One-hit wonders
Sometimes, all you need is one role to make it big—and these actors are proof of that. Being a one-hit wonder isn't so bad as long as that one hit puts your name on the map.
Aaron Paul
Aaron Paul rose to fame as Jesse Pinkman on the acclaimed show Breaking Bad. His portrayal of the troubled yet endearing meth producer earned him recognition as a leading television figure, winning multiple awards.
Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Adam West
Adam West gained fame as Batman in the 1960s TV series of the same name. His portrayal of the character was funny and charming, making his version of Batman a popular one. West's unique, cheesy demeanor and memorable lines left a lasting impact on fans.
Alfonso Ribeiro
Alfonso Ribeiro is pretty much only known for his role as Carlton Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, known for his unique dance moves and preppy style. His portrayal of Carlton earned him praise and widespread recognition—and he turned "The Carlton" dance into a pop culture phenomenon.
Sunset Studios, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996)
Anthony Perkins
Anthony Perkins portrayed Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. His intense and intricate portrayal earned him rave reviews and cemented his legacy in film history.
Brent Spiner
Brent Spiner became well-known for portraying Lieutenant Commander Data in the television show Star Trek: The Next Generation. Data ended up becoming a beloved and iconic character in the Star Trek franchise.
Paramount, Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)
Charlie Day
Charlie Day is famous for his role as Charlie Kelly in the TV series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. His portrayal of the dim-witted, oddball character has won over many fans and gained him recognition in comedy television.
FX, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2013-)
Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Christopher Mintz-Plasse, known as McLovin in Superbad, gained fame for his portrayal of the socially awkward yet charming character. Despite having bit roles in other movies, his name is forever tied to his Superbad character.
Fran Drescher
Fran Drescher gained fame for playing Fran Fine in the television sitcom The Nanny. She became famous for playing the clever and fashionable nanny from Queens who looks after the Sheffield family.
TriStar, The Nanny (1993-1999)
Frankie Muniz
Frankie Muniz is most known for his breakout role as Malcolm in the TV show Malcolm in the Middle in the early 2000s. The role made him a prominent figure in TV history.
Fox, Malcolm in the Middle (2000-2006)
Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe is famous for his role as Harry Potter in the movie series. His portrayal of the young wizard captivated audiences worldwide. Across eight films, Radcliffe's performance was praised for his growth with the character.
Warner Bros., Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
David Schwimmer
David Schwimmer rose to fame as Ross Geller on Friends, showcasing his comedic timing and chemistry with the cast. His portrayal of the quirky fossil expert contributed to the show's lasting cultural impact.
Warner Bros., Friends (1994-2004)
Edward Furlong
Edward Furlong became famous for his role as John Connor in Terminator 2, showcasing his talent and helping the movie become a sci-fi classic in the early '90s.
TriStar, Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Elijah Wood
Elijah Wood gained fame as Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings series, captivating audiences with his portrayal of the courageous hobbit.
New Line, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Hayden Christensen
Hayden Christensen is forever attached to his character Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episodes II and III. His portrayal of the young Jedi Knight turning into Darth Vader was acclaimed for its emotional depth and character development.
Twentieth Century, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Hugh Laurie
Hugh Laurie is known for his role as Dr. Gregory House on House, the brilliant yet unconventional medical genius. Critics praised his performance, leading to many award nominations.
Jack Gleeson
Jack Gleeson came onto the scene as Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones and was praised for his portrayal of the cruel character. His stellar acting definitely made waves during the series' airing.
HBO, Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
James Gandolfini
James Gandolfini's portrayal of Tony Soprano in The Sopranos earned him three Primetime Emmy Awards and a reputation as one of the best TV actors.
Jason Alexander
Jason Alexander will forever be associated with George Costanza on Seinfeld, portraying Jerry Seinfeld's neurotic best friend. His portrayal made the character a TV comedy favorite.
Castle Rock, Seinfeld (1989-1998)
Jennifer Grey
Jennifer Grey rose to stardom as Baby Houseman in the beloved film Dirty Dancing. She won over many hearts with her portrayal of the young girl who fell for her dance instructor.
Jensen Ackles
Jensen Ackles played Dean Winchester on Supernatural, one half of a duo that hunts supernatural creatures. Ackles' portrayal of Dean earned him devoted fans and recognition in the genre.
Warner Bros., Supernatural (2006-2020)
Jerry Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld joined the comedy scene with his portrayal of a fictionalized version of himself in the TV show Seinfeld. The show is well-known for its witty humor and unique characters.
Castle Rock, Seinfeld (1989-1998)
Jim Parsons
Jim Parsons achieved fame for his role as Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory. His portrayal of the socially awkward physicist won him various awards and solidified his reputation as a top TV comedian.
Warner Bros., The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019)
Jon Heder
Jon Heder became famous as Napoleon Dynamite in the iconic movie. His character became known for his unique style and catchy phrases, and he became a standout in early 2000s comedy films.
Paramount, Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Josh Holloway
Josh Holloway's most recognized role is as Sawyer on Lost, the charismatic trickster on a mysterious island. Critics praised his performance, and he gained a large fan base from that one role.
Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Nimoy is a cultural icon. He won over many sci-fi fans for his role as Spock in Star Trek, both in the TV series and films. His most famous saying is: "Live long and prosper."
NBC, Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)
Linda Blair
Linda Blair helped make The Exorcist the cult classic that it is, thanks to her chilling performance as a possessed teenage girl. Her performance, and the film in general, is considered legendary in the horror genre.
Warner Bros., The Exorcist (1973)
Macaulay Culkin
Macaulay Culkin is a household name. Known for playing Kevin McCallister in the Home Alone movies, he is a fan-favorite childhood icon, especially among '90s kids.
Twentieth Century, Home Alone (1990)
Mara Wilson
Mara Wilson was the perfect choice for Matilda. Her portrayal as the smart, telekinetic girl who stands up to bullies gained her many fans—but as she grew up, she quit acting to become a screenwriter instead.
Mark Hamill
Mark Hamill is the one and only Luke Skywalker, the courageous Jedi Knight in Star Wars. His portrayal made him a beloved cultural icon around the world.
Twentieth Century, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Matthew Gray Gubler
Matthew Gray Gubler spent years portraying Dr. Spencer Reid on Criminal Minds, and he received much praise for his work. The role made him a standout and cult favorite among TV lovers.
Rachael Leigh Cook
Rachael Leigh Cook's claim to fame was through her role as Laney Boggs in She's All That, a teen rom-com. Her portrayal of the nerdy teen turned beauty queen made her the one of the most admired actresses of the late '90s.
Miramax, She's All That (1999)
Ralph Macchio
Ralph Macchio is known for his portrayal of Daniel LaRusso in the Karate Kid movies. He became an instant '80s underdog hero, and remains a pop culture icon today.
Columbia, The Karate Kid (1984)
Robert Patrick
Robert Patrick played the villainous T-1000 in Terminator 2. Known for his menacing liquid metal form and mission to kill John Connor, he has become a memorable figure in sci-fi.
TriStar, Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Paul Hogan
Paul Hogan is famous for playing Mick Dundee in Crocodile Dundee, through which he showcased his Australian toughness and humor. His performance in the film became a hit, turning his character into a global sensation.
Twentieth Century, Crocodile Dundee (1986)
Rainn Wilson
Rainn Wilson gained fame as Dwight Schrute on The Office. The character is well-known for his unique personality and love of beet farming. Many fans even say he was the best part of the show.
Raul Julia
Raúl Juliá was recognized for his role as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family movies. Though he's not really known for other roles, he still managed to draw a cult following through his portrayal of the charming head of the Addams family.
Paramount, The Addams Family (1991)
Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson will forever be known as Mr. Bean, the lovable yet bumbling character known for getting into funny situations. He is a legend in his home country of England and around the world.
Rupert Grint
Rupert Grint became famous as Ron Weasley in Harry Potter. His portrayal of the loyal, funny character with red hair was so memorable, it is often the only thing fans associate him with.
Warner Bros., Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Shannon Elizabeth
Shannon Elizabeth became famous through American Pie, playing the beautiful exchange student named Nadia who wooed the main character and his friends. The role made her an iconic figure in late '90s and early 2000s.
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