Exactly, there’s probably a dozen A-List actors. Maybe two dozen if you get really generous (and include TV actors). Go back a few years and read up on all the “Is the A-List Actor Dead” hand-wringing. It happens every time the list drops under ten names. Which is often, because no one can agree on who’s an “A-List” actor anyway.
Paul Schneider. The guy turns in terrific performances in every film he’s in.
He gets steady work, but it’s someone’s sister’s husband type roles. He deserves a better career.
Went into music (New Radicals, solo stuff, songwriting)
He’s not a professional actor, but Joe Kucan was the face and star of the best-selling Command and Conquer series for over 15 years.
He plays Kane with such intensity, I’m amazed he’s never acted in anything else.
What about James Marsters, who played Spike on Buffy and Angel? Based on his popularity with fans, he looked like he was a sure bet to become a big star; instead he has pretty much been limited to recurring roles in a few shows since then.