15 Actors Who Succeeded Despite Series Of Setbacks

We always love to see our favorite celebrities on television, but we might not know what they had to go through to reach that point. Many of the most famous performers or actors didn't grow up in a world of celebrity and stardom.

As strange as it may seem, the majority of celebrities had side jobs or even full-time occupations before they were recognized as A-listers. It's simple to believe that stardom is given, but it's not always so.

Currently, some of the top actors seem to become famous overnight, but many have had to battle for it.

It might surprise you to learn that many actors struggle for a long time before finding success. This includes project cancellations, typecasting, ageism, and rejections.

Even though many struggling actors possess exceptional skills, they are still not given a chance to succeed, which may not seem fair. Because of this, we occasionally cheer with joy when an actor achieves success.

Check out these 15 celebs who have made it despite the odds.

1. Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington was let go from two TV shows before landing the lead role in Bombshell. The pilot episodes she was in were eventually redone.

According to Kerry, in both situations, casting directors wanted her to play more clichéd roles, which she refused. She was later nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe.

She appeared in blockbusters and had the opportunity to work with Quentin Tarantino.

? Scandal / ABC

2. Maggie Gyllenhaal

She has received harsh remarks regarding her looks throughout her career. As a result, she was not cast in some roles, such as romantic ones.

The actress received praise and her first award for her performance in the film Secretary. Nonetheless, Maggie admits that she is still disillusioned by many aspects of Hollywood.

The 37-year-old actress was once turned down for a role because she was “too old” to play the lover of a 55-year-old man. Maggie made her feature-directing debut in 2021.

Her film The Lost Daughter received Best Screenplay at the Venice Film Festival.

? The Dark Knight / Warner Bros.

3. Jack Nicholson

At 20, he worked as an assistant in MGM’s animation department. Later, he began to study stage speaking and acting.

This method paid off; by the end of the 1950s, he was getting movie roles, although he didn’t see significant success in acting. Nicholson rose to prominence with the release of the cult film Easy Rider when he was 30 years old.

Following that, he began to receive offer after offer for jobs from well-known filmmakers.

? One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest / Bryna Productions

4. Naomi Watts

After appearing in a number of films and television shows in her native Australia, she opted to pursue her career in Los Angeles. Her early performances in Hollywood, however, did not gain her any popularity.

Naomi claims that she was living hand to mouth, unable to pay her rent, and even unable to afford medical insurance. The worst part was that the actress’s nominations were so frequently denied that she began to believe in her professional failure.

As a result, Naomi was tense, apprehensive, and overly amused during auditions, which, in her own words, made others uncomfortable. Naomi Watts’ debut came with her appearance in the cult film Mulholland Drive, which earned her her first major honors. Following that, employment offers poured in.

? King Kong / Universal Pictures

5. Keira Knightley

She was born into an acting family and made her film debut at a young age. But it wasn’t until the release of Pirates of the Caribbean that she became fully renowned.

Despite her celebrity, Keira, like many other actresses, was repeatedly turned down. In an interview, the actress even indicated that she would not urge her daughter to pursue acting since the amount of rejection she suffered in the beginning was “heartbreaking.”

“And it doesn’t matter what sort of person you are; it’s hard not to pay a price for it.” “Even if you’re successful, you still have to deal with a lot of rejection,” the actress explained.

? Atonement / Universal Pictures

6. Hilary Swank

She began her career in small supporting roles before landing her first major roles. In Beverly Hills, 90210, she played a single mother at the start of her career.

Instead of the anticipated two years of effort, her character was dropped after Episode 16. Swank subsequently expressed her disappointment, believing that if she wasn’t good enough for Beverly Hills, 90210, she wouldn’t be able to do anything.

But the following year, the actress was cast as the lead in the indie film Boys Don’t Cry, for which she won an Oscar. She won her second Oscar for her role in Million Dollar Baby five years later.

? Million Dollar Baby / Warner Bros.

7. Reese Witherspoon

The actress and producer, whose career is currently at its pinnacle, has stated that she was frequently turned down for roles at the start of her career. Reese was often informed that she was the director’s second choice for the part.

This indicates she was always considered inferior to a better-suited actress. But she continued trying and never let rejection get to her.

? Big Little Lies / HBO

8. Lisa Kudrow

She was fired from the sitcom Frasier on the third day of the pilot’s episode rehearsal before the popularity of Friends. The producers chose to replace her with another actress.

And, despite admitting that she was going insane from disappointment at the start, Lisa Kudrow found the energy to keep going. That was the right decision.

Lisa later won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Phoebe on Friends. Aside from that, Kudrow and her co-stars were the highest-paid TV performers at the time, earning $1 million each episode during the ninth and tenth seasons.

? Friends / Warner Bros. Television

9. Carey Mulligan

She was rejected from every drama school she applied to. Furthermore, she subsequently described her audition at the London Drama School as “torture.”

Its officials gave Carey the opportunity to host a children’s show. This event truly stunned the aspiring actress.

Her awards include a BAFTA for Best Actress in An Education and a Critics' Choice Movie Award for her performance in Promising Young Woman. Many of us recognize Carey Mulligan as Daisy in the big-budget film rendition of The Great Gatsby.

? Promising Young Woman / Focus Features

10. Kate Winslet

She was likewise thought to be too “heavy” for an acting career as an adult. In Anglo-Saxon Attitudes in 1992, she played the daughter of an obese mother.

During filming, the director stated that Kate resembled the woman who played her mother. This inspired the future star to slim down.

The actress’s debut came with her performance in the psychological thriller Heavenly Creatures, while international stardom came with her role as Rose in Titanic, which she landed due to her perseverance and drive.

? Titanic / Twentieth Century Fox

11. Mindy Kaling

She rose to prominence in The Office as Kelly Kapoor, where she also served as a playwright, executive producer, and director. Mindy and her colleagues (scriptwriters and directors) from The Office were nominated for Emmy Awards six times in a row for Outstanding Comedy Series.

Simultaneously, the actress stated in an interview that she was sacked from the comedy in which the producer initially wanted her to portray herself. The reason for her dismissal was that they didn’t think she was humorous or attractive enough to have the program revolve around her.

? The Office / NBC Universal Television

12. Anthony Hopkins

He decided to become an actor when he was 15 years old. However, it seemed to him for a long time that he solely enjoyed doing theater.

Hopkins relocated to Hollywood in the 1970s, although he mostly appeared on television. Dissatisfied with the concept, the actor returned home in the late 1980s, having determined for himself that this chapter of his life was over.

He didn’t become renowned until he was 50 years old. By chance, he was given the character of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs at that time.

The filmmaker required a real “Shakespeare monster,” which is why Anthony Hopkins was chosen. In 1992, the actor received his first Academy Award nomination for this role.

? The Silence of the Lambs / Orion Pictures and co-producers

13. Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire is considered the greatest dancer of all time, yet he didn’t become famous until he was much older. Despite his early dance accomplishments, Astaire’s cinematic career eluded him.

He routinely passed auditions but received little interest from studio officials. An executive noted on one of Fred Astaire’s screen tests, “Can’t sing. I can’t act.

A little balding. Can do a little dancing.

When the dancer was 30, he decided to try his luck again in Hollywood. And he was successful.

He landed a small part that led to other opportunities. Fred had been paired with Ginger Rogers.

Eventually, their dance partnership in Flying Down to Rio became the movie’s major focus, helping to popularize dancing.

? Easter Parade / MGM

14. Robert Pattinson

Pattinson had essentially no notable film roles prior to Twilight. The portrayal of the enigmatic vampire made him famous.

However, the actor once admitted that producers nearly dismissed him because they thought he was too serious. Pattinson eventually reached an agreement with them.

Nonetheless, even with the success of the Twilight Saga, the actor faced challenges in his acting career. He stated in 2017 that it was difficult for him to land new roles since he was not as cool as Leonardo DiCaprio.

And the films he was in at the time were not financially successful. The actor was even thinking at the time that his luck had run out.

? Twilight / Summit Entertainment and co-producers

15. Jessica Chastain

She is becoming one of the most in-demand actors right now. However, she was previously unable to secure any gigs.

Jessica admits that her looks were holding her back from achieving her ambition – she didn’t seem like a modern girl. She was frequently turned down because of her red hair, as they didn’t know who she could portray.

Chastain’s breakout performance came in The Help when she played a blonde. However, as her career progresses, the actress is no longer afraid to appear on screen with her natural hair color.

? Scenes from a Marriage / Endeavor Content and co-producers

Success in the acting industry is rare because of the various challenges, particularly if it's a struggling performer who succeeds despite all the obstacles and barriers.

Which other actors have succeeded in Hollywood despite the ruthless competition? Drop your thoughts below and share this post as well.