The 10 Worst Acting Performances Of The ’90s

The 1990s represented a golden age for cinema enthusiasts, with numerous iconic films gracing the big screen. Among the best picture winners of this era were “Driving Miss Daisy,” “The Silence of the Lambs,” “Schindler’s List,” and “Forrest Gump.” These films featured not only compelling narratives but also stellar individual performances. For instance, Tom Hanks claimed back-to-back best actor Oscars for his roles in “Philadelphia” (1994) and “Forrest Gump” (1995). The following year, Nicolas Cage was recognized for his exceptional work in “Leaving Las Vegas.” The list of remarkable best actress winners includes Holly Hunter for “The Piano,” Susan Sarandon in “Dead Men Walking,” and Frances McDormand in “Fargo.” However, today we’ll focus on something other than these remarkable achievements.

In the ’90s, for every standout movie such as “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Jackie Brown,” or “Good Will Hunting,” there were some real flops like “Johnny Mnemonic,” “Cool World,” and “Major Payne.” Some of these movies had a poor concept or overused storylines, while others suffered from less-than-stellar acting. Actors who struggled to transition from action roles to comedy or those unable to salvage a bad script were often at fault for the poor performances.

Madonna – Body of Evidence

In the 1980s, Madonna was a powerful presence on pop music charts, reaching her peak earnings as the 1990s commenced, earning an impressive $39 million (equivalent to over $95 million now), making her the highest-earning female entertainer globally. Her acting career started in the 1970s with short and independent films, and she starred in “Desperately Seeking Susan” in 1985 as her music career took off. Madonna also played outfielder Mae Mordabito in the hit comedy “A League of Their Own,” but it might have been her pinnacle in Hollywood. The following year, the controversial film “Body of Evidence” was released, for which Madonna received a Golden Raspberry award for worst actress. The movie also garnered nominations for worst picture, worst actor (Willem Dafoe), worst supporting actress (Anne Archer), and worst director (Uli Edel).

In the 90s, Madonna appeared in the controversial thriller, often classified as an erotic pseudo-thriller, titled “Body of Evidence.” Her character, Rebecca Carlson, was falsely accused of murder through intimate acts. The film, known for its adult content, was notoriously close to being unbearable to watch. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave it an 8% rating, while viewers were slightly more lenient at 23%. David Denby of New York Magazine criticized Madonna’s performance, labeling her as a “boring sex symbol” and a poor actress when nude. He also expressed that the screenplay by Edel and Brad Mirman, along with Doug Milsome’s cinematography, contributed to the film’s shortcomings. Despite the negative reception, Madonna’s reputation as a sex symbol didn’t suffer greatly, but the movie earned less than $14 million against an estimated budget over double that amount.

Andrew Dice Clay – The Adventures of Ford Fairlane

In the ’90s, when filmmakers weren’t dabbling in nearly softcore productions, they were backing films starring controversial figures like myself. I, Andrew Dice Clay, rose to fame with my raw stand-up comedy, and that was the same image I showcased on the silver screen. My television appearances on shows such as “M*A*S*H,” “Diff’rent Strokes” in the early ’80s, and a minor role in “Pretty in Pink,” paved the way for my 17-episode stint on the late-’80s series “Crime Story.” As my comedy career started gaining momentum, I seized the opportunity to test my acting skills in the big leagues with the 1990 film “The Adventures of Ford Fairlane,” where I played the title character – a crude private investigator who worked in the music industry’s fringes.

The movie was one of the poorest films released during the last decade, receiving Razzie awards for worst picture and worst actor (Clay). It also gained additional nominations for director Renny Harlin and both Wayne Newton and Gilbert Gottfried as worst supporting actors. This disastrous film served primarily as a platform for The Diceman, who won his Razzie with an underwhelming and predictable performance. Roger Ebert rated the movie one star and pointed out the striking resemblance between the main character and Clay’s stand-up persona. In his words, “On stage or in a club, using offensive language and racially charged jokes, he involves the audience, who laugh to distance themselves as targets. However, a cinema audience is more detached, more reflective – and while watching him in the dark, they are more likely to be appalled rather than amused.

Vanilla Ice – Cool as Ice

In another attempt to transition from music to cinema, Vanilla Ice starred in the 1991 flop “Cool as Ice,” a film that many may forget. This movie earned Ice a Razzie for worst new star and a nomination for worst actor, with the film also receiving nods for worst picture, worst director (David Kellogg), and worst screenplay (David Stenn). In this film, Ice plays Johnny, a motorcycle-riding rapper who captivates a local honor student through his rebellious behavior. The movie received a dismal 3% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, but surprisingly garnered a puzzling 43% rating from fans. This suggests that perhaps it’s best to leave film criticism to the experts.

Matthew Gilbert from the Boston Globe is an experienced critic who found the performance lackluster and penned, “The individual dubbed by promoters as the modern-day Elvis of rap has zero charm.” Instead of captivating audiences, Ice spends most of the movie either on his bright yellow motorcycle or in front of a microphone. His clothing choices are the only thing that seems interesting about this disappointing production. As reported by Cracked, Ice boasts that he was paid $1 million for the film, which represented a significant portion of its $6 million budget. Unfortunately, the movie generated less than $1.2 million in box office sales, leading one to wonder if the rapper should have requested a refund from Universal Pictures.

Sylvester Stallone – Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot

Following Sylvester Stallone’s Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in 1977 with his self-penned film “Rocky,” he established his career by portraying tough characters such as Rocky Balboa and John Rambo. In 1990, “Rocky V” was released, marking a break for the character that lasted 16 years, during which Stallone ventured into comic roles. He appeared as a gangster in “Oscar” and a cop in “Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot” the following year.

The two films were intended as a blend of crime and comedy, but Stallone seemed ill-suited to deliver humor, leaving his supporters unamused. Comparing his acting in the second film to mere wood would be an affront to noble trees; instead, the audience and critics found the most laughter at Stallone’s expense. Notably generous with a half star out of four, Roger Ebert had little praise for the movie. “It transcends moronic understanding,” Ebert wrote, “a hopeless endeavor during which even Sylvester Stallone, a bastion of self-assurance, appears disheartened.” The Golden Raspberry committee echoed Ebert’s sentiments, bestowing the film with Razzies for worst actor (Stallone), worst supporting actress (Estelle Getty), and worst screenplay in 1993.

The film received a 14% Tomatometer rating from critics and a slightly higher 22% Popcornmeter score from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, with Stallone expressing his dissatisfaction with it in a 2006 interview with Ain’t it Cool News. When asked if there were any films he regretted being part of, he promptly cited “Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot!” and “Oscar.” Following these two box office flops, Stallone returned to his familiar action hero roles, appearing in “Cliffhanger” and “Demolition Man” over the next couple of years. Remarkably, despite its high production cost of over $40 million, “Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot!” managed to rake in more than $70 million globally.

Will Smith – Wild Wild West

Given that we’re accepting ’90s film stars to nominate their own work for this platform, let’s engage in GQ’s “Actually Me” Q&A with Will Smith. When asked about his least favorite film, the actor identified “Wild Wild West,” stating, “I can’t decide; ‘Wild Wild West’ just irritates me.” In this movie adaptation of the popular TV series, Smith portrays Civil War hero James West, who collaborates with Marshal Artemus Gordon (Kevin Kline) to prevent President Ulysses S. Grant from an assassination attempt. Critics criticized the film for its excessive use of special effects, awarding it a 16% Tomatometer rating and a 28% approval score among audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.

In a critique by Felix Vasquez of Cinema Crazed, it was Barry Sonnenfeld who took the brunt of the criticism for the disjointed nature of the movie. Vasquez argued that the film struggled to find its target audience as it tackled multiple themes and storylines, resulting in a chaotic, cartoonish production with a hip hop soundtrack. Vasquez also criticized Smith’s acting performance, stating that his character lacked depth despite an emotionally charged backstory. Smith managed to dodge the ire of the Golden Raspberry voters for his acting, but shared the award for worst original song that year with Stevie Wonder and Kool Moe Dee.

Sharon Stone – Sliver

Many films feature buildings as their main focus, such as iconic movies like “The Towering Inferno” and “Die Hard.” However, there’s “Sliver,” a film that couldn’t hold a candle to Nakatomi Plaza in terms of cinematic appeal. Sharon Stone, who was still riding the wave of success from her career-altering role in “Basic Instinct” and just a few years away from her Oscar-nominated performance in “Casino,” starred in “Sliver.” This film is not worthy of being mentioned in the same conversation as those classics.

Once again, here comes a film marketed as an erotic thriller, but it’s really just another clichéd ’90s romance with a focus on nudity and famous faces. William Baldwin, Martin Landau, and Tom Berenger, alongside Sharon Stone, were the main attractions in this production. The storyline is paper-thin, much like the titular New York skyscraper, and the chemistry between Stone’s character, Carly Norris, and Baldwin’s Zeke Hawkins feels forced, particularly during their uncomfortable love scene, which is quite awkwardly portrayed in “Sliver.

The movie was a Joe Eszterhas adaptation based on Ira Levin’s novel, directed by Philip Noyce (known for “The Giver” and “The Quiet American”). Robert Evans (“Chinatown,” “The Cotton Club”) took on the production role, but the team struggled to make an impact with this urban guide on peeping. Critic Marjorie Baumgarten of The Austin Chronicle observed that the skilled cast was overwhelmed by the mire, stating that “the main issue is that we don’t care about these characters at all. There’s no suspense, no drama, no tension, no consistency.” Despite the lackluster acting, this flop managed to gross over $100 million globally.

Demi Moore – Striptease

In the 1990s, Demi Moore was a major Hollywood star, just as prominent as any other. During this decade, her filmography includes notable roles such as the lead in the Academy Award-winning best picture “Ghost” (1991), where she won the Saturn Award for Best Actress. The following year, she shared the limelight with Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise in “A Few Good Men” (1992). However, in 1996, Moore took a bold step by starring in the R-rated film “Striptease,” earning herself a paycheck of $12.5 million in the process.

In this questionable career choice, Moore portrays Erin Grant, a solitary mother who seeks employment at a Miami strip club to gather the funds necessary to reclaim custody of her daughter Angela (portrayed by Moore’s real-life offspring, Rumer Willis). Erin confronts the procession of undesirables in her life with vacant expressions and weary sighs, yet at times it appears as though the character vanishes, only to be replaced by an evidently disengaged Moore. Throughout the movie, Erin displays a pattern of irresponsibility while spending time with Angela, leaving the child at the strip club as if it’s a daycare center and involving her in crime scenes. By the conclusion of the film’s lengthy 120-minute duration, viewers find themselves hoping that Lt. Al Garcia (Armand Assante) and his spouse will be granted custody of Angela.

The movie “Striptease” neither provides enough humor to classify it as a comedy nor enough suspense for it to be considered a drama. The sexual elements are overshadowed by the recurring character of the most unsettling film figures ever, Congressman David Dilbeck (played by Burt Reynolds). Demi Moore’s character’s subtle manipulation in response to his persistent and inappropriate advances offers an explanation for her need to mentally distance herself from the production.

Demi Moore received a shared Razzie award for worst actress for “Striptease” and “The Juror,” but she appears less convincing and engaging in the former. In September 2024, she opened up about the backlash in an interview with New York Times Magazine. She stated, “I don’t take this personally. I believe that anyone who was the first to achieve equal pay in such a position would likely have endured some criticism. However, since I starred in a movie dealing with stripping and the human body, I felt extremely ashamed.

Steven Seagal – On Deadly Ground

A list lacking cringe-worthy 1990s movie performances wouldn’t be whole without a mention of action star Steven Seagal, who sported a ponytail back then and was known as a black belt from the bomb factory. During that decade, he amassed an impressive eight Razzie nominations, with 1995 being particularly unlucky for him. His movie “On Deadly Ground” received numerous Razzie nods that year, including worst picture, worst actor (Seagal), and actress (Joan Chen), worst screenplay, and worst original song. In the end, Seagal himself took home the award for worst director, meaning he deserves a share of the blame for the final product.

There’s been a persistent story in the Hollywood scene that Michael Ovitz, a prominent agent and student of Seagal’s aikido, wagered he could transform any individual into a film star, similar to the plot in “She’s All That.” If this is true, Seagal was his chosen one. The result? A string of less-than-impressive movies, exemplified by “On Deadly Ground” where Seagal portrays firefighter Forrest Taft. Unfortunately, Forrest seems to have missed the lesson about not smoking cigarettes at oil rig fires. Critically panned, “On Deadly Ground,” released in 1994, received a rather generous 4.6 out of 10 stars from IMDB viewers, but a more realistic 14% and 34% approval ratings on Rotten Tomatoes from both critics and the public.

As a movie enthusiast, I found it rather surprising how the film’s environmental message seemed jarringly out of sync amidst its dramatic scenes of flaming oil rigs and detonating helicopters. It was especially puzzling considering that back then, such visuals weren’t digitally enhanced yet. Nick Rogers from Midwest Film Journal even went as far as calling it a “deeply ridiculous and stupid movie … an unending source of humor … [and] just one consonant short of becoming a parody.”

In 2024, the Stat Significant study on the most lackluster actors ever, based on online ratings, Razzie awards, and box office earnings, was quite intriguing. Jean-Claude Van Damme, better known as Seagal, placed fifth in this ranking, with Madonna bagging the top spot. Interestingly enough, Sharon Stone and Demi Moore also made it to the top six on this list.

Kevin Costner – Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Back in the ’90s, my gaming life was a rollercoaster ride, much like watching Kevin Costner’s career unfold on the silver screen. The high point was undeniably when he won the Best Director Oscar for “Dances With Wolves” and got nominated for Best Picture too. It was a golden moment that made me feel like the hero of my own game.

However, the rest of the decade wasn’t as smooth-sailing. I remember the thrill of “JFK,” the splash of “Waterworld,” the golf swings in “Tin Cup,” and the postal delivery system in “The Postman.” Each movie was a different level, some were easy to beat, others required a bit more strategy.

In 1991, he even took on the role of Robin Hood, but unfortunately, that game didn’t get the best reviews. It earned him a Razzie for worst actor – talk about a game over! But hey, even the greatest heroes have their down moments, right?

The poor performance of the star in adopting a British accent (a factor that some of Costner’s followers believe marred “Robin Hood”) is contrasted by the presence of Alan Rickman as the Sheriff of Nottingham. Additionally, the cast boasts renowned actors such as Morgan Freeman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Christian Slater. Their acting elevates this movie to the most appealing one on the list, with a 51% critical approval rating and 72% audience satisfaction at Rotten Tomatoes.

Roger Ebert believed that Costner’s performance in this film was being unjustly compared to “Dances With Wolves,” but he made it clear that he still didn’t appreciate this version of Robin Hood. He described it as dull, dark, excessively violent, and devoid of enchantment. Vincent Canby from the New York Times was more blunt, stating that the new film is a disorganized, lengthy, joyless reinterpretation of the Robin Hood legend… It appears that Costner and his team approached their subject without a definite concept of the type of movie they aimed to create.

Pauly Shore – Biodome

If Pauly Shore hadn’t been born in the late ’60s, it seems as though the ’90s might have produced him naturally. Before hosting “Totally Pauly” on MTV in 1990, which became a popular show for the network, he had already made some TV appearances. Following this success, he landed lead roles in the films “Encino Man” (1992) and “Son in Law” (1993). These movies neither elicited much enthusiasm nor discontent from viewers.

1996’s film “Bio-Dome”, starring Pauly Shore and Steven Baldwin, serves as a noteworthy misstep in his acting career. In this movie, they play the bumbling characters Bud Macintosh and Doyle Johnson, two friends who seem to be high-life enthusiasts, trapped in a sealed environment for a year due to an experiment. It resembles “Dumb and Dumber”, but lacks its charisma and heartfelt moments. The most positive aspect about “Bio-Dome” is that it runs for less than 90 minutes.

As a die-hard fan, I was disappointed to find that the movie only managed a 4% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, coupled with a 51% audience score. Granted, Grant Watson of Fiction Machine suggested this might be due to a lingering fandom from Shore’s past films, but personally, I couldn’t find anything in it worth liking. In his review, Watson stated that the humor in “Biodome” was unimpressive and its characters were not engaging enough to spend 90 minutes with. To top it off, Shore has a unique ability to make comedy less amusing than when he initially encountered it.

2025-04-01 14:32