Many actors find it unimaginable to quit their careers. After all, why would they abandon Hollywood after putting in so much effort to break into the industry? However, you might be amazed at how many actors have contemplated quitting, often planning their next audition as their last. This mindset is more prevalent than one might expect, particularly within television production — while movie stars can sometimes secure roles based on their fame, those who depend on the small screen for income frequently face a much tougher grind.
Some actors on this list were relatively unknown and feared they may never find success in the film industry, teetering on the brink of giving up. Others thought about quitting show business to pursue different careers, with the possibility that they could have ended up as mechanics or butchers if circumstances hadn’t changed. Remarkably, there are TV actors who had already achieved success, yet still pondered leaving Hollywood during difficult times. However, something always seemed to lure them back.
Millie Bobby Brown failed a Game of Thrones audition
The main character in “Damsel” has made quite a journey from her childhood days, and it might surprise you to know that this actress came close to abandoning her ambition for acting. Before starring in “Stranger Things,” Millie Bobby Brown was on the verge of quitting the acting profession. She had tried out for the role of Lyanna Mormont in “Game of Thrones,” a part which eventually went to Bella Ramsey. The disappointment of not getting selected for that role left her quite dejected.
Additionally, at the tender age of ten, an audition with a casting director resulted in Brown weeping. As Brown recounted to Allure, this director not only denied her the role but also expressed doubt about her future success as an actor due to her being “too mature.” This comment was both harsh and puzzling for a young actress. Brown shared that this rejection was particularly difficult because she viewed maturity as a positive trait. To be told that it wasn’t, and that she wouldn’t thrive in the industry, was incredibly painful.
Looking back, I’m grateful my parents persuaded me to give one more shot at acting – and boy, am I glad it was for “Stranger Things!” If things hadn’t worked out, they said I could focus on being a kid again. Little did I know that “too mature” would become my ticket to Eleven! It turned out the showrunners were searching for just that quality for my character. Now, wearing ‘too mature’ as a badge of honor feels amazing.
Cole Sprouse tried archaeology for a while
Cole Sprouse isn’t like many Disney Channel actors whose careers declined post-show. Instead, his career took an unanticipated turn after “The Suite Life on Deck” ended. Leaving the limelight, Sprouse pursued higher education, and in this process, developed a fascination for archaeology. After completing five years of study to become an archaeologist, Sprouse’s profession allowed him to explore various parts of the globe.
As an avid fan following his journey, I’ve come to realize that the glamorous image of archaeology presented is far from the truth, as shared by Sprouse during his interview on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” In essence, it’s not the thrilling adventures and grand discoveries we often see portrayed; instead, it’s six weeks of me painstakingly sifting through a tiny trench of dirt using a simple spoon. He humorously compared himself to a treasure goblin, spending hours in an archaeological lab sorting artifacts into bags and meticulously labeling them in some dimly-lit basement.
It might seem like his mundane job was what prompted him to go back to Hollywood, but in reality, it was destiny that brought him there. As Sprouse put it to W Magazine, he had no intention of returning to acting until some winds pushed him in that direction. His manager called him, encouraging him to try auditioning once more. Initially hesitant, Sprouse agreed but only if he didn’t get selected. Fortunately for him, he won the role of Jughead on “Riverdale,” and he stayed with the show for seven seasons.
Chrissy Metz was broke before This Is Us
As an aspiring actor, I used to work behind the scenes as a talent agent, helping others secure roles in the industry while I continued auditioning relentlessly. Yet, the more time passed, the more I began doubting my own chances of making it big. Desperate times called for desperate measures; I found myself filing for unemployment and scrimping on dollar store ramen noodles.
As I stood on the brink of financial ruin with just 81 cents in my bank account, I booked the role that would change my life – ‘This Is Us.’ It’s comforting to know I’m not alone among successful actors who have faced such hardships. The struggle was so real that I worried about affording gas for my car and making it to auditions. But fate had a different plan, and when I received the call offering me the part, it couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment. I still can’t believe how swiftly my fortunes turned around. Just a short while ago, I was contemplating quitting acting and returning home, but now, amazingly, my mom will be accompanying me as my Emmy date.
Laverne Cox didn’t break out until age 40
As a gamer nearing my midlife, I can relate to the struggle Laverne Cox faced in her acting career. Despite years of hard work and landing bit parts here and there, I haven’t had that one breakthrough role yet – the character that truly showcases my skills and depth. Just like how a gamer yearns for that epic quest or challenging boss battle to prove themselves, Laverne craved for substantial roles that allowed her to portray multi-dimensional characters.
At age 40, Cox found herself far from her desired life’s trajectory. Overwhelmed by debt and struggling to secure employment in her acting career, doubts began to creep in. “Perhaps I should try something else,” she pondered. “Who do I think I am? A Black transgender woman – no one has ever achieved this before.” On the brink of giving up on her dreams and pursuing graduate studies instead, Cox experienced a turn of events when she found a place with the cast of “Orange Is the New Black”. From that point forward, she never looked back. Reflecting on this, she stated, “It turned out to be my own personal ‘grad school’.”
Jenna Fischer’s move to Hollywood didn’t go as planned
Jenna Fischer shares her experience of relocating from St. Louis to Los Angeles following college, filled with optimism about quickly cracking the entertainment world. However, her journey to stardom turned out to be a challenging and circuitous one. After six months in LA, she found herself no nearer to securing any job opportunities. As she confided in The New York Times, “I was broke and feeling down, so I had to confront the truth and find a steady job, eventually taking on a receptionist role.” She further admitted, “The idea of giving up was always there, but I felt too ashamed to return to St. Louis. I had told everyone I’d become a major Hollywood star, and after nearly a year, I hadn’t landed a single acting gig.”
When Fischer landed her initial acting role, it wasn’t the typical dream for many actors; instead, her debut performance was for a sex education video, which was far from glamorous. Yet, this opportunity provided enough encouragement for her to persevere. Eventually, she secured a place on “The Office.” Interestingly, Fischer’s administrative experience may have played a crucial role in landing her breakout part. Fischer herself admitted that she related strongly with her character Pam Beesly, stating at the Hudson Union Society, “I was an administrative assistant who didn’t know how to make my dreams come true.” It seems that the casting director of “The Office” must have recognized this quality in Fischer as well.
Claire Danes couldn’t get a role for two years
From the very beginning, Claire Danes had made up her mind about becoming an actor. In a conversation with Vogue, she reminisced about informing her family, “Regardless of whether it’s for money or not, I must act. There’s no alternative. That’s it.” At just nine years old, Danes expressed this conviction. Although she achieved early success with “Romeo + Juliet” and garnered awards recognition for her portrayal in “Temple Grandin,” Danes experienced a challenging period later in her career. For two consecutive years, she couldn’t secure any roles. Although offers did come, none of them appealed to her or offered a chance to stretch herself as an actor. Danes confided in Vogue, “There came a time when I thought, I truly enjoy interior design.” The actress recalls a friend advising her, “Perhaps your real achievement lies in your personal life.”
When she received the call that rejuvenated her professional life, Danes found herself needing a moment to contemplate. With the offer to star in TV series “Homeland” as a troubled CIA agent on the table, Danes pondered whether immersing herself in such a complex character for numerous seasons would be exhausting. At the same time, she had also tried out for a secondary role in “J. Edgar,” where she’d portray Leo DiCaprio’s character’s secretary. Faced with the choice between playing the assistant or the boss, Danes made her decision clear: “I want to be the boss.” She explained this preference to Vogue.
Mary-Louise Parker became disillusioned with Hollywood
If you’re wondering what the cast of “Weeds” is up to now, you might find it intriguing to know that the lead actress, Mary-Louise Parker, nearly gave up acting altogether. In fact, she expressed her intention to exit show business in a conversation with news.com.au, stating, “I’m not sure how many more films I want to do. I wouldn’t mind doing another TV show, I’d like to do a few more plays, but I think I’m nearing the end of my acting career.”
In simpler terms, Parker (best known for playing the character Nancy Botwin, a single mother turned drug lord in a popular series) expressed her discomfort with Hollywood today. She described it as a cruel environment, characterized by reality TV where people are seen enduring hardships and humiliating themselves. She likened this to lifting up a rock and only focusing on what’s beneath it. Furthermore, she admitted that she avoids such an atmosphere because she finds it too emotionally challenging due to her sensitivity.
Even though I’ve stepped back a bit from the limelight, I just can’t resist the allure of the gaming world entirely. I’m pickier about my roles now, prioritizing time with my kids over everything else. However, I haven’t completely disappeared. You might have seen me in “Red Sparrow” and “Omni Loop,” movies that I took on after announcing my semi-retirement.
Eric Stonestreet almost quit acting to be a butcher
Rarely do Hollywood celebrities face a dilemma where they must choose between acting and another profession, such as being a butcher. However, this was the predicament Eric Stonestreet found himself in just two months before landing the role on “Modern Family.” At that time, his acting career had reached its lowest point. He confessed to Mental Health Television Network that he harbored a secret dream of becoming a concierge butcher and was considering making a career shift. Yet, a friend managed to dissuade him from doing so.
As a devoted fan, I can empathize with Stonestreet’s sentiments. He yearned for a broader range in Hollywood due to the constraints he encountered, largely stemming from his physical build. Over the course of his career, he came to realize that certain roles were not within his grasp, simply because of his body type. In an engaging conversation on the “I Think You’re Interesting” podcast, he candidly shared, “For a considerable stretch, I could examine my resume and reel and say, ‘I didn’t land those jobs because I’m a larger individual.'”
Eric Stonestreet deliberately avoided roles where his body was made the subject of jokes. When he discovered “Modern Family”, he felt he had found an ideal fit. Stonestreet mentioned that if he proposed altering his character’s lines to minimize body-shaming, the producers were receptive. He explained, “We don’t want to overuse the word ‘fat’. We can use it occasionally, but I’d rather not focus on that. Let’s find more imaginative ways instead.”
Colman Domingo broke down after failing a major audition
Colman Domingo strongly dislikes being referred to as a struggling actor. In an interview with The Talks, he made it clear that he had never been a struggling actor but simply an actor throughout his career. However, there was once a time when he considered quitting acting altogether due to his difficulty landing roles with substantial dialogue early in his career. This changed when he auditioned for the role of a maître d’ in “Boardwalk Empire,” which would have given him more to work with. Domingo shared in an interview with NPR that he received praise for his performance during the audition, but unfortunately, he didn’t get the part despite everyone involved loving him and thinking he was fantastic.
As a gamer putting myself in Domingo’s shoes, I can imagine how it felt when I heard that my agent conveyed the showrunners’ preference for an actor with lighter skin, citing historical accuracy. Overwhelmed and enraged at the gym, I let out a furious scream before breaking down into tears. In the heat of the moment, I declared to The New York Times, “That’s when I lost my mind,” feeling like I couldn’t bear it any longer – “I can’t take it anymore, I think this is going to kill me.” But luckily for all of us, I didn’t quit acting. Instead, a friend of mine convinced me to switch agents, and eventually I started auditioning again. Eventually, I landed the role on “Fear the Walking Dead,” which rekindled my belief in myself and what I had to offer. Now, speaking with NPR, I express my gratitude for this second chance, saying, “It reinvigorated my faith in what I had to give.”
Milo Ventimiglia nearly became a farmer
Actor Milo Ventimiglia, known for his role in “This Is Us”, contemplated quitting acting multiple times. The initial consideration came just before his career breakthrough; at that time, he was seriously considering becoming an auto mechanic instead. However, fate intervened and he landed a role on “Gilmore Girls,” which initially made him reconsider his decision to leave acting. After the conclusion of “Gilmore Girls”, Ventimiglia struggled to find roles as satisfying as the one he had in that series. Then came the NBC show “Heroes,” which provided him with the sense of fulfillment he had been searching for.
Regrettably, by the fourth season of “Heroes,” Ventimiglia grew disenchanted, feeling that the series had shifted from focusing on character development to one prioritizing spectacle. Following “Heroes,” he encountered a period where he was unemployed for an entire year. In an interview with Variety, he expressed his doubts, wondering, “If they’re not buying what I’m offering, then why am I still here trying to sell it?”
Currently, he was considering abandoning the country for a humble existence in Italy. To Entertainment Weekly, he shared his thoughts, saying, “I decided I’d shave my head, grow a beard, and work on a farm.” Fortunately, “This Is Us” emerged, leaving him unsure if he could envision himself engaged in anything else. “I’m deeply entrenched in being creative and hopefully contributing to the artistic community of Hollywood – providing an escape from daily life,” he told Variety.
Julia Garner felt Hollywood had lost interest in her
As a struggling actress myself, I can empathize with Julia Garner’s struggles to find work after she aged out of teen roles. The entertainment industry is notoriously fickle and ruthless, often valuing youth and novelty over talent and experience. It’s disheartening to see the opportunities dry up when you hit a certain age, especially if you feel like you still have so much more to offer. I remember feeling the same way when I was in Garner’s shoes – wondering if I would ever find my big break again. But I persisted and eventually found success, albeit not overnight. It takes dedication, resilience, and a thick skin to navigate this industry, but for those who persevere, it can be incredibly rewarding. I admire Garner’s determination and her refusal to settle for less than she deserves. She’s an inspiration to us all.
Garner usually kept her expectations low regarding roles, aware that getting the part might not happen. However, she couldn’t help but be drawn to the character of Ruth in “Ozark,” and she really wanted it. The casting director’s response seemed indifferent to her, leading her to believe she had messed up her audition. In an interview for the podcast “Can’t Stop Watching,” she confessed to her mother, “I guess I won’t hear from this project. It’s not going to happen.” To her surprise, not only did it materialize, but it catapulted her to stardom and earned her numerous Emmy Awards. Garner even expressed to Entertainment Weekly that she would be happy to film “Ozark” for the remainder of her career.
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2024-08-03 14:30