18 Actors and Actresses Hollywood Refuses to Cast Anymore
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Casting in Hollywood has evolved dramatically, reflecting societal changes and industry demands. There has been a significant push towards diversity and inclusion, increasing opportunities for actors and actresses from various backgrounds.
A study by UCLA reveals that the representation of people of color in lead roles rose from 22% in 2015 to nearly 40% in 2020. Despite these advancements, some seasoned performers are overlooked due to personal troubles, industry politics, or bad luck. Read on to discover the 18 actors and actresses Hollywood no longer cast.
Brendan Fraser
Known for his charm and versatility, his heyday came in the late ’90s and early 2000s with hits like The Mummy and George of the Jungle. Fraser bravely opened up about being a victim of assault by Philip Berk, the former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which cast a long shadow on his career.
Moreover, Fraser underwent multiple surgeries for injuries sustained during the action-packed roles for which he became famous. Reports indicate that he dealt with a 70-pound weight gain as a side effect of these struggles. His re-emergence at events like the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival for The Whale has sparked intrigue and nostalgia.
Meg Ryan
She was the face of romantic comedies throughout the ’90s and early 2000s, capturing hearts in timeless classics like “When Harry Met Sally” and “You’ve Got Mail.” In 2000, her highly publicized divorce from actor Dennis Quaid and subsequent relationship with Russell Crowe raised eyebrows and tarnished her public image.
Moreover, the demand for romantic comedies waned as the industry shifted towards superhero blockbusters and action franchises. Ryan attempted to revive her career by directing and starring in the 2015 film Ithaca, but it failed to garner significant attention at the box office.
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan captured hearts in classics like “Mean Girls” and “The Parent Trap.” Between 2007 and 2014, she faced multiple arrests and several stints in rehab, which drastically impacted her professional reputation.
A notorious example is her involvement in a 2012 car chase that led to a felony charge for reckless driving. By 2017, Lindsay had only starred in a handful of projects since 2006. Despite attempts to reignite her career, Lohan has struggled to regain her former glory.
Taylor Lautner
A name that once sent teenage hearts racing during the “Twilight” saga. After the final “Twilight” film in 2012, Lautner struggled to replicate that success, appearing in a few smaller projects like “Tracers” and the short-lived TV series “Cuckoo.” The actor faced the classic dilemma of evolving interests in a rapidly changing industry.
The 2021 film “Home Team” featured him in a supporting role but didn’t reignite his star power. In 2016, he found himself in a scandal when a private video was leaked, leaving fans wondering about the implications for his career.
Katherine Heigl
Known for her breakout role in Grey’s Anatomy, Heigl quickly became a household name. Heigl’s infamous public remarks about her projects, particularly her critique of Knocked Up, which she described as “misogynistic.”
Her withdrawal from the Emmy Awards in 2008, claiming she didn’t think her work warranted a nomination, led to whispers that she was “difficult” to work with. After a string of underwhelming box-office performances, such as One for the Money, which earned only $38 million globally against a $40 million budget, it became clear that Hollywood was moving on.
Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer was once a sought-after actor, having played roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever, and The Doors. Despite his undeniable talent and charisma, his career has faced significant challenges, particularly following his battle with throat cancer, which he announced publicly in 2017. This health crisis affected his vocal abilities, making it difficult for him to perform.
Kilmer is also a difficult actor to work with on set. “I don’t like Val Kilmer, I don’t like his work ethic, and I don’t want to be associated with him ever again,” John Frankenheimer, director of The Island of Dr. Moreau, told Entertainment Weekly in 1996.
Cuba Gooding Jr.
After winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Jerry Maguire in 1996, Cuba became a household name with many successful films, including “As Good as It Gets” and “Snow Dogs.”
In 2019, Cuba was charged with multiple counts of misconduct, including assaulting women at various establishments in New York City. Reports indicate he faced allegations from over 30 women, with some cases still winding their way through the legal system. “Cuba’s last major gig was a recurring role on the TV series’ American Horror Story,’ but even that couldn’t save him from the industry’s cold shoulder.”
Amanda Bynes
In 2012, Amanda’s run-ins with the law began when she faced a DUI arrest, which spiraled into multiple charges, including hit-and-run incidents and driving with a suspended license. Amanda was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which played a critical role in her erratic behavior.
Bynes was placed in a conservatorship under her parents in 2013, following her substance abuse issues and legal troubles, which was terminated in 2022. She attempted a comeback, enrolling in the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles in 2014 and reportedly working on her mental health.
Charlie Sheen
Once the star of hit shows like Two and a Half Men, Sheen’s downfall has been as theatrical as his rise. After his infamous 2011 meltdown, in which he famously bragged about having “tiger blood” and “Adonis DNA,” producers began to steer clear of this once-bankable star.
His erratic behavior, ballsy interviews, and a string of personal scandals, including heavily publicized substance abuse issues, have made casting him quite the gamble. In 2016, Sheen openly disclosed his HIV-positive status, which further complicated his career prospects. While this revelation aimed to remove stigma, it also resulted in Hollywood redefining its comfort level with castings.
Jessica Biel
Biel faced significant backlash in 2012 when she controversially married singer Justin Timberlake. The union attracted tabloid attention and placed her under a constant media microscope. That relationship brought her fame but also overshadowed her work.
She transitioned successfully into film with roles in “The A-Team” and “Total Recall,” but her star power dimmed amid controversies. Biel’s most notable scandal surfaced in 2020 when she faced backlash for her public discussion around a wellness center, which some perceived as promoting pseudoscience, particularly amidst the global pandemic.
Tobey Maguire
After his Spider-Man trilogy wrapped up in 2007, Maguire struggled to find roles that matched his former glory. His return in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home reignited some excitement, but it wasn’t enough to revitalize a dwindling career.
Moreover, his involvement in a high-stakes poker scandal, which emerged around 2011, painted him in a less-than-flattering light, further muddying his public image. He’s currently producing movies using his production firm, Material Pictures.
Randy Quaid
His troubles primarily began in 2009 when he and his wife, Evi, fled to Canada, claiming they were in danger from “Hollywood star whackers” intent on killing them. This bizarre accusation was just the tip of the iceberg. In 2015, he was arrested in Vermont for squatting in a home owned by someone else.
He was charged with multiple offenses, including burglary and trespassing, which further alienated him from the industry. “The Christmas Letter” (2024) will be Quaid’s first movie since 2018.
Mischa Barton
In 2007, she was arrested for driving under the influence, which prompted a public outcry and led to a swift decline in her roles. In 2009, Barton was involuntarily hospitalized after a very public breakdown, which raised red flags in an industry that often treats mental health as taboo.
The actress has also been linked to a scandal involving an alleged “tape,” prompting a lawsuit against a former friend for attempting to sell it. In 2017, she opened up about feeling “invisible” in Hollywood in a candid interview with “The Daily Mail.”
Shia LaBeouf
Perhaps the pinnacle of his fall from grace came on June 26, 2014, when he was arrested for disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, and harassment during a performance of “Cabaret” on Broadway. During the 2014 Berlin International Film Festival, he wore a paper bag on his head emblazoned with the words, “I am not famous anymore.”
In 2020, allegations of abusive behavior and misconduct arose from former partners, notably actress FKA Twigs, leading to a public backlash and further distancing him from Hollywood’s elite circles.
Mel Gibson
Gibson’s descent from Hollywood darling to industry pariah can be traced back to a series of infamous incidents, the most notable being his public rants filled with anti-Semitic comments during a DUI arrest in 2006. His volatile behavior continued with leaked tapes in 2010, revealing racist and misogynistic tirades towards his then-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva.
His directorial venture, “Hacksaw Ridge,” earned him a return to the Oscar conversation but failed to erase the shame of his past.
Jennifer Love Hewitt
From the height of her fame, Hewitt faced a significant shift in her venture into reality TV—appearing on shows like “The Client List,” which received mixed reviews. Despite her talent, the series struggled ratings-wise, which led to its cancellation.
Rumors swirled regarding her relationships and weight fluctuations, with tabloids often scrutinizing her body image. In 2010, she faced a barrage of harsh criticism when she discussed overcoming size discrimination, which some believe may have painted her in a negative light. Her most notorious scandal may have been when explicit photos were leaked in 2007, generating a media frenzy.
Geena Davis
After winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1989, Davis became increasingly frustrated with the industry’s portrayal of women. According to a study from the Institute, women in film are often underrepresented, especially after turning 40.
A passionate advocate for gender equality in film, she founded the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, making it clear she does not shy away from difficult conversations. As if that weren’t enough, her marriage to surgeon Reza Jarrahy ended in a very public divorce, with allegations of fraud and questions about her role as a mother surfacing in tabloids, further complicating her public persona.
Wesley Snipes
In 2006, Snipes was infamously convicted on three counts of willful failure to file income tax returns, leading to a three-year prison sentence.
Post-incarceration, Snipes attempted a comeback with projects like “The Expendables 3” and “Dolemite Is My Name.” Still, the roles have been sparse, raising questions about whether Hollywood has fully embraced his return.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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