10 Actors Who Almost Flopped But Saved Their Careers With Only One Role

Let's be real, John Wick saved Keanu Reeves.

Sophia

• Published in Interesting
• February 26, 2023

Whoever said being famous is like walking in a park? You might be the highest and most popular celebrity of today’s time, but one bad review might take your career down in the dumps.

It only takes one poorly produced film to strip off a celebrity’s badge of fame, and it goes on for a long time, much like a domino effect after a bad one. The worst-case scenario would be having that celebrity get replaced after being “canceled” on that film’s casting.

And even though there are good enough films that air, it is always the viewers who get to say the final review. Even veteran actors get bad reviews, but of course, there is always a chance to redeem themselves back to the spotlight.

Yes, there is always a chance for redemption as there is for flopping. Though there really are some lucky ones who really gain success succeedingly, you know how the world of fame and spotlight works.

You either make it or break it with a role.

Here are 10 actors who may or may not have had a good start in their acting careers but managed to step up in the hall of fame in just an instance because of a single role.

1. Keanu Reeves

The success of “The Matrix” became an iconic film after it was released. But after this feat, Keanu Reeves was not so lucky in his next roles.

He starred in the film “The Day the Earth Stood Still” which was nominated in the category, “Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off, or Sequel of 2008”, during the Golden Raspberry anti-award.

But then his spotlight suddenly went back on when he rocked his main role in “John Wick.” His career was saved, and it was all good.

2. Ryan Reynolds

Although “Green Lantern” was a superhero, Ryan Reynolds didn’t really make it that far after this role. Luckily he was still offered many other projects, and “Deadpool” was that reviving role he got.

3. Matthew McConaughey

Before getting the Oscar award for Best Actor in the “Dallas Buyers Club, Matthey McConaughey’s career didn’t shine as much when he starred in “The Wedding Planner” and a couple of romantic comedies.

4. Winona Ryder

Also nominated in the Golden Raspberry anti-award, Winona Ryder wasn’t lucky in her roles in “Autumn in New York” and "Mr. Deeds." The Netflix hit series “Stranger Things” made a way to jump-start her career to the top.

5. Robert Downey Jr.

“Iron Man” is probably one of the most favorite superheroes ever in the history of superhuman strength but it took a long time for the actor Robert Downey Jr. to make it this far in his acting career.

6. Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey’s career didn’t start that great after bad reviews of “Dumb and Dumber To” and “Dark Crimes”. But his role in the “Just Kidding” TV series got him 2 Golden Globe nominations.

7. Jennifer Lopez

Almost nominated for the Worst Actress of the Decade in the Golden Raspberry anti-award, Jennifer Lopez made a big comeback hit in the film “Hustlers” and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award.

8. Robert Pattinson

After the success of “Twilight”, Robert Pattinson was expected to hit more outstanding roles. But the viewers were not sold, fortunately, his role in “Good Time” was enough to be nominated for Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

9. Drew Barrymore

“E.T” was the start of fame for Drew Barrymore, but her roles after that didn’t constantly boost to more fame. But after she starred in “Scream”, viewers started to noticer her again.

10. John Travolta

John Travolta starring in “Pulp Fiction” made him an icon during this time of his career, but his career was also on and off before reaching this point.

It’s not always that you get to have fame in every instance, there’s what you can do “trial and error” that if you succeed once and fail the next time around, you can jump back in and try again. In the world of lights, cameras, and actions, getting fame (and keeping it) is just as hard as solving a difficult equation.

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Sophia