10 Movies That Almost Killed Actors' Careers

Poor career choices and a spell as a tabloid mainstay was already starting to signal a downturn in Ben Affleck’s reputation, but Gigli could have been the final nail in the Oscar winner’s coffin. After a strong start, Affleck was becoming far more famous for his personal life, and the magnitude of this dud had left him a laughing stock.

More stinkers followed before a solid, mature turn in the underrated Hollywoodland, but few could have foreseen Affleck turning things around quite as well as he eventually did. He made the smart choice to return to what made him famous in the first place: creating his own material.

His 2007 directorial debut Gone Baby Gone was one of the surprises of the year, a gripping, throwback thriller of real class. He made the sensible decision to stay behind the camera, but cast himself in follow ups The Town and Argo, to great effect. The latter nabbed another Oscar for Best Picture - the comeback was complete.

While Affleck remains catnip for tabloids, he approaches his career with a cautious head on his shoulders, and has made few wrong steps since his return.