Worst2First: My Top Ten One Hit Wonder Actresses

Worst2First: 

My Top Ten One Hit Wonder Actresses

For every Meryl Streep, for every Angelina Jolie, for every Melissa McCarthy, there's a ton of other actresses who wish to hit it big in Hollywood and have a stellar, long career on the big screen - but that's not meant to be.  While some offer an unforgettable one-time performance, others do well with what they were given but were almost completely forgotten into the abyss.

Some of these actresses have gone on to find success on television, theater, or music, but for the sake of this list, I'm narrowing it down to actresses who've only appeared in one (or one role) film.

Here are my personal top ten one hit wonder actresses, worst2first...

**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**

#10

 Carrie Henn

Known for playing the little girl Newt in James Cameon's alien horror adventure "Aliens," Carrie Henn received acclaim for portraying the girl with equal parts gusto and youthfulness, showcasing a talent way beyond her years.  However, after appearing in the film, she decided she had enough of acting and went on to become a teacher.

#9

 Anna Chlumsky

Appearing alongside Macaulay Culkin, Anna Chlumsky starred in the 1991 drama "My Girl" where she experiences several different events in her young life in 1972.  Since appearing in the film, Chlumsky didn't have much luck on the big screen, but found her groove on television, appearing on the long-running acclaimed show "Veep" where she's earned five consecutive nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy.

#8

 Piper Perabo

In "Coyote Ugly," Piper Perabo plays Jersey, a wannabe songwriter who finds a job as a barmaid at a local bar named "Coyote Ugly" where she sings and dances with the other girls to help drum up business.  Co-starring Maria Bello, Tyra Banks, and John Goodman, the film was a modest success and made a star out of Perabo.  Afterward, she couldn't achieve the same amount of popularity on the big screen, and in 2010 she was cast in the lead role in USA Network's "Covert Affairs," earning herself a Golden Globe nomination.

#7

 Stacey Dash

Best known for playing Alicia Silvertone's dim-witted friend in the cult classic "Clueless," Stacey Dash had hopes of becoming the next big thing in Hollywood.  While she appeared in numerous films after, her name really never took off and she's more known now for being a staunch Republican who used to be a Fox News contributor.

#6

 Nia Vardalos

"My Big Fat Greek Wedding" was a smash hit both commercially and critically, and made a household name out of its star, Nia Vardalos (whose one-woman play served as the inspiration for the film).  Her success earned her a Golden Globe nomination and even a television series based off the film, but after the show only lasted seven episodes, it seemed her star began to dim almost immediately.  Though she appeared in other films (including "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2"), she never could capture that same popularity.

#5

 Shannon Elizabeth

Serving as every teenage boy's crush after the success of 1999's "American Pie," Shannon Elizabeth seemed to be hitting the big leagues.  However, her multiple film appearances afterward never really made any lasting effects, and now she lives in South Africa where she runs her own non-profit animal rescue organization.

#4

 Linda Blair

Earning herself an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, Linda Blair appeared in "The Exorcist," one of cinema's most horrifying horror films of all time.  As the little girl who's possessed by the devil, Blair pulled out all the stops and made her character incredibly memorable and frightening, and it looked like she was set to become the new "it" girl.  Even though she reprised her role in the subsequent sequels and other films, she never found the same level of success and resorted to appearing in generic B-rated horror films that couldn't hold a candle to her most iconic performance.

#3

 Mo'Nique

Comedienne Mo'Nique made a name for herself after appearing in several comedy specials and as a member of the Queens of Comedy, but it was "Precious" that seemed to make Hollywood take notice of her.  Playing the abusive mother to Gabourey Sidibe's Precious, Mo'Nique shed her comedic skin and tackled a very emotional, very dramatic role, and for that she earned several accolades including a Golden Globe and Oscar for her performance.  However, after the film, she claimed she was blacklisted by Hollywood and didn't find the same sort of popularity she once had.  Most recently, she earned herself a Primetime Emmy nomination for her role in the HBO show biopic "Bessie."

#2

 Jennifer Hudson

It seems almost impossible to upstage Beyonce, but Jennifer Hudson managed to do just that in the film "Dreamgirls," where she played Effie White.  Her rendition of "And I Am Telling You" was phenomenal, and her performance was recognized by all the major critics, earning her a Golden Globe, BAFTA, Screen Actor's Guild, and Oscar award for her performance.  Not bad for a singer who was eliminated early on in the third season of "American Idol."  Since then, Hudson has appeared in other films, but none could compare to her performance here - but she's still found major success in music, television and theater.

#1

 Carrie Fisher

It may be weird to call Carrie Fisher a one-hit wonder, but apart from her iconic performance as Princess Leia in the "Star Wars" franchise, she never really found success in other mediums.  She appeared in several other movies and television shows, but she could never shake the stigma of Leia, and was never able to really re-create that same magic.