For some stars, the roles they are most associated with also left them with regret, discomfort, or awkward memories. We explore actors whose most iconic roles didn't age how they hoped.

Fame rarely disappears all at once. For many stars, it eroded through stalled projects, damaged reputations, or changing audience tastes, leaving behind careers that once felt untouchable and now read like warnings etched into Hollywood history.

Sam Cooke had reached a rare place in American music. He wasn’t chasing relevance—he was defining it. His voice crossed boundaries, his songwriting deepened with each release, and his business instincts put him years ahead of his peers. Then, during one chaotic night in Los Angeles, everything unraveled. The official explanation came together quickly. Understanding it, however, has never been easy.