Hollywood can be a magical place, showering those who have managed to break into it with love and adoration. But what happens to a name when the curtain is called and that blinding spotlight goes out for the last time? They always say that an artist’s work is worth infinitely more once they pass. The same applies to musicians, famous composers, and most authors. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case with some actors. A name can easily be buried by how quickly things change in the valley of stars. These are 10 actors that Hollywood forgot about after their passing, but deserve to be remembered.
1. Gilbert Gottfried
A legendary comedian, Gilbert Gottfried was probably more well-known for his many voice roles than for any of his roles in front of the camera, at least in the beginning of his career. His voice was commonly heard in Disney classics such as the lovable red henchman Iago in the animated Aladdin trilogy, but he also appeared in an on-camera role in two movies in the Sharknado (2016) series, Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens and The Last Sharknado: It’s About Time (2018).
2. Michael Clarke Duncan
Duncan had a bit of a hard start in Hollywood, only managing to grab minor TV roles throughout the early ’90s. It wasn’t until he landed the role of Bear in Michael Bay’s 1998 Armageddon that he finally got his break. Ironically, the fame from Armageddon wasn’t what helped him earn his biggest role yet. During filming, he kindled a friendship with co-star Bruce Willis, who suggested him for the role of John Coffey in The Green Mile. His role as Kingpin in Daredevil (2003) didn’t break his lovable persona, but rather showed his fans the versatility of his acting talent.
3. Ray Stevenson
Ray Stevenson had a late success, only becoming a known name at the age of 44 when he starred as Titus Pullo in HBO’s Rome. Embodying the classic tale of a 10-year “overnight success”, he quickly moved on to bigger things, becoming a well-known name in the Marvel universe. While not in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Stevenson played Frank Castle in the forgotten 2008 Punisher: War Zone. Eventually joining the MCU, he went on to play Volstagg in almost all of the Thor movies, even appearing posthumously in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022).
4. Judith Barsi
Possibly one of the most tragic names on this list, Judith Barsi was an incredible child actress, most well-known as the adorable voice of Ducky in the animated series The Land Before Time and the equally adorable voice of Anne-Marie in All Dogs Go to Heaven in 1988. Appearing for a moment in Jaws: The Revenge, a year before the debut of both of her famous voice roles, this tragic child star only lived to the tender age of 10, but clearly left her mark.
5. Heather O’Rourke
Once a household name on the horror circuit, Heather O’Rourke’s name has all but been erased from Hollywood history. Before she became a well-known horror starlet, O’Rourke starred in Happy Days (1982-1983), where she was discovered by Steven Spielberg himself, and played the role of Carol Anne Freeling in all three of his Poltergeist movies. Yet another tragic child star, O’Rourke is still a name that is remembered by horror cult-classic fans, but relatively unknown to the broader realm of Hollywood.
6. Thuy Trang
Few remember the name or face of Thuy Trang, but where the Vietnamese actress easily springs to mind is her incredible role as the first-ever Yellow Power Ranger on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers from 1993 to 1994. Her accolades didn’t stop there, as Trang made an incredible splash when she played Kali in The Crow: City of Angels in 1996. Her incredible immigration story and success made her a role model to young Asian actresses around the world, a legacy that lived on.
7. Glenn Quinn
While Hollywood might have forgotten, the name Glenn Quinn still conjures 90s nostalgia in many minds. First rising to fame for his role as Mark Healy in the sitcom Roseanne, Quinn pushed the bad-boy persona away for the well-loved half-demon Francis Allen Doyle (better known as Doyle) in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off series Angel (1999). His first big film role was in the musical Shout, starring alongside big names like John Travolta and even Gwyneth Paltrow.
8. Carl Weathers
Carl Weathers isn’t a name that has been easily forgotten by Rocky film series fans, despite how his name has been disappearing in Hollywood. His appearances as Apollo Creed earned him the respect and adoration of fans around the world.
Long before he made his acting debut, Weathers was a professional football player, and his sports career laid the groundwork for his climb to fame. Weathers’ fame didn’t stop with the boxing franchise. He went on to star alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger as Dillon in Predator (1987), and later took on the role of Greef Karga in The Mandalorian. These roles cemented his memory for Star Wars fans around the world.
9. Anton Yelchin
Anton Yelchin landed his first major role at a young age, starring as Robert Garfield Adulto in Hearts in Atlantis (2001). Not only did he win a proverbial trophy for starring in a Steven King movie, based on the book of the same name, he also starred alongside the legendary Anthony Hopkins. On top of these accomplishments, his role earned him the Young Artist Award for leading Young Actor in 2002. Yelchin later went on to take up the role of Pavel Chekov in Star Trek’s reboot movie series.
10. Lance Reddick
While we haven’t heard his name in Hollywood in a while, there’s no end to the plethora of roles that Lance Reddick is known for. While he later became a prominent name in blockbuster movies like the John Wick franchise, Reddick first appeared on screens as Cedric Daniels in The Wire. Reddick became known for bringing depth and character to some of fiction’s most detestable villains, portraying Resident Evil’s Albert Wesker as a loving father, and offering an unforgettable voice performance as Thordack the Cinder King in Season 3 of The Legend of Vox Machina.
