Top 10 2000s Stars That Flopped in the 2010s
#10: Elisha Cuthbert
Kim Bauer was never anyone’s favorite character on “24”. Elisha Cuthbert, however, did possess a certain “girl next door” quality. She even took center stage in a 2005 comedy entitled “The Girl Next Door.” Where that film gained a cult following, Cuthbert’s subsequent attempts at movie stardom... have not. In 2011, Cuthbert made the leap back to television on “Happy Endings” which – despite receiving critical acclaim over time – ended after three seasons. Since then, Cuthbert’s filmography has been relatively quiet outside of her supporting role on “The Ranch”, which saw her upgraded to a regular in Season 2. With that show wrapping up in 2020, will the ensuing decade have a happier ending for Cuthbert?
#9: Josh Hartnett
Throughout the 2000s, the industry tried to mold Josh Hartnett into Hollywood’s next heartthrob with roles in “Pearl Harbor,” “Black Hawk Down,” and “30 Days of Night.” Rumors even indicated that Hartnett was up for Loki in “Thor.” While a gig like that would’ve made him next level famous, Hartnett seemingly parted ways with the blockbuster scene. In 2013, Hartnett stated in an interview that “trying to stay at the top is a shortcut to unhappiness.” Harnett proceeded to say that he had taken 15 months off, questioning if this career path was right for him. This has been reflected through his recent filmography, which is mostly comprised of low-profile films and a supporting role on Showtime’s “Penny Dreadful.”
#8: Rachael Leigh Cook
As the 20th century neared its conclusion, Rachael Leigh Cook landed her breakout role as not-so ugly duckling Laney Boggs in “She’s All That.” While some would argue that's where she peaked, Cook remained relevant over the next decade in shows like “Into the West” and films like “Josie and the Pussycats”. Alas, once the 2010s rolled in, Cook went from “She’s All That” to “Who Dat?” As of late, Cook’s screen credits have almost entirely been comprised of direct-to-DVD features and Hallmark Channel movies. Aside from that, she’s popped up in a couple crime dramas, lent her voice to a few projects, and revisited her famous “brain on drugs” PSA.
#7: Seann William Scott
In the “American Pie” series, Seann William Scott stole the show to the point that “American Wedding” was pretty much a Stifler movie. In 2012’s “American Reunion,” though, we find out that Stifler climaxed in high school and has struggled to get his act together since, which also sums up Scott's post-Pie career. Outside of playing the iconic party animal, Scott has voiced a literal animal in the “Ice Age” sequels. Scott also tried stepping out of his comfort zone a little as Wesley on Season 3 of “Lethal Weapon”. Maybe it’s because of typecasting, maybe it’s because of his rehab stint, or maybe it’s because of “Mr. Woodcock,” but the 2010s stiffed the Stifmeister.
#6: Freddie Prinze Jr.
Top 10 Most Iconic Freddie Mercury Looks
Another “She’s All That” alumnus, Freddie Prinze Jr. was one of the most desirable men of his generation, however most of his work over the past decade has consisted of voiceover roles. Prinze most notably voiced Jedi Kanan Jarrus in “Star Wars Rebels” and Lieutenant James Vega in the video game “Mass Effect 3,” a role he reprised in the film “Mass Effect: Paragon Lost.” Prinze seemed to lose interest in live-action projects after Season 8 of “24,” in which he clashed with star Kiefer Sutherland. After that, he appeared in a couple episodes of “Bones,” did some work on WWE, and co-authored a cookbook, but he remains best-remembered as a former teen idol.
#5: Brendan Fraser
Top 10 Moments That Made Us Love Brendan Fraser
Fraser was once a bankable Hollywood heavy-weight, but on the heels of a couple box office flops and disappointments, Fraser kicked off the 2010s with two more duds: “Extraordinary Measures” and “Furry Vengeance.” He didn’t even return for the sequel to “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” ironically being substituted with the Scorpion King himself, Dwayne Johnson. Fraser has had slightly better luck on television in Season 3 of “The Affair,” the first season of “Trust,” and the voice of Robotman on “Doom Patrol.” While Fraser may never reach the same levels of popularity he enjoyed in the '90s and 2000s, we’ll take his “Mummy” movies over that Tom Cruise train wreck any day.
#4: Chris Tucker
Top 10 Moments That Made Us Love Chris Hemsworth
With his loud-mouth roles in “Friday” and “Rush Hour,” Chris Tucker became the Eddie Murphy of the '90s. While Tucker only starred in two “Rush Hour” sequels during the 2000s, both films were box office hits and earned him sizable paychecks. “Rush Hour 3” alone scored the comedian $25 million, plus 20% of the profits. Maybe that’s why Tucker’s been slacking off. Since then he's only appeared in “Silver Linings Playbook” and “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk.” Tucker was a supporting player in both cases and radically dialed down his signature manic energy. Unless his bank account runs dry or “Rush Hour 4” finally gets green-lit, we likely won’t be seeing a ton of Tucker in the 2020s either.
#3: Sarah Michelle Gellar
Whatever Happened to Sarah Michelle Gellar?
Like her husband, Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar was everywhere in the '90s and 2000s. In addition to her lead role on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” Gellar was no stranger films, starring in “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” “Cruel Intentions,” and “Scooby-Doo.” Despite having great range, Gellar couldn’t catch a break this decade. She headlined two potential comeback vehicles with the shows “Ringer” and “The Crazy Ones,” both of which lasted a season. She also shot a pilot for a “Cruel Intentions” sequel series that wasn’t picked up. One highlight was a 2019 Super Bowl commercial where she returned to her scream queen roots. Looking ahead, we’re just keeping our fingers crossed for a “Buffy” reunion.
#2: Lindsay Lohan
The Troubled Life of Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan successfully transitioned from a child star in “The Parent Trap” to a teen idol in “Freaky Friday” and “Mean Girls.” By the late 2000s Lohan became better-known for her multiple DUIs and other run-ins with the law. Lohan made a couple attempts at a comeback in the 2010s. Perhaps the most infamous example was “Liz & Dick,” which ultimately earned Lohan abysmal reviews for her performance as Elizabeth Taylor. That same year, she hosted a “SNL” episode that poked fun at her notoriety and resemblance to Emma Stone. Nevertheless, Lohan just couldn’t shake her bad reputation, settling for a cameo in “Scary Movie 5,” guest starring on “2 Broke Girls,” and judging “The Masked Singer”… the Australian version. Before we get to our topic pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Orlando Brown Jesse Metcalfe Ashley Tisdale Carmen Electra Tom Green
#1: Tobey Maguire
You know how Michael Cera played the mysterious Player X in “Molly’s Game?” Well, Player X was primarily inspired Tobey Maguire! Of course, Maguire was a no-show in the film and something similar can be said about his current presence in Hollywood. Maguire started off the decade fairly well, co-starring alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Great Gatsby.” For the most part, however, Maguire has been pushed behind the camera, acting as a producer and narrating “The Boss Baby.” It’s been said that Maguire can be difficult to work with and the fallout from “Spider-Man 3” likely didn’t help the actor’s career. With an “Into the Spider-Verse” sequel coming in 2022, here’s hoping Maguire at least gets a cameo.
