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From iconic cult classics to unforgettable breakout roles, some actors have left a lasting impression without ever replicating their initial success. Join us as we spotlight talented performers who became famous for one standout movie or franchise, delivering memorable characters that continue to resonate with fans. Whether it’s a cult favorite or a box office hit, these actors made their mark in unforgettable ways.
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00:00I really didn't know whether I was good or not. I was just doing the best I could.
00:05Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're looking at actors who maintained a busy career,
00:09but are mostly known for starring in one successful film or franchise.
00:15Number 20. Lacey Chabert, Mean Girls
00:18That is so fetch. Gretchen, stop trying to make fetch happen. It's not going to happen.
00:24While she did eventually make fetch happen, that's about all Lacey Chabert ever did make happen.
00:29Her breakout role as Gretchen Wieners was well-acted and incredibly quotable,
00:33but Chabert would never hit that high again.
00:44She did take on some voice acting work, even being cast as Meg for the first season of Family Guy.
00:52She had to drop out due to a busy personal schedule and was replaced by Mila Kunis.
00:59We're together so that our step...
01:00Since then, Chabert has played in a number of Hallmark movies, staying true to her iconic Christmas roots.
01:08That's the Jingle Bell Rock!
01:13Number 19. Taylor Lautner, Twilight
01:16Were you Team Edward or Team Jacob?
01:19Apparently Hollywood agents were Team Edward,
01:21because Robert Pattinson has enjoyed a number of major roles since starring in the phenomenon that was the Twilight series.
01:26Just don't make any moves without me, understand?
01:29It's no more dangerous than you know.
01:34Despite having all the lusty appeal of a leading man,
01:37Taylor Lautner simply didn't fit that mold after Twilight wrapped.
01:41I guess I understand why that's the only part you remember.
01:44He did star in 2015's Tracers, the first and last attempt to make him an action star.
01:48I need that money.
01:51Do we have a problem?
01:53No, no.
01:54No problem.
01:55The movie's terrible reviews derailed his momentum,
01:58and he's mostly taken supporting roles every four to five years since.
02:02That was the last project I did in a few years.
02:06Yeah.
02:07So yeah, the beginning of our relationship was the end of acting for that stage.
02:13Number 18. Shannon Elizabeth, American Pie
02:17Every teen sex comedy that has captured the cash and minds of audiences has had one thing in common.
02:23Perhaps you could help me with my studies.
02:26A sex symbol, which has teens in theaters squirming and salivating simultaneously.
02:32Yeah.
02:33I suppose that would be okay.
02:35Sure.
02:36When American Pie became the surprise hit of the summer,
02:39it was partially on the back, and, well, other things, of Miss Elizabeth.
02:44Be gentle.
02:45The problem was that she just lacked the acting skills to take advantage of the opportunity she had created for herself thereafter.
02:53I think I'm going to need some time.
02:56Some time alone.
02:58So any roles she's taken on have never even come close to measuring up.
03:02Number 17.
03:03Brandon Routh.
03:05Superman Returns.
03:06When Bryan Singer took over the reins as the driving force behind Superman Returns,
03:11he insisted that the role go to an unknown instead of an actor like Nick Cage or Will Smith.
03:16After he saw the audition tape of an unknown kid from Iowa,
03:19one of the most coveted roles in the world was no longer up for grabs.
03:22My name is Brandon Routh, and I am testing for the role of Clark Kent, a.k.a. Superman.
03:29Given the opportunity to anchor a film as one of the most recognizable figures in pop culture history,
03:34Brandon Routh may never reach those heights again,
03:37especially considering other actors have been cast as Superman in subsequent films,
03:40but he will undoubtedly go down in the annals of film history for his 2006 turn.
03:45Good night, Lois.
03:47Number 16.
03:49Macaulay Culkin.
03:50Home Alone.
03:51If nobody else is going to say it, we will.
03:54At the beginning of Home Alone, Kevin McAllister is an absolute brat.
03:57This house is so full of people, it makes me sick.
04:01When I grow up and get married, I'm living alone.
04:04Did you hear me?
04:05I'm living alone!
04:07I'm living alone!
04:09Maybe he's getting picked on, but that's no excuse to be such a jerk to everyone,
04:13especially his mother who's done nothing wrong.
04:15I hope I never see any jerks again.
04:21By the end of the movie, though, many of us love this kid and his antics,
04:25and feel sincerely concerned when the wet bandits capture him,
04:28which is a testament to the acting skill this child actor possessed.
04:31You guys give up, or you're thirsty for more?
04:34Despite making us even more emotional in the following year's My Girl,
04:37Mac never got to audiences the same way again,
04:40the Home Alone sequel notwithstanding, of course.
04:42Merry Christmas!
04:45Go up!
04:46Go up!
04:47Number 15.
04:49Jeff Cohen.
04:50The Goonies.
04:50The LA-raised Jeff Cohen was destined to be a power player in movies.
04:54He had only been acting for two years when he broke out in the classic adventure comedy,
04:59The Goonies.
05:00See, you guys, you never listened to me.
05:02I said that there was going to be trouble, but you didn't listen to me.
05:05You guys are crazy!
05:07Of all the iconic characters on this suburban treasure hunt,
05:10Chunk stands out as the true underdog.
05:12Cohen's hilarious self-deprecating humor and ultimate heroic turn stole the show,
05:16but the child actor found his true passion observing the business behind the scenes.
05:20In show business, the other end of the spectrum, who has the longest shelf life,
05:26is actually an entertainment lawyer, in my opinion.
05:29After a few minor TV performances, he retired to study law.
05:33Cohen went on to become a powerhouse entertainment attorney and dealmaker.
05:37He surely could have lined up a lucrative acting career for himself,
05:39but the success of and after The Goonies is a formidable enough legacy.
05:43Come on!
05:45Do it!
05:51Number 14.
05:52Tyron Turner, Menace to Society.
05:55Albert and Alan Hughes debuted with an uncompromising look at the tension and tragedy of South Central LA.
06:01Their lead actor deserves just as much credit for the weight of Menace to Society.
06:04Tyron Turner drew on his own troubled upbringing to portray K.D. Kane Lawson with intelligence and a degraded innocence.
06:18The film became a staple of the hood drama genre, scoring Turner an Independent Spirit Award nomination.
06:23I've seen lots of people killed before, but I ain't never done it myself.
06:28I mean, I never had a reason to.
06:30But when they killed my cousin, I knew I was going to kill them.
06:34It also launched the careers of Jada Pinkett and Lorenz Tate.
06:38Turner, however, would never again lead a high-profile picture.
06:41He still enjoys steady work as a character actor, who is diversified in filmmaking and hip-hop.
06:46My receptionist told me there was an intruder in my office.
06:48Oh!
06:49No look past!
06:50None.
06:51Oh!
06:51Did you see Lance?
06:53Just closed the big energy drink deal with him.
06:55What?
06:56Did he LeBron you?
06:57Besides, Turner left an important mark on society with his unforgettable breakout.
07:02Number 13.
07:03Nikki Blonsky, Hairspray.
07:05The movie musical Hairspray has gone from an unexpected hit to a classic.
07:09The rats on the street, it's all dance around my feet.
07:13They seem to say, Tracy, it's up to you.
07:16First-time actress Nikki Blonsky was particularly a revelation as Tracy Turnblad,
07:21an unpopular but enthusiastic high schooler fighting for tolerance.
07:25Blonsky's spectacular charm and musical talent won high honors,
07:29including the Critics' Choice Award for Best Young Actress.
07:31Round 6, Amber, much to your surprise.
07:35This heavyweight champion takes the prize.
07:39She was set to be a superstar.
07:41However, after a scandalous encounter with model Bianca Golden in 2008,
07:45Blonsky's 15 minutes were up.
07:47She still enjoys solid work as an actress and public figure.
07:50Incidentally, she's also a licensed cosmetologist.
07:53Hairspray had been good to Blonsky in more ways than one,
07:56but she may never get a more iconic role than the first.
07:58And if you try to hold me down, I'm gonna spit in your eye and say,
08:03that you can't stop the beat.
08:06Number 12, Peter Billingsley, a Christmas story series.
08:09Isn't that cute?
08:11That is the most precious thing I've ever seen in my life.
08:16You look like a deranged Easter bunny.
08:19Peter Billingsley wasn't the first actor to play Ralphie Parker
08:22in adaptations of Gene Shepard's stories,
08:24but can you picture anyone else in the role?
08:26Or Billingsley in another?
08:28A Christmas Story is a hilarious, heartwarming staple of holiday movies.
08:32The 12-year-old lead actor embodied its satire and sweetness,
08:36becoming an icon across four decades of childhood nostalgia.
08:40No, no, I wanna let you start right out of your car when I shoot you,
08:42when I shoot you, when you might lay your eyes off.
08:46You'll shoot your eye out, kid.
08:49Unfortunately, Billingsley failed to land another hit as a child star.
08:53He grew up to be a successful filmmaker,
08:55with the occasional bit part on the screen.
08:57It wasn't until 2022, when he returned to the spotlight,
09:00playing the adult Ralphie in A Christmas Story Christmas.
09:03If you don't have a star, you can forget about it.
09:06Santa won't even stop by your house.
09:08Wait, huh?
09:10I'm improvising, building new traditions.
09:13Billingsley clearly recognizes what his breakout role means for everybody,
09:16though it's not like he had much else going on.
09:19Number 11, Quentin Aaron, The Blind Side.
09:21The true story of football underdog Michael Orr is undeniably cinematic.
09:26Unfortunately, an unsettling amount of The Blind Side's initial hype
09:29was over Sandra Bullock's Oscar-winning portrayal of his guardian.
09:33As Orr himself, unknown actor Quentin Aaron won the hearts of many
09:36with his natural presence and sensitive emotional depth.
09:39Any fool can have courage, but honor.
09:43That's the real reason you either do something or you don't.
09:47It's who you are, and maybe who you want to be.
09:50Under most circumstances, an accoladed lead role in blockbuster Oscar bait
09:54would guarantee a great acting career,
09:55but The Blind Side received backlash for its inaccuracies and racial dynamics,
10:00with Orr personally denouncing his stereotypical characterization.
10:03Tell me just one thing I should know about you, just one.
10:11I don't like to be called Big Mike.
10:13Aaron's more well-regarded portrayal was almost irrelevant.
10:16His own underdog story came down to steady work in low-profile movies,
10:20but he gave his all in a polarizing phenomenon.
10:22Michael, honey, I need for you to just listen to me, all right?
10:25Don't you dare lie to me.
10:30Not stupid.
10:32Michael!
10:32Number 10, Peter Ostrom, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
10:37In the pantheon of one-time actors, Peter Ostrom really did find a golden ticket.
10:41Cause I've got a golden ticket.
10:44I've got a golden ticket.
10:46I've got a golden chance to make my way.
10:50He was performing in a children's theater in Cleveland,
10:53when he was cast as the poor, but rich-hearted Charlie Bucket
10:56in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
10:58The whimsical musical rose from a meager box office performance
11:01to become a pop culture classic.
11:03If you want to view paradise,
11:07simply look around and view it.
11:10Young Ostrom was a star straight away, but opted to leave acting on a high note.
11:14He instead followed his true passion as a veterinarian who specialized in farm animals.
11:19He retired in 2023 as a sort of celebrity in his field.
11:22Am I famous?
11:23In my eyes, absolutely not.
11:25And I'm amused that everybody's here to talk to me.
11:29As the star of an everlasting family favorite,
11:31he just needed the one role to be universally beloved.
11:34Nia Vardalis was struggling as a small-time TV actress
11:53when she took a chance on a career shift.
11:55She drew on her cultural heritage as writer and star of the one-woman show,
11:59My Big Fat Greek Wedding, later expanded into a romantic comedy movie.
12:03The only other people we know are Greeks.
12:06Because Greeks marry Greeks.
12:07To breed more Greeks.
12:08To be loud-breeding Greek eaters.
12:12Wow.
12:13The humble production was a huge hit with critics and audiences,
12:16earning Vardalis Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for her two roles.
12:20She continued Tula Portakalas' family-sized love story in two sequels
12:25and a short-lived TV show on CBS.
12:26Outside of the franchise, though, Vardalis is stuck to smaller projects.
12:31Hey, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a big enough sensation for rom-com fans
12:34and the Greek-American community.
12:45It's all great to me.
12:47Number 8. Patrick Fujit, Almost Famous.
12:50Cameron Crowe's experiences as a teenage rock journalist
12:53inspired his road dramedy masterpiece, Almost Famous.
12:56Of all the actors who could have played his surrogate character,
12:59the role of William Miller went to 16-year-old Patrick Fujit.
13:02I can give you 35 bucks.
13:04Give me a thousand words on Black Sabbath.
13:06An assignment?
13:08Yeah.
13:09Yeah.
13:10His bashful charm and emotional maturity carried the coming of age
13:14against the egos of 70s rockers.
13:17Despite commercial disappointment, Almost Famous won a dedicated following.
13:20They sadly did not follow Fujit,
13:22who nonetheless stood out in a variety of projects.
13:25He's had supporting roles in Cirque du Freak, Gone Girl, and First Man,
13:35and helmed Cinemax's acclaimed horror drama OutKast.
13:38Fujit may be famous for rarely getting to be the headliner.
13:41He still has his fans, as well as one wonder of a hit.
13:44Rock and roll?
13:46Rock and roll.
13:48Rock and roll.
13:49It's all happening.
13:50I know.
13:51I know.
13:52It's all happening.
13:54Number 7.
13:55Linda Blair, The Exorcist.
13:57Linda Blair peaked early as a legendary scream queen.
14:00At 14 years old, she played the demonically possessed Reagan McNeil
14:04with a mix of terrified innocence and terrifying evil.
14:07The Exorcist was a shocking success which revolutionized horror cinema.
14:21With an Oscar nod and a Golden Globe win, Blair was expected to be a big name at a young
14:25age.
14:26She did grow into a cult darling with the camp classic Roller Boogie, but theatrical
14:39bombs, TV roles, and focus on animal rights activism didn't do much for her stardom.
14:44The 1977 scandals of a drug charge and Exorcist II The Heretic nearly negated her breakout role.
14:51Thankfully, the original The Exorcist remains hailed as a masterpiece, thanks in part to
14:55the still prolific Blair.
15:026.
15:03Alex Winter – Bill and Ted Trilogy Bill and Ted's excellent adventure is one of
15:07the most bodacious buddy comedies in history.
15:16An animated TV show and the sequel, Bogus Journey, are also cult staples.
15:20The time travel fantasies are carried by the chemistry between breakout actors Keanu Reeves
15:25and Alex Winter.
15:26But while Reeves became a huge movie star, Winter thrived off screen.
15:30He's a versatile director, best known for documentaries like Downloaded and Zappa.
15:39He also continues to work steadily in front of the camera.
15:42Still, Winter didn't draw much of an audience until he and Reeves reunited for 2020's Bill
15:47and Ted faced the music.
16:01Winter is by no means a one-hit wonder as a filmmaker, and as an actor, he attained immortality with
16:06one sweet series.
16:085.
16:09Jay Davidson – The Crying Game Of all the complicated themes in the classic
16:13IRA drama The Crying Game, one has drawn particular debate.
16:16Still, no one denies the incredible performance of debutante actor Jay Davidson.
16:21One day soon I'm gonna tell the moon about the crying game.
16:29The Dill character was a groundbreaking love interest who represented the strife of trans
16:33women and the nuances of sexuality.
16:35Yet, this moving love story was long the subject of transphobic jokes and continues to be scrutinized
16:41for his representation with a cisgender actor.
16:51Davidson was nonetheless adorned with praise and accolades, but overwhelmed by the pressures
16:55of fame.
16:56He thus retired following a small appearance in 1994's Stargate.
17:00Davidson made a great living as a model and stylist, and will always be remembered for his
17:04powerful, important foray into acting.
17:074.
17:08Roddy Piper – They Live
17:14Rowdy Roddy Piper technically landed many hits on camera.
17:20The pro wrestling legend dominated the ring, but only really dominated moviegoers with John
17:25Carpenter's They Live.
17:26The genre-bending satire follows a nameless drifter who discovers that American consumerism
17:31is part of an alien invasion.
17:33Piper's stunt casting was natural to Carpenter, who admired the wrestler's natural grit.
17:37I'm trying to save you and your family's life.
17:46His quiet expressiveness through the first half of the movie is indeed moving.
17:50Of course he kills the second half's awesome action and one-liners.
17:53I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass.
17:58This helped to make They Live a cult classic.
18:06Piper continued a prolific acting career, but usually in supporting roles and low-profile
18:10genre fare.
18:11Nonetheless, one of wrestling's most beloved heels is equally recognizable as a hero against
18:16alien and corporate overlords.
18:19Number 3.
18:20Alicia Silverstone.
18:21Clueless.
18:22Alicia Silverstone was poised to be a sensation even before her breakout film.
18:27She appeared in three Aerosmith music videos and won an MTV Movie Award for the moderately
18:31successful The Crush.
18:33Then, she became a teen idol as the star of the glamorous rom-com Clueless.
18:38If the government could just get to the kitchen, rearrange some things, we could certainly party
18:42with the Haliens.
18:43And in conclusion, may I please remind you that it does not say RSVP on the Statue of
18:50Liberty.
18:51Silverstone's iconic portrayal of Cher Horowitz landed her a high-profile deal with Columbia
18:55TriStar and her own production company.
18:58Unfortunately, her next big role will be Batgirl in 1997's Batman and Robin.
19:12The movie was an infamous critical and box office disaster, earning Silverstone a Golden
19:17Raspberry Award.
19:18She would never again star in a blockbuster.
19:20Silverstone is still busy and beloved for Clueless, but no less famous for representing
19:24the risks in overnight stardom.
19:26You're a virgin who can't drive.
19:30That was way harsh, Ty.
19:35Number 2.
19:36Paul Hogan, Crocodile Dundee Trilogy.
19:39He wasn't happy with the grip he had on me, so he let go to get a better one and I talked
19:42him out of it.
19:43Tough.
19:45Paul Hogan's comedy career was strong enough in Australia to spawn a long-running TV variety
19:52show.
19:53His subsequent acting and screenwriting breakout made him a national treasure.
19:56Whether his countrymen liked it or not.
19:58Though Crocodile Dundee has been criticized for popularizing Australian stereotypes, among
20:02others.
20:03And Outback Adventures exploits in New York were a global pop culture phenomenon.
20:07Hogan won a Golden Globe and reprised Crocodile Dundee in two sequels, with more commercial
20:17success than critical.
20:19He didn't even have that with his handful of other projects through the years.
20:22Among them was the 2020 meta-comedy The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee, which basically admits
20:27that Hogan is a one-hit wonder.
20:29And maybe afterwards we can take a selfie and remind the world how much we love you.
20:33Still, how many actors can claim a permanent culture icon?
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20:53Number 1.
20:54George Lazenby On Her Majesty's Secret Service
20:57Hello, you old devil.
20:59MI6 agent James Bond has propelled the already established careers of many actors.
21:03The second to play him on the big screen wasn't so fortunate.
21:06Australian model George Lazenby had never acted before replacing Sean Connery for the
21:11sixth 007 movie.
21:13On Her Majesty's Secret Service was naturally a box office smash, despite mixed reviews that
21:17were particularly split on the lead actor.
21:19Well, Tracy, next time, play it safe and stand on five.
21:22People who want to stay alive, play it safe.
21:26Please stay alive.
21:28At least for tonight.
21:29Lazenby became the only Bond to decline sequels in favor of other opportunities.
21:34He wound up starring in several B movies before resigning to supporting roles in minor Hollywood
21:38fare.
21:39When Lazenby formally retired in 2024, he had not acted in three years, but he'll forever
21:44be synonymous with his would-be big break, now considered a highlight of the 007 saga.
21:49When I've done what I teach you, you'll forget it forever, forever, forever.
21:59What are your favorite one-hit performances?
22:01Do these and other actors have other movies worth hyping up?
22:04Give your take in the comments.
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