32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

by

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Reflecting upon these individuals’ careers, it seems that they each have their unique trajectories, marked by varying degrees of fame and longevity in the entertainment industry.

It might seem logical that a lengthy filmography indicates an actor’s career is long-lasting and impactful, but this isn’t always true. Some of the most iconic figures in Hollywood, as well as performers you’d recognize instantly, are often known for having brief careers, especially on the big screen. Let’s revisit some of our favorite actors who appeared in just a few films.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

John Belushi

It’s no wonder that, being a renowned member of the initial Saturday Night Live cast, John Belushi later carved out an impressive film career, albeit brief, boasting only seven acting credits. Before his tragic death in 1982, he was the star attraction in National Lampoon’s Animal House, collaborated with his friend Dan Aykroyd on the films 1941 and The Blues Brothers (one of the finest movies born from an SNL character), shared the screen with The Blues Brothers, acted alongside Jack Nicholson in Goin’ South, and featured in the forgotten ’80s romantic comedy Continental Divide.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Mara Wilson

Mara Wilson last appeared in a full-length movie back in 2000 with “Thomas and the Magic Railroad,” marking her departure from Hollywood after having been one of the most recognized child stars following her roles in a handful of films. Before that, she starred in only four movies, including her debut in “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” playing Matilda, and “A Simple Wish” from 1997. In more recent years, she has returned to acting on television.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Jake Lloyd

If Jake Lloyd, the former child actor, had a more enjoyable experience playing young Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker) in “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” (1999), he might have appeared in more than just six films, including the underrated Arnold Schwarzenegger-led holiday comedy, “Jingle All the Way.” However, his portrayal in “Star Wars” received harsh criticism from fans which, over time, led him to leave acting altogether.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Amanda Bynes

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible journey of Amanda Bynes. Her beginnings were humble, as part of the cast on Nickelodeon’s All That, where she later took center stage with her own sketch comedy series, The Amanda Show. This launchpad propelled her into stardom, leading to roles in nine movies, such as Big Fat Liar, She’s the Man, Sydney White, and Easy A. However, 2010 marked a turning point with her appearance in the high school movie classic, which would be her swan song as she announced her retirement from acting through Twitter. This was soon followed by reports that she was seeking help for her mental health.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Chadwick Boseman

Despite the fact that Chadwick Boseman played T’Challa in a total of 13 movies, including the blockbuster hit “Black Panther” in 2018, his film career was tragically cut short by his death due to colon cancer in 2020. However, he consistently delivered outstanding performances, from portraying Jackie Robinson in “42” and James Brown in “Get On Up”, to earning an Academy Award nomination for his role in Netflix’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Chris Farley

Chris Farley, throughout his career, brought countless laughs on Saturday Night Live and appeared in a total of 10 films like Tommy Boy and Beverly Hills Ninja before he passed away in 1997. We can’t help but wonder what it would have been like to hear him as the voice of Shrek, a role that eventually went to his Wayne’s World co-star, Mike Myers.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

River Phoenix

One of Hollywood’s most infamous tragedies is the 1993 passing of 23-year-old River Phoenix, who starred in 13 films released between 1985 and 1994. In that short time, the Academy Award nominee (for his supporting role in 1988’s Running on Empty) amassed a remarkable resume that includes Explorers, Stand By Me, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as Young Indy, and My Own Private Idaho, most notably.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Shannen Doherty

In other words, if you exclude her minor appearances and focus solely on leading roles, Shannen Doherty has starred in just 13 movies throughout her career, such as “The Secret of NIMH,” “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” and “Heathers.” Regrettably, we won’t have the chance to witness her return to the role of Rene in the anticipated sequel of Kevin Smith’s “Mallrats,” as she passed away in 2024.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

John Cazale

At 42 years old, John Kazale tragically passed away from lung cancer, having starred in only five films: “The Godfather” (Parts I and II), “The Conversation”, “Dog Day Afternoon”, and “The Deer Hunter”. Remarkably, all of these films earned a nomination for Best Picture at the Oscars, with “The Godfather” films and “The Deer Hunter” ultimately winning.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

James Dean

In my gaming world, I often ponder: If James Dean hadn’t met his untimely end in that fateful car accident at 24, back in 1955, would he still be the legendary figure of Hollywood’s Golden Era? Known as the ultimate symbol of “cool,” this two-time Oscar nominee left an indelible mark on the silver screen with only three masterpieces – East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Jonathan Taylor Thomas

Known primarily for his roles as Randy Taylor in the hit sitcom “Home Improvement” and Simba in the 1994 film adaptation of “The Lion King,” Jonathan Taylor Thomas was one of the most adored teen idols during the ’90s. However, he largely retired from showbiz shortly after reaching adulthood. His latest significant film role was an unnoticed animated movie titled “Thru the Moebius Strip” in 2006 (his 17th overall), and before that, he appeared in the 1999 movie “Walking Across Egypt.” Since then, his appearances have been limited to occasional guest spots on “Last Man Standing.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Willow Smith

Following her screen debut opposite Will Smith in the critically acclaimed “I Am Legend” (2007), where she portrayed his on-screen daughter in reality, Willow Smith then appeared in “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl” (2008) and “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” (2008), sharing the screen with her mother, Jada Pinkett Smith. Since then, her main pursuit has been her musical career.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Jeff Cohen

Although Jeff Cohen is best known for his comedic performances in the 1985 classic film “The Goonies,” it remains his only acting credit. As he grew older and lost weight, his on-screen career started to dwindle. Subsequently, he transitioned into a legal profession, representing entertainment clients, including his fellow “Goonies” cast member Ke Huy Quan, who was nominated for an Academy Award.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Taylor Momsen

At just seven years old, Taylor Momsen left a lasting impact with her debut role as Cindy Lou Who in the 2000 adaptation of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” one of nine films she starred in, including “We Were Soldiers” and “Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams.” However, while she was part of the “Gossip Girl” cast, she started a rock band called The Pretty Reckless, which has since become her main focus in her career.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Peter Ostrum

Peter Ostrum will always be recognized as Charlie Bucket from the 1971 film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” his only acting role. Nowadays, he earns a living as a veterinarian for large animals such as cows, which indirectly connects him to the chocolate industry since these animals are often involved in dairy production.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Jennette McCurdy

Jennette McCurdy is primarily recognized for her work on TV, especially as Sam Puckett in Nickelodeon’s hit show iCarly, but she also appeared in a dozen movies. Some of these films include “Hollywood Homicide” with Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett in 2003 and “Pet” in 2016. In 2018, McCurdy wrote and directed a short film titled Kenny. She later decided to step away from acting altogether, a decision she elaborated on in her best-selling memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Angus T. Jones

Angus T. Jones reached the pinnacle of his acting career when he portrayed Jake Harper, the “half man” in the sitcom Two and a Half Men. Later, due to its explicit content, he decided to leave the show and eventually quit acting entirely. Nevertheless, he has acted in six films, including See Spot Run (2001), The Rookie (2002), Bringing Down the House (2003), and the direct-to-video sequel of George of the Jungle as George’s son.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Ross Malinger

During the 1990s, Ross Malinger enjoyed a promising acting career as a child, landing ten significant film roles. These roles included portraying one of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s students in “Kindergarten Cop,” Tom Hanks’ son in “Sleepless in Seattle,” and Jean-Claude Van Damme’s son in “Sudden Impact” from 1995. Despite numerous television roles, such as voicing T.J. on “Recess,” he did not appear in many more films. As reported by THR, after his acting career, Malinger now manages a car dealership.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Barret Oliver

In the 1980s, Barret Oliver was one of the most renowned child actors, gracing memorable lead roles such as Bastion in “The NeverEnding Story”, the android D.A.R.Y.L., David from the “Cocoon” films, and Vincent in Tim Burton’s initial “Frankenweenie”. After amassing a total of ten major film credits, Oliver decided to leave acting in 1989 and now focuses on photography, specializing in 19th-century printing techniques.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Alisan Porter

In simpler terms, Alisan Porter became widely known to contemporary viewers when she emerged victorious on Season 10 of “The Voice”. However, prior to this achievement, she had already made a name for herself by acting in seven prominent films, including “Parenthood” directed by Ron Howard and “Curly Sue”, where she played the leading role as the title character.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Danny Lloyd

the iconic 1980 horror movie “The Shining,” a television film titled “Will: The Autobiography of G. Gordon Liddy” from 1982, and the 2019 release “Doctor Sleep.” However, in Mike Flanagan’s sequel to “The Shining,” Lloyd was only given a minor appearance instead of reprising his role as psychic Danny Torrance, which was portrayed by Ewan McGregor in that particular production.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Lisa Jakub

Among several TV interviews, Lisa Jakub’s nine film roles stand out, with the most memorable being “Matinee” directed by Joe Dante, “Mrs. Doubtfire” starring Robin Williams, and the iconic alien invasion movie, “Independence Day”. In 2000, she chose to leave acting behind and now earns her living as a motivational speaker.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Ben Savage

In the same vein as his elder sibling Fred Savage, Ben Savage starred in his own TV series, ‘Boy Meets World’, for seven years. However, beyond his role as young Cory Matthew, Ben Savage has a limited acting resume, with only around 10 lesser-known films to his credit. Notable exceptions are the movies “Little Monsters” from 1989 and “Clifford” from 1994.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Ariana Richards

In the 1990s, Ariana Richards became well-known for portraying roles against fearsome creatures in iconic monster films like “Jurassic Park” and “Tremors”. After appearing in ten movies, she transitioned to a career as a painter around the year 2000.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Jeremy Suarez

Jeremy Suarez, most recognized for his role as Jordan Thomkins on The Bernie Mac Show, has showcased his acting talent in ten film projects, such as Jerry Maguire, lending his voice to Koda in Disney’s Brother Bear, and Angry Video Game Nerd: The Movie. As he grew older, the pace of his career declined, prompting him to focus on more common professions.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Carrie Henn

In one of the memorable performances from the Alien series, Carrie Henn debuted as “Newt,” a character found by Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) after an unfortunate Xenomorph attack left her as the lone survivor. Following the immense success of Aliens in 1986, however, Henn decided to pursue her genuine passion – teaching – and thus stepped away from acting on the big screen.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Jamie Waylett

Fans of the Harry Potter movies would easily identify Jamie Waylett as Vincent Crabbe, but they wouldn’t recognize him outside of that role because he has only ever acted in the first six Harry Potter films, which are the only projects he’s been involved with.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Danielle Fishel

Danielle Fishel is primarily recognized for her role as Topanga on the popular sitcom “Boy Meets World” and her appearances in that show from 1993 to 2000. Since then, she has hosted Style Network’s “The Dish” from 2008 to 2010, co-hosted “Pod Meets World” with Rider Strong and Will Friedle since 2022, and has a modest filmography consisting of seven titles such as “National Lampoon Presents Dorm Daze,” its sequel, and “Boiling Pot” from 2015.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Ansel Elgort

Since his first appearance in the 2013 film adaptation of Carrie, Ansel Elgort has starred in a total of 12 other movies. These include The Fault in Our Stars, two Divergent films, Baby Driver, and Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. His television roles are relatively rare; his only credit being the lead role on HBO’s Tokyo Vice.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Luise Rainier

Luise Rainier, a German actor, had a quite active career during the 1930s, earning an Academy Award for her role in 1936’s “The Great Ziegfeld”. However, her pace of work noticeably decreased after that decade. In a span of 64 years, from 1939 to 2003, she only acted in three movies: “Hostages” in 1943, “The Gambler” in 1997, and “Poem: I Set My Foot Upon the Air and It Carried Me” in 2003. This adds up to a total of just 14 films in her career.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Charlie Korsmo

As a gamer, I used to live another life on the silver screen before swapping it for law books. Back then, I had a fleeting but impactful stint in films like Warren Beatty’s “Dick Tracy,” Steven Spielberg’s “Hook,” and everyone’s favorite party flick, “Can’t Hardly Wait.” I took a break from acting, but the allure of the big screen called me back in 2018 with “Chained for Life” and again in 2024 with “A Different Man,” produced by A24.

32 Actors You Recognize, But Only Appeared In A Handful Of Movies

Gina Carano

Gina Carano featured in 13 movies such as “Haywire,” “Deadpool,” and “Fast and Furious 6,” but it was her character, Cara Dune from “The Mandalorian,” that brought her the most acclaim. However, following a series of contentious social media posts, the former MMA fighter’s acting career has experienced a decline after departing from the “Star Wars” spin-off series.

Read More

2024-09-20 00:38