10 Forgotten Movie Stars Who Were Saved By TV
Those guys whose careers had been on the rocks until television swooped in and gave them a second wind.
The traditional role of television has always been to serve as a refuge for movie stars on the down and out. The current quality of TV programming coupled with an economic downturn has created an environment where bigger names are lured to the small screen, but the medium can nonetheless be credited with the saving of many a career. When the cushy film offers stop rolling in, it's only logical that actors would set their sights on the second tier of stardom. After all, TV work provides significantly more stability that a film career, if arguably less prestige. But then, something amazing happens. Their TV show takes off, and their formerly struggling career is reinvigorated. When you watch movies, it's all about the story. But television succeeds or fails on the merits of its characters. So all of a sudden, the actor who thought his best days were behind him has a character that audiences really latch onto, and he's back on top again. If it helps, think of it as the circle of life. Here are some of the most well-known examples of actors whose careers had been on the rocks until television swooped in and gave them a second (and sometimes third) shot at stardom.