Actors Who Threw It All Away

Don · Dec 12, 2008

In another thread, I was reminded of Jeffrey Hunter, who played the lead in the original Star Trek pilot and then declined to film a second pilot, handing the opportunity of a lifetime over to William Shatner. Hunter quickly spiraled into oblivion, and Shatner went on to become, well, Shatner.

Others, such as Gary Burghoff (Radar O'Reilly in M*A*S*H) and Susanne Sommers (Chrissy Snow in Three's Company) did a bit better after slaughtering their cash cows, but never rose to their original heights.

Do you have any favorites in this category?

robeiae · Dec 12, 2008

Peter Tork.

CaroGirl · Dec 12, 2008

Timothy Bottoms. He began his career in The Last Picture Show and The Paperchase and now he's doing stuff like That 70s Show and Grey's Anatomy. I had to check to make sure he wasn't dead.

Claudia Gray · Dec 12, 2008

Doesn't Shelley Long sort of own this category forever?

Mr Flibble · Dec 12, 2008

Michael Biehn

I don't know if he threw it away, but he should have become a lot more famous than he has. Plus he was bloody scrummy in Terminator and Aliens.

robeiae · Dec 12, 2008

Doesn't Shelley Long sort of own this category forever?

Obviously, you're forgetting her Oscar-worthy performance in Outrageous Fortune. Not to mention Troop Beverly Hills...

dgiharris · Dec 12, 2008

Marcus Chong.

Who the hell is he?

Well, did you see the Matrix. He was "Tank" the operator. A minor character in a MAJOR movie.

But prior to The Matrix Reloaded was being filmed, he wanted more money.

http://www.hollywood.com/news/Matrix_Actor_Sues_Studio_Over_Role/1716760

The 35-year-old actor claims the filmmakers intentionally published several false statements saying he was terrorist and conspired to blackball him in Hollywood. A fan Web site reportedly posted a bail receipt document showing Chong was arrested on Oct. 18, 2000 for allegedly making threats--five days after his salary negotiations with Warner Bros. broke down.

The problem with Hollywood studios (my limited understanding) is that they are worse than the worst pimp on the street. If you are not an A list actor you really get the shaft in regards to salaries.

HOWEVER,
if you are a B-Actor in a film that will go down in history, keep your mouth shut, take the shitty deal, and use your exposure in your NEXT film negotiation.

Mel...

Gravity · Dec 12, 2008

Wesley Snipes. Close thread.

Shadow_Ferret · Dec 12, 2008

Don said:
In another thread, I was reminded of Jeffrey Hunter, who played the lead in the original Star Trek pilot and then declined to film a second pilot, handing the opportunity of a lifetime over to William Shatner. Hunter quickly spiraled into oblivion, and Shatner went on to become, well, Shatner.

You know, I always had heard that he died BEFORE the show started, but I see now he didn't die until 1969.

McLean Stevenson. Who starred as Henry Blake in MASH then left to try his hand at the incredibly bad Hello Larry. It lasted 2 episodes! What the hell were you thinking, McLean?

donroc · Dec 12, 2008

They guy who played the oldest brother on Bonanza and left to become a big star. Can't remember his name.

PattiTheWicked · Dec 12, 2008

Pernell Roberts! I was going to say that one! Loved him as Adam Cartright, then he disappeared for 25 years and resurfaced as Trapper John MD. Bleargh.

alleycat · Dec 12, 2008

donroc said:
They guy who played the oldest brother on Bonanza and left to become a big star. Can't remember his name.

Parnell (sp?) Roberts

He was in some doctors show a few years ago; I haven't seen him in anything since. He might be dead . . .

CaroGirl · Dec 12, 2008

alleycat said:
Parnell (sp?) Roberts

He was in some doctors show a few years ago; I haven't seen him in anything since. He might be dead . . .

According to the Interweb thingie, he's not, in fact, dead. But was born in the same year as Shirley Temple, 1928, so must be feeling kinda old by now.

alleycat · Dec 12, 2008

Would Mickey Rourke count? I'm not sure if he "threw it all away", or just got weirder.

alleycat · Dec 12, 2008

Lisa Bonet?

maestrowork · Dec 12, 2008

alleycat said:
Would Mickey Rourke count? I'm not sure if he "threw it all away", or just got weirder.

He made a come-back with the Wrestler. And he's also in Sin City, and he's working. So I don't know if he "threw it all away."

How about David Caruso? I know he's still working on TV but ever since he quit NYPD Blue in one of the nastiest contractual dispute in Hollywood, I don't think he ever really recovered.

Carrie Fisher -- granted, she ended up being a best-selling author and went behind the scene, but I think she really did give up the whole acting thing. Drugs and alcohol probably had something to do with that, too.

alleycat · Dec 12, 2008

I'd say Caruso almost went over the "threw it all away" cliff, but managed to not quite go over . . . yet.

alleycat · Dec 12, 2008

Tatum O'Neil?

Gravity · Dec 12, 2008

Fatty Arbuckle...look him up. Tres sad.

CaroGirl · Dec 12, 2008

Gravity said:
Fatty Arbuckle...look him up. Tres sad.

Arbuckle didn't throw anything away; Hollywood threw his career away for him. I'm convinced he didn't do anything to cause the scandal that ended his career.

And yes, it was sad.

Captshady · Dec 12, 2008

Arsenio Hall. Had the most popular talk show on TV, and he quit. His resume seems to stop right there.

ChaosTitan · Dec 12, 2008

maestrowork said:
How about David Caruso? I know he's still working on TV but ever since he quit NYPD Blue in one of the nastiest contractual dispute in Hollywood, I don't think he ever really recovered.

Considering Caruso has been headlining CSI: Miami for, what? Five seasons now? I think he's made his comeback and recovered his career.

Jersey Chick · Dec 12, 2008

Speaking of McLean Stevenson - he also did the show "Condo".

Yep - leaving M*A*S*H was not exactly a wise career move.

regdog · Dec 12, 2008

I know this isn't the exact direction of this thread but Tom Sizemore threw a brilliant career away, not because he wanted more money or starring role but for drugs

mscelina · Dec 12, 2008

Three years ago, I would have said Robert Downey Jr.

Now he needs his own thread: Actors who threw it all away, kicked their asses into gear, and got it all back.

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