Worst Actresses of All Time

Lists like this always spark debate, and for good reason. Careers evolve and tastes change, yet some performances left a mark for the wrong reasons. The entries below highlight actresses whose screen work drew persistent criticism, weak box office, or a stack of Golden Raspberry notices. Each mini profile sticks to verifiable career notes and roles so you can judge the track record for yourself.

Madonna

Madonna’s feature leads often struggled with critics and audiences. Films like ‘Shanghai Surprise’, ‘Body of Evidence’, and ‘Swept Away’ earned multiple Golden Raspberry Awards. Her best received work tends to be in supporting or cameo roles where music and persona take the lead. Despite major cultural impact in music, her filmography rarely found the same success.

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton headlined ‘The Hottie & the Nottie’ after appearances in ‘House of Wax’ and several cameos. Her lead vehicle drew very poor reviews and minimal box office. The performance brought her Golden Raspberry attention including worst actress honors. Most of her on-screen work since then has been limited to brief appearances and reality projects.

Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson’s big swing came with ‘Barb Wire’, adapted from the Dark Horse comic. The film underperformed and earned harsh reviews for story and acting. She picked up Raspberry recognition early as a new star and later as a lead. Subsequent roles leaned toward television and self-parody where she found a steadier lane.

Megan Fox

Megan Fox broke out with ‘Transformers’ and later took leads in thrillers and action projects. Several titles such as ‘Jonah Hex’ and ‘Midnight in the Switchgrass’ drew poor notices. She collected Golden Raspberry nominations and wins tied to these films. Recent screen time has focused on genre pieces and supporting roles with mixed outcomes.

Tara Reid

Tara Reid’s early mainstream profile came from ‘American Pie’ and ‘Van Wilder’. The horror title ‘Alone in the Dark’ became a critical low point. She received Raspberry nominations connected to that performance. Later work shifted toward television movies and cult titles with modest distribution.

Denise Richards

Denise Richards made a splash in ‘Starship Troopers’ and ‘Wild Things’. Her turn as a Bond heroine in ‘The World Is Not Enough’ was widely criticized. She received a Golden Raspberry Award for that supporting role. Afterward she worked steadily on television and reality series with occasional film appearances.

Bo Derek

Bo Derek became a pop culture figure with ’10’ then moved into starring vehicles. ‘Bolero’ landed among the most criticized films of its year. She earned multiple Raspberry awards for lead performances. Later credits were sporadic and often played off her earlier fame.

Pia Zadora

Pia Zadora’s early roles in ‘Butterfly’ and ‘The Lonely Lady’ were met with punishing reviews. She collected several Raspberry awards including worst actress. Despite high visibility at the time, the films performed poorly. Zadora later pivoted to stage and music engagements.

Elizabeth Berkley

Elizabeth Berkley’s first major film lead came with ‘Showgirls’. The movie’s initial reception was extremely negative and her performance drew a worst actress Raspberry. It later found cult status, but industry fallout affected her feature opportunities. Berkley rebuilt with stage performances and television appearances.

Sofia Coppola

Before directing, Sofia Coppola acted in ‘The Godfather Part III’. Her supporting role drew notable criticism and a Raspberry for worst supporting actress. The reception helped steer her away from acting. She later forged a celebrated directing career with ‘Lost in Translation’ and other acclaimed films.

Brigitte Nielsen

Brigitte Nielsen’s filmography includes ‘Red Sonja’, ‘Rocky IV’, and ‘Cobra’. Several performances brought Raspberry nominations. Critics frequently cited limited range and stiff line delivery. She later focused on television and reality formats while making occasional film cameos.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey’s starring vehicle ‘Glitter’ struggled critically and commercially. The role earned her a Raspberry for worst actress. She later received praise for a small turn in ‘Precious’, which contrasted with her earlier film reception. Most of her on-screen work since then has been selective and music centered.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan began with well received teen hits like ‘Freaky Friday’ and ‘Mean Girls’. The psychological thriller ‘I Know Who Killed Me’ became a career low, bringing multiple Raspberry awards. Legal issues and production delays also affected her projects. She has since taken streaming films and television roles with varied responses.

Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba’s highest profile films include ‘Fantastic Four’, ‘Into the Blue’, and ‘The Love Guru’. Several of these drew weak critical notices. She received Raspberry nominations for supporting and lead turns. Alba later built a business career and scaled back major studio leads.

Kate Upton

Kate Upton moved from modeling to acting with comedies such as ‘The Other Woman’ and ‘The Layover’. Reviews often called out thin characterization and uneven delivery. She received Raspberry nominations tied to these titles. Film appearances have been infrequent since, with more focus on fashion and media work.

Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields transitioned from child star to adult leads with mixed results. ‘Sahara’ earned her a Raspberry for worst actress early on. While television and stage brought steadier work, big screen leads rarely connected. She remains active across publishing, theater, and guest roles.

Carmen Electra

Carmen Electra is best known for broad spoof comedies including ‘Scary Movie’, ‘Date Movie’, and ‘Meet the Spartans’. These projects collected poor reviews and brought Raspberry nominations. Her roles often leaned on quick gags rather than character development. She has continued to appear in cameo-driven films and television specials.

Jenny McCarthy

Jenny McCarthy wrote and starred in ‘Dirty Love’, which drew very negative reviews. The film earned her a Raspberry for worst actress. Other screen work focused on cameos and hosting. She shifted toward television presenting and advocacy rather than feature leads.

Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone is associated with ‘Basic Instinct’, yet its 2006 sequel became a critical failure. ‘Basic Instinct 2’ brought her a Raspberry for worst actress. Several thrillers from that period had modest box office and poor notices. She later returned to television and independent projects with steadier reception.

Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson’s acting run included ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’, ‘Employee of the Month’, and ‘Blonde Ambition’. Reviews were largely negative, especially for lead performances. She picked up Raspberry nominations during this period. Simpson ultimately focused on music, branding, and television appearances.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez’s film career includes high profile titles like ‘Gigli’, ‘Jersey Girl’, and ‘The Boy Next Door’. ‘Gigli’ became a landmark flop with widespread negative reviews. She picked up multiple Golden Raspberry nominations and a worst actress win tied to these roles. Later projects leaned on thrillers and romantic dramas with mixed theatrical results.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry headlined ‘Catwoman’, which drew heavy criticism and weak box office relative to its budget. She accepted the Golden Raspberry for worst actress for that role in person. Other mid 2000s films also saw uneven reception. She continued with action thrillers and television work that found steadier audiences.

Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock won a Golden Raspberry for ‘All About Steve’ and accepted it the same weekend she won an Academy Award. The comedy was panned for script and performance issues. Earlier and later roles ranged widely from broad comedies to dramas. She returned to critical favor with later releases while the Razzie remained a notable outlier.

Demi Moore

Demi Moore’s 1996 lead in ‘Striptease’ brought a Golden Raspberry for worst actress. Follow up titles like ‘The Scarlet Letter’ and ‘G.I. Jane’ drew polarized reactions. Several late 90s projects struggled at the box office. She later took supporting roles and television arcs that stabilized her screen presence.

Alicia Silverstone

Alicia Silverstone followed ‘Clueless’ with leads in ‘Batman & Robin’ and ‘Excess Baggage’. ‘Batman & Robin’ received harsh reviews and she earned a Golden Raspberry for supporting actress. Box office momentum cooled after those releases. She continued working in television, theater, and independent films.

Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz’s 2014 run with ‘The Other Woman’, ‘Sex Tape’, and ‘Annie’ attracted poor reviews. She received a Golden Raspberry for supporting actress tied to ‘Annie’. Earlier and later credits showed broader appeal, but that year marked a critical dip. She stepped back from acting afterward before making selective returns.

Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl’s transition from television to film led to leads in ’27 Dresses’, ‘The Ugly Truth’, and ‘One for the Money’. The latter drew weak reviews and she received a Golden Raspberry nomination. Several projects faced modest or disappointing box office. She returned to television where she maintained a steady career.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker’s ‘Sex and the City 2’ was widely criticized and financially underperformed expectations. She shared a Golden Raspberry worst actress award with co stars for that sequel. Additional releases around that time earned mixed notices. Her strongest reception continued on television and stage.

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart’s ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2’ earned her a Golden Raspberry for worst actress. She was also cited for performances in the same awards cycle connected to ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’. Those franchise entries drew consistent critical pushback. She later rebuilt with independent films that gained stronger reviews.

Kim Basinger

Kim Basinger received a Golden Raspberry for worst actress for ‘I Dreamed of Africa’. She also drew Razzie attention for supporting turns around that period. Several titles in the late 1990s and early 2000s landed poorly with critics. Subsequent roles were more selective and often supporting.

Melanie Griffith

Melanie Griffith’s ‘Shining Through’ became a frequent reference point for negative reviews. She collected Razzie attention for that performance and later projects like ‘Two Much’. The early 1990s run delivered weak box office and critical reception. She continued acting in supporting parts and television.

Liza Minnelli

Liza Minnelli’s late 1980s films ‘Rent A Cop’ and ‘Arthur 2: On the Rocks’ were poorly received. She earned a Golden Raspberry for worst actress referencing those titles. The double feature became a case study in star vehicles that missed. Minnelli focused more on stage and concert work afterward.

Faye Dunaway

Faye Dunaway’s portrayal in ‘Mommie Dearest’ drew scathing reviews on release. She received a Golden Raspberry for worst actress for that film. Although it later gained cult status, the initial reaction was sharply negative. She continued acting in a mix of independent features and television.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg’s ‘The Telephone’ faced critical rejection and low turnout. She won a Golden Raspberry for worst actress for that role. Mid 1990s comedies like ‘Eddie’ and ‘Bogus’ also saw poor reviews. Goldberg continued to work across television, hosting, and voice performances.

Katie Holmes

Katie Holmes received Razzie nominations for roles linked to ‘Batman Begins’ and later comedies. Reviews often called out limited material and flat characterization. Several films saw minimal box office impact. She pursued directing, independent projects, and television to broaden her portfolio.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman picked up Razzie nominations tied to ‘Bewitched’ and other mid 2000s projects. Those films drew mixed or negative reviews despite strong marketing. Box office returns were inconsistent across that period. She later regained acclaim through prestige television and select dramas.

Sofía Vergara

Sofía Vergara’s film outings like ‘Hot Pursuit’ drew Razzie nominations and weak critical response. The buddy comedy struggled to find an audience in theaters. Additional live action and voice roles earned mixed notices. She remained a major television star with a steadier reception on the small screen.

Heather Graham

Heather Graham’s erotic thriller ‘Killing Me Softly’ became a frequent target for critics. She received a Razzie nomination for worst actress connected to that release. The film underperformed and later gained notoriety on home video. Graham continued with television arcs and independent features.

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek’s supporting turn in ‘Wild Wild West’ was linked to a Razzie nomination. The film was a major box office disappointment relative to its budget. Reviews criticized the story and character work across the board. Hayek refocused on producing and select lead roles with stronger reception.

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson accumulated Razzie nominations for romantic comedies such as ‘Bride Wars’ and later projects like ‘A Little Bit of Heaven’. Critics cited formulaic scripts and thin roles. Several titles delivered soft box office outcomes. She diversified with television, music ventures, and podcast work while staying selective with film leads.

Share your own picks and overlooked examples in the comments so we can compare notes and debate the list.