It Only Took Two Movies To Halt This Hollywood Hunk's Career

Freddie Prinze Jr is one of the most-wanted young Hollywood hunks of the late '90s. His Hollywood fame came from hits like "She's All That" and "I Know What You Did Last Summer." Prinze Jr. never got to reach his full potential as an actor.

According to Looper, taking on Fred's role in the 2002 and 2004 "Scooby-Doo" films is partly why Prinze Jr.'s Hollywood career ended. The movies were not rated well by critics and seemed to leave a permanent dent in his career. But he's done a lot of voice acting since then and recently played a short role in "Clerks III."

From Winning An Oscar To Writing Novels

Many assume actors disappear from Hollywood because they are forced to by age or lack of progress. But Gene Hackman won't be able to relate to that. The award-winning actor appeared in over 100 projects before retiring from the industry in 2006. His dream of becoming a novelist was his driving force for this career change.

The second career Hackman pursued isn't as well-known as his first. However, he is still a prolific author with published works that include a police thriller published in 2013 titled "Pursuit" and "Payback at Morning Peak: A Novel of the American West" published in 2011.

Getting An Education Was All He Wanted As A Child Actor

Most kids stuck in school probably dream of living different lives. Some even wish they were movie stars, which makes Jonathan Taylor Thomas' situation a pretty unique one. He was the opposite. In the mid-2000s, he left show business to pursue an education after making unforgettable appearances in projects like "Home Improvement" and "The Lion King."

In 2018, reports said he was working with Zachery Ty Bryan, his former co-star from "Home Improvement," but nothing seems to have come of it since then. His last screen appearance was in 2015, in the TV series "Last Man Standing." These days he is occasionally spotted walking his dogs and living his life.

Why Did Phoebe Cates Leave Show-Biz So Early?

When Phoebe Cates was a teenager, she appeared in several classic '80s movies. It wasn't long after her "Drop Dead Fred" role in the early '90s that she said goodbye to a promising acting career in favor of raising her family. Her rise to stardom came from movies like "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," "Private School," and "Gremlins."

In 1989, Cates married fellow actor Kevin Kline, and they have been happy ever since. It seems family life was worth giving up her acting career after all. As of 2022, she owns a Manhattan clothing boutique and only made a short return to acting in 2001's "The Anniversary Party."

An Unexpected Disappearance For King Joffrey

"Game of Thrones" star Jack Gleeson played the role of King Joffrey and was arguably one of the most despicable characters in the show. When he left in 2014, he shocked his fans by saying that acting was not a full-time job. Instead, it was just a hobby, and he truly wanted to pursue a degree.

But Gleeson has continued participating in independent theatre and was a part of the 2020 miniseries "Out of Her Mind." He even appeared in the 2021 comedy flick "Rebecca's Boyfriend" and gave fans a glimpse of hope that his acting days may not be over yet.

The Hollywood A-lister Who Took Back Control

In 2022, Cameron Diaz appeared in the seventh season opener episode of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" as a guest judge. She is still a relevant celebrity even though she stopped acting in 2014. She chose to quit despite being one of the world's best-paid actors, and in an interview with Kevin Hart, she explained her reason.

In their conversation, Diaz revealed to Hart that she hated every aspect of her life as an actor and wanted to manage herself as she approached her 40s. It was her way of taking control of her life, and she never regretted the decision.

It's Been Over A Decade Since This Former Teen Star Acted

Although Britney Spears' controversial conservatorship gets the most attention, Amanda Bynes, a former American teen star, has also struggled with it. In recent years, she has been in the news for her mental health issues, and despite once being one of the world's most famous actors, she has long left Hollywood.

Bynes hasn't been seen on screen since her critically-praised performance in Emma Stone's 2010 comedy "Easy A." Although she expressed interest in going back to acting in 2018, she has yet to be in any project since then, as of 2022. Her major 2022 win is that she has ended her conservatorship and is taking back her life.

Career Changes For Mischa Barton

Mischa Barton is still adding acting credits to her impressive film portfolio, including a recent "Holiday Twist" appearance in 2022. However, she is far from being the same star she once was. As a child actress, she appeared in such beloved movies as "The Sixth Sense" and "Notting Hill." Later, she played Marissa Cooper in "The O.C."

Sadly, Barton eventually left the show after her frantic lifestyle and problems during filming brought on issues. The show was even canceled in 2007. Although she's still active, her career could have turned out much differently because she was a promising young star.

The Laudable Disappearance Of Rick Moranis From Hollywood

Canadian actor Rick Moranis had to mourn the passing of one of his co-directors from "Ghostbusters," Ivan Reitman, in 2022. However, the star of "Parenthood" is no stranger to experiencing loss. He had dealt with a devastating tragedy decades earlier when his wife Ann Belsky died at age 35 in 1991.

Despite being at the height of his Hollywood career and receiving several film requests, Moranis decided to be there for his family. The death of his wife left him alone with his two children, so he chose to do the right thing. Eventually, he returned to show business but mainly played voice roles.

The "Titanic" Star Only Wants To Make Ends Meet

Having played one of the biggest movies of all time, "Titanic," Billy Zane's disappearance from Hollywood afterward was unexpected and strange. Although Looper reported that Zane's reduced activity in the movie industry was attributed to his stage work, other sources suggest that he may have lost his desire to work as an actor.

According to Zane, he took on new acting jobs only to make ends meet and support his ex-wife. While his enthusiasm for acting is lacking, he has been doing well in his career. He recently appeared in a few films and TV shows in 2021, including "MacGruber" and "Iké Boys."

It Took Two Decades After Being Blacklisted For This Star To Get Justice

After being accused of harassment nearly two decades prior, former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein began serving a 23-year sentence in 2021. Mira Sorvino was the bold actress behind these accusations. She went from winning an Academy Award for her role in Woody Allen's "Mighty Aphrodite" to virtually disappearing from Hollywood.

After going against Weinstein, one of Hollywood's most influential personalities at the time, Sorvino was reported to have been blacklisted. It stalled her career, but since then, she has been making a slow and strong comeback. She appeared in the first season of "Shining Vale" and the movie "After Ever Happy" in 2022.

Other Person's Actions Really Have Consequences to Another

Despite the fact that we just saw Paz de la Huerta in two music videos in 2021, it doesn't mean she's living her best life. Starring in music videos is far from being featured in films such as "A Walk to Remember" or Steve Buscemi's "Boardwalk Empire." De la Huerta, it turns out, is another Hollywood actress whose life has been ruined by Harvey Weinstein's unsavory actions.

Her struggles with depression and failure to meet her acting potential followed her claims of being abused by the now-convicted former producer. She allegedly locked herself in a room in 2019 and was hospitalized after someone told emergency services she was suicidal.

Adrian Grenier Got Stuck As His Vincent Chase Character

Although Adrian Grenier appeared in 2006's comedy classic "The Devil Wears Prada," he is famous for playing Vincent Chase in "Entourage," which ran for nearly 100 episodes from 2004 to 2011. However, Grenier struggled to land new, meaningful roles in the show's aftermath.

The actor was recently rediscovered after going through a series of unremarkable movie appearances and a minor conflict with "Entourage" producer Mark Wahlberg. He was seen in the 2021 miniseries "Clickbait" and the movie "Far More." Although he isn't as big as his "Entourage" days, he is recognized for his philanthropic efforts today. He was even appointed as a goodwill ambassador for the environment in 2017.

This Movie Star Has Been "Almost Retiring" Since 2019

It has been speculated by a media outlet in 2022 that Sally Field will retire from show business soon, but this is not the first outlet to do so. Field has been consistently rumored to be close to retirement since 2019, and interestingly, the "Forrest Gump" star is still active today. It was announced in 2022 that she would star alongside Tom Brady in an upcoming movie.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Field's future in the entertainment industry, she has had a fascinating past. She has enjoyed a successful career with dozens of acting awards. Her fame came from movies such as "Steel Magnolias" and "Lincoln."

Ronda Rousey Will Remain In The Ring It Seems.

Having fought in the UFC for many years and being one of the most talented and mean women, Ronda Rousey made a natural transition into the action movie industry. But her acting range failed to impress the critics, and her roles in "Fast & Furious 7," "Mile 22," and "The Expendables 3" were soon forgotten.

After realizing she may never fulfill her acting dreams, Rousey went on to solidify her place in wrestling. She is one of the most well-known female WWE stars and has made it onto "WWE Monday Night Raw" and "WWF SmackDown!" in 2022. It is her true calling.

Randy Quaid And His Bizarre Inclinations

Apart from starring in Rob Margolies' 2018's weight loss comedy "All You Can Eat," Randy Quaid hasn't appeared in any movies since 2009. Perhaps, the former "Brokeback Mountain" star is now more interested in politics. He made headlines in 2021 when he tweeted that he was seriously thinking about vying for governor, among other opinions about the 2020 elections.

The people of California would indeed have reservations about having Quaid as their governor. He had already damaged his Hollywood career with bizarre inclinations, such as trying to drive to Siberia, intentionally destroying a guesthouse he once owned, and spreading conspiracy theories.

Why Was This '90s Icon Away for Years?

The "Bad Boys" star Martin Lawrence was once one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors and was most recently included in "Martin: The Reunion" special in 2022. Lawrence spent over four years away from show business after appearing in the 2014 TV series "Partners" It's fascinating how he is still so famous today, but why'd he leave the industry?

Unfortunately, Lawrence suffered a stress-related nervous breakdown because of his legal and personal issues. He left acting for years, only to make a comeback with "The Beach Bum" in 2019. He became a blockbuster act again the following year with his starring role in "Bad Boys for Life."

An Unexpected Hollywood Fallout Story

Allison Mack is a German-born Californian beauty who appeared in numerous shows. Her career was going great as she appeared in productions like "Dirty Little Secret," "Ant Bully," "Smallville," and "Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves!" But the actress sacrificed her acting career to join NXIVM.

It was a shady organization with typical cult tactics and multi-level marketing schemes that caused many of its members trouble. Mack, too, was arrested in 2018. Later, in 2021, she was sentenced to 3 years for racketeering conspiracy charges. It seems likely that this will be the end and her curtain call making the 2017 film "Lost in Oz" her final act.

The Worst Comedy Ever With Mike Myers

The year 2022 marks about three decades since Mike Myers played the titular character in the classic comedy "Wayne's World." The prolific actor was also the main character in "Austin Powers" and "Shrek." This Canadian native who was once a massive star isn't frequent in the industry anymore, but why has he hardly acted since 2008?

Indeed, the poor rating Myers received for his 2008 comedy "The Love Guru" contributed to his drop in popularity. The film was criticized for its misogynistic content and offensive portrayal of Indian/Hindu culture. He seems to have made a comeback, creating and starring in the 2022 Netflix original series "The Pentaverate."

Aaron Eckhart Spent Two Years Giving Up

In 2016, Aaron Eckhart shocked his fans by announcing that he no longer considered himself a star and was ready to give up Hollywood. Eckhart initially gained widespread fame in 2000 when he played George in "Erin Brockovich." He later made other appearances in movies such as "The Core," "The Dark Knight," and "Thank You For Smoking."

Yet, convinced he wasn't as great an actor as before, he took a two-year break before returning in 2018 in an unremarkable role on "The Romanoffs." He is now appearing in the 2022 TV series "The First Lady" and plays a voice role in "Pantheon."

Taking A Two Year Break For A Tony Award Heist

It doesn't always mean that great actors stop acting just because they stop appearing on screens. For instance, Carey Mulligan did not make any film appearances for two years after "Suffragette" in 2015. Still, she did a lot of work as a stage actress during that period and even earned a Tony Award nomination.

After her hiatus, the English actress continued to be very active in the industry. In 2020, she acted the role of a vigilante in "Promising Young Woman," for which she received her second Oscar nomination. Mulligan may be getting more consistent again lately in film, and she played a role in the 2021 movie "The Dig."

From Hollywood to Church

You may remember Kel Mitchell, the actor from "All That," Kenan & Kel," and "Good Burger." You'd probably have a hard time believing this, but in 2019 he became a licensed pastor. Because of the stress of being famous and acting, Mitchell embraced his spiritual inclinations to find the happiness he had desperately sought for a long time.

It's not a fad either; Mitchell is much closer to his faith in 2022 than he was when he first obtained his license and has written a self-help devotional book titled "Blessed Mode: 90 Days to Level Up Your Faith." But in addition to his spirituality, he's been competing in reality TV shows.

There's A Reason "Top Gun: Maverick" Didn't Bring Former Star Kelly McGillis

Everyone following the "Top Gun" film series must have loved the 2022 sequel "Top Gun: Maverick." However, fans would have noticed the former star of the original film Kelly McGillis did not appear. She previously played the role of Charlie in the '80s but has long decided to step away from Hollywood.

She said that her time as an actress was tough and that she decided to quit to be a better and sober mother. McGillis has two children, Sonora and Kelsey Tillman, both adults. As of 2022, she hasn't made any film appearances since the 2017 Hallmark film "An Uncommon Grace."

Blade Actor Has First Hand Knowledge Of Why You Should Pay Your Taxes

Wesley Snipes once enjoyed fame in the '90s and made a massive comeback in 2021 when he appeared on "Coming 2 America." Long before then, he had played prominent roles in different films. But observant movie buffs may have noticed that this former icon of the '90s didn't work on any major
productions for more than three years, starting in 2010.

In 2010, Snipes was arrested for willfully failing to file his federal income tax returns and sentenced to three years in prison. The "Blade" superstar began serving time that year and didn't come out until 2013. Unfortunately, his career has not been the same ever since.

The Comedian Who Refused $50 Million

The trans community has heavily criticized American stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle since his late 2021 memorable "The Closer." It's clear that the man has principles, even if you don't agree with all he says or does. He proved this at the height of his fame when he decided to walk away from $50 million.

The comedian refused to accept a $50 million check to continue working on his sketch show, "Chappelle's Show," because he felt his comedy was reinforcing the same racial stereotypes he wished to fight against. But he later signed a deal with Netflix for $60 million to do three stand-up specials.

The Mysterious Disappearance of Jack Nicholson

The brilliant actor Jack Nicholson used to be one of the world's best. His performances ranged from "Chinatown" to "The Departed," and they were outstanding. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor twice, once in the '70s for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and another in the '90s for "As Good as It Gets." But after appearing in the 2010 comedy "How Do You Know," he disappeared.

In 2021, an insider disclosed that memory loss was why he quit altogether. No longer able to recall his lines, Nicholson couldn't still be an actor. He is a legend in the industry who has enjoyed decades of success.

Comedy Favorite's Unexplained Hiatus

Jonah Hill fans must have been thrilled to see him star in the 2021 political comedy satire "Don't Look Up." This comedy favorite worried his fans about his career for a while, but things are returning to normal. Almost immediately after his Oscar-worthy performance in "The Wolf of Wall Street," his career began declining.

According to reports, Hill's tough years had much to do with his professional and personal life. In 2019, critics slammed him for his performance in "The Beach Bum." It happened after the untimely passing of his brother and the end of his engagement to Gianna Santos.

This Former Movie Star Didn't Love The Industry

The American actress Leelee Sobieski starred in "Never Been Kissed," "Joan of Arc," and appeared as a guest on Al Pacino's "88 Minutes." Even though she had succeeded in her career, she wasn't a big fan of Hollywood and decided to give up the spotlight to raise a family.

Sobieski, married to a fashion designer, has two children and keeps a low profile. In the year 2022, her last appearance was in 2018, when she debuted her first gallery show to display her original paintings. But in 2016, she made it clear that she was no longer involved in the movie industry.

Acting And Cosmetology Are Not That Far Off If You Ask Nikki Blonsky

Former "Hairspray" protagonist Nikki Blonsky struggled to land more roles in Hollywood after that debut role in 2007. Although this now-forgotten New York native's debut was a major musical blockbuster featuring John Travolta and Zac Efron, it didn't help her with more promising projects afterward.

Blonsky got a second chance to make it big when she was cast as the star of the 2010 TV series "Huge," but it didn't last more than the first season, even though it earned her an award nomination. Hollywood seemed to be stifling her progress, and she has since acquired a license to practice as a cosmetologist.

Jesse Eisenberg's Near Career-Ending Role

Famous Facebook genius Mark Zuckerberg was played brilliantly by Jesse Eisenberg in 2010's "The Social Network," which attracted widespread praise. However, years after the iconic role, he was chosen to portray the supervillain Lex Luthor in the 2016 movie "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." While he was praised for the first movie, his role in the second didn't cut it.

Comic book fans weren't too keen on Eisenberg's performance as Lex Luthor. They accused him of being too playful for the role and thought him too young for the character. Those things have more to do with casting choice and may say nothing about him as an actor.

The 2014 Oscars Were Patricia Arquette's Peak

After Patricia Arquette won the Oscar for her performance in "Boyhood," everyone expected her to return to Hollywood as an A-lister. But despite her Oscar win in 2014, the "True Romance" star could not capitalize on the victory, returning to the small screen instead. Still, her career has remained interesting nonetheless.

While Arquette's Academy Award took her career to the next level in terms of career achievements, it also marked her career peak. However, saying it's all been bad since then wouldn't be accurate since the actress still bags notable roles. Most recently, in 2022, she stars as Harmony Cobel on Apple TV+'s "Severance."

The Tale Of Ashley Judd's Transition From Acting To Humanitarianism

Ashley Judd was one of Hollywood's biggest stars in the '90s, starring in movies like "Double Jeopardy," "Heat," and "Kiss, the Girls." However, Harvey Weinstein blacklisted her in the early '2000s. The infamous Weinstein blocked Judd when she declined his advances and told people she was a nightmare to work with.

Judd must have been happy when Weinstein's true nature was revealed to the public. She had even filed a defamation and harassment lawsuit against him in 2018, stating that the lies he spread about her hurt her career. She still occasionally appears in film and TV but has focused more on her humanitarian and political activism lately.

Alyson Hannigan's Fallout From Stardom

Alyson Hannigan became famous for her appearance in "American Pie," but she is best known for playing Lily Aldrin in the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother." A central character, she appeared in all nine show seasons, but she has yet to make a lasting impact on the entertainment industry since the show's finale in 2014.

In the years that followed, Hannigan perhaps didn't pick the right roles for her to capitalize on her already existing fame. She ended up mainly starring in television movies and indie films no one had heard much about. Starting in 2016, however, she has hosted the magic competition television show "Penn & Teller: Fool Us."

Jonathan Bennett Peaked Too Early

When Jonathan Bennett starred in Lindsay Lohan's classic comedy "Mean Girls," he became famous. Unfortunately, while this 2004 film was his breakthrough, it also marked the peak of his acting career. Bennett still acted in movies like "Cheaper by the Dozen 2" and "Van Wilder: Freshman Year," but he never quite landed any role as necessary as "Mean Girls."

He continued promoting his "Mean Girls" appearance for years—even publishing a cookbook based on it. The good news is that Bennett has since evolved into a TV personality and excelled at it. He also appeared in Ariana Grande's "Thank U, Next" music video and is a popular LGBTQ social media personality.

A Review Of Alex Pettyfer's "Magic Mike" Troubles

Hertfordshire native Alex Pettyfer was cast in the hit 2012 production "Magic Mike," but he was reportedly unable to get along with his co-stars during the filming. He was no stranger to the industry then, as the previous year, he had appeared in blockbusters like D.J. Caruso's "I Am Number Four" and Justin Timberlake's "In Time."

Although Pettyfer attributed his poor relationship with Channing Tatum to his lack of confidence to speak up, the cast assumed he thought he was superior to everyone else. Even though he's still bagging good roles like in the 2022 thriller "The Infernal Machine," Pettyfer's acting career has moved sluggishly since "Magic Mike."