Who’s an actor that you thought would blow up, but ended up going nowhere
Thursday, 13 Mar 2025
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Claire Forlani
I thought Clive Owen was skyrocketing to superstardom and then just plateaued. He just disappeared into a series of lesser known projects. And then out of the blue saw him promoting like one mini series a year it seems. I think he did like 4 back to back.
Every time I hear about an actress “disappearing” I always assume they refused Weinstein’s advances.
When Ferris Bueller came out everybody was saying how Mia Sara (Who played his girlfriend) was destined for stardom. I even remember Siskel and Ebert saying how she was going to be the next big thing. She had a few small roles, but never blew up like many predicted.
Gemma Arterton. She was the leading lady of Clash of the titans and Prince of Persia and was even a Bond girl but her career just faded
Dacre Montgomery. He’s still young but I figured he’d be getting big roles by now
Natasha Henstridge.
Olga Kurylenko
Michael Biehn really should’ve had more important roles than he did after his appearances in terminator and aliens, but that old bottle held him back I guess.
Aaron eckhart was the second best actor in the dark knigth after heath ledger imo , but after that he has mostly done shitty action movies , I’ve read that he was apparently very difficult to work with so I guess that migth have something to do with it.
I always said Walton Goggins, but he’s finally starting to blow up, so I always though micheal pitt was gonna be huge
Anson Mount
Aaron Paul.
Dude was remarkable in Breaking Bad and then did a couple of shitty movies because studios knew they’d make bank off his name and now he’s just kinda disappeared.
Rooting for Paula Patton to resume her career
Guy Pearce – with LA Confidential and Memento between 1997-2000 (and I loved Ravenous, but that is pretty unknown). I thought he would be massive. He continuously works but didn’t get the A-list, leading man roles I thought he would.
I thought Tia Carrera would be successful.
Summer Glau. I thought she was amazing in the Sarah Connor Chronicles, but since then she’s only had smaller roles.
Sean William Scott could have been the first Ryan Reynolds, not sure what happened, but pretty sure it was his MTV Cribs that soured him on everyone.
Lizzie Caplan
James Badge Dale was in Rubicon and The Departed and I just thought a role would come along that would break through but it never has.
After American Beauty i thought Wes Bentley would be a huge star. Also Nick Stahl. But drugs derailed both of their careers. Wes did bounce back, but still.
Josh Holloway from Lost.
I’m shocked Michael Shannon hasn’t blown up in a big way. I feel like he was on his way, and then chose Zod in the Snyderverse, which didn’t pan out. I think hes an amazing actor, though, and will keep getting work into his golden years.
Patrick Fugit. He was so good in Almost Famous and then just disappeared.
He’s a household name, but I thought Shia might have a resurgence after Fury.
Timothy olyphant should be a household name
I went to high school with both Lee Pace and Matt Bomer. They have both had very successful careers. I thought Matt Bomer was going to be a super star.
Emmy Rossum
Sam Witwer needs more live action roles.
i think its just that she decided to focus more on her family since she just gave birth to her son in 2010. Then she had to go through the cheating & abuse etc. She has insinuated that her relationship with Robin Thicke held her back, stating that since the divorce was finalized she finally feels like an adult. I hope we can see her return to the big screen again soon, I loved her in ‘Just Wright’
Matthew Fox from LOST. I loved his acting and saw he had so much potential for lead roles but never got to see him in much after that.
Alicia Vikander
Nikki Blonsky
Leighton Meester was not only drop dead gorgeous but the best actor on Gossip Girl