Perhaps it’s another curse of stardom: Your judgment gets cloudy. Whether influenced by bad advice, bad agents or good old-fashioned greed, some talented people have appeared in some curiously bad films in the past few years. Here are some actors who have repeatedly diluted their acting cred, along with their latest (or most infamous) career lowlight.
Ben Affleck
Since making a splash with buddy Matt Damon in “Good Will Hunting” (for which the pair won a screenwriting Oscar), Affleck has become more known for being married to Jennifer Garner than for his film credits. His latest project, “He’s Just Not That Into You,” is up for discussion.
Recent lowlight: Gigli
Steve Martin
With the exception of the self-written “Shopgirl” (2005), Martin stopped making interesting movies more than a decade ago, seemingly to concentrate full time on fluff: “Father of the Bride” (I and II), “Sgt. Bilko,” “The Out-of Towners,” “Bringing Down the House” and “Cheaper by the Dozen.”
Recent lowlight: The Pink Panther
Samuel L. Jackson
Since co-starring in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” (1994) and “Jackie Brown” (1997), and the three most recent “Star Wars” films (discuss whether that’s a good thing), Jackson primarily has been about quantity over quality. He’s knocked out almost 30 films since 2000 and has six in the pipeline, according to imdb.com.
Recent lowlight: Snakes on a Plane
Halle Berry
Berry fought her way up through a series of thankless glamor-girl roles to prove she actually can act, winning an Oscar for “Monster’s Ball” in 2001. And though you can’t fault someone for cashing in, Berry has taken beneath-her-dignity roles in old franchises (the James Bond stinker “Die Another Day”), new franchises (“X-Men”) and wannabe franchises (“Catwoman”).
Recent lowlight: Perfect Stranger
Christopher Walken
Walken is like Jack Nicholson: He no longer has to play an actual character. He just has to show up and do his trademarked Walken thing. And he does — often. Walken has been in more than 40 movies in the past decade, and a solid majority of them should have been certified “straight to video.” Not that that would have stopped Walken.
Recent lowlight: Balls of Fury
Lindsay Lohan
Her recent personal issues aside, Lohan’s professional standing has been on the downslide since “Mean Girls” (left) was a hit with audiences in 2004. Just check out these box-office bombs of the past three years: “Herbie Fully Loaded” (2005), “Just My Luck” (2006), “Georgia Rule” (2007).
Recent lowlight: I Know Who Killed Me
