12 Popular Actors From the 2000s We Don’t Hear About Much Anymore

As a fan of the golden era of Hollywood, I find it fascinating to see how some of our beloved stars from the 2000s have navigated their careers over the years. Each one has had their unique journey, and today, we’re going to take a closer look at five such actresses who made an indelible mark during that decade.

In the 2000s, some actors experienced enduring success in the entertainment world, maintaining their prominence for decades or even throughout their lifetimes. Conversely, others enjoyed brief stints in the limelight, with their shine dimming after a few years. This period was particularly fruitful for cinema and television, producing a multitude of hit teen dramas, romantic comedies, and blockbuster action series that launched many actors to fame.

12 Mischa Barton

Mischa Barton first appeared on the popular soap opera “All My Children” in the 90s. During the rest of that decade and especially in the 2000s, she established herself as a consistent performer. Her portrayal of Marissa in Fox’s “The O.C.” made her a household name, appearing on the cover of numerous teen magazines. Many anticipated her rise to A-list fame.

What Happened Next

In 2016, the general audience once again became acquainted with her when she participated in “Dancing with the Stars.” Following her stint on “The O.C.,” Barton shifted her focus to smaller, independent projects and made guest appearances on various series. It remains uncertain whether this move towards niche roles was a deliberate decision or not. Regardless, Barton’s performances have been frequently applauded by those who manage to catch her more recent work.

11 Amanda Bynes

Nickelodeon played a significant role in kick-starting Amanda Bynes’ acting career by casting her as a member of the ensemble in the sketch comedy series, “All That”. Subsequently, she made guest appearances on numerous Nickelodeon programs, eventually earning her own show called “The Amanda Show”. Later on, Bynes gained popularity for her roles in teen comedies such as “She’s the Man” and “What a Girl Wants”, which became iconic films of the 2000s.

Fame Isn’t for Everyone

Sadly, personal struggles related to mental health and substance abuse disrupted her career trajectory. In 2010, Bynes decided to take a break from acting. She dabbled in podcasting in 2023 but only released one episode before stepping away. It seems that this former young star desires to live peacefully away from the spotlight.

10 Taylor Lautner

Taylor Lautner gained significant fame for his portrayal of Jacob Black in the popular Twilight series. Starting from 2008, debates between Team Edward and Team Jacob became ubiquitous following the film’s premiere. Yet, it wasn’t his first acting job; prior to this, he appeared in a Disney movie titled The Adventures of Sharkboy & Lavagirl, and had a secondary role in Cheaper by the Dozen 2.

Taylor x3

When a franchise like Twilight becomes highly successful, it can be challenging for actors to explore new roles, as they may find it difficult to replicate the same level of success. After Twilight, Taylor Lautner attempted acting again, but nothing matched its level of popularity. Recently, there has been renewed interest in Lautner due to his marriage to another Taylor and a joint photo with his ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift.

9 Olsen twins

The Olsen twins first appeared on screen portraying Michelle Tanner in the sitcom Full House. Over time, they expanded their own brand, encompassing films, television series, literature, and a thriving fashion line. Their film Holiday in the Sun marked Megan Fox’s acting debut as well, and the comedy New York Minute, which remains popular even today, is another noteworthy production of theirs.

Goodbye, Hollywood

Instead, these two individuals found themselves exhausted from their acting careers. They opted to step away and channel their efforts into the realm of fashion instead. Unfortunately for some fans, this meant they wouldn’t reappear in the revival series “Fuller House“, a continuation of the original show “Full House“. It appears these ladies have found satisfaction in embracing a more tranquil lifestyle and enjoying the rewards from their early career successes.

8 Matthew Lawrence

Matthew Lawrence found significant success in the 1990s, initially portraying a role in “Mrs. Doubtfire” alongside Robin Williams, followed by his character Jack Hunter on “Boy Meets World”. These roles established him within the industry, allowing him to expand his career portfolio throughout the 2000s. Notably, he appeared in numerous films and shows, primarily comedies like “The Hot Chick”.

No Runaway Hits

Initially, it appeared as though he was destined to become a major star in Hollywood. However, things didn’t work out as expected, and he never secured a defining role that propelled him ahead of his peers. His brief appearance on Girl Meets World in 2015 is one of the more notable roles he has landed since then. Apart from that, there’s not much news about this actor in the industry.

7 Ian Somerhalder

When people typically envision Ian Somerhalder, they likely recall his portrayal of the brooding vampire brother Damon on The Vampire Diaries. This popular series debuted in the late 2000s, but Somerhalder was already an active actor long before that. He graced our screens as one of the survivors in Lost from 2004 to 2010.

Different Priorities

Individuals who were active on Tumblr during the 2000s are well aware of Somerhalder’s popularity. In recent times, his focus has moved beyond acting. He is now married to Nikki Reed, another actor known for playing a vampire. Somerhalder has chosen to step away from acting to devote more time to family and other business endeavors. Speaking with E! News, he expressed, “I’ve been doing [acting] for so long, we had an incredible journey.

6 Frankie Muniz

Malcolm in the Middle, a beloved and highly successful series that aired on Fox from 2000 to 2006, is one of television’s all-time greats. This sitcom garnered numerous Emmys, a Peabody Award, and even a Grammy, showcasing its remarkable impact. The leading character in this series was none other than Frankie Muniz, a teenager who rose to fame through this role. His success on the show opened doors for him in children’s films, landing roles in movies like Big Fat Liar and Agent Cody Banks.

An Unusual Path

It’s often expected that actors might change professions, but when Muniz declared his foray into open-wheel racing, many were taken aback. The transition from acting to racecar driving is unusual, but he excelled in this field. He has been making a comeback to the screen, such as co-hosting Dancing with the Stars in 2018 and wrapping up work on a sci-fi movie titled Renner in 2024.

5 Hayden Panettiere

As a child prodigy, Hayden Panettiere accumulated a substantial body of work before making a big splash in the acting world. Her versatile career spans voice-overs, guest roles on TV, and projects encompassing various genres and film formats. In the 2000s, she became known for her role in the hit superhero series “Heroes,” as well as films such as “Bring It On: All or Nothing” and “Ice Princess.

Much Needed Time Away

A multitude of platforms eagerly followed her, anticipating her to become the Next Major Star. During the 2010s, she was engrossed in filming Nashville, but her pace decreased afterwards. Panettiere has publicly discussed her battles with postpartum depression, substance abuse problems, and being involved in abusive relationships, as reported by Yahoo. She reemerged in Scream VI in 2023, leaving fans hopeful for more future roles.

4 Chad Michael Murray

Among the teen-focused shows and movies of the 2000s, One Tree Hill, Dawson’s Creek, Gilmore Girls, A Cinderella Story, and Freaky Friday were all part of Chad Michael Murray’s repertoire. If a script required a popular male love interest during that time, it was likely Chad Michael Murray who got the role. However, there might have been one show or movie from this era where he wasn’t featured as the main character or in a significant role.

The Standard Love Interest

As Murray grew out of his teen roles, his pace of popularity decreased. Although he continued to work steadily (as some actors on this list do), his projects didn’t achieve the same level of commercial success as his earlier ones or he was only given a minor part in them. These days, you can often find him starring in movies similar to Hallmark’s Christmas productions and he will reprise his role in the sequel Freakier Friday.

3 Abigail Breslin

At just a teenager, Abigail Breslin didn’t have to dream about receiving an Academy Award. Instead, it was her actual experience, following her touching role in ‘Little Miss Sunshine’. Her acting skills were evident even at a young age, as seen in the poignant film ‘My Sister’s Keeper’, co-starring Cameron Diaz.

So Much Talent

In the past, Breslin experienced a remarkable comeback when she graced our screens with her outstanding performance in “Scream Queens.” Unfortunately, after that series wrapped up, it seemed as though her name had begun to fade from people’s conversations. Yet, the roles she played during the 2000s remain deeply cherished by many of us fans. I strongly believe that her exceptional talent is still very much alive and well, and we eagerly await the perfect opportunity for her to shine once more in the 2020s.

2 Rachel McAdams

In 2004, Rachel McAdams starred in both “Mean Girls” and “The Notebook”. If this doesn’t showcase her acting range, I don’t know what would! Over time, “Mean Girls” has become a timeless teenage movie, with McAdams’ performance as Regina George being a significant factor. Similarly, “The Notebook” has earned a similar standing within the romance film genre.

Quality Over Quantity

In the 2000s, McAdams was seen as the potential successor to actresses like Julia Roberts and Sandra Bullock. Although she didn’t vanish entirely, she deliberately chose to step out of the spotlight. For McAdams, achieving A-list status wasn’t the ultimate aim; instead, she sought quality roles. Nowadays, she juggles major productions (such as her work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe) with smaller projects and even had a run on Broadway.

1 Eva Mendes

Back in the late ’90s and early 2000s, I, Eva Mendes, found myself stepping into the spotlight, primarily through films across a variety of genres – from heartwarming romantic comedies to spine-tingling horror, pulse-pounding action flicks, and everything in between. Sharing screen space with legends like Denzel Washington in “Training Day”, revving engines alongside the Fast & Furious crew, and teaming up with the one-and-only Will Smith in “Hitch” were just a few of the incredible opportunities that came my way. It seemed as if the moment for me to take center stage was only a matter of time.

Why She Bowed Out

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’ve always admired Eva Mendes and her journey in Hollywood. She once expressed her exasperation about the arduous process she faced to secure roles as a Latina actress. Following her appearance in Ryan Gosling’s film, “Lost River,” Mendes chose to step away from acting. In his 2017 Golden Globes acceptance speech, Gosling acknowledged Mendes’ selfless decision to momentarily pause her career to focus on raising our family.

2024-12-05 05:32