1. George Maharis
George Maharis was a heartthrob of the early ’60s, best known for playing Buz Murdock on Route 66. With his rugged good looks and on-screen charm, it seemed he was destined to be one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. He even released a few albums and was marketed as both a serious actor and a singer, a combination that was working for others at the time. Unfortunately, his rising trajectory was interrupted when he fell ill with hepatitis and eventually left the series.
Although Maharis tried to make a comeback with roles in films and TV, he never recaptured the momentum he once had. Audiences had already moved on, and Hollywood wasn’t as forgiving when an actor stepped away at their peak. By the ’70s, his star had faded, and he took on smaller roles here and there before quietly retiring. Fans of Route 66 still remember him fondly, but he’s often cited as one of the great “what ifs” of the decade.
2. Dolores Hart
Dolores Hart had a Hollywood fairy tale beginning, starring opposite Elvis Presley in Loving You and King Creole. She was young, beautiful, and talented, with a string of leading roles that made her seem like the next big thing. By the early ’60s, she had her own Broadway hit and was making waves in both film and theater. Everyone expected her to become one of the defining actresses of her generation.
Then, at the height of her success, she shocked Hollywood by leaving it all behind to join a convent. Hart became a nun, choosing a life of faith over fame. While she later returned to the spotlight in documentaries and memoirs about her decision, her acting career was essentially frozen in time. It’s a decision that still fascinates fans today, because she truly had all the makings of a superstar.
3. Peter Duel
Peter Duel rose quickly in the TV world, charming audiences on shows like Alias Smith and Jones. He had the charisma, the looks, and the timing that made network executives believe he could become a household name. His chemistry with co-star Ben Murphy made the series a hit, and Duel seemed destined for bigger and better things in film.
But tragedy cut his career short. In 1971, while the series was still on the air, Duel died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at only 31. Fans were devastated, and Hollywood lost a talent that hadn’t yet reached his full potential. Had he lived, many believe he would have been one of the breakout stars of the ’70s.
4. Yvette Mimieux
Yvette Mimieux was unforgettable in her breakout role as Weena in The Time Machine. She was poised to become one of the most recognizable actresses of the decade, with her blend of innocence and sophistication. MGM heavily promoted her, and she landed roles that should have made her a top-tier star.
But after a few years, her career lost its momentum. Some critics argued that Hollywood didn’t quite know what to do with her—she wasn’t easily typecast. She shifted into TV movies and occasional film roles but never became the marquee name she once seemed destined to be. Despite fading from the spotlight, she remains a cult favorite for sci-fi fans.
5. Chad Everett
Chad Everett had all the makings of a matinee idol. With his chiseled features and commanding screen presence, he quickly landed the starring role on the medical drama Medical Center. The show was popular, and Everett’s star power seemed undeniable during its run.
However, his fame was tied closely to the series. Once the show ended, he struggled to find roles that matched its success. He worked steadily, but he never broke through to leading-man status in films the way some of his peers did. By the ’80s and ’90s, he was appearing in guest spots rather than carrying projects.
6. Tuesday Weld
Tuesday Weld was considered one of the brightest young talents of the late ’50s and ’60s. She earned acclaim for her performances in films like The Cincinnati Kid and was seen as a serious actress with enormous range. She was even nominated for an Academy Award later in her career.
Still, Weld resisted the spotlight. She often turned down big roles, including parts that later went to actresses like Mia Farrow and Cybill Shepherd. Her reluctance to fully embrace stardom kept her from reaching the heights many predicted. While she remained respected, she never became the superstar she could have been.
7. Michael Parks
Michael Parks was once called the “next James Dean.” He had brooding good looks and a reputation for intense performances, which made him stand out in shows like Then Came Bronson. Hollywood saw him as a rebel with star potential, someone who could carry both TV and film.
But Parks was also known for clashing with studio executives, and that reputation hurt him. Opportunities dried up, and his career stalled just as it was beginning to soar. He later found work in character roles, especially in Quentin Tarantino’s films, but by then his chance at superstardom had long passed.
8. Carol Lynley
Carol Lynley became a familiar face in the ’60s thanks to movies like Blue Denim and The Poseidon Adventure. She had the wide-eyed innocence that casting directors loved, and for a while it looked like she would join the ranks of Hollywood’s biggest names. She worked with some of the top actors of her time, proving she could hold her own.
However, her career didn’t progress the way many expected. She shifted into television roles and smaller films, never quite landing that one career-defining part. Though she continued to act for decades, her early promise as a breakout superstar faded with time. Today, she’s remembered as a solid talent who never quite became a household name.
9. Richard Chamberlain
Richard Chamberlain found fame as the star of Dr. Kildare, becoming a major TV idol in the early ’60s. He had legions of fans, and his face was plastered across magazines, making him a natural candidate for film stardom. Studios saw him as the kind of actor who could easily transition to leading roles on the big screen.
Yet Chamberlain’s career took a different turn. While he remained successful, he didn’t dominate Hollywood the way many thought he would. Later miniseries like Shogun and The Thorn Birds gave him a second wave of fame, but in the ’60s his career stalled after Dr. Kildare. He’s respected for his body of work, but he never became the superstar many expected.
10. Pamela Tiffin
Pamela Tiffin burst onto the scene in comedies like One, Two, Three and State Fair. Her combination of beauty and charm made her a natural fit for lighthearted films of the era. Critics took note, and she was nominated for a Golden Globe early in her career.
But her rise didn’t last long. Hollywood typecast her as the ingénue, and as she got older, those roles disappeared. She eventually moved to Europe to continue working, but she never broke through in the U.S. the way many thought she would. She’s one of those actresses people remember vividly but wonder why she never became a bigger star.
11. Jean Seberg
Jean Seberg was discovered in the late ’50s and quickly became a sensation in Europe with her performance in Breathless, which is still considered a landmark of French New Wave cinema. She had a unique blend of American charm and European sophistication, and critics believed she could bridge the gap between Hollywood and art-house success. For a time, it seemed like she was poised to become an international superstar.
But her career in the U.S. never quite lived up to the promise. While she had strong roles, her political activism and personal struggles often overshadowed her work. Hollywood, which could be unforgiving toward outspoken women in that era, gradually distanced itself from her. Though she left behind an unforgettable screen presence, her stardom was tragically fleeting.
12. Connie Stevens
Connie Stevens was a singer and actress who gained fame on the TV series Hawaiian Eye. With her bubbly personality and girl-next-door appeal, she seemed perfectly positioned to cross over into film stardom. Warner Bros. promoted her heavily, banking on her to become their next big star.
But despite steady work, she never quite reached those heights. Stevens found more success in music and as a businesswoman later in life, rather than as a Hollywood icon. While she remained a recognizable name, her acting career never gave her the superstardom she once seemed destined to achieve.
13. Ty Hardin
Ty Hardin made his mark in the western series Bronco, which gained him plenty of fans in the late ’50s and early ’60s. Handsome and charismatic, he was seen as a natural successor to actors like Clint Walker. Warner Bros. thought they had another cowboy superstar in the making.
However, once Bronco ended, Hardin struggled to find meaningful roles. He appeared in a string of lesser-known films and eventually faded from Hollywood’s A-list. His career never matched the early promise, and by the ’70s he was largely forgotten by mainstream audiences. Still, he’s remembered fondly by classic TV western fans.
