Top 8 Actors HATED For Their Most Famous Role

Dirty Harry (1971)


There may be such a thing as too-good acting. Dirty Harry first inspired major controversy with its depiction of police brutality and civil rights violations. And then theres Andy Robinsons portrayal of the serial killer Scorpio, whom the titular Harry foils and eventually kills. Robinsons performance was so convincing that the actor received death threats for his role. Talk about a backhanded compliment. It didnt help that Scorpio was based on the real-life Zodiac Killer and human trafficker Gary Steven Krist. Even more unfortunately, Scorpios psychopathy allegedly inspired real-life copycat crimes, such as the Faraday school kidnapping in 1972 and the 1976 Chowchilla kidnapping. After Dirty Harrys success, Robinson was typecast as psychotic characters for a time. Stay safe out there.

#7: Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico
Star Wars sequel trilogy (2015-19)


This role is perhaps one of the most notorious cases of fan harassment. Star Wars: The Last Jedi introduces Kelly Marie Tran as mechanic and Resistance member Rose Tico, who is suggested to be Finns love interest. Youd think she would endear fans for saving the life of a major character. But much of the fan backlash was mostly due to Tran being an Asian American. The harassment was so extreme that she had to quit social media. Tran was unfortunately not alone. Finns actor John Boyega also racially-charged fan backlash, while Daisy Ridleys Rey was accused of being a Mary Sue. But Trans situation became particularly thorny when Roses role was suspiciously reduced in The Rise of Skywalker.

Matilda (1996)


Based on Roald Dahls novel, Danny DeVitos Matilda has become a kid movie classic in its own right. Unfortunately, Pam Ferris didn't win over kids by playing headmistress Agatha Trunchbull with mesmerizing brutality. The actress also did not have the best time with the role to begin with, sustaining several injuries while on set. She even had the top of her finger sliced off by wires during the scene where Trunchbull threw Amanda. Ferris went on to a varied career in film and theater, but she permanently haunted childhood memories. Harry Potter fans will also recognize her as the cruel Aunt Marge in The Prisoner of Azkaban. Like all great actors, Ferris disappeared into her roles a little too well.

Titanic (1997)


In this iconic historical romance, young upper-class Rose develops a romance with working-class artist Jack. Unfortunately, the wealthy Cal Hockley, played by Billy Zane, plans to condemn her to a loveless marriage of convenience. Soon, Cal reveals his true callous nature as he abuses Rose both verbally and physically, then frames Jack for theft. What a charmer. Zanes great performance turned Cal into an iconic villain that incurred a lot of hate from fans. The hate was enough that Zane admitted his role was a double-edged sword for him, leading to his being typecast in villain roles. His effective performances in that hypecast is a double-edged sword indeed.

Twilight franchise (2008-12)


Actors receiving hate for playing villains is one thing. But the romantic heroine? Bookish introvert Bella Swan falls in love with the tormented Edward Cullen and strives to join him in his vampire world. The character has received much hate in her own right, but Kristen Stewarts performance was also criticized as flat. It didnt help matters that Bella in the Twilight books was less socially awkward and much more emotionally expressive. Fortunately, Stewart has gone on to receive accolades for her stellar acting. 2021s Spencer even earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Maybe Bella was ill-suited for her, acting-wise. Either way, Stewart definitely did not deserve the hate.

#3: William Atherton as Walter Peck
Ghostbusters (1984)


Walter Peck is a killjoy EPA inspector who believes the Ghostbusters to be con men faking the ghost encounters. He even tries to have them arrested. William Athertons memorable performance would backfire on him after Ghostbusters became a box office hit and a cultural phenomenon. When Murray improvised a vulgar nickname for Peck, it led to people shouting it at Atherton on the street into the 90s. He couldnt even go into a bar without people wanting to fight him. All this for a supercilious government inspector trying to do his job? Autocratic characters aside, Atherton didnt deserve such harassment. He still had a varied film career, notably playing a similar jerk in Die Hard. Alls well that ends well.

Back to the Future franchise (1985-90)


The original Back to the Future introduces Thomas Wilson as high school jerk Biff Tannen, who picks on George and Marty McFly in the 50s. He even tries to force himself on Martys future mother. He ultimately gets his comeuppance when Marty changing the past leads to Biff becoming a mere valet in the new future. Wilson returned to the role in the sequels, and even gets a long-running gag of landing in a pile of manure at the end of each film. But playing the character took its toll on Wilson, who much hate from fans. Ironically, He himself was picked on as a kid and disliked playing the role. There are consequences for being so good at being bad.

Breaking Bad (2008-13)


In a series replete with criminals and sociopaths, who would have thought that a suburban housewife would become the most hated character? Played by Anna Gunn, Skyler White becomes suspicious of husband Walters illegal activities and tries to stop him from endangering the family. Its what any wife would do, until she becomes Walts partner in crime. Skyler is not perfect, but her actions and motivations are realistic. Regardless, she received so much hate that Gunn became the target of massive online harassment. It was so bad, Gunn even wrote an op-ed in The New York Times. Gunns award-winning performance makes this hate even more egregious, but shes acknowledged that it has died down through the years.


Which other film or TV actor do you feel gets unreasonable hate? Let us know in the comments down below!