery instead.

Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl rose to fame with ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Knocked Up’. She was a rom-com darling with a bright future.

Her career tanked after she criticized her own projects, calling ‘Knocked Up’ sexist and refusing an Emmy nomination for ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. Hollywood labeled her difficult, and leading roles dried up.

Megan Fox

Megan Fox became a household name with ‘Transformers’. Her stunning looks and action roles made her a star.

She fell out of favor after comparing director Michael Bay to Hitler in an interview. The backlash led to her being dropped from the franchise, and her career never fully recovered.

Roseanne Barr

Roseanne Barr was a comedy icon with her hit show ‘Roseanne’. Her groundbreaking sitcom made her a legend in TV.

A racist tweet about a political figure in 2018 led to ABC canceling her show’s revival. The scandal made her toxic in Hollywood, ending her mainstream career.

Gina Carano

Gina Carano gained fame as Cara Dune in ‘The Mandalorian’. Her MMA background and strong screen presence won fans. Controversial social media posts, including ones seen as transphobic and downplaying the Holocaust, got her fired from the Star Wars franchise. She’s struggled to find major roles since.

Most recently, in August 2025, Gina Carano and Disney settled her 2024 wrongful termination lawsuit, ending her legal action after she was fired from The Mandalorian in 2021 over controversial social media posts.

The settlement details remain undisclosed, but both Disney and Lucasfilm expressed a hope to find “opportunities to work together” with Carano in the future, while Carano celebrated the resolution as “the best outcome for all parties” and looked forward to “the next chapter” in her career.

Lea Michele

Lea Michele was a Broadway star who shone in ‘Glee’. Her powerful voice and acting chops promised a big career.

Allegations of bullying and rude behavior on set, especially from ‘Glee’ co-stars, tarnished her image. Broadway and Hollywood have largely shunned her since.

Amber Heard

Amber Heard starred in films like ‘Aquaman’ and ‘The Rum Diary’. She was building a solid career in blockbusters.

Her highly publicized legal battle with Johnny Depp, including defamation lawsuits, damaged her reputation. Many studios now hesitate to cast her in major projects.

Jennifer Grey

Jennifer Grey became a star with ‘Dirty Dancing’. Her iconic role as Baby made her a household name.

After getting a nose job, her appearance changed dramatically, and Hollywood stopped casting her in leading roles. She later said the surgery cost her career.

Rebecca Gayheart

Rebecca Gayheart was known for ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ and ‘Urban Legend’. She was a rising star in the late 1990s.

In 2001, she accidentally killed a child in a car accident, leading to a wrongful death lawsuit. The tragedy and negative publicity stalled her career.

Faye Dunaway

Faye Dunaway was a legend with films like ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ and ‘Network’. She earned critical acclaim and an Oscar.

Her reputation for being difficult on set, including reported diva behavior, led to fewer roles. By the 1980s, she was mostly relegated to TV movies.

Taryn Manning

Taryn Manning stood out in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and ‘Hustle & Flow’. Her intense performances earned her praise.

Legal troubles, including arrests and erratic social media posts, hurt her image. She’s found it hard to land consistent work in major projects.

Mischa Barton

Mischa Barton was a teen icon in ‘The O.C.’. Her role as Marissa Cooper defined early 2000s TV.

Drug issues, DUIs, and a publicized mental breakdown led to her exit from the show. Her career has since been limited to smaller roles.

Tara Reid

Tara Reid was a star in ‘American Pie’ and ‘The Big Lebowski’. She was a staple in late ’90s teen films.

Excessive partying and plastic surgery mishaps led to tabloid infamy. Studios stopped offering her serious roles, relegating her to low-budget films.

Kristanna Loken

Kristanna Loken gained fame in ‘Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines’. Her action-hero role promised a bright future.

After a series of flops and personal controversies, including publicized relationship drama, her career faded. She now works mostly in indie films.

Alicia Silverstone

Alicia Silverstone was a ’90s icon in ‘Clueless’. Her charm and talent made her a teen favorite.

Poor career choices, like starring in ‘Batman & Robin’, and public weight criticism hurt her momentum. She’s since focused on smaller projects and activism.

Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone became a star with ‘Basic Instinct’ and ‘Casino’. Her bold performances earned her an Oscar nomination.

After high-profile feuds with producers and a reputation for being difficult, her A-list roles dwindled. She now takes on smaller films and TV.

Paz de la Huerta

Paz de la Huerta was known for ‘Boardwalk Empire’. Her unique style made her a standout in indie films.

Alcoholism and on-set conflicts led to her being fired from the show. Her erratic behavior has kept her out of major roles.

Jessica Biel

Jessica Biel starred in ‘7th Heaven’ and ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’. She was poised for stardom in the 2000s.

After marrying Justin Timberlake, she focused more on family and producing than acting. Her career slowed, with fewer high-profile roles.

Thora Birch

Thora Birch shone in ‘American Beauty’ and ‘Ghost World’. Her early roles showed immense promise.

Conflicts with directors and her father’s interference on set led to her being dropped from projects. She’s since worked mostly in indie films.

Heather Locklear

Heather Locklear was a TV star in ‘Melrose Place’ and ‘Dynasty’. She was a household name in the ’80s and ’90s.

Multiple arrests for DUIs and domestic issues damaged her reputation. Her career has been quiet, with only minor TV appearances.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder was a ’90s darling in ‘Edward Scissorhands’ and ‘Reality Bites’. She was a top actress of her time.

A shoplifting scandal in 2001 led to a public fall from grace. Though she’s made a comeback with ‘Stranger Things’, her A-list days are over.

Lisa Bonet

Lisa Bonet was beloved for ‘The Cosby Show’ and ‘A Different World’. Her charm made her a fan favorite.

After clashing with Bill Cosby and leaving the show, her career stalled. She’s since taken minor roles, overshadowed by personal controversies.

Shannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty was a star in ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ and ‘Charmed’. Her talent was undeniable.

Her reputation for on-set conflicts and diva behavior led to her being fired from both shows. Her career never regained its early momentum.

Lori Loughlin

Lori Loughlin was a TV staple in ‘Full House’. Her wholesome image made her a fan favorite.

Her involvement in the college admissions scandal, including prison time, ended her career. Networks dropped her, and her reputation is in tatters.

Felicity Huffman

Felicity Huffman starred in ‘Desperate Housewives’ and earned an Oscar nomination. She was a respected actress.

Her role in the college admissions scandal led to jail time and public backlash. Major roles have been scarce since the controversy.

Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere shone in ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville’. Her talent made her a rising star.

Personal struggles with addiction and domestic abuse issues derailed her career. She’s taken a step back from acting to focus on recovery.

Bijou Phillips

Bijou Phillips appeared in ‘Almost Famous’ and ‘Bully’. She showed promise as a young actress.

Her association with Danny Masterson and Scientology, plus legal issues, hurt her career. She’s largely stayed out of the spotlight since.

Rachael Leigh Cook

Rachael Leigh Cook starred in ‘She’s All That’. She was a ’90s teen movie queen.

Poor role choices and a shift away from mainstream films slowed her career. She now works in TV movies and smaller projects.

Anna Faris

Anna Faris was a comedy star in ‘Scary Movie’ and ‘The House Bunny’. Her humor won over audiences.

After leaving ‘Mom’ amid reported tensions and focusing on personal life, her film roles dried up. She’s now less visible in Hollywood.

Heather Graham

Heather Graham starred in ‘Boogie Nights’ and ‘Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me’. Her charm made her a ’90s favorite.

Poor role choices and a focus on smaller films led to a career decline. She’s now mostly seen in indie projects and TV.

Kristy Swanson

Kristy Swanson starred in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1992). She was a rising action star.

Political comments and social media controversies alienated her from Hollywood. She now works in low-budget films.

Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens rose to fame with ‘High School Musical’. She was a Disney darling with a bright future.

A nude photo scandal early in her career hurt her wholesome image. While she still works, she never reached A-list status.

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton was a reality TV star in ‘The Simple Life’. Her fame extended to small acting roles.

Her party-girl image and legal troubles, including jail time, limited her acting career. She’s focused on business ventures instead.

Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie starred alongside Paris Hilton in ‘The Simple Life’. She was a reality TV icon.

Like Hilton, her legal issues and party-girl reputation stalled her acting ambitions. She now focuses on fashion and producing.

Yasmine Bleeth

Yasmine Bleeth was a star in ‘Baywatch’. Her beauty and charm made her a ’90s icon.

Drug addiction and arrests led to her exit from the show. Her career never recovered, with only minor roles since.

Jaime Pressly

Jaime Pressly won an Emmy for ‘My Name Is Earl’. Her comedic talent was widely praised.

Personal struggles, including DUIs and a messy divorce, hurt her career. She’s had fewer roles in recent years.

Eliza Dushku

Eliza Dushku starred in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997) and ‘Dollhouse’. She was a fan favorite in sci-fi.

Allegations of on-set misconduct and a shift to producing slowed her acting career. She’s largely stayed out of major roles.

Katie Holmes

Katie Holmes was a star in ‘Dawson’s Creek’. Her girl-next-door charm made her a teen idol.

Her high-profile marriage to Tom Cruise and Scientology ties overshadowed her career. She now takes smaller roles and focuses on directing.

Claire Danes

Claire Danes shone in ‘My So-Called Life’ and ‘Romeo + Juliet’. She was a critically acclaimed actress.

After taking a break for personal life and clashing with producers, her film career slowed. She’s had success in TV but not as a movie star.

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart became a star with ‘Twilight’. Her role as Bella Swan made her a global icon.

A public cheating scandal with her director damaged her image. Though she’s worked in indie films, her blockbuster days are limited.

Jodie Sweetin

Jodie Sweetin was beloved in ‘Full House’. Her role as Stephanie Tanner made her a child star.

Drug addiction and multiple rehab stints derailed her career. She’s made a partial comeback with ‘Fuller House’ but isn’t a major player.

Ashley Judd

Ashley Judd starred in ‘Kiss the Girls’ and ‘Double Jeopardy’. She was a leading lady in the ’90s.

Her outspoken activism and legal battles with Harvey Weinstein hurt her career. She’s now focused on advocacy over acting.

Mira Sorvino

Mira Sorvino won an Oscar for ‘Mighty Aphrodite’. Her talent promised a long career.

She claims Harvey Weinstein blacklisted her after rejecting his advances. Her career stalled, with mostly TV and indie roles since.

Juliette Lewis

Juliette Lewis shone in ‘Cape Fear’ and ‘Natural Born Killers’. Her intense performances earned her critical acclaim.

Erratic behavior and a shift to music over acting slowed her Hollywood career. She now appears in smaller roles and TV projects.

Mo’Nique

Mo’Nique won an Oscar for ‘Precious’. Her powerful performance marked her as a star.

Refusing to play Hollywood’s promotional game and public feuds with producers led to her being blacklisted. She’s had few roles since.

Lisa Kudrow

Lisa Kudrow was a star in ‘Friends’. Her role as Phoebe made her a comedy legend.

After turning down major film roles and focusing on smaller projects, her career momentum slowed. She’s still respected but less prominent.

Meg Ryan

Meg Ryan was America’s sweetheart in ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ and ‘You’ve Got Mail’. She defined rom-coms in the ’90s.

A publicized affair and cosmetic surgery rumors changed her image. Her career faded, with only minor roles since.

Shelley Long

Shelley Long was a star in ‘Cheers’. Her comedic timing made her a TV icon.

Leaving the show for a film career backfired, and conflicts with co-stars hurt her reputation. She’s been limited to guest roles since.

Debra Winger

Debra Winger shone in ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ and ‘Terms of Endearment’. She was a major star in the ’80s.

Her reputation for being difficult and turning down roles led to a career decline. She’s worked sporadically in smaller projects.

What’s your take on these actresses’ career missteps—share your thoughts in the comments!