Determined to start his career as an actor, even at the very young age of 15, Aubrey Drake Graham (or Drake as he is famously known around the world), was introduced to an agent who happened to be the father of a high school friend. His friend’s father got Drake a role in a Canadian teen drama series, Degrassi: The Next Generation, where he played Jimmy Brooks, a basketball prodigy who ended up becoming crippled after he was shot by a classmate.
The producers of the show, however, found out that Drake was juggling his time between acting and music – often spending long hours at night recording. Upon their discovery, they insisted Drake choose between his acting and music career. The actor chose the latter and so he got fired. In the end, it appears that he made the right choice though, as Drake is currently a celebrated music artist and producer, and a Grammy winner who has broken an array of Billboard records.
Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear
Jeremy Clarkson secured the biggest TV role of his career when he became a host of the British motoring program, Top Gear, during its original format. Later on, he hosted the show’s new format from 2002 towards 2015, together with James May and Richard Hammond. Many acknowledge Jeremy for transforming Top Gear into a top-viewed TV program on BBC Two, which was aired in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Despite his major participation and contributions to Top Gear, however, Jeremy Clarkson was put on hold and finally cut off by BBC following his altercation with producer Oisin Tymon in a hotel. He eventually admitted that getting the boot from the series was completely his own fault.
Cindy Williams, Laverne & Shirley
In 1975, Cindy Williams played Shirley Feeney in an episode of Happy Days, together with Penny Marshall who portrayed the character’s best friend and roommate, Laverne De Fazio. The two characters were presented as friends of Fonzie (played by Henry Winkler). Both their performances became so widely acclaimed that the show’s producer ordered a spin-off for the characters. Williams went on to star in the big hit, Laverne & Shirley, from 1976 to 1982.
In 1982, Cindy Williams was discovered to be pregnant and Bill Hudson, the actress’s husband during the time, gave producers a set of demands to cater to her. There was already growing friction between Cindy and her co-star, Penny, forcing the show’s management to move on in its final season without Shirley. Cindy Williams became separated from her husband Bill in 2000 and later on reconciled with her co-star, Penny Marshall.
Hunter Tylo, All My Children and Melrose Place
In 1984, depicting the character Deborah Morehart, Hunter Tylo was chosen as one of the casts of the sorority slasher film, The Initiation, alongside soon to be Melrose Place actress, Daphne Zuniga. The American actress, author, and former model became quite popular following her regular appearances in US daytime soap operas. Tylo’s first TV debut was on the show All My Children, in 1985. She is widely acclaimed for her portrayal of Taylor Hayes on The Bold and the Beautiful, starting from 1990 to 2018.
After it was discovered that Hunter Tylo was dating one of her co-stars, Michael Tylo, in All My Children, the actress was immediately laid off from the soap. She married Michael Tylo later on in her life. Tylo was then dismissed from Melrose Place without filming a single scene after the production crew found out she was with child. She filed a legal suit against them, won the case, and was awarded millions of dollars. Her most recent appearance is on the scripted reality series, Queens of Drama.
Robert Downey Jr., Ally McBeal
Starting from 1996 and nose diving into 2001, Robert Downey Jr. was apprehended multiple times for substance abuse and underwent numerous rehab programs that had little effect on his addiction. Downey revealed that his misuse of illegal substances started when he was just eight years old, thanks to his father who had the same addictive tendencies and even encouraged the actor to use as a young boy. Nonetheless, Robert Downey Jr. was and still is a great actor, even winning a Golden Globe award for his part in Ally McBeal.
The producers of the show had his back, even when he got caught using illegal substances because they believed in him and his acting prowess. After he was busted again though, the producers decided to move on from Downey Jr. and were forced to cut his character from the show. Robert Downey Jr. shared that the humiliation of getting arrested that time around was pivotal became it came with a moment of realization that ultimately obligated him to get serious with his rehab. As we all know, the actor made a huge comeback, best highlighted, perhaps, by his role in Iron Man, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.