# Worst working actors who are highly successful **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 23, 2009, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545 "2009-01-23T00:10:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/61 "2009-01-23T18:01:47Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > David Caruso. Worst actor EVER! He makes bad actors look good. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/62 "2009-01-23T18:18:20Z")
Naomi Watts. Eastern Promises would have been a perfect movie without her. She was so terrible it was distracting. Casting her alongside Viggo Mortensen and Vincent Cassell was a crime. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/63 "2009-01-23T18:19:03Z")
> [@Nutty\_Bunny](#): > > Jennifer Aniston. She was the worst cast member on _Friends_ and even in the critically-acclaimed _The Good Girl_, she was terrible. I don’t understand how she deserves the “America’s Sweetheart” title. Aniston is a competent actress. I’m not sure I’d go further than that. But how can you say she was the worst cast member on _Friends_? Worse than Matt LeBlanc? Worse than Courtney Cox? None of them will be remembered as among the great actors of their generation (although Lisa Kudrow has freakishly brilliant comic timing), but Aniston was hardly the worst on that show. ---
**Author:** ![ThePylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@ThePylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThePylon)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/64 "2009-01-23T18:42:46Z")
> [@Nutty\_Bunny](#): > > Jennifer Aniston. She was the worst cast member on _Friends_ and even in the critically-acclaimed _The Good Girl_, she was terrible. I don’t understand how she deserves the “America’s Sweetheart” title. Another defense of Aniston - at least from Friends. She was pretty good with the slapstick, IMHO. Good timing, and good with the self-deprecation (I know - she didn’t write it, but made it beleiveable). ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/65 "2009-01-23T18:57:58Z")
Speaking as somebody who acts as a hobby, I have slightly different criteria for judging famous bad actors. The dividing line for me: does this person’s fame _continue_ to give him access to roles outside his range? David Caruso: Not really, no. He had some exposure on television playing one character, couldn’t make it on the big screen, went back to TV playing essentially the same character. He found his level. Tom Cruise: No. He’s not a terrible actor, but he isn’t exactly stretched by most of his roles either. John Travolta: **Oh hell yes.** He does well in roles where he plays a genial doofus but he _insists_ on taking roles he’s incapable of performing. Keanu Reaves: **Definitely.** An English country gentleman? Are you kidding me? Most Hollywood actresses: Aren’t stretched much by their roles, mostly because the writing for women is usually so terrible. If I had to put money on an actress who got unusual or difficult roles because she was famous, and then did poorly in them, I’d say Winona Ryder. (An android? Really?) ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/66 "2009-01-23T19:07:15Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Yeah, I meant to comment on this too. I think Tom Cruise is batballs insane, but I’ve never heard anyone call him a bad actor. He’s actually one of the better big names out there. More respected than average among those who study acting. I would think, if not for the whole scientology thing, that he’d be around the same level as a Johnny Depp. > > . > . > . > > On second thought, _higher_ than Johnny Depp. Seriously, now that I’m thinking about this I’m mad (:p) and need some justification for “Tom Cruise = ridiculously bad.” Look at the guy’s resume. He’s been nominated for Best Actor 3 times for fuck’s sake. Cruise is a gifted actor, but he doesn’t possess Depp’s ability to disappear into a role. If you didn’t know that Jack Sparrow, Sweeney Todd, and Willie Wonka were all portrayed by the same actor, you might not guess. While Cruise is convincing in his roles, and magnetic to watch, you’re always aware that it’s he. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/67 "2009-01-23T19:09:08Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > Winona Ryder. (An android? Really?) Wait..are you saying that Winona Ryder ISN’T a robot? Because I’m not seeing it. She an extraordinarily HOT simulacrum of humanity, but still a simulacrum. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/68 "2009-01-23T19:16:35Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Wait..are you saying that Winona Ryder ISN’T a robot? Because I’m not seeing it. She an extraordinarily HOT simulacrum of humanity, but still a simulacrum. 😃 She couldn’t even _play_ an android well in _Alien: Resurrection._ Now that’s sad. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/69 "2009-01-23T19:25:36Z")
A lot of you are referencing movies that get repeated a lot on cable as gauges for acting talent. I think the OP was looking for the undeserving moneymakers. Usually, the most attractive actresses can be easily interchanged. Beauty is fleeting. Personality preserves. Why does Queen Latifah keep finding work? People like seeing her be her on screen. A lot of our most long-lived actors are ugly cusses. Jack Nicholson, for example. He could make onions cry. When it comes down to it, people are paying for personality first. Talent and looks are secondary. The bit actors who starved and trained in Shakespearean theaters to hone their craft to perfection begrudgingly realize this when Keanu laughs all the way to the bank. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/70 "2009-01-23T19:29:13Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > She couldn’t even _play_ an android well in _Alien: Resurrection._ Now that’s sad. But, but, but she was good in some of her early movies and is very enjoyable to look at while onscreen. Reality Bites (1994) … Lelaina Pierce Mermaids (1990) … Charlotte Flax Edward Scissorhands (1990) … Kim Heathers (1988) … Veronica 1969 (1988) … Beth Beetle Juice (1988) … Lydia She was better than Keanu in Dracula, not that this is saying much, but we are talking worst, not just bad. she seem to have some odd mental problems in the 90s, maybe the same problems affected her acting ability? ---
**Author:** ![Chase\_Ransom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@Chase\_Ransom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chase_Ransom)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/71 "2009-01-23T20:08:07Z")
I can’t believe nobody has dropped Ben Affleck into the dumpster on this one yet. I second the motion for John Travolta also. Quick word on Keanu and all those “ok” actors who know how to do only one role: ACDC has been putting out the same album for the last few decades. The reason it works is because, if you want to listen to a power-riff rock 'n roll melody with a sweet rhythm section, you go for ACDC. So, if you want a detached and confused person in your movie, Keanu works well and has enough sauce to carry a film (while in company of a good supporting cast). Just my two cents. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/72 "2009-01-23T20:17:28Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > She was better than Keanu in Dracula, not that this is saying much, but we are talking worst, not just bad. I can’t judge “worst” from most of the actresses that have been named here because Hollywood simply doesn’t write a wide variety of female roles. When it finds role that isn’t on the Interchangable Ingenue list, there just aren’t that many go-to actresses known for their versatility and acting chops. That makes it difficult to tell who’s out of her depth — the wading pool that Hollywood puts actresses is already too shallow. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/73 "2009-01-23T20:19:22Z")
I realize he’s taking a break from acting, but I think the Governator should really be on this list. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/74 "2009-01-23T20:25:09Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > I realize he’s taking a break from acting, but I think the Governator should really be on this list. Damn, at least he knows his limitations. I always figured it was unfair to compare him to professional actors. He should be in another category. Is there any signs that he has actually ever tried to act? ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/75 "2009-01-23T20:35:46Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > She couldn’t even _play_ an android well in _Alien: Resurrection._ Now that’s sad. The problem wasn’t so much that was playing an android but she was also supposed to be an action heroine. That was the most unbelievable aspect of Ryder’s role by far. Unless she’s playing some sort of damsel in distress, Wynona Ryder is one of those people who should not do action movies. That role would’ve worked a lot better if they had cast an actress who you’d believe could kick someone’s ass. Ryder looks like she’d have trouble handling a rambunctious four-year old. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/76 "2009-01-23T21:31:47Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Damn, at least he knows his limitations. I always figured it was unfair to compare him to professional actors. He should be in another category. Is there any signs that he has actually ever tried to act? I never really thought about it, but he does seem to be trying whenever he’s onscreen with kids: Kindergarten Cop, Raw Deal, Terminator 2 et al. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/77 "2009-01-23T22:13:45Z")
Late in the thread to be introducing Melanie Griffin and Juliette Lewis. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/78 "2009-01-23T23:19:55Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Cruise is a gifted actor, but he doesn’t possess Depp’s ability to disappear into a role. If you didn’t know that Jack Sparrow, Sweeney Todd, and Willie Wonka were all portrayed by the same actor, you might not guess. While Cruise is convincing in his roles, and magnetic to watch, you’re always aware that it’s he. I didn’t see Sweeny Todd but all I’ll say about Jack Sparrow and Willy Wonka is that just because you created a character doesn’t mean you created a _good_ character. ---
**Author:** ![tds1273](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@tds1273](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tds1273)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/79 "2009-01-23T23:45:22Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Naomi Watts > [@mswas](#): > > Naomi Watts. Eastern Promises would have been a perfect movie without her. My picks have already been, but I had to give these a “really?” I haven’t seen Eastern Promises, but the audition scene in Mulholland Drive alone should at least save her from this list. > [@Chase\_Ransom](#): > > I can’t believe nobody has dropped Ben Affleck into the dumpster on this one yet. He is good in comedy roles, or at least serves as a testament to Kevin Smith’s skills as a writer/director. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545/80 "2009-01-23T23:56:45Z")
> [@tds1273](#): > > My picks have already been, but I had to give these a “really?” I haven’t seen Eastern Promises, but the audition scene in Mulholland Drive alone should at least save her from this list. I don’t remember that scene, but she was truly horrible in Eastern Promises. Enough that it detracted from the overall experience. It wasn’t Nicole Kidman mediocre, it was Milla Jovovich horrible. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-working-actors-who-are-highly-successful/482545.md?page=5)