Voice Of Post

Indeed, you might imagine that after three strikes a sitcom actor would typically float off into obscurity. Not true of many actors, who manage to climb aboard a new show every pilot season, only to see another effort crash and burn. But like the Phoenix from the ashes, these television duds rise again. Of course, some of the most notorious show killers eventually do land a hit: Jon Cryer, for instance, failed nearly a dozen times between Pretty in Pink and "Two and a Half Men." Others, like the supremely talented Paula Marshall, can be seen yet again on this fall season's television schedule as Maleficent in "Once Upon a Time." I give it 6 episodes.

The slideshow that begins below is the Internet's Definitive Guide to the 20 Most Lethal Show Killers. In most cases, these players were regular cast members or had recurring character roles on short-lived television shows; sometimes, a guest appearance on one episode was enough to seal the show's cancelled fate. Some of these shows were lesser failures than others, but you couldn't reasonably consider any of them a commercial success.

Jaime King (5): "My Generation, "Gary Unmarried," "The Class," "Kitchen Confidential," "Harry Green and Eugene."


Joely Fisher (5): "Wild Card," "Baby Bob," "Danny," "Normal Ohio," and "Grosse Point."
Judy Greer (6): "Glen Martin DDS," "Mad Love," "Miss Guided," "Love Monkey," "Love and Money," and "Maggie Winters."
Summer Glau (7): "Good Morning Rabbit," "The Cape," "Dollhouse," "The Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," "The Unit," and "Firefly."
 David Krumholz (7): "The Lyon's Den," "Lucky," "Undeclared," "The Trouble with Normal," "The Closer," "Chicago Sons," and "Monty."
Mark Feuerstein (7): "The Hustler," "3 lbs," "Shark," "Good Morning Miami," "Conrad Bloom," "Fired Up," and "Caroline in the City."
George Clooney (8): "Sisters," "The Building," "Bodies of Evidence," "Jack's Place," "Baby Talk," "Throb," "Sunset Beat," "E/R" (not "E.R."), and the waning years of "The Facts of Life."
Rena Sofer (8): "Dirty Sexy Money," "Blind Justice," "Mr. Nice Guy," "Coupling," "The Chronicle," "Opposite Sex," "Timecop," and "Oh, Grow Up"
Tim Matheson (9): "Wolf Lake," "The Legend of Calamity Jane," "Charlie Hoover," "Just in Time," "Trying Times," "Tucker's Witch," "Trying Times," "Magician," "Three for the Road."
Mädchen Amick (9): "My Own Worst Enemy," "Shark," "Viva Laughlin," "Kidnapped," "Freddie," "Joey," "Jake in Progress," "Queens Supreme," and "CPW."
Lindsay Price (10): "Love Bites," "Eastwick," "Lipstick Jungle," "Pepper Dennis," "Kitchen Confidential," "The Mountain," "Coupling," "Becker," "Jack and Jill," and "Head over Heels."
David Alan Grier (10): "Life with Bonnie," "Samurai Jack," "Cedric the Entertainer Presents," "The Preston Episodes," "Tanner '88," "All is Forgiven," "The Proud Family," "Dag," "Damon," and "Pinky and the Brain"
Jon Cryer (11): "Danny Phantom," "Stripperella," "Hey Joel," "Becker," "Andy Richter Controls the Universe," "The Trouble with Normal," "Mr. Show with Bob and David," "Getting Personal," "It's Good to Be King," "Partners," and "The Famous Teddy Z."
Mark Valley (11): "Human Target," "Swingtown," "Emily's Reason's Why Not," "Keen Eddie," "I'm with Her," Harry Green and Eugene," "Pasadena," "The Lone Gunmen," "Brimstone," "LateLine," and "Gideon's Crossing."
 Sherri Shepard (12): "Sherri," "The Wedding Bells," "Kim Possible," "Less than Perfect," "Brandy and Mr. Whiskers," "My Adventures in Television," "Emeril," "The Jamie Foxx Show," "Suddenly Susan," "The Trouble with Normal," "Holding the Baby," and "Cleghorne."
 Paget Brewster (12): "Dan vs.," "Stacked," "Duck Dodger," "Andy Richter Controls the Universe," "Rock Me Baby," "George Lopez," "Raising Dad," "Dag," "The Trouble with Normal," "Love and Money," "The Expert," and "Godzilla: The Series."
Paula Marshall (13): "Friends with Benefits," "Gary Unmarried," "Shark," "Out of Practice," "Hidden Hills," "Ms. Match," "The Weber Show," "Snoops," "Cupid," "Chicago Sons," "The Single Guy," "Nash Bridges," "Wild Oats."
Dondre Whitfield (15): "The Event," "Samantha Who?" "Jake in Progress," "Second Time Around," Strong Medicine," "Half and Half," "Less than Perfect," "The Hidden Hills," "Girlfriends," "Inside Schwartz," "Nash Bridges," "Secret Agent Man," "Between Brothers," "Living in Captivity," and "The Crew."
Justin Louis (15): "Durham County," "1-800-Missing," "Hidden Hills," "Mutant X," "The Fighting Fitzgeralds," "The Fugitive," "Battery Park," "Trinity" "The Net," "Three," "Cracker: Mind over Murder," "Public Morals," "Local Heroes," "Cobra," and "Urban Angel."
Jason Gedrick (15): "Lie to Me," "Lincoln Heights," "Windfall," "Crossing Jordan," "LAX," "S.O.S. 18," "North Shore," "Boomtown," "Philly," "Strange Frequency," "The Beast," "EZ Streets," "Murder One," "Sweet Justice," and "Class of '96."

Famous May birthdays
A country singer, Oscar winner, all-star athlete and groundbreaking politician are just a few of the famous folks who were born in May. To celebrate, we’re revealing some fun facts about them. Find out which stars are celebrating birthdays this week.

Tim McGraw
The multitalented entertainer has a decades-long music career  as well as a promising acting career. Which country superstar is his wife?

This Oscar-nominated director is known for his quirky directing skills and his working partnership with an eccentric actor.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
The wrestler-turned-movie star  is returning to the ring after a seven-year absence. What is his catchphrase?

This Italian fashion designer  has outfitted celebrities for decades, and was parodied by Maya Rudolph on “Saturday Night Live”
Christina Hendricks
The “Mad Men” star  is famous for her attention-getting curves. What has she said about her looks?

This inventor and pitchman used his company to introduce the world to the Pocket Fisherman, Mr. Microphone and the Showtime Rotisserie.
Erin Andrews
The sideline reporter  and “Dancing With the Stars” contestant  dealt with a scary situation in 2009.

This ailing former Egyptian president  was ousted by a revolution and is facing corruption charges. Read the latest news on his condition.
Adele
The British soul singer  is making a big splash across the pond with her latest album. Watch her music videos.

This NBC news anchor is becoming as well known for his cameos on an NBC sitcom and late-night TV bits as he is for his reporting.
George Clooney
The perennial bachelor got his start on a long-running TV drama  and went on to win an Oscar for his role in this movie.

This major league slugger  with a funny nickname still holds fourth place on an impressive list. His controversial godson holds the top spot
Shawn Marion
The NBA All-Star shoots for the Dallas Mavericks but started out his career with the Phoenix Suns. Get the latest playoff news.

This stand-up comedian starred in a pot-centered documentary and hosts a movie-themed podcast.
Don Rickles
“Mr. Warmth” has been insulting audiences  for more than 60 years but took on a more kid-friendly role in a beloved movie franchise .

This Latin singer  inherited his musical genes from his crooner dad. See who his famous girlfriend is
Rosario Dawson
The New York actress made her big-screen debut in a controversial 1995 movie and went on to co-star with Denzel Washington in an action thriller. Next up? A Kevin James comedy.

The musician known as the “Piano Man” is turning 62 and has a daughter who is following in his footsteps.
Bono
The U2 front man  has become one of the world’s most famous philanthropists. What is his real name?

This “Saturday Night Live” cast member got his start on a Nickelodeon sketch show.
Louis Farrakhan
The controversial Nation of Islam leader is turning 78. What is his birth name?

This actor – who plays a teen heartthrob on “Glee” – got caught up in a photo shoot controversy last year. See the pictures.
Tony Hawk
The professional skateboarder landed the first-ever 900  in competition (watch it) and went on to build a hugely successful video-game empire.

This actor grabbed audiences’ attention in a cult hitand melted viewers’ hearts when he gave away his Golden Globe. What is his next big action flick?
Robert Pattinson
The “Twilight” star  tries to keep his real-life relationship with his co-star under wraps.Why is he afraid of circuses?

This late-night host uses his parody news show to skewer everyone from Bill O’Reilly to the president. Watch him testify before Congress.
Cate Blanchett
The Oscar-winning actressis known for her fashion sense as well as her talent. Will she be returning to Middle Earth?

This popular director has never won an Oscar despite his success at the box office. Read his bio.
Madeleine Albright
The first female secretary of state  was known for her pin collection .Why is she still in the news? Watch interviews with her.

This former star NFL running back put his athletic skills to use to win “Dancing With the Stars.” Watch his moves.
Janet Jackson
The pop icon  from a legendary family once stirred up controversy with her Super Bowl performance. Get her concert tickets.

This bombshell actress get her big break in “Transformers” and has a big comedy coming out next year. Who is her actor husband?
Craig Ferguson
The late-night talk show host was born in Glasgow, Scotland.In which sitcom did he play the crazy boss?

This Nine Inch Nails front man surprised lots of fans when he won an Academy Award . Watch his acceptance speech.
Chow Yun-fat
The Hong Kong action star broke through in Hollywood with roles in “Anna and the King” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”

This Indy Car champion was born in Bathgate, Scotland and is married to a Hollywood actress.
Nora Ephron
The Oscar-nominated writer-director is known for her romantic comedies. What is her connection to the Deep Throat mystery?

This PBS newsman  has a side job as a presidential debate moderator
Cher
The Oscar-winning actress-singer starred in a Golden Globe-nominated movie last year. What was her advice to Lady Gaga?

This U.S. senator’s wife posed for a controversial ad.How did they meet?
Mr. T
We pity the fool who doesn’t love the star of “The A-Team.” He even had his own cereal!

This Minnesota senator transitioned from a sketch-comedy career to become a major player in Congress.
Apolo Anton Ohno
The Olympic gold medal speed skater traded in his skates for dancing shoes to win a reality competition show. What is his latest project?

This British supermodel is famous for several “incidents” and was even connected to controversial stones.
Drew Carey
The former sitcom star took over for this longtime host as the face of “The Price Is Right” in 2007.

This singer is expecting her first baby with her cowboy husband. What is her new TV show?
Bob Dylan
The singer-songwriter with a trademark voice is celebrating his 70th birthday. Where was he born?

This iconic soul singer has been entertaining audiences since the 1960s.Watch her sing the national anthem
Sir Ian McKellen
The star of the “X-Men” films and the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy is working on a highly anticipated prequel.

The star of “Hung” and ex-girlfriend of a popular talk-show host got her start in daytime soap operas.
Jack Kevorkian
The man known as “Dr. Death” was released from prison in 2007. Who played him in an HBO movie?

This funky rocker has a keen fashion sense and plays a mean guitar. Who is his daughter?
Louis Gossett Jr.
The Oscar-winning star of “Officer and a Gentleman” and the “Iron Eagle” franchise returned to the big screen last year.

This former secretary of state won a Nobel Peace Prize with this leader (who rejected it).
Carey Mulligan
The British actress has been nominated for an Oscar and gone through a public breakup. What big role did she recently land?

This soul singer  has been performing with her backup band since the 1960s. Watch her sing “Midnight Train to Georgia.”
Melissa Etheridge
The “Come to My Window” rocker battled a health set back before going through an ugly breakup with her actress wife last year. See pictures of her family.

This New York Knicks star  won an NCAA championship at this university. Watch his recent late-night cameo.
Wynonna Judd
The country music star has a new reality show with her mom.

This hip-hop superstar sang with an Oscar winner and will be a judge for a new singing competition.