Top 20 Actors With Only One Good Movie

Throughout their careers, many actors dream of finding a role that will truly define how they’re remembered. Occasionally, a performer achieves something special in a single film – a performance so remarkable it overshadows everything else they’ve done. These talented individuals left a lasting mark on cinema with just one outstanding movie, and are celebrated for that one iconic role. Here are some actors widely known for having that one truly exceptional film.

Eminem

Eminem stunned both fans and critics with his powerful acting debut in ‘8 Mile’. He played a Detroit factory worker trying to make it as a rapper while battling personal problems. Director Curtis Hanson helped him create a realistic and intense performance that carried the film. ‘8 Mile’ was a huge hit, praised for its honest and gritty portrayal of life. Eminem won an Oscar for an original song from the movie, but he hasn’t taken on another major acting role since.

Björk

The Icelandic singer gave a deeply moving performance in the film ‘Dancer in the Dark’, playing a Czech immigrant who gradually loses her vision as she struggles to afford her son’s medical treatment. The role was so emotionally draining that she decided to stop acting after filming finished. She won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her work, and it remains a defining moment in her career, showcasing her talent as an artist beyond her musical abilities.

Madonna

The singer found the perfect movie role in the film adaptation of ‘Evita’. She really wanted to play Eva Perón and worked hard on her singing to learn the difficult music. Her effort was rewarded with a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy. Critics who hadn’t taken her acting seriously before were impressed by her powerful performance and the emotion she brought to the role. ‘Evita’ is widely considered the best film in a career that has had its ups and downs.

Paul Hogan

Paul Hogan, an Australian comedian, became famous around the world with his movie ‘Crocodile Dundee’. He both wrote and starred in the film, playing a rugged outdoorsman who journeys from the Australian wilderness to New York City. The movie was a hit with audiences everywhere, thanks to its funny portrayal of someone out of their element and Hogan’s charming personality. He even received an Oscar nomination for writing the screenplay. Although he made other movies, including sequels, none were as successful as his first film.

Roberto Benigni

Roberto Benigni, an Italian actor, became internationally known for his film ‘Life Is Beautiful,’ a moving and humorous story about a Jewish father trying to protect his son in a concentration camp. Benigni both directed and starred in the film, which won top honors at the Cannes Film Festival and earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. While his later films didn’t achieve the same success or critical acclaim, ‘Life Is Beautiful’ remains his most celebrated work and a cherished classic of cinema.

George Lazenby

George Lazenby is unique in James Bond history for only appearing in one film, ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. A former model with no acting background, he stepped into the role after Sean Connery. Today, many fans and critics consider it one of the strongest films in the Bond series because of its powerful emotional impact. Unfortunately, Lazenby left the franchise after a single movie, influenced by poor counsel from his agent. He never achieved the same level of success or recognition in any subsequent role.

Jaye Davidson

Jaye Davidson launched his acting career with a memorable performance in the thriller ‘The Crying Game’. He played Dil, a complicated character who develops a romantic connection with an IRA member. His work was key to the film’s surprising twist, which became a major topic of conversation when the movie came out. Davidson earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for the role. He only starred in one other significant film before leaving acting to pursue a career in fashion.

Barkhad Abdi

Before becoming an actor, Barkhad Abdi worked as a limousine driver. He gained fame for his role as the leader of Somali pirates in the thriller ‘Captain Phillips’, where he famously improvised the line, “Who is the captain now?” This performance earned him a BAFTA Award and an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, alongside Tom Hanks. Though he’s continued to work in film, this remains his most celebrated and well-known role.

Linda Blair

Linda Blair quickly became famous as a horror star after playing Regan MacNeil in ‘The Exorcist’. Her portrayal of a young girl taken over by a demon was incredibly frightening and involved a lot of difficult work, including hours of makeup and physically challenging scenes. She was nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Globe for the role, which was groundbreaking for the horror genre. However, most of her later films were lower-budget productions that didn’t reach the same level of success as ‘The Exorcist’.

Alicia Silverstone

Alicia Silverstone became a style icon and introduced memorable slang thanks to her role as Cher Horowitz in ‘Clueless’. The movie centers on Cher, a rich and popular high schooler who tries to set up her teachers and friends on dates. ‘Clueless’ is a witty update of Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ and really highlighted Silverstone’s talent for comedy. The film instantly made her a star. However, her subsequent movie roles didn’t achieve the same level of success or cultural influence.

Peter Ostrum

Peter Ostrum is best known for his single role as Charlie Bucket in the beloved film ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’. His natural charm and great on-screen connection with Gene Wilder contributed to the movie’s lasting popularity. Surprisingly, Ostrum chose not to pursue a career in acting after the film, declining a three-movie contract to instead become a veterinarian and leave Hollywood behind.

Carrie Henn

Carrie Henn was selected from a large group of children to play the character Newt in the popular science fiction film ‘Aliens.’ She had never acted before, but landed the role alongside Sigourney Weaver. Her portrayal of a young girl traumatized by an alien attack became a central emotional element of the action-packed movie, and she even won a Saturn Award for her performance. After filming, Henn chose not to continue acting and instead became a teacher.

Haing S. Ngor

Haing S. Ngor, a Cambodian doctor who lived through the horrors of the Khmer Rouge, became an actor in the film ‘The Killing Fields’. He powerfully portrayed journalist Dith Pran, drawing on his own deeply traumatic past. This performance won him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making him the first Asian actor ever to receive that honor. Though he acted in other movies, his first role remains a landmark achievement, both for its historical significance and its personal meaning.

Harold Russell

Harold Russell was a World War II veteran who lost both hands in an accident during training. He powerfully portrayed a sailor adapting to life with prosthetic hooks in the film ‘The Best Years of Our Lives.’ In a unique achievement, Russell won two Academy Awards for this single role – one as Best Supporting Actor and a special honorary award. He remains the only actor ever to receive two Oscars for the same performance. Rather than becoming a full-time actor, Russell dedicated his life to supporting fellow veterans.

Steven Seagal

I have to say, ‘Under Siege’ was a really great movie, and it was awesome to see Steven Seagal get some real critical praise for it! The story, about a former Navy SEAL who’s a cook and has to stop terrorists from getting nukes, was just so gripping. Honestly, it had everything – a fantastic director, and Tommy Lee Jones was incredible as the villain. For a lot of us fans, it’s the only truly good movie he’s ever made that wasn’t sent straight to video. It was a huge success when it came out and, in my opinion, it’s definitely the high point of his whole career.

Pauly Shore

Pauly Shore became famous for his quirky comedy style with the movie ‘Encino Man,’ where he played a high school loner who discovers a frozen caveman. The film was a surprising success and briefly made him a popular comedian known for his surfer-inspired humor in the nineties. Many people who grew up in that decade still enjoy it today. Unfortunately, his later movies weren’t as successful and received negative reviews.

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson quickly became a major movie star after appearing on reality TV, thanks to her role in ‘Dreamgirls’. She played Effie White and powerfully sang ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,’ winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her performance was so impressive it outshone all the other talented actors in the film. While she’s continued to act in movies, none have been as critically acclaimed as her first role.

Hayden Christensen

Hayden Christensen delivered a strong performance in the film ‘Shattered Glass,’ where he played Stephen Glass, a reporter who made up stories for a major magazine. Reviewers particularly liked how Christensen showed Glass’s character as both cunning and increasingly desperate. This role demonstrated a range and subtlety that some felt was missing from his work in big-budget movies, and it’s still considered his most critically acclaimed performance.

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey surprised many people with her serious role in the movie ‘Precious’. She played a social worker helping the main character cope with a very difficult life. Known for her glamorous persona, Carey showed a more realistic and caring side as an actress. Critics particularly praised her performance, calling it a highlight of the highly-regarded film. It was a significant turning point in her acting career, proving she could deliver powerful performances after some earlier disappointments.

Dane Cook

Comedian Dane Cook surprised audiences with a serious role in the thriller ‘Mr. Brooks’. He played a photographer who blackmailed a serial killer, demanding to accompany him during the crimes. Despite acting alongside established stars like Kevin Costner and William Hurt, Cook delivered a strong performance, using his energetic style to create a disturbingly compelling character. The role is a standout success in a career that has often been marked by unsuccessful films.

Let us know in the comments which actor you think deserves a fantastic role soon.

2025-12-03 03:50