For a number of years, it seemed like Rick Moranis was in everything. He appeared in several iconic films like “Ghostbusters,” “Spaceballs,” “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” and “The Flinstones.” It seemed like his career was going to skyrocket and that he would do more than what he’s done since… which is nothing.
He also had such a talent for writing that the director of “Ghostbusters” gave the star the steering wheel for some of the scenes from this flick, and he is even mentioned as one of the movie’s writers. After he lost his wife to breast cancer in the early ’90s and became a single father, he decided to retire from the industry so he could be there for his two children, rightfully so.
The Oscar Curse
Sometimes, when an actor wins an Oscar, it seems like their career will know no limits. And for others, their careers seem to fade. Patricia Arquette won an Oscar in 2014 for Boyhood but she has since worked on very small and little-seen projects. In 2018, the word was received that she would star in the Hulu series "The Act."
She also played Tilly Mitchell in the Showtime miniseries Escape at Dannemora, in which she had to gain weight, wear prosthetic teeth, and brown contact lenses. She also recently starred in 2022’s award-winning series “Severance,” which was a completely mind-bending series that deserves a watch if you haven’t seen it!
Cult Classic
Now, this is a rather unique one compared to the other ones on this list. Allison Mack's first big television role was on an episode of the WB series 7th Heaven. In October 2001, she began playing Chloe Sullivan in the WB/CW hit tv show, Smallville. She won several accolades and nominations for her performance.
Things went horribly wrong when The actress destroyed her career after she joined the cult NXIVM in 2011. Recently, she was put under house arrest for the crimes she committed for the cult. She was arrested in Brooklyn by the FBI in April 2018, Not the typical thing that usually end an actor's career.
Couldn't Catch Up
Billy Zane enthralled the country with his villainous turn in "Titanic." Since the late 90s, the actor hasn't scored another high-profile role that even comes close to this one, other than his appearance in "Zoolander 2," in which he starred as himself.
However, just as we saw his character refusing to surrender, chasing Jack and Rose down the grand staircase and into the ship as it sunk, he too has refused to give up on his acting career. He has continued to appear in several low-profile projects over the years. He made a recent appearance in 2023’s “Centurion XII” and “Stai Sereno (Stay Calm).”
A Steady Halt
Andie MacDowell first received critical acclaim for her role in "Sex, Lies, and a Videotape" in 1989. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Ann in this movie. She has had several other nominated-worthy performances in "Green Card," "Groundhog Day," and "Four Weddings and a Funeral." She seemed to be the "It girl" of the 90s but, then her career came to a steady halt.
She has since only appeared in small films and TV projects. Besides acting, MacDowell has modeled for Calvin Klein Inc. as well as been a spokeswoman for L'Oreal since 1986. She did, however, somewhat redeem herself recently when she starred as the neurotic mother in Netflix’s hit series “Maid.”