Top 30 Worst Movie Actors

Top 30 Worst Movie Actors


Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at actors who’ve stunk up the big screen more often than not. We’re only considering film performances here, so TV appearances don’t count!

#30: Jessica Simpson

Known for her breakthrough as a teen singer—and her much-publicized marriage to Nick Lachey—Jessica Simpson tried her hand at acting in the aughts. While “The Dukes of Hazzard” film is no critical darling, reviewers gave Simpson’s turn as Daisy Duke a particular lashing. Following up with equally lackluster films like “Employee of the Month” and “Blonde Ambition” did her no favors. Many critics found that Simpson had a one-note delivery and limited range. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that she hasn’t appeared in any movies since 2008’s direct-to-video film “Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous”.

#29: Katie Holmes

To be clear, we aren’t going after Katie Holmes’ performance in “Dawson’s Creek,” which made her a household name. But the actress majorly missed the mark on the big screen. Although a role in Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins” looks solid on paper, Holmes ended up with a Golden Raspberry nomination for Worst Supporting Actress. Giving up her role in its sequel, “The Dark Knight,” to be in the critical flop “Mad Money” wasn’t one of Holmes’ best decisions. If you think that’s bad, she also starred in even more terribly-received films like “Jack and Jill” and “Days and Nights.” While Holmes’ acting isn’t the worst thing about these movies, we can’t call her a bright spot in them either.

#28: Megan Fox

Talk about being typecast! Hollywood seems to have only two roles for Megan Fox: the mean rival to the likable protagonist, or the sexy love interest who doesn’t do much else. Even movies like “Jennifer’s Body” feature Fox in a combination of the two. Over a decades-long career, Fox hasn’t really succeeded in breaking out from the stereotype. Instead, the actress doubled down on it with films like “Subservience” and “Expend4bles” —the latter “winning” Fox her third Golden Raspberry award. To her credit, sticking to what works for her has led to mainstream success.

#27: Jennifer Lopez

It isn’t every day you see a multi-time Golden Globe nominee on a “worst” list. But you also don’t usually see said actor making turkey noises in a $75 million movie. Plus, J.Lo has a lot more misses than hits in her filmography. From history-making flops like “Gigli” to critical duds like “Monster-in-Law,” Lopez’s film choices have been far from perfect. Given her prominence in the music scene, it’s easy to forget she began her career as an actress. Her rom-com ventures have connected with audiences, but critical praise remains a distant dream. With all this in mind, J.Lo’s 10 Razzie award nominations make a lot of sense.

#26: Kate Upton

Remember when Kate Upton was all the rage in the 2010s? Channeling her appeal to the big screen was a smart move on the supermodel’s part. There was only one problem: her acting. After a couple of bit parts, Upton made her leading debut in the 2014 film “The Other Woman.” Considering she plays a swimsuit supermodel in the film, Upton didn’t really need to flex her acting muscles with this role. Still, the film’s commercial success managed to cover up any shortcomings. Her follow-up feature, “The Layover,” wasn’t so fortunate. With a 0% Rotten Tomatoes rating, the only “funny” thing about this comedy is how hilariously bad it is. Upton’s since phased acting out of her repertoire—which we don’t blame her for.

#25: Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson

Mainly known for his music industry success, this rapper has also maintained an acting career since the aughts. Then again, he’s stuck to films with ensemble casts, so 50 Cent’s presence can sometimes be forgotten. With action franchises like “Escape Plan” or the occasional drama film, it’s a safe bet that Jackson will be playing some variation of a guy who doesn’t play by the rules. He seldom stands out in the cast, and more often than not feels like he’s there to make up the numbers. While you can admire his tenacity, he’s gone decades without delivering any particularly memorable role. A lack of evolution and depth means Jackson’s film career remains largely forgettable.

#24: Justin Timberlake

Another singer-turned-actor, Timberlake’s filmography is riddled with hits and misses. For every solid effort like “The Social Network,” there’s an embarrassing entry like “The Love Guru.” Timberlake gets by when surrounded by stronger actors. When he’s the main star, though, his weaknesses are harder to ignore. Films like “Bad Teacher” and “In Time” may have done well, but you can’t really credit Timberlake’s acting for their success. It doesn’t help that he seems to act the same way in different genres. Timberlake has arguably fared better as a voice actor since the 2010s.

#23: Tyler Perry

If there’s one actor who’s constantly defied bad reviews, it’s Tyler Perry. By now, it’s clear that the trade-off for his commercial success is starring in less-than-stellar productions. As of 2024, only one film featuring Perry’s Madea character has ever earned a “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Aside from a few exceptions, like 2014’s “Gone Girl,” most of Perry’s other films have drawn criticism. Sure, the actor’s willingness to remain in a one-note performance bubble has translated to box office numbers. But, he’s also experienced a simultaneous hit to his reputation as an actor.

#22: Cara Delevingne

You can’t say Cara Delevingne hasn’t tried to work her way around the cinematic landscape. From big-budget action films to indie dramas, the model-turned-actress has tried a range of roles. But, instead of making a major impact, the most she’s managed is a slight tremor. Whether she’s playing the manic pixie dream girl in “Paper Towns” or the otherworldly villain Enchantress in “Suicide Squad,” many critics find that she lacks believability. Without a spicy supporting part or a lead role that captivates audiences, she’s built up a list of credits with little in terms of acclaim to show for it. Delevingne has focused her attention on TV ventures, and only time will tell if she reinvents herself on the big screen.

#21: Larry the Cable Guy

We might be playing fast and loose by referring to this comedian as an “actor,” given that he almost always plays himself on-screen. Even his best-known role as Mater in “Cars” is basically Larry the Cable Guy if he were an automobile. While you might argue that Larry the Cable Guy is a persona that Daniel Lawrence Whitney plays, it still shows his range is limited. The character took him farther than what many probably expected. He appeared in several films during the 2000s and 2010s. But if his Southern blue-collar gimmick isn’t your thing, then watching him on-screen can feel like a really long joke with no punchline.

#20: Dane Cook

Comedian Dane Cook took the world by storm in the 2000s as one of the first performers to use MySpace to gain fame. He had some chances before that to act opposite Dennis Rodman in the movie “Simon Sez,” which showed off his habit of overacting. With increased attention for his comedy specials, Cook naturally received more opportunities to star in films. These included comedies such as “Employee of the Month” and “Good Luck Chuck,” which largely were considered lackluster rom-coms. The actor didn’t attract the same attention as his stage performances and was somewhat constrained by the scripts he was given. Controversies including accusations of joke theft followed him into the 2010s when his screen parts started to slow down.

#19: Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian and her family have spent over a decade on the cover of tabloids, often earning the title “famous for being famous.” Sometimes people forget that there was a time when she was more involved with making films. These might not have been substantial, but projects like “Disaster Movie” didn’t inspire confidence in her as a commanding screen presence. She’s also worked with Tyler Perry in “Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor.” It’s another supporting role that doesn’t sell the celebrity as a natural actor, instead proving she’s more uninterested in her performance style. Kardashian largely focuses on her business ventures these days and steers clear of cinematic pursuits.

#18: Neil Breen

He doesn’t quite fit into the mainstream, but Neil Breen has amassed a fanbase all his own for some outrageous acting. Breen is actually an architect and his film work represent a passionate hobby that’s been realized over the course of several movies. His efforts have garnered terrible reviews and that’s putting it mildly. The performer certainly shows that he’s an amateur, never being able to sell any script or direct himself in a proper fashion. This doesn’t even count his productions which feature a wide array of ineffective elements such as poor editing, sound, and casting choices. All this is to say, the artist needs to be seen to be believed.

#17: Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino is arguably the most famous writer/director working today, creating cinema that blends entertaining dialogue with exciting genre elements. His talents as a filmmaker don’t necessarily carry over into the acting realm. While he has a history of performing in some of his movies, they’re largely supporting roles that distract audiences. He doesn’t fit in with the tough guys in “Reservoir Dogs” or add much to his masterpiece “Pulp Fiction” other than some awkward line deliveries. His turn as an Australian in “Django Unchained” is definitely his least effective performance, taking away from the enjoyable film’s final act. After completing the 2012 western, he’s avoided spending much time in front of the camera.

#16: Tara Reid

Following roles in movies like “The Big Lebowski,” Tara Reid first established herself as a star in the first entry of the “American Pie” series. She often finds herself in shallow parts that fail to set her apart from any number of actresses in her generation. Reid's appearance in the “Sharknado” series provides some laughs at her expense, especially when she gets the chance to fumble her way through an action sequence. Her film career did receive a small boost from the return of her Vicky character in “American Reunion.” There doesn’t seem to be a significant comeback in her immediate future, but she's taken to lower-budget movies in the meantime.

#15: Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba was almost everywhere in the 2000s, appearing in films that spanned multiple genres and put her on Hollywood's A-list. The actress was part of two "Fantastic Four" entries that received mixed reviews, with her work as Susan Storm being an example of her blander than engaging efforts. Her role in the comedy "The Love Guru" might have been a critical low point for her career. It was a notable misfire all around, including the fact that Alba isn't really known for her comedic abilities. The actress finally looked beyond her film work and started a massively successful business called The Honest Company.

#14: Rob Schneider

Following his exit from "Saturday Night Live," Rob Schneider has often appeared in many supporting roles in Adam Sandler comedies. He often plays goofy characters that don't necessarily deserve their own film. With Schneider's solo efforts, he’s attempted leading parts that feel unsubstantial and lacking in the hilarity department. “The Animal” taps into his primal side, but doesn't give him much of a chance to shine. His other films like “The Hot Chick” and “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo” have aged poorly and feature the performer in mediocre scripts. Contemporaries like Sandler find a way to play characters for an entire movie, but Schneider has largely been unable to provide a compelling or truly likable performance on his own.

#13: M. Night Shyamalan

M. Night Shyamalan is known as one of the more gifted and imaginative filmmakers of the late 1990s and early 2000s. He's made a wide array of horror films and thrillers that have been greatly acclaimed and/or successful. Shyamalan also starred in a number of his projects, in roles that many people find distracting or downright bad. If there is a definitive part of his movies that people don't love, it ends up being one of his cameos that feel somewhat self-aggrandizing and take away from the larger production. The director keeps the small roles coming without an end in sight, but at least he avoids playing the main character.

#12: Jean-Claude Van Damme

Nobody would argue that Jean-Claude Van Damme isn't tough. The Belgian fighter clearly proved himself as an entertaining brawler in many films, although he never really established himself as a serious actor. There's nothing wrong with this fact, but it has produced some mediocre acting work from him. Movies such as "Bloodsport" don't exactly contain an award-winning performance. In over-the-top adventures such as "Street Fighter," Van Damme feels right at home as a guy who is not bound by the method or technique of any kind. His projects might be exciting, but they never convince the audience that the star is all that emotionally invested in the story.

#11: Jaden Smith

Jaden Smith started acting at a young age, starring alongside his father Will in films of all kinds. It’s fair to say that he was much younger and less in control of his career than other actors on this list. This doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s off the hook either, but he does enter into the nepotism debate. He’s playing a regular kid without any kind of spark in various movies that include the remake of “The Karate Kid.” Some of the efforts with his dad seem as if he was dragged along, not necessarily invested in the experience. Later work such as “After Earth” captures him as an awkward teenager in a project that asks too much of him.

#10: Taylor Lautner

Starring as Jacob in the “Twilight” films, Taylor Lautner went from a working actor to a teen heartthrob almost overnight. Lautner’s turn as the werewolf spanned several sequels that didn’t receive great reviews. He was essentially just a pawn in a soap opera, never taken seriously as an actor during the height of his success. The performer spent the remaining 2010s trying to break out from the stigma of the series, with a mix of rom-coms and action flicks. In “Abduction,” he attempted to break out of the teen idol status and mostly felt out of place in more of a thrilling setting. His place in Hollywood was uncertain after he was dubbed as a physical presence rather than a nuanced artist.

#9: Madonna

Rising through the 1980s as a certified pop star, Madonna was a force to be reckoned with on the Billboard charts. She’s tried different roles in movies over the years from concerts to fictional films. The singer even played a performer in “Dick Tracy,” in a part that wasn’t a huge stretch for her. It’s especially difficult to be hugely famous in one medium and then be convincing in another. Projects like “Swept Away” are hard to watch without being painfully aware that the vocalist is super famous and trying to become a character. Even her cameo in “Die Another Day” functions more as a parody than any sort of serious film appearance.

#8: Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal spent the 1990s and 2000s dominating in the NBA, winning multiple championship rings for teams like the Los Angeles Lakers. He also ventured into music and movies that received ridicule at the time. With few exceptions, his star vehicles like “Kazaam” felt like a poor showcase of his charisma. O’Neal has a natural ability and showmanship on the court that never translated to the screen. Regardless of the genre, the player felt out of place in everything from superhero films to Adam Sandler comedies. He makes occasional appearances to this day, but usually at his own expense in a self-aware parody of his acting abilities.

#7: Jamie Kennedy

Taking a wide range of supporting roles in the 1990s, Jamie Kennedy came to prominence as a comedian and comic relief character in many films. His most popular role arrived with his appearances in the “Scream” series. After leaving the horror franchise, Kennedy spent the 2000s exploring comedy with mixed results. It could be argued that his stock in Hollywood dropped with “Son of the Mask.” The sequel received terrible reviews and the actor seemed to be miscast in a poor continuation of “The Mask,” unable to match Jim Carrey’s original energy or likability. Some people enjoy his work in “Malibu’s Most Wanted,” but the performer never quite had the comedic gravitas of a leading man.

#6: Hulk Hogan

For most wrestling fans, Hulk Hogan represents an entire era of entertainment with his wild personality. His appearances in movies are definitely not held to the same standard. Next to his brief role in “Rocky III,” most of his other work attempts to either put him up as an action hero or as a friend to small children. Unsurprisingly, his chaotic persona in the ring doesn’t always make for the greatest use on screen. It also doesn’t quite work when he plays some kind of unconventional babysitter. Hogan’s roles in “Mr. Nanny” and other 1990s movies come off as an attempt to pander to younger audiences.

#5: Tom Green

Tom Green is a unique comedy figure that defies normal exclamation points, with some believing him to be a genius that inspired all kinds of alternate and anti-comedy icons in the 2000s. Others feel that he's a bizarre and off-putting presence in any of his films. Many of his harshest critics cite “Freddy Got Fingered” as the nail in the coffin for his viable film career. While it wasn't the end for Green, the gross-out comedy defies the limits of good taste and was provocative in a way that many people found to be negative. His particular brand of humor and aggressive techniques have made some friends and enemies out of many audience members.

#4: Pauly Shore

Pauly Shore splashed onto the comedy scene in the early 1990s with a string of hit films. His entire persona revolved around a stoner/surfer motif that many people found to be one-note. Movies like “Bio-Dome” and “Encino Man” saw success in their day, but haven't really made much of an impact past their initial release. Shore has a personality that can be grating to some and hilarious to others. The performer uses a unique vocal cry and delivery which he employs for every single one of his projects, never veering too far from a similar setup of playing dumb characters.

#3: Paris Hilton

In the 2000s, hotel heiress Paris Hilton became a widely-known celebrity. This led to her near-ubiquitous presence in the entertainment industry, including a somewhat unconventional film career. Hilton starred in the horror remake "House of Wax," playing one of the many victims in a largely forgettable role. The main problem with her acting is that she has a monotone quality and doesn't seem very interested in the material. She also starred in one of the worst movies of the decade entitled "The Hottie and the Nottie." It tried to present her as a version of the blonde stereotype with some offensive jokes thrown into the mix. Most people would argue that her singing career was much more engaging than anything she did on film.

#2: Steven Seagal

Along with some questionable connections to Vladimir Putin, actor Steven Seagal has made a handful of mistakes in his cinematic career. He might just beat us up for writing this, but we're pretty sure he's been eclipsed by much better action stars at every turn. Some of his acting sounds like whispering in several scenes that will make you turn up the volume. When he's trying to fight, he doesn't seem to bring much energy to the sequences themselves. His arrogance allegedly extended to behind-the-scenes stories as many people have acknowledged him as a difficult collaborator.

#1: Tommy Wiseau

Tommy Wiseau is the director, writer, and lead actor in "The Room." He's also become a cult figure for his work on the film, which remains a midnight-movie staple around the US. Wiseau plays Johnny in a role that's full of eccentric acting choices. His line deliveries are the stuff of legend, making viewers question their own sanity during some scenes. He famously walks out onto the roof in a legendary line that includes an unbelievable non sequitur. The entire experience inspired a book by co-star Greg Sestero, which described the bizarre tale of working with the performer. It's clear from each individual set piece that the man is making the most unique choice he can at any given moment.



Is there a bad actor who makes you want to walk out? Let us know in the comments.