Hollywood sure is a fickle business; it’s often not so much about talent as a combination of luck and who you know. This explains why countless enormously talented actors have to work side-jobs to fund their art, while some truly dreadful ones – the Lindsay Lohans of this world, for instance – get to clog up our cinema screens because they have the right “look” or play the right politics. Or, in some cases, they probably just sleep with the producer…
There are so many great actors out there struggling to catch a break, and here are 10 success stories who managed to make it look totally effortless. Here are 10 actors who are largely regarded as being bad, even dreadful actors, yet they have managed to become stars in their own right due to making smart choices and probably having a damn good agent.
Here are 10 terrible actors who got lucky breaks…
10. Keanu Reeves
Of course, one cannot neglect the fact that Keanu Reeves lit up cinema screens with his 1980s role in the two Bill and Ted films and also as disaffected teen Matt in River’s Edge. Again, though, these roles – of the metal-loving airhead and ennui-infused drifter – feel entirely derived from the actor’s actual personality. The roles in which he has shone best have been those that require empty vessels, and as such it’s no surprise that his casting in the Wachowski’s The Matrix was a a stroke of twisted genius.
In much the same way that he proved a diverting presence in the otherwise dire remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still, Reeves is great at playing hollow shells, but if he ever has to adopt a vibrant character, he encounters problems. Hence, getting the big break as a soulless everyman computer hacker who then becomes a machine-like Jesus-figure-badass is perfect for him. All he needed was good looks and decent physical ability, which he more than demonstrated throughout the film’s plentiful action scenes.
Granted, the Wachowski’s got a little ahead of themselves by trying to get Neo to act all emotional in the sequels – and that’s one of many reasons why they don’t work – but this is a quintessential instance of a bad actor making the best of what he has with the luckiest of all breaks.
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35 Comments
Mark whalberg in the fighter ?
Well, like he said, Mark Whalberg’s only ever as good as his script is.
I’d like to throw John Wayne into this. Everyone loves him, but he literally only ever played the cowboy or the war hero.
Somehow people still get MOVIE STAR and ACTOR confused, they are two radically different creatures. A movie star submerges their character into themselves, and actor on the other hand submerges themselves into their character.
The problem with 3-5 entries on this list, is that he chose movie stars instead of supposed actors.
I have to disagree with Zach Galifinakis. I think it’s more of him not being able to pick a good movie. Before I saw him in The Hangover, I saw him in HBO’s Bored to Death and he was really quite funny, as he was in The Hangover. Don’t write him off quite yet.
Vin Diesel in “Find Me Guilty”?
What a joke. Arnie is an absolute legend, we lack action men these days and Arnie was the best. Predator, Total Recall, Terminator, Running man, Conan, True lies…the list goes on and on, if he’s so bad he managed to make more amazing films then the rest of your list put together. Sly Stallone should be on there, bar ripping off Rocky what else has he done to rival Predator or Total recall? He’s barely audible most of the time. Brendan Fraser, another example of an actor with absolutely no talent apart from his ability to look thinner on screen then he is. And don’t get me started on Hayden Christiansen,
Christopher Mintz-Plasse is playing a character named “Motherf***er” in Kick-Ass 2. Different enough for you? Granted, some of the names on this list I agree with, but I’m not entirely sold on all of your picks. You and I have drastically different tastes in movies, so I expected as much. All in all, a good list to reflect on, but not one to take to heart.
How can you have missed the world’s worst
Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage is actually extremely talented. He’s made some horrid films but also shown incredible rang in others. He also has an Academy Award for best actor
Nic Cage WAS talented until the 90s ended and he decided that he wanted to buy various houses and do bad movies for Jerry Bruckheimer and Lionsgate. :(
Channing Tatum had been a terrible actor, but I think he was excellent in 21 Jump Street (haven’t seen Magic Mike and Haywire). Maybe at last, he found a type of roles that he’s really good at and should stick with it. Typecast is still better than being bad all the time.
About Arnie, I think he’s a case of “so bad it’s good” acting. His acting makes his characters badass and funny at the same time, especially the ways he delivers his one-liners (the best thing of his roles).
Now, many people will argue over this with me, Ryan Gosling. Yeah he’s cool and all. I noticed him in Fracture and Murder by Number and really liked him. But now he became bland and emotionless. His recent films (Drive, Blue Valentine, Crazy Stupid Love), while being all good films, has shown his terrible acting. His only truly good performance was in Drive (probably the break we’re talking about here), where he was just being himself (stone cold and emotionless, as usual) and matched the character.
I was going to say the same thing about Jesse Eisenberg (being himself and turn out a good performance), but I realize he has nothing after The Social Network.
I’m guessing you’ve never seen The Believer or The United States of Leland.
BRENDAN FRASER!!!!!!!
I like the spirit of this piece and agree with some of the choices; notably Keanu Reeves and Orlando Bloom. However, I disagree that Sam Worthington, Mark Wahlberg and Channing Tatum are terrible actors.
You allude to the fact that actors are at the mercy of their scripts and perhaps Wahlberg is the worst culprit with poor choices such as Planet of the Apes and Max Payne. But he’s a hard-working guy who turns over a lot of movies. Some good; some bad. When he’s good he’s excellent in films you mention such as BOOGIE NIGHTS, THE FIGHTER and THE DEPARTED. Perhaps you can criticize his choices but not the performances.
Sam Worthington was decent in a small Aussie film called DIRTY DEEDS and the aforementioned SOMERSAULT as well as THE DEBT but perhaps he has been swamped in CGI-driven movies that don’t give his abilities the chance to shine.
Channing Tatum was pretty wooden in some early roles but recently he’s shown good range in romantic/dramatic/comedic roles in HORRIBLE BOSSES, MAGIC MIKE, HAYWIRE and 21 JUMP STREET.
And I think you need to differentiate between the nature of the actor and movie star. Schwarzenegger, was never identified as an actor of any range, but is a bona fide movie star like John Wayne. And Wayne was a fine actor as shown in THE SEARCHERS, TRUE GRIT and THE SHOOTIST.
Channing Tatum wasn’t in Horrible Bosses. Can’t think of who you mistaken him with.
Most of the “actors” on this list are one hit wonders. They gave great performances in one film and that was that. Arnie is still the man though!!!
Assuming you are just referring to male actors I would include the following:
Shia LaBeouf
Taylor Lautner
Casper van Dien
Hayden Christensen
Taye Diggs
If you include women…
Megan Fox
Halle Berry
Jessica Alba
Kristen Stewart
Gemma Arterton
Halley Berry has a Academy Award
Although he was excellent as Stanley Yelnats in Disney’s “Holes,” for me, Shia LaBeouf ruins every movie he’s in.
I think he hates Movies would much prefer Arthouse films. But glad to see that I am not the only one who thinks that he doesn’t like movies.
But I don’t see the point of writing article after article about stuff you don’t even enjoy, write about the stuff you do enjoy, you’ll feel better.
But if Shaun just wants to be negative, fair do’s to him lol
Harrison Ford
Eli…. Roth….
I dont think Worthington is as bad as he just picks lousy films… I have yet to see him in a movie that I liked but at the same time I think his biggest issue is he’s not an action hero… He should try doing a different role than the bold clean-cut protagonist who doesn’t talk much and can beat everyone down…
You spoil the suprise in the countdown when you put the #1 spot’s picture on the main title. I got to #2 and was like, “Aw man this means Arnold is #1 lol”
Maybe next time put #2′s picture up on the main header? That way we can’t guess who’s the worst/best :)
How can you not include ‘twilight’ stars into such list . . . . . . . . . . .and I disagree with you that ‘mark wahlberg’ is a terrible actor . . . . . . . There are many others like ‘Shia labeouf’ to be included into list . . . . . . .
Channing Tatum has improve tho. I think with the right direct he is good. He was horrible in GI JOE but after that he has been decent. He was funny in The Dilemma, Magic Mike and 21 jump street.Good in A guide to recognize your saint. He was the best part of the movie actually. Decent in side effects and stop less. I dont think he is terrible as people claim he is IMO
Where’s Dwayne Johnson in this list? He’s had more BO bombs than hits.
the only Vin Diesel movie i like is Pitch Black.
where is tom cruise
Cant be bothered to argue for the most part, but don’t dismiss Keanu Reeves’ performance in Bill and Ted as basically playing himself. Nowhere near the truth, his comic timing and rapport with Winter is “excellent”, go back and watch it again.
Keanu Reeves was pretty good in My Own Private Idaho as well.
Galifianakis was great in Bored to Death,in a different comic performance than the man-child he did in most of his movies.I’m hoping after Hangover 3 he will pick some different roles.
Could not disagree more with the inclusion of Matthew Broderick. True, he may not have had much success later in life in movies, he has had an incredibly successful stage career (two tonys). I saw him on Broadway in The Producers and thought he was incredible, which was a hard feat to pull off when standing alongside the perfection that was Nathan Lane in that part. Equating not being in blockbuster movies with not being able to act is like limiting your idea of writing prowess to Romance Novels
Couldn’t agree more on Broderick, his film career may not be great but there’s more to acting than movies.
Interesting article. I like a few others would disagree with Wahlberg. He’s worked with some of the best directors around who probably wouldn’t hire him if he couldn’t act. Not just Paul T. Anderson and Scorsese but also I believe he has worked with David O. Russell 3 times. I Heart Huckabees, The Fighter and Three Kings, all fantastic movies where he plays a different character.