Fran Drescher had been building up her career for years, through television. Who could forget her iconic role in “The Nanny”? She became widely popular through it, and casting directors felt she was ready, and so did she, for bigger challenges.
She finally got her first leading lady role on the big screen, with “The Beautician and the Beast”. The title itself sounds tawdry, but that’s nothing compared to the movie itself. Drescher simply couldn’t connect to her audience. The movie was horribly written, and no one’s acting cut it. That was the last of Drescher’s leading lady role attempts.
Rebecca Gayheart in Jawbreaker
Rebecca Gayheart starred in suspense-thriller movies in the 90s. She was a solid hit back in those days, popular with teenagers who loved her in "Urban Legends", and "Scream II".
When it was time to expand her fanbase, she took on a role in "Beverly Hills 90210", capturing prime-time attention on TV. She made another venture into the movie industry and got ensnared into the dark comedy "Jawbreaker". While the film enjoys cult classic status, Gayheart paid badly for it. She hasn’t had any opportunities to get back on top since then, and her career practically ended before it had really begun.
Will Smith in After Earth
Kudos to Will Smith for guiding his son, Jaden, showing him the ropes in acting, which is a warm story in itself. The father-and-son tandem has shown some glints of success in the past, but "After Earth" turned out to be a huge flop.
Perhaps it was a sacrifice Will Smith was ready to take, as he even took a back seat most of the time, to make way for Jaden’s role to unfold. The futuristic theme of the movie didn’t click. It was simply a forgettable movie, and it took Will Smith another two years to come back with a noteworthy film, titled "Concussion".
John Travolta Took a Big Hit After Scientology-Inspired Film
John Travolta has been a household name for years; his career was buttressed by box office successes, "Saturday Night Fever", "Grease", and "Pulp Fiction". With his name so beautifully established, it seemed like there was nothing Travolta could do wrong. Until, of course, the advent of his Scientology-inspired film, "Battlefield Earth", in 2000.
Not only did this box-office failure slump Travolta’s career, but it also dragged the production company down into bankruptcy along with it. Travolta floundered for years following the film, based on Ron Hubbard’s novel of the same name. He kept himself relevant and kept his head above water, by appearing in a string of forgettable movies, up until he eventually snatched a role in the 2015 TV series, "American Crime Story", playing the role of Robert Shapiro.
Eddie Murphy in Imagine That
There was a phase in Eddie Murphy’s career when he could turn any action-comedy film into gold, as it were; major blockbusters. The man was beloved all over the world, deemed the funniest comedian alive. He’d reaped huge rewards from the Beverly Hills Cop and Doctor Dolittle franchises. Then, out of nowhere, he wasn’t so funny anymore.
His role in "Imagine That" was abhorred, scathed by critics. Even his most ardent fans would have none of it, and it’s funny how he’s never really regained his former form.