Now and then, an actor thinks they’re above the project they’re working on. They’ll move on thinking they can access bigger and better things. Unfortunately for them, their career will blow up in flames. Here is a list of actors who left a TV series or film franchise only to see their popularity fade.
1. BRIAN DUNKLEMAN
Did you know that the first season of American Idol had two hosts? It did: Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman. Seacrest has grown to be an incredibly successful player in Hollywood. There’s a good chance you forgot Dunkleman even existed.
2. GEORGE LAZENBY
![George Lazenby](https://bosslevelgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/George-Lazenby.png)
Many people agree that Sean Connery is the best James Bond. When Lazenby was cast to succeed Connery for the foreseeable future, it felt like we had our next 007 ready. Instead, Lazenby gets some terrible advice and leaves the role. While his career tanked, the James Bond franchise is still going strong.
3. CHUCK WOOLERY
![Chuck Woolery](https://bosslevelgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Chuck-Woolery.png)
Before Pat Sajak hosted Wheel of Fortune for over 40 years, Woolery hosted the popular game show. Chuck left the show after a contract dispute, and the rest is history.
4. MARCUS CHONG
![Marcus Chong](https://bosslevelgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Marcus-Chong.png)
Warner Bros.
Best known for his portrayal as Tank in The Matrix, Chong didn’t return for the sequels. He reportedly asked for more money and a bigger part. Instead, his character was killed off-screen.
5. JA RULE
![Ja Rule](https://bosslevelgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ja-Rule.png)
Before playing a part in the famous Fyre Festival, Ja Rule started in The Fast and the Furious movie. The film franchise continues to earn hundreds of millions of dollars today. Ja Rule, however, wouldn’t make any additional appearances.
6. ED SKREIN
![Ed Skrein](https://bosslevelgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ed-Skrein.png)
The original Daario Naharis actor left Game of Thrones after the third season. He went on to star in the reboot of The Transporter. Game of Thrones would quickly become a worldwide cultural phenomenon. The Transporter, however, did not.
7. STUART TOWNSEND
![Stuart Townsend](https://bosslevelgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Stuart-Townsend.png)
The original actor for Aragon in Lord of the Rings is best known for being the answer to a trivia question. Townsend refused to practice riding horses and swordplay, so Peter Jackson removed him from the cast, and the rest is history.
8. LACEY CHABERT
![Lacey Chabert](https://bosslevelgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lacey-Chabert.png)
While many recognize Chabert from Mean Girls, she is also the original voice of Meg Griffin in Family Guy. However, after the first season, she left the show and has since been replaced by Mila Kunis.
9. KATHERINE HEIGL
![Katherine Heigl](https://bosslevelgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Katherine-Heigel.png)
Heigl infamously left Grey’s Anatomy because she felt like the writing wasn’t good enough. Today, Grey’s is still on the air while Heigl, who found short-term success as a leading lady, is no longer in the Hollywood spotlight.
10. TERRENCE HOWARD
![Terrence Howard](https://bosslevelgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Terrence-Howard.png)
Howard appeared in the first Iron Man as James Rhodes. However, he asked for more money in the sequel. Don Cheadle promptly replaced him, who continues to play Rhodes today.
11. KATIE HOLMES
![Katie Holmes](https://bosslevelgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Katie-Holmes.png)
After starring in Batman Begins, Holmes was replaced by Maggie Gyllenhaal in the sequel, The Dark Knight.
12. FARAH FAWCETT
![Farah Fawcett](https://bosslevelgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Farah-Fawcett.png)
After leaving Charlie’s Angels to expand her career, Fawcett’s career saw a downturn. While she still found plenty of work, she’d never reach the same heights as she did on Charlie’s Angels.
13. SHELLY LONG
![Shelly Long](https://bosslevelgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Shelly-Long.png)
Leaving a mega-hit sitcom like Cheers seems like a bad career move. That’s precisely what Long learned after departing the popular series.
Read More From Us – 17 Movies With Zero Expectations That Blew Us Away
![The Fugutive](https://technabob.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The-Fugutive.jpg)
Never judge a book by its cover. You can say the same about movies.
Some of our favorite films are the ones we went into with no expectations. Despite this, they blew us away from start to finish.
17 Movies With Zero Expectations That Blew Us Away
Read More From Us – Classic 80s Movies Better Than Anything Released Today
![Fletch](https://technabob.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Fletch.jpg)
The 80s was an incredible time for film. From award-winning cinema to hilarious comedies and everything in between, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Thankfully, many of these 80s movies still hold up today. I regularly find myself watching these beloved 80s movies more often than modern cinema.
Classic 80s Movies Better Than Anything Released Today
Jake Valentine
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