7 Actors Who Rose to Stardom After Their Series Were Discontinued

7 Actors Who Rose to Stardom After Their Series Were Discontinued

      Here are seven actors who rose to stardom after being part of canceled TV shows — highlighting how setbacks can lead to greater successes in the long run.

      It's true that nearly all TV series eventually get canceled — as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. We're specifically examining shows that lasted less than a season.

      Ready? Let’s dive in.

      Michelle Pfeiffer

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

      One of the more fascinating canceled sitcoms in television history is the Animal House spinoff, Delta House.

      It seemed promising. In addition to having Pfeiffer in the cast, it was written by the creators of Animal House and included future teen movie legend John Hughes on the writing team. Furthermore, the original actors who portrayed Dean Wormer, Flounder, Hoover, and D-Day returned to reprise their roles.

      Though the show did not secure John Belushi, his character Bluto was replaced by his previously unmentioned brother Blotto, played by Josh Mostel.

      Pfeiffer, of course, went on to become one of the biggest movie stars globally, with a string of successes that includes Scarface, Married to the Mob, The Fabulous Baker Boys, Batman Returns, Age of Innocence, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and many other films. She is a three-time Oscar nominee.

      Halle Berry

      Halle Berry in Living Dolls. ABC

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

      She didn’t dwell too much on the show's cancellation: She broke out as a film star in 1991’s Boomerang and had a fruitful 1990s, appearing in hit films and winning an Emmy and Golden Globe for her performance in the TV film Introducing Dorothy Dandridge.

      The next decade proved even more successful: She won her Best Actress Oscar for her role as a struggling widow in 2001’s Monster’s Ball.

      Her recent films include John Wick 3: Parabellum. Additionally, she made her directorial debut with 2020’s Bruised, in which she also stars.

      Dave Chappelle

      Dave Chappelle and Chris Gartin in Buddies. ABC

      Chappelle and Jim Breuer caught the attention of network executives in a 1995 episode of Home Improvement, where they guest-starred as two guys seeking advice from Tim Taylor (Tim Allen) on Tool Time regarding their girlfriends.

      They were subsequently given a spinoff series, Buddies. However, after rehearsals, Breuer was replaced by Christopher Gartin, which affected the show's chemistry — the dynamic between real-life friends Chappelle and Breuer was missing. Buddies lasted 13 episodes in 1996.

      Chappelle and Breuer, by then a Saturday Night Live cast member, later reunited in the 1998 comedy Half-Baked, and Chappelle became known for his own show, Chappelle’s Show (co-created with Half Baked co-writer and friend Neal Brennan), securing his place as one of the greatest standup comedians ever.

      Buddies ended up joining the ranks of canceled shows that may not have realized they had a future superstar.

      Hilary Swank

      ABC

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

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

      But this was merely the beginning. She soon secured 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.

      In terms of canceled TV shows, Camp Wilder had a keen eye for talent: The cast also featured Jay Mohr and Jerry O’Connell, who, like Swank, found significant success in their careers.

      Margot Robbie

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

      The 2011 season brought several TV shows set in the 1960s, inspired by the success of Mad Men on AMC. Networks attempted to create their own versions of the stylish and sophisticated cable hit.

      ABC took its chance with Pan Am, which focused on a team of flight attendants. The most recognizable name in the cast was Christina Ricci, but a lesser-known actress, Margot Robbie, had already established herself on Australian television.

      Pan Am endured for 14 episodes. However, Robbie soon transitioned to film, gaining fame with her role in 2014’s

7 Actors Who Rose to Stardom After Their Series Were Discontinued 7 Actors Who Rose to Stardom After Their Series Were Discontinued 7 Actors Who Rose to Stardom After Their Series Were Discontinued 7 Actors Who Rose to Stardom After Their Series Were Discontinued 7 Actors Who Rose to Stardom After Their Series Were Discontinued 7 Actors Who Rose to Stardom After Their Series Were Discontinued 7 Actors Who Rose to Stardom After Their Series Were Discontinued

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7 Actors Who Rose to Stardom After Their Series Were Discontinued

Here are seven actors who gained immense fame following their roles on canceled television series — as setbacks can often lead to greater successes in the long run.