Becoming a successful actor is certainly no easy task. This profession requires style, talent, visual appeal, and a willingness to accept a variety of roles. However, there have also been times when seemingly successful personalities have torpedoed their careers due to a single misinformed decision. Let's examine some major players who were reduced to virtual anonymity after making the wrong choices.
Lillo Brancato
During the 1990s, Lillo Brancato was considered one of the hottest up-and-coming young actors. He received particularly favourable reviews after co-starring in the critically acclaimed A BRONX TALE alongside veteran CHAZZ PALMINTERI. This all began to change after Brancato experienced several brushes with the law. He racked up several charges in the early 2000s; some of the most serious being first-degree manslaughter,, and attempted burglary. These mistakes essentially ended his career on the silver screen. While Brancato has attempted to make a return with the help of ventures (such as landing a role in The Sopranos), it is fair to say that he will never return to glory.
George Lazenby
Lazenby's career peaked when he landed the role of James Bond for ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE, and got mixed reviews for it on its time, although “his Bond” has better optics nowadays. The popular spy, well known for his activities playing online slots at Lucky Nugget casino in the films, was different when he portrayed it. He was offered the chance to repeat the role in the next film, THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN… But he refused.
After a conversation with his manager, Ronan O’Rahilly, he was convinced that the secret agent would be archaic in the 1970s, thus, it would fail soon. The torch went to Roger Moore and Sean Connery, although Lazenby has starred in different parodies and unofficial 007 roles since then. Sadly for his career, he would never have a great hit again.
Jennifer Grey
Jennifer Grey was easily one of the highest-billed actors of the 1990s. While she might be primarily known for her unforgettable role alongside Patrick Swayze in DIRTY DANCING, she was able to rack up several additional accolades. However, this sense of momentum does not always turn out as planned. During the filming of the 1992 drama WIND, Grey was convinced to obtain plastic surgery due to a small "bump" on her nose. What resulted was a face that would become virtually unrecognisable to fans. She claimed that this caused her to lose her identity (and career) overnight. Although Grey still performs, her ventures are generally limited to smaller roles, and television series such as Dancing With the Stars. Might her meteoric rise have continued if she opted out of plastic surgery? The world will never know.
What can we learn from these situations? If there is one takeaway point to consider, it is that actors are far from perfect. They can sometimes make poor decisions, and be forced to live with the subsequent consequences. However, the only real hazard in life is to risk nothing.
