Top Celebrity Acting Attempts That Failed

Sometimes fame in one field opens doors to another, but the jump to scripted roles doesn’t always land. Plenty of singers, athletes, and reality stars have stepped in front of the camera hoping to kick off a screen career, only to find that audiences and critics didn’t follow. The projects below struggled with reviews, viewership, or ticket sales, and they rarely led to lasting acting momentum for the stars involved.

This isn’t about piling on. It’s a look at what actually happened with these projects and why they stalled. You’ll see box office results that fell short of expectations, television appearances that didn’t convert into recurring roles, and high-profile titles that won attention for the wrong reasons. Here are twenty attempts that didn’t turn into the acting careers their celebrities might have hoped for.

Mariah Carey

Carey’s lead turn in ‘Glitter’ arrived with major promotion but drew negative reviews that focused on the film’s script and direction. The movie’s theatrical run fell well below industry expectations, and its home video life didn’t reverse its reception.

The poor response didn’t translate into more lead offers. Carey’s later screen appearances have been limited to brief roles and voice work, while her primary career continued in music and live performance.

Madonna

Madonna headlined ‘Body of Evidence’ and later ‘Swept Away’, both of which struggled with critics and ticket buyers. ‘Swept Away’ posted very low box office returns relative to its wide release, and it quickly exited theaters.

After those results, her subsequent acting roles were sporadic and often minor. She shifted her creative focus toward touring and directing, where she pursued projects behind the camera rather than chasing more lead acting vehicles.

Shaquille O’Neal

O’Neal’s superhero outing ‘Steel’ and family fantasy ‘Kazaam’ posted weak critical scores and underperformed at the box office. The films became frequent examples of athlete-led vehicles that didn’t connect with general audiences.

Studios didn’t greenlight further star-driven features around him after those results. O’Neal’s on-screen presence moved toward reality formats, endorsements, and sports broadcasting instead of continued scripted leads.

Dennis Rodman

Rodman’s buddy action movie ‘Double Team’ paired him with established talent, yet reviews highlighted mismatched tone and thin plotting. The follow-up ‘Simon Sez’ earned even lower notices and minimal ticket sales.

With two consecutive features missing expectations, the push to frame Rodman as an action star ended. His screen time afterward leaned toward cameos, reality television, and documentary projects rather than narrative films.

Hulk Hogan

Hogan fronted comedies like ‘Mr. Nanny’ and ‘Suburban Commando’ during the height of his wrestling fame. The titles pulled in modest revenue but didn’t achieve the kind of returns studios seek when building a new family franchise.

As audience interest waned, Hogan’s opportunities shifted to guest spots and wrestling-related media. The films didn’t spawn sequels, and his acting output in theatrical features tapered off.

Paris Hilton

Hilton’s lead role in ‘The Hottie & the Nottie’ drew overwhelmingly negative reviews and extremely low box office, becoming a case study in celebrity branding not translating to tickets. The film’s performance limited further theatrical offers.

Subsequent appearances tended to be cameos or reality projects tied to her existing media persona. Casting directors rarely pursued her for substantial scripted roles after the movie’s release.

Kim Kardashian

Kardashian’s early scripted appearances included ensemble spoofs like ‘Disaster Movie’, which were widely panned by reviewers. Those projects earned publicity but didn’t build a path to recurring or lead roles in major films.

Her screen work pivoted to reality television, hosting, and business ventures. While she has continued to make occasional appearances, those early films did not establish a sustained acting track.

Kelly Clarkson

Clarkson co-starred in the musical romance ‘From Justin to Kelly’, which posted low critical marks and weak theatrical attendance. The film’s quick exit from theaters underscored limited audience interest.

Following that result, Clarkson concentrated on recording and touring. Later on-screen projects for her centered on music specials and hosting rather than narrative acting roles.

Vanilla Ice

Vanilla Ice’s star vehicle ‘Cool as Ice’ attempted to leverage chart success into box office momentum. Reviews were poor, and the film earned little during its run, missing projections for a youth-market hit.

The outcome closed the door on further lead roles. His later screen appearances were largely reality series, cameos, and self-referential projects rather than traditional acting parts.

Cindy Crawford

Crawford’s action thriller ‘Fair Game’ positioned her as a lead opposite a seasoned co-star. Critics cited story and performance issues, and the film’s domestic gross landed below expectations for its genre.

Afterward, Crawford stepped back from acting pursuits. Work on television, modeling, and entrepreneurship took precedence, and no comparable lead vehicles followed.

Prince

Prince directed and starred in ‘Under the Cherry Moon’ and later returned with ‘Graffiti Bridge’. Both films received poor notices and produced modest box office compared with his musical achievements.

The reception curtailed interest in further narrative features led by him. Prince returned his focus to recording, touring, and innovative live productions instead of building a screen acting résumé.

Gisele Bündchen

Bündchen appeared in the action comedy ‘Taxi’, which critics received unfavorably and which did not become a lasting franchise. While the film had visibility, it didn’t prompt subsequent lead acting offers.

Her on-screen work afterward centered on modeling-related appearances and brief roles. The project demonstrated the difficulty of converting fashion fame into sustained film opportunities.

David Beckham

Beckham’s cameo in the fantasy adventure ‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’ drew attention but not for elevating the film’s reception. The movie struggled commercially in key markets and didn’t continue as a planned universe.

Producers did not expand his part into additional scripted roles. Beckham’s media presence continued through football ownership, documentaries, and endorsements rather than acting projects.

Jessica Simpson

Simpson took on roles in titles such as ‘Employee of the Month’ and ‘Blonde Ambition’. The films received weak reviews and failed to establish her as a bankable comedic lead with audiences.

Following those releases, Simpson’s career moved back toward music, fashion, and television appearances. Casting for major narrative films did not ramp up, and acting remained an occasional sideline.

Britney Spears

Spears headlined ‘Crossroads’, which drew mixed-to-negative critical response while relying on her music fandom for turnout. Although the movie found some viewers, it didn’t spark further lead roles in studio features.

After the film’s run, Spears focused on recording, touring, and extended residencies. Her screen appearances since have generally been cameos or self-parody segments rather than traditional acting work.

Ja Rule

Rapper Ja Rule’s action entry ‘Half Past Dead’ arrived during his chart success but suffered from poor reviews and limited staying power in theaters. The film didn’t connect strongly with action audiences or critics.

With no breakout role to build on, major studios did not position him for subsequent leads. His screen presence shifted to music-centric content, brief appearances, and reality formats.

KSI

The influencer-led comedy ‘Laid in America’ aimed at his online audience but drew low critical marks and modest engagement beyond core fans. Without strong word of mouth, the project didn’t reach wider streaming or home video success.

The film did not lead to broader casting calls in mainstream features. KSI’s media efforts continued in music, boxing events, and digital content, where his following remained strongest.

Cara Delevingne

Delevingne took prominent parts in ‘Suicide Squad’ and led ‘Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets’. While both titles had major marketing, critics flagged story and character issues, and ‘Valerian’ underperformed in key territories.

These outcomes slowed the transition from modeling to bankable film star. Delevingne’s later roles leaned toward ensembles and television, and the momentum for big-budget leads cooled.

Ashlee Simpson

Simpson starred in the independent drama ‘Undiscovered’, which struggled to find an audience and earned poor reviews on release. The film’s limited box office reflected minimal traction outside of her music fan base.

After the film, Simpson refocused on recording and television projects tied to her personal brand. Casting interest in substantial narrative roles remained limited.

Machine Gun Kelly

Machine Gun Kelly co-wrote and starred in the stoner comedy ‘Good Mourning’, which received very low critical scores and minimal theatrical earnings. The project did not secure strong streaming buzz after its brief run.

The response didn’t translate into more leading offers in studio comedies. His subsequent screen activity emphasized music videos, tour films, and supporting appearances rather than building a headlining acting career.

Share the ones you think deserved a second chance in the comments.