Landing a massive movie or television role is the ultimate dream for most actors out there. It brings immense fame and success but it can also become a permanent label that defines their entire career. Here is a look at ten incredible stars who became completely synonymous with one legendary character.
Bryan Cranston
This man is incredibly talented and he easily went from a funny sitcom dad to a scary drug lord in Breaking Bad. His performance as Walter White is just impossible to forget because he played the ultimate television antihero so well.
Robert Downey Jr.
He had a long career in Hollywood but everything changed completely when he put on the metal suit. Playing Tony Stark in Iron Man basically built the entire Marvel universe and he became the actual heart of those massive movies. Fans still miss him terribly in that role because nobody else could ever match that exact charm.
Hugh Jackman
He can sing and dance beautifully on Broadway but regular movie fans just know him for those big metal claws. He played Wolverine for so many years that it feels totally weird to imagine anyone else doing it. It is definitely his biggest legacy even if he keeps trying out different kinds of movies.
Jennifer Aniston
She has done a ton of movies and serious dramas over the years but she is trapped in television history. People still watch Friends reruns constantly so she will always remain Rachel Green to the entire world. That iconic haircut and her famous television romance just overshadow everything else she does.
Emma Watson
Growing up on a movie set can really lock you into a specific image for life. She played Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films perfectly and fans just cannot separate her from the books. Even when she plays a Disney princess people still see the smart little witch from Hogwarts.
Macaulay Culkin
He is the ultimate example of a child star who got stuck in one perfect holiday movie. Playing Kevin McCallister in Home Alone made him famous worldwide but it also limited his future options quite a bit. No matter how many adult dramas he tries he is still the kid defending his house.
Chris Evans
He worked in the industry for a long time before he finally picked up that famous shield. Playing Captain America made him a massive global superstar and he truly defined the patriotic hero for a generation. Now every time he shows up in a new film you just expect him to start leading the Avengers again.
Daniel Radcliffe
He has spent his adult life picking the weirdest and most unique roles possible to break away from his childhood fame. Still he is the boy wizard with the lightning scar and that will never change. Every single new project he takes is always compared to his time at Hogwarts.
Emilia Clarke
Game of Thrones was a massive cultural phenomenon and her character was right at the center of it all. She brought so much power to Daenerys Targaryen that the Mother of Dragons shadow follows her everywhere.
Kristen Stewart
She has a very diverse career now and she even directs movies which is really impressive. But to the general public she will always be Bella Swan from the Twilight series. That vampire romance franchise opened massive doors for her but it also locked her into a specific spot forever.
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