+

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

Home Newsletters Next Share

4 actors who successfully quit their hit shows to become movie stars - and 8 who weren't so lucky

Gabbi ShawApr 6, 2021, 23:57 IST

Farrah Fawcett never escaped "Charlie's Angels."Henry Groskinsky/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

When a star leaves a TV show in its prime, it's often to try to become a movie star.
Even though an actor may be beloved on TV, that doesn't always translate to box-office success.
But sometimes it does - here are 4 stars who made it work, and 8 who didn't.

Advertisement

George Clooney left "ER" after five seasons to pursue a film career, and he became an A-lister.

George Clooney. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Chevy Chase quit "Saturday Night Live" midway through its second season and became a movie star in the '80s and '90s.

Chevy Chase during season one of "SNL.' NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images

Advertisement

Ashton Kutcher skipped out on the last season of "That '70s Show" to try his hand at movies.

Ashton Kutcher. Getty/Frazer Harrison

Eddie Murphy left "SNL" and immediately became one of the biggest movie stars in the world.

Eddie Murphy. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Advertisement

Farrah Fawcett was never able to escape "Charlie's Angels" even though she was only on it for a season.

Farrah Fawcett. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Noel Fisher left "Shameless" to pursue a film career, but he ended up back on "Shameless" a few years later.

Noel Fisher. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Advertisement

David Caruso quit "NYPD Blue" after one season to try movies, but he also ended up back on TV.

David Caruso. Walt Disney Television/Getty Images

Mischa Barton left "The OC" during season three, and she is now best known for appearing on "The Hills" reboot.

Mischa Barton. Alexander Koener/Getty

Advertisement

Wil Wheaton left "Star Trek: The Next Generation" after four seasons, which he regretted.

Wil Wheaton. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Katherine Heigl became a rom-com queen while working on "Grey's Anatomy," but once she left, the roles dried up.

Katherine Heigl. Michael Tran/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Advertisement

Unlike Ashton Kutcher, Topher Grace's exit from "That '70s Show" might not have been the best move.

Topher Grace. Phil McCarten/Invision/AP

Shelley Long left "Cheers" and never was able to replicate that success.

Shelley Long. NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images

Advertisement

Next Story

13 things you didn't know about Paul Rudd

Copyright @ 2024. Times Internet Limited. All rights reserved.For reprint rights. Times Syndication Service.