There was once a point in time when aspiring actors saw performing on television as nothing more than a launch pad to eventual movie stardom. Those who got their shot on the big screen usually remained firmly planted there. However, some once revered performers would find that their notoriety would begin to falter as they got older, and their offers for starring roles were steadily decreasing. Then suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, opportunity strikes.
The world of television has become so much more complex than the days when viewers were forced to watch their favorite shows as they aired (or, at the very least, tape them). Certain veterans of the industry now see the viability of lending their talents to television for a steady paycheck, and today’s streaming services offer a vast assortment of programs not bogged down by network censors. These actors took that leap, and are better off for doing so.
10 James Spader
The 1980s saw the rise and eventual fall of The Brat Pack, a group of young actors and actresses that rose to prominence from their respective work in teen-centric projects of the era. Among them (albeit as an honorary member) was James Spader, who frequently collaborated with the group in films such as Pretty in Pink and Less Than Zero. Spader’s mysterious, yet collected demeanor led to typecasting in various antagonistic roles as the years progressed. A majority of these endeavors, however, were critical and commercial failures, and a possible sign of the actor’s decline in the industry.
Enter The Lizard King
Aside from guest appearances on Frasier and Seinfeld, Spader typically focused on advancing his presence on the big screen during the 1990s. Following a series of box office blunders, it seemed Spader’s offers were beginning to dwindle going into the 2000s. That is, until he joined the main cast of The Practice with his Emmy Award-winning performance as Alan Shore in the show’s final season, as well as its sequel series, Boston Legal. Spader is perhaps most well known to modern audiences for his depictions of the brazen CEO Robert California in the final two seasons of The Office and Raymond Reddington in The Blacklist. It’s unclear what’s to come for the illustrious actor following the show’s conclusion in 2023, but we can’t wait to find out.
9 Charlie Sheen
The Sheen/Estevez acting dynasty was untouchable throughout the 1980s. Martin Sheen was enjoying immense critical acclaim for his performance in Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, and his children were eager to follow suit. While Emilio Estevez’s presence in the public eye was elevated via his association with The Brat Pack, Charlie Sheen was struggling to keep his head above water before being cast as Chris Taylor in Oliver Stone’s Platoon (a role initially intended for his brother). Sheen set himself apart from his family tree with roles that showcased the actor’s comedic and dramatic range, but one could argue his talents were better suited for the small screen.
Two and a Half (Minus One)
Following Michael J. Fox’s departure from Spin City due to increasing health complications, Charlie Sheen was called upon to portray Charlie Crawford, taking over as the show’s lead for its remaining seasons. The role did manage to garner some praise despite being a late edition to the series, with Sheen earning his first and only Golden Globe for his portrayal. By 2003, Sheen was attached to star alongside Pretty in Pink star Jon Cryer in Two and a Half Men. He accumulated similar acclaim for this depiction, but Sheen’s ongoing public bouts with drugs and alcohol would lead to his character being written off and replaced by Ashton Kutcher for the remainder of the program’s run. Sheen’s numerous controversies in the years following his dismissal from the show have led to a less-than-stellar reputation, but fans are still holding out hope that the once-revered actor will make his triumphant return.
8 Winona Ryder
Winona Ryder rose to prominence during her teenage years for her work with Tim Burton in Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands, and as the angsty but exceptionally popular Veronica Sawyer in the 1989 dark comedy Heathers. Her reputation in the industry only continued to increase throughout the 1990s with the release of Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence, for which she would earn her first Golden Globe nomination (and only win). Despite her various accolades, Ryder was subject to excessive negative tabloid coverage following her public break-up with Johnny Depp, as well as her 2001 arrest. As a result, the actress opted to step away from the limelight for a brief period in the early 2000s.
Into the Upside Down
After a four-year career hiatus, Ryder began making sporadic appearances on popular television shows while continuing to maintain a strong presence on the big screen. By 2015, she would land the role of Joyce Byers in Stranger Things, her first true foray into television acting. This depiction of a mother doing anything she can to ensure her children’s safety highlighted Ryder’s eccentric, yet charming personality, introducing the multi-faceted actress to a younger generation. Her portrayal has remained just as compelling as it was during the series’ inception, and is sure to continue to compel audiences going into the show’s upcoming final season.
7 Rob Lowe
The release of Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of The Outsiders saw a new slew of adolescent actors achieve notoriety during the early eighties. Among them in his feature film debut was Rob Lowe, a performer who only continued to gain traction for his subsequent endeavors with The Brat Pack. St. Elmo’s Fire would reunite Lowe with his Outsiders co-star Emilio Estevez, establishing the duo’s hierarchy within the group. Lowe continued to get somewhat steady work on films of varying quality going into the following decade, but it seemed as if the actor was beginning to experience a significant change in his career trajectory, becoming ensconced in the world of television acting.
He Literally Saved Parks and Recreation
By 1999, Rob Lowe would join the star-studded ensemble cast of Aaron Sorkin’s The West Wing. The series was initially intended to center around Lowe’s character, Sam Seaborn, but the performer found himself taking a back seat to Martin Sheen, despite Sorkin’s intention to keep Sheen in a minor role. Due to ongoing network interference during the program’s run, Lowe and Sorkin departed from the series entirely.
Lowe’s next major television role came in the form of Chris Traeger on Parks and Recreation. This depiction wasn’t meant to last more than a handful of episodes, but Lowe had so much fun with the character that he agreed to join the show’s main cast. Lowe continues to maintain a strong presence on television from his work on 911: Lone Star and the Netflix series Unstable, and it seems unlikely that this flame will burn out any time soon.
6 Steve Buscemi
Making his debut in 1985, Steve Buscemi‘s humble beginnings as an indie film actor didn’t deter the performer from swiftly rising through the ranks of the long-established greats of the industry. His extensive resume of eccentric characters in works with the likes of Quentin Tarantino, the Coen Brothers, and Jim Jarmusch have cemented his status as a tremendously gifted comedic and dramatic performer, and he has earned the recognition necessary for doing so. Buscemi’s directorial debut would come in the form of Trees Lounge, for which he also wrote and portrayed the film’s protagonist. David Chase has cited the project as an inspiration for the inception of The Sopranos, and would eventually give Buscemi the chance to showcase his abilities on the small screen.
Opportunities from the Director’s Chair
Buscemi directed four episodes of The Sorpranos, the first being the critically acclaimed “Pine Barrens” in the show’s third season. Additionally, Buscemi portrayed Tony Sorprano’s cousin, Tony Blundetto, to some acclaim. Buscemi would go on to direct other television programs on competing networks before obtaining the leading role of Enoch “Nucky” Thompson in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire (arguably the role the actor is most well-known for). Since the beginning of his career, Buscemi has proven himself to be one of the few performers of his era who has been able to maintain a strong presence in both television and film, and will surely continue to have a fruitful career in both areas.
5 Danny DeVito
It isn’t exactly rare for television actors to transition to the big screen. Most performers strive to do just that, but are never able to make it past the beginning stages. Others experience moderate success, leaving the little guys in the dust. Danny DeVito‘s depiction of Louie De Palma in Taxi remains one of the most iconic portrayals in sitcom history, and his subsequent film credits following the show’s conclusion are nothing to sneeze at either. There was seemingly no reason for DeVito to return to television, but a looming opportunity to bring a talented group of young upstarts from relative obscurity (and potential cancelation) proved to be the best choice this veteran actor could have made.
Getting Real Weird With it
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a prime example that it doesn’t take a significant budget to produce a top-tier program. It does, however, require a cast charming enough to keep viewers engaged for an extended period of time. Sunny creators Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, and Charlie Day filmed the show’s pilot episode on a shoestring budget but initially lacked the viewers necessary for the network to continue producing the show. Much to their dismay, FX implored the group to cast Danny DeVito in the show’s second season.
DeVito’s inclusion got more eyes on the show and showcased the actor’s willingness to do anything necessary to get a laugh from those around him. One could wonder what the fate of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia might have been had DeVito not signed on, but enthusiasts of the show will be forever grateful that he could play a prominent role in the show’s record-breaking run.
4 Reese Witherspoon
There are very few actresses that could claim to be a staple of a genre. Reese Witherspoon initially made her bones from her critically acclaimed depiction of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (and, to a lesser extent, its sequel Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde) before accumulating numerous leading roles in the romantic comedy sub-genre, including Melanie Smooter in Sweet Home Alabama and Elizabeth Masterson in Just Like Heaven. Witherspoon’s talents, however, were not limited to these bubbly depictions. As her career progressed, the actress was able to showcase her dramatic chops, while also taking a stab at producing in recent years.
Founding Hello Sunshine
As a result of Witherspoon’s almost instantaneous recognition for her work on the big screen, the actress rarely performed on television during the early years of her career. That is until Witherspoon co-founded Hello Sunshine with Seth Rodsky in 2016. The production company was responsible for the release of premium network hits such as HBO’s Big Little Lies and Apple TV’s The Morning Show (both of which feature Witherspoon prominently).
Whether it be another vehicle for Witherspoon to put her talents on display or a fresh-faced group of performers looking for their big break, Hello Sunshine has only continued to be a powerhouse in the ever-expanding world of streaming, with many exciting projects still on the horizon.
3 Drew Barrymore
Coming from an acting dynasty, Drew Barrymore began professionally performing before the age of one. Her infectious charisma from such a young age was a major factor in her being cast in Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, as well as the film adaptation of Stephen King’s Firestarter. The performer gained a lot of traction going into her adolescent years, but ongoing press coverage of Barrymore’s struggles with substance abuse made it difficult to shake her negative public persona. Following rehabilitation and the release of her 1991 autobiography, Little Girl Lost, Barrymore was eager to turn her career around.
Becoming a Personality
Drew Barrymore enjoyed a series of moderate successes throughout the 1990s and 2000s, including her depiction of Dylan Sanders in the Charlie’s Angels franchise and Smashley Simpson in Whip It, which also served as the actress’ directorial debut. Barrymore was attached to star alongside Timothy Olyphant in the Netflix horror comedy series Santa Clarita Diet.
Despite somewhat positive reviews from critics and fans alike, the show was canceled after three seasons. Barrymore put her eccentric personality on the forefront with the inception of The Drew Barrymore Show in 2020, a daytime talk show with elements of sketch comedy. This appears to be Barrymore’s current industry focus and one that continues to demonstrate the effortless charm that won audiences over decades prior.
2 Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Beginning her entertainment career performing improv comedy with The Second City, Julia Louis-Dreyfus was called upon to join the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1982, performing with the likes of Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, and Jim Belushi (just to name a few). Her tenure with SNL didn’t last very long, with Dreyfus exiting the series after just three years. Following her departure, Dreyfus would take part in a series of shoddy projects such as Troll and Soul Man, both of which she has poked fun at over the years. She has spoken of her brief time with SNL at length, referencing the pressures associated with show business at a young age, and sketch comedy altogether. Without this hectic experience, however, Dreyfus could have potentially never met future Seinfeld co-creator, Larry David.
The Queen of the Castle
By 1989, Julia Louis-Dreyfus signed on to join the main cast of Seinfeld as Jerry’s ex-girlfriend, Elaine Benes, due to network concerns regarding the show’s lack of a female lead. This portrayal garnered the actress significant mainstream attention throughout the program’s nine-season run, but Dreyfus struggled to find consistent work following the show’s conclusion.
She has since referred to this period in her career as the “Seinfeld curse”, initially believing it would be impossible to land a project of similar repute. Following a series of short-lived sitcoms, Dreyfus was cast as Vice President Selina Myer in Veep, for which she would earn numerous industry accolades. Dreyfus currently portrays Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in the MCU and will be reprising said role in the upcoming Thunderbolts adaptation.
1 Ted Danson
The early ’80s proved to be a transition point for the typical American sitcom, with Cheers being a prime example of what could be possible on network television. Among the ranks of Cheers‘ slew of soon-to-be superstars was young hotshot Ted Danson as Sam Malone. The series saw performers such as Woody Harrelson and Kelsey Grammer achieve immense A-list success in their subsequent endeavors, but Danson was never able to achieve similar notoriety. Aside from his work on Three Men and a Baby (along with its sequel, Three Men and a Little Lady) and Saving Private Ryan, Danson’s film resume was pretty bare, but there were still lingering opportunities on the horizon for the actor to make his comeback on the small screen.
Return To Television Stardom
Danson’s next major television depiction came in the form of Dr. John Becker in the eponymous CBS sitcom Becker from 1998 to 2004. Around that time, Danson and his spouse, Mary Steenburgen, portrayed an exaggerated version of themselves on Curb Your Enthusiasm, with Danson consistently thwarting Larry David’s attempts at a positive social standing since the show’s inception.
In 2016, The Office and Parks and Recreation co-creator Michael Schur cast Danson as Michael in The Good Place, introducing the seasoned performer to a younger generation. Danson’s work in the years following The Good Place‘s series finale has mostly consisted of guest appearances on well-established programs, but this veteran of the industry deserves another project that he can truly sink his teeth into.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
