There are actors who transform with every role — and then there are those whose names become nearly inseparable from a single character. Whether it’s a boy wizard, a vampire with good cheekbones, or a hobbit on a mission, these performances weren’t just career-defining — they were career-devouring. No matter what came before or after, these roles carved themselves so deeply into pop culture that their shadows never quite left the actors behind.
Of course, this isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes, being part of a generation-defining story means permanent membership in the global film memory bank. But for some of these stars, shaking off that one unforgettable role has proven tougher than facing Voldemort, Mordor, or teenage vampires in love.
Here are the actors whose faces are etched into cinema history — forever as that character.
