It appeared like Nikki Blonsky was going to be the next big star after playing the role of Tracy Turnblad in 2007’s movie adaptation of “Hairspray.” Although she starred alongside an impressive list of actors like John Travolta, Queen Latifah, and Zac Efron, her career path took a big turn after the movie… for the worse.
In 2011, she earned a cosmetology license and started working part-time as a makeup artist and hairstylist. How could somebody who was poised to be the next big thing experience such a turn of events? We guess we will never know why she made that choice in the end.
Early Retirement
Phoebe Cates made jaws drop... for both men and women alike. She starred in 1982's "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." She continued to appear in several movies throughout the '80s and early '90s. However, following a time period during which she was completely absorbed in her film career, she disappeared.
It seemed that she retired from her career as an actress in 1994 to focus on her marriage to Kevin Kline and their two children. Since her retirement, she has acted in only one movie, "The Anniversary Party," as a favor to Jennifer Jason Leigh, who was the film's director.
Shallow Impact
It seemed like Sobieski could have had a promising career based on her performance in the blockbuster asteroid drama "Deep Impact" in 1998. The film brought her to the attention of many casting directors. Unfortunately, the movie didn't seem to have a deep impact on her career and the actress pretty much vanished afterward.
In 2012, Sobieski confirmed, "I don't do movie stuff anymore". Commenting on the reasons for her early retirement to Us Weekly, Sobieski said, "I am just focused on my kids. I think that's mainly why I stopped...Also, ninety percent of acting roles involve so much sexual stuff with other people, and I don't want to do that.
Boardwalk to Nowhere
Paz de la Huerta seemed destined for fame when she acted on "Boardwalk Empire" for two seasons. The series went on air from 2010 to 2014 and was such a hit that it won a hefty 20 Emmy awards. However, her career quickly petered after the role. Since then, she hasn't made any high-profile appearances.
In 2015, it was reported that de la Huerta was suing the filmmakers, for ruining her career. Paz has also made allegations against Harvey Weinstein, an act which she describes as having made her life take a sharp dark turn. She became depressed and after a second season, HBO did not renew her contract.
Dethroned
Surely, no Game of Thrones fan could forget Jack Gleeson. Jack played television's most despised enemy, King Joffrey. Despite the high-profile role, Gleeson has not acted since 2014. In 2012, the actor hinted at his intention to retire from acting to pursue an academic career once his work on Game of Thrones was finished.
In 2014, Gleeson confirmed he would be permanently retiring from acting after concluding his work in "Game of Thrones." In the same interview, he said that while he previously had the desire to pursue a degree, he has since gone off that idea. He is currently busy running his own touring theater company, which has a puppet show.