In the early 2000s, rising stars like Elisha Cuthbert and Ryan Gosling were touted as the next big talents in Hollywood. Cuthbert, known for her roles in both television and film, seemed to have the world at her feet. Yet, while some actors from that era cemented themselves as lasting icons, Cuthbert’s career trajectory veered off the A-list track. While she never disappeared from entertainment entirely, her star power has undoubtedly dimmed. However, life doesn’t follow a straight path, and Cuthbert has found fulfillment beyond the Hollywood spotlight.
#1. Her Breakout Role on 24: Playing Jack Bauer’s Daughter, Kim
Like many young actors, Cuthbert began her career as a child star. She gained recognition through the horror anthology series Are You Afraid of the Dark?, but her big break came in 2001 when she was cast as Jack Bauer’s daughter, Kim, on 24. While the show introduced her to a broader audience, Kim became one of the most disliked characters due to her portrayal. Fans and critics felt her character made reckless and selfish decisions, which led to widespread disdain. While Cuthbert simply played the character written for her, her association with Kim’s controversial storyline left an impression on viewers.
#2. Refusing Nude Roles: Cuthbert’s Stand on Privacy
The 2000s were notorious for sexualizing female actors, with many feeling pressured to take on nude roles for more significant career opportunities. Despite being seen as a sex symbol, Cuthbert made it clear early on that she wouldn’t appear nude on screen. In a 2006 interview, she emphasized her desire to keep certain aspects of her life private. For her role in The Girl Next Door, where she played a former adult film star, she famously refused to show more skin, convincing the filmmakers to avoid unnecessary nudity.
#3. Mixed Success with The Girl Next Door: Teen Comedy Classic?
Released in 2004, The Girl Next Door had the potential to become a teen comedy classic. Starring Cuthbert as Danielle, the former adult film star who falls for a high school senior, the movie seemed like it could elevate her career. However, it received mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office, earning just $31.6 million against a $25 million budget. Despite this, The Girl Next Door has since gained a cult following, with fans appreciating its charm and lamenting that it didn’t receive more recognition at the time.
#4. The Promise of Horror: Cuthbert’s Foray into the Genre
Cuthbert’s foray into the horror genre was another significant chapter in her career. Her role as Carly Jones in 2005’s House of Wax was perhaps her most prominent film appearance. Though the movie received lukewarm reviews, it performed well financially, thanks in part to the media buzz surrounding Paris Hilton’s on-screen demise. Following this, Cuthbert starred in other horror films like The Quiet (2005) and Captivity (2007). Yet, despite initial expectations that she would rise as a horror icon, she never quite reached the heights of scream queens like Jamie Lee Curtis.
#5. Moving Away from Hollywood’s Lifestyle: Seeking Meaningful Relationships
Cuthbert realized early on that the Hollywood lifestyle wasn’t for her. After moving to Los Angeles to advance her career, she found the scene superficial and unfulfilling. “I got caught up in the L.A. scene,” she admitted, explaining that the friendships she formed didn’t feel genuine. Eventually, she chose to step away from Hollywood’s lifestyle, seeking more meaningful relationships and a healthier work-life balance.
#6. Family Life and Marriage to Dion Phaneuf: Embracing Motherhood
In 2008, Cuthbert began dating Canadian ice hockey star Dion Phaneuf. She referred to their relationship as the first real romance of her life, and in 2013, the couple married in Prince Edward Island, Canada. They have since welcomed two children, and Cuthbert has embraced her role as a mother, which has influenced the types of roles she takes. She’s even had to explain her racy magazine photoshoots to her children, reflecting on how times have changed.
#7. Shifting Toward Low-Budget Films: Steady Work in the Industry
While House of Wax remains her last major box office hit, Cuthbert has continued working steadily, albeit in low-budget films. Projects like He Was a Quiet Man (2007), The Six Wives of Henry Lefay (2009), and Just Before I Go (2014) didn’t make much of an impact, but they kept her working in the industry. Though these films flew under the radar, Cuthbert remained committed to her craft.
#8. Sitcom Success: Happy Endings and The Ranch
Though her film career slowed, Cuthbert found success on television. From 2011 to 2013, she starred in the ensemble sitcom Happy Endings, which developed a devoted fanbase even after its cancellation. She then played a recurring role on Netflix’s The Ranch, alongside Ashton Kutcher, solidifying her position as a reliable TV actor.
#9. Short-Lived Sitcom One Big Happy: Ellen DeGeneres-Produced Series
In 2015, Cuthbert headlined One Big Happy, an Ellen DeGeneres-produced sitcom in which she played a lesbian character who becomes pregnant with her best friend’s child. Despite the hype, the show failed to impress critics or audiences and was canceled after just six episodes.
#10. Controversy on Canada’s Drag Race: Guest Judge Role
In 2020, Cuthbert made an appearance as a guest judge on Canada’s Drag Race, but her involvement sparked controversy. The producers gave her some of RuPaul’s iconic lines to deliver, which upset fans. Cuthbert later clarified that the decision wasn’t hers, and she had only followed the producers’ instructions.
#11. Reflecting on Her Time in Men’s Magazines: Promotional Strategies
In the 2000s, Cuthbert appeared in numerous men’s magazines like Maxim and FHM, but she recently revealed that she didn’t have much choice in the matter. In a 2023 interview, she explained how these photoshoots were part of promotional strategies required by the studios. While she appreciates how the industry has evolved, she also shared how meaningless accolades like “The Hottest Woman in the World” ultimately are.
#12. A Career Resurgence: New Films and Exciting Roles
In recent years, Cuthbert has started making a comeback. In 2022, she starred in two films: The Cellar, a haunted house horror feature, and Bandit, where she shared the screen with Josh Duhamel and Mel Gibson. Cuthbert has expressed excitement about this new phase in her career, revealing that she’s eager to take on roles with more depth and complexity.
#13. A Desire to Be Taken Seriously: Recognition for Talent
Throughout her career, Cuthbert has resisted being pigeonholed based on her looks or her early roles. She’s determined to be recognized for her talent as an actor rather than just as a pretty face. As Hollywood continues to evolve, she may finally have the chance to achieve the serious recognition she’s been after all along.
