It’s rare to pave a career path without a smattering of mistakes and poor choices here and there. The same goes for careers in film. Even the finest, most talented actors sign up for projects and roles they wish they had never taken on—after all, it’s all the more difficult for them to bury the evidence of embarrassing roles. But they can only hope for it to remain unnoticed or be forgotten.
Chris Evans – Not Another Teen Movie
The teen comedy genre generated significant revenue for the film industry, which likely led to the casting of many A-list celebrities in these films in the past. That being said, there are still some movies, such as Not Another Teen Movie, that everyone, including the actors, wishes had never been made or existed. After watching Chris Evans’ recent work, it’s fair to say that Not Another Teen Movie wasn’t his best work. The parody fails to work, and some jokes fail to land.
Arnold Schwarzenegger – Hercules in New York
Before starring in movies like The Terminator, Predator, and Commando, Schwarzenegger had a key role in Hercules in New York. The plot of the movie revolves around Hercules landing on Earth and pursuing a bodybuilding career. The success comes with a hint of regret and a healthy dose of embarrassment for the star—and for good reason. The movie is rife with bad, almost robotic acting and plot holes, but what makes most of it unwatchable is the dubbing of Schwarzenegger’s voice.
Jennifer Aniston – Leprechaun
Aniston did not enter the entertainment industry by barging into a coffeehouse in a wedding gown. Her very first and somewhat embarrassing role was in the 1993 release Leprechaun. The supposedly horror movie horrified fans and Aniston herself. That said, facing the mad killer, Leprechaun managed to garner Aniston several worthwhile roles.
Michelle Pfeiffer – Grease 2
It is a little sad to see some names on this list. If not for movies like Grease 2, Pfeiffer’s acting career would have been immaculate—as evident from her movies Scarface and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Grease 2, on the other hand, was an asteroid gunning for self-destruction. The movie’s production was so bad that it had been nominated for the Worst Picture award at the Stinkers Bad Movie Awards. It was also deemed one of the worst sequels in film history.
Sylvester Stallone – The Party at Kitty and Stud’s
The name of the movie gives away a lot of what it is about and how bad it is. To top it all, Stallone’s acting chops don’t come through. The actor later made it public knowledge that he made $200 for two days of work on the movie, his only choice for sustenance. The Party at Kitty and Stud’s, which has no redeeming points, was thankfully only screened in a select few states originally. As if the film’s failure weren’t enough, the filmmakers redistributed the movie after Rocky’s success and rebranded it as Italian Stallion.
Leonardo DiCaprio – Critters 3
Critters 3 was released in 1991 and is not as well-known as its predecessors. Despite the success of the first two movies in the series, Critters 3 received a disappointing 23% rating on RottenTomatoes. The lack of plot was a major reason Critters 3 never made it big. The movie holds a zero rating from Rotten Tomatoes and is possibly among the biggest career faux passes DiCaprio ever made. Rolling Stones has even labeled it as the worst movie of the actor’s career.
Angelina Jolie – Cyborg 2
It only takes a few minutes for the viewer to determine the movie’s tone. Should one judge a movie by its beginning, this would be it. It’s been a downhill journey all along. This was Jolie’s first movie as a grown-up actor after her role in Lookin’ to Get Out. The role did not do her justice. Plus, the story’s robotic and stoic narrative style peppered with corny, punny humor and silly fight scenes only made matters worse.
Sofia Vergara – The Three Stooges
The Three Stooges came out in 2012 with a small but significant role for Vergara. The movie tells the story of three newborns who were left at the doorstep of an orphanage and grew up there. When they set out to save this “home” from financial hardships, they find themselves wound up in a murder plot and embroiled in a reality TV that brings them stardom. The movie failed to impress the audience and did not receive critical acclaim. Add to that, the plot was confusing, and most characters felt forced into the story.
Halle Berry – Catwoman
It is a fact that no one has been able to match Mitchelle Pfeiffer’s performance in the Catwoman suit. That said, while Halle Berry’s portrayal of Catwoman could very well have hit the mark, given how talented the actress is, it just didn’t do justice to the role. The movie was disliked by critics and audiences alike. The campiness of the movie brought in additional criticism and simply felt like a poor recreation of the famed classic. Halle Berry very graciously accepted the Razzie for Worst Actress as Catwoman and thanked the creators for casting her.
George Clooney – Batman & Robin
The 1997 George Clooney and Arnold Schwarzenegger starrer is considered one of the franchise’s worst creations, as evident from a 12% rating on the Tomatometer and 16% on the Popcornmeter. Clooney’s physical resemblance to the superhero aside, the movie accomplishes little, and there are far too many flaws to ignore. Sure, Clooney’s performance in the movie was not as good as one would expect, but it wasn’t just the actor’s role that kept it from being a great watch.