17 One-Hit TV Wonders
Paul Dailly
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The TV landscape is constantly growing with more shows on the air than ever and it gives us the opportunity to see a lot of not so big stars become household names.
What happens when their original hit concludes? Do they branch out into something as successful, or do they fizzle into oblivion?
We've compiled a list of TV actors who have had just one hit and subsequently struggled to get into another big television show.
There are a lot of shockers on here, so you'd best prepare yourself.
1. Thomas Calabro - Melrose Place
He was massive hit with Melrose Place fans, but struggled to find another hit after the show went off the air, so it was perfectly plausible that he'd jump at the chance to take part in The CW's ill-fated reboot.
2. Mischa Barton - The OC
Mischa's TV career fizzled after she left The OC in its third season. She was going through a lot of personal stuff, but her acting career never took back off. She did star in The Beautiful Life, but that was axed after just two episodes.
3. Dustin Diamond - Saved By The Bell
Dustin Diamond was a massive star during Saved By The Bell, but recently he's been in the media for all the wrong reasons. He did take part in Celebrity Big Brother UK, but that's the equivalent of Celebrity Rehab over here, so one hit for him!
4. Rose McGowan - Charmed
McGowan entered Charmed when it was already an establiished hit, but her career outwith that hasn't been all that. She's been in the news, but also not for all the right reasons. Her most recent TV show was Crackle's Ch:os:en. I had no idea what that is, but the cast is actually pretty decent!
5. Chad Michael Murray - One Tree Hill
He left Tree Hill at the close of Season 7, but in hindsight, he should have probably stayed until the end. If only for a steady salary. He's currently starring in Agent Carter, but that show is far from a hit.
6. Wilmer Valderrama - That 70's Show
Since the show concluded, he has not been in any hits, but he's doing the next best thing and dating women from the hits.
7. Alexis Bledel - Gilmore Girls
This one is one of the most surprising. Since she was cast in a failed Fox comedy, she's been very under the radar, but she has solace in knowing that her sole hit is returning for another go around.
8. Alison Mack - Smallville
Smallville was a big show for The WB and The CW, but Mack decided to bid adieu to it before the show signed off. 11 seasons would be a long time to stick with any show, but she's not had much traction in any role since and her mose recent dud was American Odyssey.
9. Nicholas Brendon - Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Buffy's BFF failed to stay relevant after Buffy concluded in 2003 and his only notable role since was in Private Practice, but that was just for a handful of episodes.
10. Ian Ziering - Beverly Hills, 90210
He was part of a genre defining drama that lasted many seasons, but now he's only known for Sharknado. This ones a head scratcher.
11. Patricia Arquette - Medium
Arquette captivated audiences worldwide as a medium, but she's currently in CSI: Cyber which is one of the worst shows on the air and is far from a hit!
12. James Van Der Beek - Dawson's Creek
James is also starring in CSI: Cyber. Perhaps it was part of the casting call that they were seeking TV one hit wonders.
13. Marg Helgenberger - CSI
Marg was one of the highlights of the original CSI series, but she kind of ruined her career with her role in Under The Dome. It was as though she read the script and couldn't be bothered to turn in a decent performance because the show was so bad.
14. Kirk Cameron - Growing Pains
He had the potential to move on to another hit series, but everything since have been duds.
15. Candace Cameron Bure - Full House
She made us laugh on Full House, but she just couldn't find another hit. She was probably the first in line to sign up for Fuller House and we couldn't be more happy.
16. Matthew Perry - Friends
Perry has been in a string of TV shows since Friends, but they just have no staying power and keep getting cancelled.
17. Poppy Montgomery - Without A Trace
Let's be honest, Without A Trace was one of the most compelling procedurals out there. Poppy moved on to Unforgettable, but that show's been cancelled twice and will no doubt be getting the pink slip from A & E soon.
