7 Actors Who Achieved Great Fame After Their Series Were Canceled

7 Actors Who Achieved Great Fame After Their Series Were Canceled

      Here are seven actors who became major stars after featuring in cancelled TV series — demonstrating that setbacks can sometimes lead to greater successes in the long run.

      Naturally, nearly every TV show eventually faces cancellation — all good things must come to an end, right? Therefore, we’re highlighting shows that didn’t last beyond a single season.

      Are you ready? Let’s dive in.

      Michelle Pfeiffer

      Michelle Pfeiffer in Delta House. ABC – Credit: C/O

      One of the more fascinating failures in sitcom history is the Animal House spinoff, Delta House.

      It had the potential to succeed. Not only did it feature Pfeiffer in the cast, but it was penned by the writers of Animal House, with future teen film icon John Hughes also contributing to the writing. Furthermore, actors who played Dean Wormer, Flounder, Hoover, and D-Day in the original movie reprised their roles.

      Due to John Belushi's absence, Bluto was replaced by his previously unknown brother Blotto, portrayed by Josh Mostel.

      Pfeiffer went on to achieve immense fame in film, starring in hits like Scarface, Married to the Mob, The Fabulous Baker Boys, Batman Returns, Age of Innocence, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and many more. She has received three Oscar nominations.

      Halle Berry

      Halle Berry in Living Dolls. ABC

      Halle Berry began her career as a pageant contestant and model, bringing valuable life experience to her role as Emily Franklin in the sitcom Living Dolls (above), a spinoff of Who’s the Boss that aired for 13 episodes in 1989.

      She didn’t dwell too much on the cancellation: Berry broke into film in 1991 with Boomerang and had a successful ‘90s era, appearing in popular films and winning an Emmy and Golden Globe for the television film Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.

      The next decade was even more remarkable: Berry won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in 2001’s Monster’s Ball as a struggling widow.

      Her recent projects include John Wick 3: Parabellum, and she made her directorial debut with the 2020 film Bruised, in which she also starred.

      Dave Chappelle

      Dave Chappelle and Chris Gartin in Buddies. ABC

      Chappelle and Jim Breuer caught the attention of network executives when they guest-starred on a 1995 episode of Home Improvement as two guys who sought Tim Taylor's (Tim Allen) advice on their girlfriends during Tool Time.

      This led to them being offered a spinoff series, Buddies. However, after rehearsals, Breuer was replaced by Christopher Gartin, which affected the chemistry — the connection between Chappelle and Breuer, who were real-life friends, was missing. Buddies only aired for 13 episodes in 1996.

      Chappelle and Breuer later reunited in the 1998 comedy Half-Baked, and Chappelle ultimately starred in Chappelle’s Show (co-created with his buddy Neal Brennan) and became one of the most acclaimed standup comedians in history.

      Buddies became one of the many canceled series that failed to recognize they had a future superstar in their midst.

      Hilary Swank

      ABC

      Hilary Swank appeared on the sitcoms Evening Shade and Growing Pains before landing her own show, Camp Wilder, which had a run of 20 episodes on ABC during the 1992-93 season.

      Swank quickly moved on from the cancellation: In 1992, she made her film debut in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, followed by a starring role in 1994’s The Next Karate Kid and appearances on Beverly Hills, 90210.

      But her journey was just beginning. She won her first Best Actress Oscar for 1999’s Boys Don’t Cry, followed by another Best Actress Oscar for 2004’s Million Dollar Baby.

      Her recent films include Ordinary Angels.

      For a canceled TV show, Camp Wilder had a great knack for talent: Its cast also featured Jay Mohr and Jerry O’Connell, who, like Swank, have enjoyed successful careers.

      Margot Robbie

      Margot Robbie in a promotional image for Pan-Am. ABC

      The 2011 television season saw several shows set in the 1960s, thanks to the success of Mad Men on AMC. Networks aimed to create their own version of the clever, stylish cable sensation.

      ABC attempted to mimic that success with Pan Am, focusing on a team of flight attendants. The most recognized name in the cast was Christina Ricci, but a lesser-known member was Margot Robbie, who already had a background in Australian television.

      Pan Am lasted just 14 episodes. However, Robbie quickly made a name for herself in films with her role in 2014’s The Wolf of Wall Street, which led to three Academy Award nominations, establishing her as one of Hollywood’s most successful actors and producers

7 Actors Who Achieved Great Fame After Their Series Were Canceled 7 Actors Who Achieved Great Fame After Their Series Were Canceled 7 Actors Who Achieved Great Fame After Their Series Were Canceled 7 Actors Who Achieved Great Fame After Their Series Were Canceled 7 Actors Who Achieved Great Fame After Their Series Were Canceled 7 Actors Who Achieved Great Fame After Their Series Were Canceled 7 Actors Who Achieved Great Fame After Their Series Were Canceled

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7 Actors Who Achieved Great Fame After Their Series Were Canceled

Here are seven actors who rose to fame after being on canceled TV shows—demonstrating that setbacks can lead to greater successes in the long run.