Talent and awards aren’t the only factors that determine whether an actor will become a true star. There is no shortage ofunderrated actorswho seemed to be on the brink of massively successful careers after starring in critically acclaimed TV shows and films but weren’t able to maintain that momentum. The entertainment industry is ever-changing, and despite their hugely successful roles, many actors did not get the opportunities they deserved afterward.
While playing a notable character in a highly popular movie or TV show might seem like a guaranteed way to achieve recognition, recognition does not always lead to long-lasting success,and some suchactors are still best known for their “breakout” roles. Despite thriving in the spotlight with recognizable and even award-winning roles, these actors struggled to turn theiriconic breakout rolesinto overall successful careers and cement their status as pop culture icons.
10Mena Massoud
From Aladdin (2019)
The live-action adaptionAladdinstarring Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, and Will Smith was a box office hit, grossing over $1 billion worldwide.A remake of the beloved 1992 Disney classic of the same name, the live-action film follows the titular Aladdin, played by Massoud,an orphaned street urchin who falls in love with Princess Jasmine (Scott) and embarks on a mission to take down the evil royal vizier Jafar (Marwan Kenzari) with the help of a genie (Smith).
With such an important film role wherein Massoud showcased his acting, singing, and dancing abilities, it’s surprising that he didn’t become a household name. In a 2019 interview,Massoud revealed that he hadn’t received a single audition sinceAladdinwas released six months prior. Since then, the actor has appeared in the TV showReprisal,and films likeRun This Town, The Sacrifice Game,and most recently, the romance dramaWish You Were Here.
9Nikki Blonsky
Hairspray (2007)
The actor, singer, and dancer Nikki Blonsky is best known for starring in the musical romantic comedyHairsprayas Tracy Turnblad.Hairsprayearned more than $200 million at the box office.Blonsky’s critically acclaimed performance won the Critics' Choice Award for Best Young Actress for her role,and she was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in the Musical or Comedy film category.
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Hairsprayrevolves around the high school student Tracy, who dreams of achieving fame and stardom as a dancer on a local television dance show. Hairspraymarked Blonsky’s film debut and she nailed the role as the movie’s heart. Blonsky’s singing, dancing, and acting prowess were proved in the film, but despite the stellar performance in her debut, her acting career did not reach the heights it deserved.
8Nicole Eggert
Baywatch (1989-2001)
Nicole Eggert starred in the sitcomCharles in Chargeas Jamie Powell and was further thrust into the spotlight with her role onBaywatchas Summer Quinn in seasons 3 and 4. The rising star joined the ensemble drama series inBaywatchseason 3 as an athlete and lifeguard who moves from Pennsylvania to California with her mother. InBaywatchseason 4, Eggert’s portrayal of Summer’s struggle with bulimia and her heartwarming bond with C.J. Parker (Pamela Anderson) were highlights of the character’s arc.
After Eggert’s exit fromBaywatch,she appeared in the reunion filmBaywatch: Hawaiian Weddingand episodes of popular TV shows likeBoy Meets World, andGilmore Girlsand television films.Despite the exposure and success brought on by starring inBaywatch,Eggert’s career shifted towards smaller rolesand appearances in reality TV.
7T. R. Knight
Grey’s Anatomy (2005-Present)
T. R. Knight became a household name starring in the long-running medical drama seriesGrey’s Anatomy.Knight’s character George O’Malley was a beloved member of the original cast and five-person intern team known as “MAGIC,” consisting of Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), Alex Karev (Justin Chambers), George, Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl), and Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh).Knight starred in the medical drama for five seasons before his exitand was nominated for an Emmy Award for his gripping performance.
AfterGrey’s Anatomy,Knight appeared in shows likeThe Good Wife, The Catch, Will & Grace, Genius,andThe Flight Attendantand movies like42, A Year and Change, Hello Again,andAdam the First.However, despite the show’s popularity and Knight’s fan-favorite, compelling, and endearing performance,the actor has never had a role as popular and highly publicized as George O’Malley inGrey’s Anatomy.
6Zach Galligan
Gremlins (1984)
Zach Galligan is an actor who is best known for starring in the horror black comedy filmGremlinsand its sequel filmGremlins 2: The New Batch.Gremlinsmarks Galligan’s first career-defining and major role in films, and to this day, his portrayal of the lead Billy Peltzer remains his most famous work. The horror film revolves around Billy, a young man and inventor who is gifted a Mogwai named Gizmo, voiced by Howie Mandel.
Gremlinswas released to positive reviews and commercial success, earning over $200 million at the box office. The box office and Galligan’s enthralling portrayal of Billy meant that the talented young actor seemed destined to become a Hollywood star. While he maintained a steady career, Galligan was unable to truly capitalize on the film’s and his own popularity. However, fans ofGremlinscan rejoice asGalligan is still involved in theGremlinsfranchise.
5Charisma Carpenter
Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Charisma Carpenter won hearts with her portrayal of the shallow Cordelia Chase inBuffy the Vampire Slayerand its spinoff seriesAngel.Carpenter’s comedic timing lends itself to her remarkable depiction of the vain and self-absorbed high school student’s transformation into a compassionate and reliable heroine, without losing her charm and snark.Despite Carpenter’s well-earned fame for her memorable performance and Cordelia’s popularity, she was written offAngel,and her character Cordelia was killed off.
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Following Carpenter’s departure from the Buffyverse, she has made guest appearances and had recurring roles in popular TV shows likeCharmed, Veronica Mars, Supernatural,andGreek.While Carpenter has also maintained a steady acting career, the star deserves to be massively successful after her iconic breakout role. Hopefully, Charisma Carpenter will grace our screens again as Cordelia Chase in theBuffy the Vampire Slayerrevival.
4Rachael Leigh Cook
She’s All That (1999)
Racheal Leigh Cook cemented herself as a romantic teen movie icon with her delightful portrayal of Laney Boggs inShe’s All That.The scene where Laney angrily asks Zack Siler (Freddie Prinze Jr.) if she’s a bet is still one of the most emotionally charged moments in teen romantic comedies. The “Am I a bet?” scene highlights Cook’s acting range and her ability to bring characters and their emotions to life.
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However, despiteShe’s All Thatbeing a popular hit and Cook’s performance winning the hearts of the audience, her career soon came to a standstill.Cook revealed in an interview thatJosie and the Pussycatsflopping sent her to “movie jail"and killed her career’s initial momentum (viaCollider). She was able to bounce back from the “movie jail” but has done voice acting alongside movie and TV show appearances.
3Gabourey Sidibe
Precious (2009)
The award-winning filmPreciousmarked Gabourey Sidibe’s acting debut and her incredibly powerful portrayal of the teen Precious Jones garnered critical acclaim. The star was set to make her mark in entertainment, with a Best Actress nomination to boot, despite being a newcomer to the fast-paced and high-stakes industry.Preciousfollows the titular character as she strives to complete her education, create a better life for herself and her children, and escape her abusive parents.
Sidibe’s heart-wrenching and enthralling performance solidified her status as an extremely talented young artist who could deliver intense and emotionally heavy scenes. Despite the Oscar-nominated star being in the spotlight for her role inPrecious,Sidibe’s breakout role wasn’t the huge breakthrough that audiences expected.SincePrecious,Sidibe has appeared in TV shows likeEmpire,several seasons of the anthology seriesAmerican Horror Story,and films likeAntebellum.
2Josh Holloway
Lost (2004-2010)
The groundbreaking TV showLostwas a pop culture phenomenon andJosh Holloway’s portrayal of the anti-hero turned heroic leader Sawyer Ford captivated audiences.Holloway’s acting made Sawyer’s transformation work, from a selfish one-dimensional character into a complex and lovable fan favorite. DuringLost’ssix-season run, Holloway became a television star. WithLost’spopularity and Holloway’s award-winning performance and rising fame, it’s surprising that the actor didn’t turn into an international phenomenon and star in another movie or show as popular and prominent in pop culture asLost.
SinceLost, Holloway has appeared in films likeMission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, Paranoia,andSabotage.Additionally,Holloway made appearances in shows likeCommunityandCougar Town,and held the lead roles in the TV showsIntelligence,which was canceled after the first season, andColony,which was canceled after three seasons.
1Parminder Nagra
Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
Parminder Nagra should have become a major star after leading the beloved romantic comedyfilmBend It Like Beckham.Nagra portrays Jesminder Bhamra, a British Indian Punjabi Sikh living in London who is a passionate football player and goes against her parents' wishes and plans for her by joining a local football team. While Nagra’s co-star Keira Knightley quickly became an A-lister afterBend It Like Beckham,Nagra’s career did not follow the same path.
Parminder Nagra later joined the cast of the medical dramaERas Dr. Neela Rasgotra and most recently starred as the titular character of the seriesD.I. Ray. While she has led a successful career, and I enjoyedNagra’s recurring roles in shows likePsychandAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,she deserved to have her breakthrough role to lead to more widespread fame.
