Jussie Smollett's role on Empire made him a celebrated figure and a rising star. His career unraveled after he was convicted of staging a fake hate crime against himself in 2021, a scandal that led to his removal from the show. The bizarre case turned him from a sympathetic figure into a national controversy, completely derailing his promising trajectory. | © Netflix
Hartley Sawyer landed a major break as a series regular on The Flash, raising his profile significantly. That opportunity vanished in 2020 when a history of offensive tweets resurfaced, prompting Warner Bros. to fire him immediately. He issued an apology, but the incident effectively ended his acting career, cutting his rise short just as it began. | © The CW
Danny Masterson remained best known for his role on That '70s Show for decades after it ended. His career came to a definitive end in 2023 when he was convicted on multiple counts of sexual assault, resulting in a lengthy prison sentence. The verdict saw former co-stars quickly distance themselves, cementing his complete fall from grace. | © Fox Network
Armie Hammer was on the cusp of major stardom after acclaimed performances in films like Call Me by Your Name. Then in 2021, a torrent of disturbing online messages and abuse allegations led to his swift abandonment by agents and studios. He now lives far from Hollywood, his once-promising leading-man career effectively over. | © Sony Pictures Releasing
Katherine Heigl seemed unstoppable after winning an Emmy for Grey's Anatomy. However, her public criticism of the show's scripts painted her as "difficult" in Hollywood, causing major studio opportunities to dry up. She's since found a steady niche in TV and streaming movies, but that early reputation cost her a shot at the A-list film career her talent had promised. | © 20th Century Fox
Ansel Elgort was Hollywood's next big thing after starring in hits like Baby Driver and The Fault in Our Stars. Then in 2020, sexual misconduct accusations surfaced online, which he denied, but the damage to his rising star was done. His film work has since slowed to a crawl, with his public presence largely shifting to his music career as a DJ. | © Sony Pictures Releasing
Stephen Collins built a decades-long career playing America's favorite TV dad on 7th Heaven. That wholesome image was shattered completely when he admitted to inappropriate sexual conduct with minors, an admission that ended his career overnight. His show lives on in syndication, but Collins himself remains a glaring example of personal scandal permanently erasing public goodwill and professional standing. | © Paramount Global
Crispin Glover became an instant icon as George McFly in Back to the Future, but a contract dispute saw him famously replaced for the sequels. His fiercely unconventional persona and artistic choices then made Hollywood wary of casting him in mainstream roles. He's since carved a unique path as a cult figure in experimental film and art, deliberately sidestepping the traditional stardom that once seemed within reach. | © Paradiso Entertainment
Shia LaBeouf transformed from a Disney star into a critically respected actor, proving his raw talent in gritty roles. That hard-won credibility was quickly eclipsed by a string of personal arrests and abuse allegations, making major studios hesitant to work with him. Though he's sought treatment and returned through indie films, the consistent turmoil has kept him from achieving the stable career. | © Sony Pictures Releasing
James Franco juggled acting, directing, and academia with an aura of boundless potential. That all changed in 2018 when multiple allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced, leading him to admit to inappropriate behavior. While he hasn't formally retired, the scandal effectively froze his once-celebrated career in its tracks. | © Metrodome Distribution
Audiences forever see her as the beloved Topanga from Boy Meets World, a role that became both a blessing and a career-long shadow. Despite her charm, Fishel struggled to land significant parts after the show ended, pivoting instead to hosting and production work. Even her nostalgic return in Girl Meets World couldn't reignite a major acting career outside that iconic character. | © ABC Family
After Dirty Dancing made her an icon, Jennifer Grey's career faced an unexpected hurdle: a nose job that dramatically changed her famous face. She herself admitted the procedure rendered her virtually unrecognizable to casting directors, halting her momentum. While a Dancing with the Stars win later revived public affection, her chance at sustained leading-lady status had already passed. | © Vestron Pictures
Lea Michele's potential seemed limitless after Glee, but her trajectory was altered by bullying allegations from former co-stars in 2020. The controversy prompted a public apology and a step back from the Hollywood spotlight. Her successful Broadway return in Funny Girl proved her talent, yet the earlier controversy dimmed her potential for wider screen success. | © 20th Century Studios
Emile Hirsch was a rising star until a 2015 incident at Sundance, where he assaulted a female film executive at a party. The resulting guilty plea and sentencing made major studios wary, stalling his promising momentum. Though he's since worked in independent films and issued an apology, that single night largely derailed his shot at mainstream stardom. | © Columbia Pictures
Kevin Spacey's career trajectory once looked like a sure path to legendary status, but it collapsed overnight following multiple allegations of misconduct. Netflix infamously fired him from House of Cards, and Hollywood quickly erased him from upcoming projects. While he has since surfaced in small European films, his days as a major Hollywood player are decisively over. | © Netflix
Hollywood is full of actors who had the talent, the role, and the momentum for major stardom. But sometimes, one misstep is all it takes for that future to disappear. These are the careers that burned bright, then suddenly flickered out.
