10 of Hollywood's Most Unpredictable Career Arcs

Jim Brown. Went from HOF running back to killing Nazis in the Dirty Dozen, to starring in a bunch of forgettable 70s flicks, to a coach in Any Given Sunday to a real life football exec.

 

And before any of that was maybe the best lacrosse player ever.

 

Surprised there's been no mention of Tom Cruise yet. Starting with "Top Gun," he seemed to be a big star for years to come and seemed to be a fairly normal guy. Who could have guessed in the 1980s the guy would be jumping on couches and other crazy things?

 

Take that one a step further, Dan, by starting her as soap-opera actress (As The World Turns).

 

Lohan would rocket up this list if she cleaned up and (re?) established a serious career.

Downey Jr. did it on the male side, but he was far more artistically acclaimed before and during his fall, and guys can be successful with the reasonably-worn-and-weathered middle-aged look a lot easier than women can.

 

For a couple years in the early-mid 80s, ATWT had Tomei, Meg Ryan and Julianne Moore in the cast (I think mostly at the same time).

 

Mickey Rourke has had a pretty strange and diverse career arc, too.

 

Right you are. Believe Steven Weber was right in there, too.

 

Arnold and Reagan are both good ones.
Arnold more than Ronnie.

 

Traci Lords.

 

This is ancient history, but I always thought Paul Robeson had perhaps the most interesting career of anyone.
Third African-American ever to enroll at Rutgers (he won a scholarship through an academic contest), went on to become an All-American in football. Graduated law school while playing in the NFL. Became an internationally famous singer and Broadway actor singing in Show Boat. Acted in several movies, became a noted international political activist, eventually blacklisted by entertainment community due to Communist sympathies and support for Soviets.