The Final Roles of Hollywood Icons
While it’s always sad to bid farewell to Hollywood legends, some actors’ final films may surprise viewers. These actors left behind a filmography that is a testament to their talent and longevity, and their final roles are worth watching to appreciate their legacy.
10. James Dean – Giant (1956)
James Dean’s final film role showcased his serious range as an actor as the poor ranch hand who struck oil and became incredibly wealthy. Unfortunately, Dean never got to enjoy the acclaim he received, as he was killed in a car crash three months before the film was released.
9. Audrey Hepburn – Always (1989)
Audrey Hepburn’s final movie was Steven Spielberg’s highly underrated fantasy romance Always, a remake of the 1943 romance A Guy Named Joe. This unusual story followed the spirit of a recently deceased expert pilot mentoring a new pilot while watching him fall in love with the girl he left behind.
8. Paul Newman – Cars (2006)
Paul Newman was a true Hollywood legend whose filmography includes classics like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, and his Oscar-winning performance in Martin Scorsese’s The Color of Money. His final role was as Doc Hudson in the Pixar kids’ classic Cars.
7. Philip Seymour Hoffman – Sir Billi (2012)
Philip Seymour Hoffman passed away at age 46 in 2014. His final role was as Plutarch Heavensbee in the The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.
6. Elizabeth Taylor – The Flintstones (1994)
Elizabeth Taylor was a two-time Academy Award-winner and a Hollywood icon. Her final film role was in the 1994 live-action adaptation of The Flintstones, where she played Pearl Slaghoople.
5. Orson Welles – Transformers: The Movie (1986)
Orson Welles, the director, co-writer, and star of Citizen Kane, earned his place among the all-time great filmmakers at just 25 years old. His final release was as the planet-sized robotic villain Unicron in The Transformers: The Movie.
4. Heath Ledger – The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009)
Heath Ledger’s final film role was in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, a film that was already in production when he passed away in 2008. Ledger’s performance was completed using digital technology, and three other actors – Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell – were brought in to play their characters.
These actors’ final roles may not have been their most memorable or acclaimed, but they are a testament to their longevity and talent in the film industry.