Many movie stars in Hollywood are known for acting in the biggest blockbusters. Tom Cruise has played numerous characters in amazing films. So have Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, and others. They have so many great movies that it’s hard to pinpoint which one is our favorite.
Other actors and actresses have had success, but they’re only really remembered for one role. It’s either because they stopped acting earlier or reached a peak and didn’t find continued success. Either way, there are many of them, and today we’re going to mention the most famous actors and actresses who’ve found their way into this odd situation.
We’ll be talking about the celebrities that make you say, “Remember that guy or girl from that one movie or TV show?” When you say that, people automatically know who you’re talking about. So, if they ask you about that guy who played “The Karate Kid,” you’ll probably think of actor Ralph Macchio. Or, if you mentioned Michael Richards, they would say, “Oh, you mean the guy from ‘Seinfeld’?” As you read this list, you’ll be amazed at how many of these famous people there are.
To fill this list of the actors and actresses who will only be remembered for one role, 24/7 Tempo looked deep into the history. With the help of online sources such as IMDb and MovieWeb, we found many great examples of this phenomenon and we hope you enjoy it. (If you want to learn more about other interesting entertainers, check out our list of the actors who won an Oscar with their first film role.)
Alicia Silverstone
- Role: Cher Horowitz
- Movie: “Clueless”
- Year: 1995
The first celebrity most commonly remembered for one role is Alicia Silverstone, when she played Cher in the ’90s comedy “Clueless.” Yes, Silverstone got her start in Aerosmith videos and she was in other movies like “Blast from the Past,” but when most people see her, they’ll say, “That’s the girl from ‘Clueless.’” As is often the case on this list, one reason she’s mostly known for the movie is that she knocked the role out of the park and people loved it. Silverstone hasn’t made many movies, so that’s another reason why she’s mostly known for this one.
Michael Richards
- Role: Kramer
- Show: “Seinfeld”
- Years: 1989-1998
Many TV actors will find their names on this list because they often do one role and then get typecast or don’t work much at all after the show ends. While there are other secondary “Seinfeld” stars we could put on this list, Richards is the one who is really only known for this role. He did other shows but people don’t think of them. It doesn’t help that he had a major scandal during one of his standup shows and was essentially blacklisted from Hollywood. But, even if he wasn’t, he’d probably still be on this list.
Tobey Maguire
- Role: Spiderman
- Movie: “Spiderman” films
- Years: 2002-2007
One of the movie stars often remembered for one role is Tobey Maguire, who played Spiderman in the 2000s. Maguire did other movies before and after the superhero series, but most people can’t name one. He’s so famous for this role that people on the street probably see him and call out, “Hey, Spiderman!” It didn’t help that the next time many people saw him, it was during the 2021 film, “Spiderman: No Way Home.” And after that film was such a hit, there has been talk of him playing the hero again in a future Spiderman film.
Carrie Fisher
- Role: Princess Leia
- Movie: Star Wars franchise
- Years: 1977-2017
Fisher dominated the role of Princess Leia, a royal figure who was always on the side of good and wasn’t afraid to fight for what was right. However, she did so well that we didn’t really see her in anything else. In fact, we bet you can’t name another film that she was in that isn’t Star Wars-related. Still, the science-fiction series has tons of fans, and they’re all grateful that they had Fisher fill this amazing role.
Leonard Nimoy
- Role: Spock
- Show: “Star Trek”
- Years: 1966-1969 and later, several movies
Nimoy brought the role of Spock to life, and he played the character like no one else could. What’s most amazing is that Nimoy was in over 50 movies and TV shows, but we still only know him from “Star Trek.” His costar, William Shatner, is probably another actor who could be on this list because even though he’s been in commercials and other shows, he’s really only known as Captain Kirk.
Jim Parsons
- Role: Sheldon Cooper
- Show: “The Big Bang Theory”
- Years: 2007-2019
One of the biggest sitcoms of the 2000s was “The Big Bang Theory,” and while there was an ensemble cast, most people would agree that Sheldon is the main character. This neurotic genius was played by Parsons, who poured himself into the role and made the show very memorable. Parsons is a very accomplished actor, and he’s done great work on other shows, movies, and Broadway. Still, after all his accomplishments, he’s mostly remembered exclusively for his work as Sheldon. He’s still young, so maybe that will change, but only time will tell.
Anthony Perkins
- Role: Norman Bates
- Movie: “Psycho”
- Year: 1960
Anyone who remembers the incredible film “Psycho” likely has a fond memory of Perkins playing the creepy antagonist. The same people probably can’t think of another film the actor ever made. Interestingly, Perkins had a long list of credits and many incredible performances on Broadway. He acted in many films all the way up to 1992, including a few “Psycho” sequels. He also did a lot of work on TV and even hosted an episode of “Saturday Night Live.” Still, he’s mostly remembered for “Psycho” and a few of his other accomplishments.
Adam West
- Role: Batman
- Show: “Batman”
- Year: 1966
West played Batman during the 1960s, and though his portrayal was a bit more cartoonish than others, it’s still iconic nonetheless. The only other role that people may remember is his voice acting on the show “Family Guy,” but that’s a stretch. Like most other actors on this list, West had a very long career, with countless movies and TV shows under his belt. He was in more productions than most other people in this article. Still, he’ll always be known as that funny Batman.
Paul Hogan
- Role: Mick ‘Crocodile’ Dundee
- Movie: “Crocodile Dundee” films
- Years: 1986-2020
When most people think of actor and comedian Paul Hogan, the numerous “Crocodile Dundee” films come to mind. Part of it may be that he’s done a lot of work in Australia. He had his own comedy show, “The Paul Hogan Show,” which aired for over 10 years. It was a hit, and Australian crowds loved it. Other than that, he’s mostly just played the character “Crocodile Dundee” in several sequels, so you’d be forgiven for not knowing him from anything else.
David Schwimmer
- Role: Ross Geller
- Show: “Friends”
- Years: 1994-2004
There are many sitcom actors who are only remembered for one role, and several of the cast members of the show “Friends” are on the list. Although actors Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc aren’t the most famous actors in the world, the one that most people consider in this regard is Schwimmer. He played Ross and did a great job. In fact, his love story with Jennifer Aniston’s character was one of the main plots of the show. Still, although he’s had some success voicing a character in the “Madagascar” movies, he’s mostly only known for this role.
Raul Julia
- Role: Gomez Addams
- Movie: “Addams Family” and “Addams Family Values”
- Years: 1991-1993
In the ’90s, there were two movies that remade the old “Addams Family” show from long ago. The movies were tongue-in-cheek and a bit goofy, but they did well and had a great cast of incredible performers. Julia was one of them as the patriarch of the family. Julia was in many movies and TV shows over the years, as well as many theater productions. While he likely has fans of his other work, when most people see him, they’ll think of Gomez Addams.
Fran Drescher
- Role: Fran Fine
- Show: “The Nanny”
- Years: 1993-1999
Drescher was famous for her voice and laugh when she played the title character on the sitcom “The Nanny.” It was a role that she seemed to be born to play. If you hear Drescher talk, you’re likely going to think of that show. Her famous sitcom took place in the middle of her career, but she had many credits before and since, including work on “The Simpsons” and “The Fran Drescher Show,” but “The Nanny” is what sticks with most.
Jerry Seinfeld
- Role: Jerry Seinfeld
- Show: “Seinfeld”
- Years: 1989-1998
Unlike many other names on this list, Seinfeld remains a very big name in entertainment. He still performs stand-up comedy, and he’s had a long-running show called “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” but he plays himself in those productions. Seinfeld hasn’t really acted in much else since then, and when he does, it’s unusual to see, to say the least. When it comes to his roles on TV or in movies, most people are going to think of his famous sitcom.
Ralph Macchio
- Role: Daniel LaRusso
- Movie: “The Karate Kid”
- Years: Various projects from 1986-current
As a kid, Macchio made a splash when he played the main character in the movie “The Karate Kid.” After that, he did a couple of sequels. Since that time, he has starred in many movies and TV shows. He had a major role in the hit comedy “My Cousin Vinny” and the show “Ugly Betty,” but most people seem to forget those roles. He has since returned to what has worked best by reprising his role as Daniel LaRusso on the Netflix show “Cobra Kai.”
Rainn Wilson
- Role: Dwight Schrute
- Show: “The Office”
- Years: 2005-2013
There was a large cast on “The Office,” with many talented comedic actors portraying memorable characters. One of the main characters on the show was Dwight Schrute. Played by Wilson, he had a dry delivery as a guy who took his job a bit too seriously. After the sitcom ended, Wilson became a hot property in Hollywood, and though he did star in some high-profile movies afterward, his career never quite took off. So, he’s really only known for his work on “The Office,” which is a bit of a shame.
Aaron Paul
- Role: Jesse Pinkman
- Show: “Breaking Bad”
- Years: 2008-2013
Paul is one of those cases where he acted in many different movies and TV shows, and you likely have seen many of them. Still, when you see him in a magazine or online, you’re probably going to think about “Breaking Bad.” He was such a major force on that show that it may take a lifetime for him to be known for something else. He’s so famous for that part that he has played the character in commercials. He knows that people want more of Jesse Pinkman and he’s happy to oblige.
Jon Heder
- Role: Napoleon Dynamite
- Movie: “Napoleon Dynamite”
- Year: 2004
Heder is a man who will likely only be remembered for one role. He was a force of nature when he played the title character in the comedy film of the same name. He did so well that it’s hard to imagine anyone else portraying Napoleon Dynamite. Heder did several other comedies later on, including “The Benchwarmers” and “Blades of Glory,” among others. While people watched and enjoyed those films, they didn’t stick like his breakout role did. When people see Heder on the street, they likely call out the name “Napoleon Dynamite.”
Frankie Muniz
- Role: Malcolm Wilkerson
- Show: “Malcolm in the Middle”
- Years: 2000-2006
Like Aaron Paul, this is another actor who will only be remembered for one role, and he also starred in a show with Bryan Cranston. You’d be hard-pressed to remember Muniz from anything else other than the sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle.” Like in many other cases, Muniz was so perfect for the role that it still sticks. Perhaps his next most noteworthy project was “Agent Cody Banks,” but his 2000s sitcom will likely always be his claim to fame.
Christopher Reeve
- Role: Superman
- Movie: “Superman” films
- Years: 1978-1987
Reeve was in several Superman films and played the role so well that most people don’t remember any other film or show he’s ever made. These were the biggest films at the time, and they starred many other talented actors, including Gene Hackman and Marlon Brando. Sadly, Reeve was paralyzed after a tragic horseriding incident, so his career was cut relatively short. Still, even if he had been in 50 other movies, most of us would only recognize him as Superman.
James Gandolfini
- Role: Tony Soprano
- Show: “The Sopranos”
- Years: 1999-2007
Throughout 86 episodes, Gandolfini played the tough family man and gangster Tony Soprano. This was one of the biggest shows during the 2000s, and after every episode, people around the country talked about it. Gandolfini was an accomplished actor with countless movies and TV shows under his belt. Sadly, he passed away at 51, so he could have done more, but “The Sopranos” is his claim to fame. (If you love movies and TV shows about tough characters, then check out this list of the best gangster movies of all time.)