Top 15 One Hit Wonder Actors

“The Goonies” (1985)


The L.A.-raised Jeff Cohen was destined to be a power player in movies. He had only been acting for two years when he broke out in the classic adventure comedy “The Goonies”. Of all the iconic characters on this suburban treasure hunt, Chunk stands out as the true underdog. Cohen's hilarious self-deprecating humor and ultimate heroic turn stole the show. But the child actor found his true passion observing the business behind the scenes. After a few minor TV performances, he retired to study law. Cohen went on to become a powerhouse entertainment attorney and dealmaker. He surely could have lined up a lucrative acting career for himself, but the success of and after “The Goonies” is a formidable enough legacy.

“Menace II Society” (1993)


Albert and Allen Hughes debuted with an uncompromising look at the tension and tragedy of South-Central L.A. Their lead actor deserves just as much credit for the weight of “Menace II Society”. Tyrin Turner drew on his own troubled upbringing to portray Kaydee “Caine” Lawson with intelligence and a degraded innocence. The film became a staple of the hood drama genre, scoring Turner an Independent Spirit Award nomination. It also launched the careers of Jada Pinkett and Larenz Tate. Turner, however, would never again lead a high-profile picture. He still enjoys steady work as a character actor, who has diversified in filmmaking and hip-hop. Besides, Turner left an important mark on society with his unforgettable breakout.

“Hairspray” (2007)


The movie musical “Hairspray” has gone from an unexpected hit to a classic. First-time actress Nikki Blonsky was particularly a revelation as Tracy Turnblad, an unpopular but enthusiastic high schooler fighting for tolerance. Blonsky’s spectacular charm and musical talent won high honors, including the Critic’s Choice Award for Best Young Actress. She was set to be a superstar. However, after a scandalous encounter with model Bianca Golden in 2008, Blonsky’s 15 minutes were up. She still enjoys solid work as an actress and public figure. Incidentally, she’s also a licensed cosmetologist. “Hairspray” has been good to Blonsky in more ways than one, but she may never get a more iconic role than the first.

“A Christmas Story” series (1983-2022)


Peter Billingsley wasn’t the first actor to play Ralphie Parker in adaptations of Jean Shepherd’s stories. But can you picture anyone else in the role… or Billingsley in another? “A Christmas Story” is a hilarious, heartwarming staple of holiday movies. The 12-year lead actor embodied its satire and sweetness, becoming an icon across four decades of childhood nostalgia. Unfortunately, Billingsley failed to land another hit as a child star. He grew up to be a successful filmmaker, with the occasional bit part on the screen. It wasn’t until 2022 when he returned to the spotlight, playing the adult Ralphie in “A Christmas Story Christmas”. Billingsley clearly recognizes what his breakout role means for everybody, though it’s not like he had much else going on.

“The Blind Side” (2009)


The true story of football underdog Michael Oher is undeniably cinematic. Unfortunately, an unsettling amount of “The Blind Side”'s initial hype was over Sandra Bullock’s Oscar-winning portrayal of his guardian. As Oher himself, unknown actor Quinton Aaron won the hearts of many with his natural presence and sensitive emotional depth. Under most circumstances, an accoladed lead role in blockbuster Oscar bait would guarantee a great acting career. But “The Blind Side” received backlash for its inaccuracies and racial dynamics, with Oher personally denouncing his stereotypical characterization. Aaron’s more well-regarded portrayal was almost irrelevant. His own underdog story came down to steady work in low-profile movies, but he gave his all in a polarizing phenomenon.

“Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” (1971)


In the pantheon of one-time actors, Peter Ostrum really did find a golden ticket. He was performing in a children's theater in Cleveland when he was cast as the poor but rich-hearted Charlie Bucket in “Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory”. The whimsical musical rose from a meager box office performance to become a pop culture classic. Young Ostrum was a star straight away, but opted to leave acting on a high note. He instead followed his true passion as a veterinarian who specialized in farm animals. He retired in 2023 as a sort of celebrity in his field. As the star of an everlasting family favorite, he just needed the one role to be universally beloved.

“My Big Fat Greek Wedding” (2002-23)


Nia Vardalos was struggling as a small-time TV actress when she took a chance on a career shift. She drew on her cultural heritage as writer and star of the one-woman show “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, later expanded into a romantic comedy movie. The humble production was a huge hit with critics and audiences, earning Vardalos Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for her two roles. She continued Toula Portokalos’s family-sized love story in two sequels and a short-lived TV show on CBS. Outside of the franchise, though, Vardalos has stuck to smaller projects. Hey, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” is a big enough sensation for rom-com fans and the Greek-American community.

“Almost Famous”


Cameron Crowe’s experiences as a teenage rock journalist inspired his road dramedy masterpiece “Almost Famous”. Of all the actors who could have played his surrogate character, the role of William Miller went to 16-year-old Patrick Fugit. His bashful charm and emotional maturity carried the coming-of-age against the egos of ‘70s rockers. Despite commercial disappointment, “Almost Famous” won a dedicated following. They sadly did not follow Fugit, who nonetheless stood out in a variety of projects. He's had supporting roles in “Cirque du Freak”, “Gone Girl” and “First Man”, and helmed Cinemax’s acclaimed horror drama “Outcast”. Fugit may be famous for rarely getting to be the headliner. He still has his fans, as well as one wonder of a hit.

“The Exorcist” (1973)


Linda Blair peaked early as a legendary scream queen. At 14 years old, she played the demonically possessed Regan MacNeil with a mix of terrified innocence and terrifying evil. “The Exorcist” was a shocking success which revolutionized horror cinema. With an Oscar nod and a Golden Globe win, Blair was expected to be a big name at a young age. She did grow into a cult darling with the camp classic “Roller Boogie”. But theatrical bombs, TV roles, and focus on animal rights activism didn’t do much for her stardom. The 1977 scandals of a drug charge and “Exorcist II: The Heretic” nearly negated her breakout role. Thankfully, the original “The Exorcist” remains hailed as a masterpiece, thanks in part to the still-prolific Blair.

“Bill & Ted Trilogy” (1989-2020)


“Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” is one of the most bodacious buddy comedies in history. An animated TV show and the sequel “Bogus Journey” are also cult staples. The time-travel fantasies are carried by the chemistry between breakout actors Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. But while Reeves became a huge movie star, Winter thrived off-screen. He’s a versatile director, best-known for documentaries like “Downloaded” and “Zappa”. He also continues to work steadily in front of the camera. Still, Winter didn’t draw much of an audience until he and Reeves reunited for 2020’s “Bill & Ted Face the Music”. Winter is by no means a one-hit wonder as a filmmaker. And as an actor, he attained immortality with one sweet series.

“The Crying Game” (1992)


Of all the complicated themes in the classic IRA drama “The Crying Game”, one has drawn particular debate. Still, no-one denies the incredible performance of debutant actor Jaye Davidson. The Dil character was a groundbreaking love interest who represented the strife of transwomen and the nuances of sexuality. Yet this moving love story was long the subject of transphobic jokes, and continues to be scrutinized for its representation with a cisgender actor. Davidson was nonetheless adorned with praise and accolades, but overwhelmed by the pressures of fame. He thus retired following a small appearance in 1994’s “Stargate”. Davidson made a great living as a model and stylist, and will always be remembered for his powerful, important foray into acting.

“They Live” (1988)


“Rowdy” Roddy Piper technically landed many hits on-camera. The pro wrestling legend dominated the ring, but only really dominated moviegoers with John Carpenter’s “They Live”. The genre-bending satire follows a nameless drifter who discovers that American consumerism is part of an alien invasion. Piper’s stunt casting was natural to Carpenter, who admired the wrestler’s natural grit. His quiet expressiveness through the first half of the movie is indeed moving. Of course, he kills the second half’s awesome action and one-liners. This helped to make “They Live” a cult classic. Piper continued a prolific acting career, but usually in supporting roles and low-profile genre fare. Nonetheless, one of wrestling’s most beloved heels is equally recognizable as a hero against alien and corporate overlords.

“Clueless” (1995)


Alicia Silverstone was poised to be a sensation even before her breakout film. She appeared in three Aerosmith music videos and won an MTV Movie Award for the moderately successful “The Crush”. Then she became a teen idol as the star of the glamorous rom-com “Clueless”. Silverstone’s iconic portrayal of Cher Horowitz landed her a high-profile deal with Columbia-TriStar and her own production company. Unfortunately, her next big role would be Batgirl in 1997’s “Batman & Robin”. The movie was an infamous critical and box office disaster, earning Silverstone a Golden Raspberry Award. She would never again star in a blockbuster. Silverstone is still busy and beloved for “Clueless”, but no less famous for representing the risks in overnight stardom.

“Crocodile Dundee Trilogy” (1986-2001)


Paul Hogan’s comedy career was strong enough in Australia to spawn a long-running TV variety show. His subsequent acting and screenwriting breakout made him a national treasure, whether his countrymen liked it or not. Though “Crocodile Dundee” has been criticized for popularizing Australian stereotypes, among others, an outback adventurer’s exploits in New York were a global pop culture phenomenon. Hogan won a Golden Globe and reprised Crocodile Dundee in two sequels, with more commercial success than critical. He didn't even have that with his handful of other projects through the years. Among them was the 2020 meta comedy “The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee”, which basically admits that Hogan is a one-hit wonder. Still, how many actors can claim a permanent culture icon?

“On Her Majesty's Secret Service” (1969)


MI6 agent James Bond has propelled the already established careers of many actors. The second to play him on the big screen wasn’t so fortunate. Australian model George Lazenby had never acted before replacing Sean Connery for the sixth 007 movie. “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” was naturally a box office smash, despite mixed reviews that were particularly split on the lead actor. Lazenby became the only Bond to decline sequels, in favor of other opportunities. He wound up starring in several B-movies before resigning to supporting roles in minor Hollywood fare. When Lazenby formally retired in 2024, he had not acted in three years. But he’ll forever be synonymous with his would-be big break, now considered a highlight of the 007 saga.




What are your favorite one-hit performances? Do these and other actors have other movies worth hyping up? Give your take in the comments.