10 Amazing Performances That Turned Teen Idols Into Legitimate Actors

6. Jonathan Brandis - Outside Providence

This is an example of an actor who got a role that had the potential to change public perception of him, but unfortunately not early enough to save his career. If you had a pulse in the late '80s and early '90s, you'll likely remember Jonathan Brandis for his work in The NeverEnding Story II, Ladybugs, It, and a handful of other films. His blond hair, striking blue eyes, and "old soul" quality made him a huge hit with the young teen crowd, but as he got older he struggled to find work. When he showed up in Outside Providence as a fully grown adult rather than a teen heartthrob, it was a clear attempt to re-establish his career. And what's more, he was barely recognizable. The charismatic, intelligent teen that won the hearts of little girls everywhere was playing a scraggly delinquent - not exactly the comeback people would have expected for him. But he puts in a really solid performance here, and manages to wipe away his image as a squeaky clean teen star. Unfortunately, he didn't have time to see the fruits of his labor. In 2003, he committed suicide, with close friends saying that the depressed actor had been frustrated by the state of his career.