In the world of cinema, even the most revered actors are not immune to the occasional misstep. A brilliant career can be momentarily tarnished by a single, poorly received performance that lives on in infamy. From Tom Hanks' questionable accent work to Robert De Niro's cringe-inducing comedy turn, this list examines 17 instances where top-tier talent bit off more than they could chew.
When Hollywood Legends Miss the Mark
The pressure on A-list actors is immense, with every role scrutinised by millions. Sometimes, a dreadful script or misguided direction is to blame; other times, even an actor's considerable skill cannot salvage a doomed project. The following performances, compiled from a range of films spanning decades, stand out as particular low points for otherwise exceptional artists.
Tom Hanks is a case in point. In the Wachowski sisters' 2012 epic Cloud Atlas, Hanks took on six different roles. While competent in several, his portrayal of the gangster-turned-novelist Dermot “Duster” Hoggins is widely considered a career worst. His attempt at an Irish accent veered into laughable caricature, making the character a regrettable creation.
Notable Missteps Across Genres
The phenomenon is not confined to any single genre. In superhero cinema, George Clooney's wooden Batman in 1997's Batman & Robin and Halle Berry's Razzie-winning turn in 2004's Catwoman are infamous. Berry even attended the Golden Raspberry awards to collect her prize in person, joking about the achievement.
Dramatic heavyweights have also faltered in biopics. Leonardo DiCaprio's 2011 performance in J. Edgar, buried under unconvincing prosthetics, was a transparent and unsuccessful Oscar bid. Similarly, Naomi Watts failed to capture the essence of Princess Diana in the critically panned 2013 film Diana.
Comedy has proven a particular minefield. Robert De Niro's role as a lecherous grandfather in 2016's Dirty Grandpa left many fans aghast, while Al Pacino's bizarre cameo in Adam Sandler's 2011 film Jack and Jill felt like a demeaning self-parody.
Recent Additions to the Hall of Shame
More recent years have supplied their own candidates. The 2019 musical Cats was a critical disaster, with Idris Elba's creepy, CGI-altered Macavity representing a far cry from his iconic role in The Wire. In 2020, Tom Hardy's grunting, physical performance in the Al Capone biopic Capone was savaged by critics and audiences alike.
Even the most decorated actor of all time is not exempt. Meryl Streep's hammy, rap-including performance as the Witch in the 2014 film adaptation of Into the Woods is frequently cited as one of her few low ebbs. Likewise, Glenn Close's over-the-top portrayal in 2020's Hillbilly Elegy was derided, despite somehow netting an Academy Award nomination.
Other entries include Nicolas Cage's hysterical work in 2006's The Wicker Man remake, Russell Crowe's overacted dual role in 2018's The Mummy, and Michael Caine's famously paycheck-driven appearance in 1987's Jaws: The Revenge.
This list serves as a reminder that in the fickle world of film, no performer, however talented, is guaranteed a flawless filmography. The line between legendary and laughable can be surprisingly thin.
