LGBTQ+ Actresses Who Were Pushed Aside After One Big Breakout

Hollywood loves a fresh face, but the industry has a long history of struggling to support talent that exists outside the heteronormative status quo. Many LGBTQ+ actresses have experienced the dizzying heights of a massive breakout role only to find their opportunities dwindling or their careers taking unexpected detours. Whether due to explicit industry bias, typecasting, or the pressure of living authentically in a restrictive era, these performers saw their momentum stall after major successes. This list explores the talented women and non-binary actors who made a splash but were often sidelined or forced to pivot when the leading roles stopped coming.

Anne Heche

Anne Heche was on the fast track to becoming one of the biggest stars in the world with roles in ‘Donnie Brasco’ (1997) and ‘Volcano’ (1997). Her career trajectory changed dramatically when she went public with her relationship with Ellen DeGeneres, a move that was virtually unheard of for a leading lady at the time. Executives and studios reportedly cooled on casting her in romantic lead roles, effectively blacklisting her from the A-list tier she was poised to dominate. She continued to work consistently in independent films and television until her tragic death, but she never regained the blockbuster momentum she had before coming out.

Kelly McGillis

After soaring to international fame as the instructor Charlie Blackwood in ‘Top Gun’ (1986) and starring in ‘Witness’ (1985), Kelly McGillis seemed unstoppable. However, her career in major studio films began to fade as she stepped away from the limelight and later came out as a lesbian. McGillis has spoken openly about how her priorities shifted away from the superficial demands of Hollywood and toward her sobriety and personal truth. While she remains an icon of 80s cinema, the industry did not offer her the longevity afforded to her male co-stars.

Nikki Blonsky

Nikki Blonsky captured hearts globally with her Golden Globe-nominated performance as Tracy Turnblad in the musical adaptation of ‘Hairspray’ (2007). Despite this massive debut, Blonsky struggled to find significant follow-up roles that matched her talent and charisma. She later worked in a shoe store and a hair salon to make ends meet, highlighting the fickle nature of industry success for performers who do not fit a specific mold. Blonsky, who came out as gay in 2020, has since become a vocal advocate for the community while continuing to seek opportunities in entertainment.

Heather Matarazzo

Best known for her scene-stealing role as the acerbic best friend Lilly in ‘The Princess Diaries’ (2001) and her breakout in ‘Welcome to the Dollhouse’ (1995), Heather Matarazzo seemed destined for a long career in character acting. However, she has frequently expressed frustration on social media about the lack of substantive roles available to her despite her proven track record. Matarazzo has detailed the financial and emotional struggles of maintaining a career in a business that often discards unique talents after their initial splash. She continues to act in independent projects but remains an example of an underutilized talent.

Kristanna Loken

Kristanna Loken burst onto the scene as the deadly T-X in the blockbuster ‘Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines’ (2003). While the role positioned her as the next big action star, her mainstream film career did not sustain that high-profile momentum. Loken, who has been open about her bisexual relationships, found herself largely relegated to B-movies and television guest spots in the years following her debut. Her career shifted towards producing and smaller genre films rather than the tentpole franchises many expected her to lead.

Amanda Bearse

Amanda Bearse gained fame in the horror classic ‘Fright Night’ (1985) and became a household name as Marcy D’Arcy on ‘Married… with Children’ (1987–1997). During her tenure on the sitcom, she became the first primetime actress to come out as a lesbian, a brave move that had palpable consequences for her on-screen prospects. Realizing the acting landscape was hostile to out women, she successfully pivoted to directing, helming dozens of episodes of the sitcom she starred in. While she built a respected career behind the camera, her acting opportunities were undeniably curtailed by the industry’s climate.

Kristy McNichol

In the late 1970s and early 80s, Kristy McNichol was one of the biggest television stars in America, winning two Emmy Awards for ‘Family’ (1976–1980). However, the immense pressure of concealing her sexuality and dealing with mental health struggles led her to retire from acting prematurely in the 1990s. She largely disappeared from the public eye for two decades before officially coming out to support others who were being bullied. McNichol’s departure serves as a stark reminder of the personal toll the industry’s intolerance took on its brightest young stars.

Portia de Rossi

Portia de Rossi broke out as the icy Nelle Porter on ‘Ally McBeal’ (1998–2002) and solidified her comedic chops on ‘Arrested Development’ (2003–2006). Although she worked on high-profile shows, the tabloids’ obsession with her sexuality and her relationship with Ellen DeGeneres often overshadowed her professional work. She eventually chose to retire from acting to focus on art curation and business ventures. While her exit was voluntary, it followed years of navigating an industry that often treated her personal life as a spectacle.

Meredith Baxter

Meredith Baxter was “America’s Mom” on the hit sitcom ‘Family Ties’ (1982–1989), a role that cemented her place in pop culture history. For years, she lived a closeted life, fearing that revealing her truth would destroy her career in family-friendly television. When she came out later in life, she found her acting opportunities were largely confined to Lifetime movies and guest appearances rather than major network leads. Her career transition reflects the difficulty legacy stars face when their public image clashes with their private reality.

Saffron Burrows

British actress Saffron Burrows had a major leading role in the sci-fi thriller ‘Deep Blue Sea’ (1999), which seemed to herald her arrival as a mainstream movie star. Despite her striking presence and talent, she drifted into supporting roles in television series rather than anchoring major films. Burrows, who has been open about her relationships with women, has maintained a steady career but never quite returned to the blockbuster heights of her breakout. She remains a working actor who is often underappreciated for her range.

Guinevere Turner

Guinevere Turner was the breakout star and writer of the landmark lesbian film ‘Go Fish’ (1994), which is considered a classic of New Queer Cinema. While the film launched her as an indie darling, mainstream Hollywood failed to capitalize on her unique presence as an actress. Turner pivoted successfully to screenwriting, penning scripts for ‘American Psycho’ and ‘The L Word’, finding greater success behind the scenes. Her acting career became secondary, illustrating how the industry often pigeonholes queer creators.

Raven-Symoné

After growing up on screen, Raven-Symoné achieved massive success with her own Disney Channel sitcom, ‘That’s So Raven’ (2003–2007). While she became a mogul in the teen and kids’ market, her transition to adult film roles was virtually non-existent compared to her peers. After coming out, she found a new niche as a television host and returned to her sitcom roots, but the broad film career many predicted never materialized. She has spoken candidly about the boxes the industry places on child stars who are also queer women of color.

Margaret Cho

Margaret Cho broke ground with her sitcom ‘All-American Girl’ (1994–1995), the first network show to feature an Asian-American family. The show was plagued by network interference and was cancelled after one season, leaving Cho’s acting career in limbo. She reinvented herself as a fearless stand-up comedian and LGBTQ+ icon, often discussing the racism and homophobia she faced in Hollywood. While she appears in guest roles, the industry never gave her another vehicle that matched her initial potential.

Ruby Rose

Ruby Rose became an overnight sensation after joining the cast of ‘Orange Is the New Black’ (2015), leading to roles in action films like ‘John Wick: Chapter 2’ (2017). She was cast as the lead in the TV series ‘Batwoman’ (2019) but left the show after one season following on-set injuries and allegations of a toxic work environment. Since then, her momentum has stalled significantly, with her output shifting primarily to direct-to-video action movies. Her rapid rise and abrupt plateau highlight the volatility of fame for viral breakout stars.

Shannon Purser

Shannon Purser became a viral phenomenon as the character Barb in ‘Stranger Things’ (2016), earning an Emmy nomination despite her limited screen time. She capitalized on this with a lead role in the teen film ‘Sierra Burgess Is a Loser’ (2018), but the film received mixed reviews and sparked controversy. Purser, who came out as bisexual, has struggled to find another role that captured the cultural zeitgeist like Barb did. She continues to work, but the “justice for Barb” momentum did not translate into a sustained A-list career.

Evan Rachel Wood

Evan Rachel Wood earned critical acclaim as a teen in ‘Thirteen’ (2003) and later found success on HBO’s ‘Westworld’ (2016–2022). However, her career faced headwinds following her public activism and the high-profile abuse allegations she made against a former partner. Despite her immense talent, she has appeared in fewer projects in recent years, a common occurrence for women who speak out against powerful figures in the industry. Her journey reflects the complex intersection of advocacy and employability in Hollywood.

Amber Heard

Amber Heard transitioned from supporting roles to a blockbuster lead as Mera in the billion-dollar hit ‘Aquaman’ (2018). Her highly publicized legal battles and the subsequent media circus effectively halted her career, making her a polarizing figure that studios became hesitant to hire. Regardless of the legal outcomes, her trajectory from rising superstar to industry pariah was swift and absolute. She has since moved away from Hollywood, with her future in major cinema remaining uncertain.

Maria Bello

Maria Bello delivered powerhouse performances in films like ‘Coyote Ugly’ (2000) and ‘A History of Violence’ (2005), establishing herself as a versatile leading woman. After publicly writing about her relationship with a woman in a “Coming Out” essay, her film roles shifted noticeably toward television procedurals like ‘NCIS’. While she remains a respected working actor, the prestigious film offers that defined her early career seemed to dry up. She has since focused on producing and writing, carving out a new path for herself.

Rosie O’Donnell

Rosie O’Donnell was a box office draw in the 90s with hits like ‘A League of Their Own’ (1992) and ‘The Flintstones’ (1994). After launching her wildly successful talk show and coming out, her “Queen of Nice” image was dismantled by the media, and her film acting career largely evaporated. She became a lightning rod for political controversy, which overshadowed her capabilities as a dramatic and comedic actress. O’Donnell has returned to acting in series like ‘SMILF’, but her days as a movie star ended with her coming out.

Ellen DeGeneres

While primarily a comedian, Ellen DeGeneres was a rising actress with her own sitcom and film roles like ‘Mr. Wrong’ (1996) before her career imploded. After her character came out in the famous “Puppy Episode,” her show was cancelled, and she was blacklisted from acting for several years. She reinvented herself as a daytime host, but her potential as a scripted comedic actress was cut short by the backlash. Her recent cancellation following workplace toxicity allegations marked a second major stall in her entertainment career.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan was the defining teen star of her generation with hits like ‘Mean Girls’ (2004) and ‘Freaky Friday’ (2003). Her career derailed due to personal struggles and intense tabloid scrutiny, which included coverage of her relationship with DJ Samantha Ronson. The industry branded her as “uninsurable,” and she spent over a decade unable to secure the leading roles she once commanded. She has recently begun a comeback with Netflix, but her prime years were lost to a media culture that devoured her.

Megan Fox

Megan Fox became a global sex symbol following ‘Transformers’ (2007) but faced a severe backlash after making negative comments about director Michael Bay. Fox, who has been open about her bisexuality, was blacklisted from major franchises and relegated to smaller roles for years. Critics and audiences often dismissed her talent, focusing solely on her image until cult classic status redeemed her performance in ‘Jennifer’s Body’. She continues to work, but the industry effectively paused her rise for speaking her mind.

Indya Moore

Indya Moore broke barriers and hearts as Angel in the groundbreaking FX series ‘Pose’ (2018–2021). As a trans non-binary actor, Moore received critical acclaim and high-fashion modeling contracts, yet major film roles have been slow to follow. The industry often celebrates diverse talent in specific “identity” stories while failing to integrate them into general blockbuster casting. Moore remains a powerful voice for trans rights, but their acting filmography does not yet reflect their breakout potential.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg made a tear-jerking debut as Rue in ‘The Hunger Games’ (2012) and earned praise for ‘The Hate U Give’ (2018). However, their recent lead role in the Star Wars series ‘The Acolyte’ (2024) was met with intense polarized backlash and resulted in the show’s cancellation. Stenberg, who is gay and non-binary, has faced a unique brand of online vitriol that often accompanies diverse casting in major franchises. This hostility creates a difficult environment for sustaining the momentum necessary for a blockbuster career.

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne transitioned from the runway to the screen with high hopes in ‘Paper Towns’ (2015) and ‘Suicide Squad’ (2016). While she secured these major roles, critical reception was often harsh, and her film career cooled significantly compared to her modeling dominance. Delevingne has been open about her pansexuality and gender fluidity, often taking roles in fantasy or ensemble pieces. She has recently found steady work in ‘Only Murders in the Building’, but the push to make her a solo movie star has largely subsided.

Taylor Schilling

Taylor Schilling was the face of the streaming revolution as Piper Chapman in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ (2013–2019). Despite the show’s massive success and her award nominations, Schilling did not vault into a consistent film career post-series. She has appeared in smaller projects and limited series, often flying under the radar compared to some of her co-stars. Schilling, who confirmed she is in a relationship with a visual artist, maintains a low profile that contrasts with the ubiquity of her breakout character.

Share your thoughts on which of these actresses you would like to see make a major comeback in the comments.