When director Quentin Tarantino taps you for his latest movie project it’s usually very good news, indeed.
Just ask John Travolta, one of several stars QT resurrected with a simple “Pulp Fiction” casting call. Or Christoph Waltz, the German actor who went from unknown to Oscar winner following “Inglourious Basterds.”
But the opposite happened with Bridget Fonda. The beautiful blond actress was already making a name for herself in film before she got cast in Tarantino’s 1997 film “Jackie Brown.” But that movie, coming to Blu-ray for the first time Oct. 4, marked the start of her career descent.
She followed up “Jackie Brown” with the excellent drama “A Simple Plan,” but that’s the last consequential film on her resume. Her imdb.com credits essentially stop in 2002 with the TV movie ‘Snow Queen.”
Did Fonda lack the chops of her famous acting brood – son of Peter, grandson of Henry? Or was it simply a case of how competitive the acting business is, particulary for women who know over their shoulder stands a younger, prettier version of herself just dying for a part?
Related posts:
on 
on 
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
She’s a very talented actress, I was particularly impressed by her work in “Scandal”.
I have no idea if it was a contributing factor, but she was quoted in the press during her period of fame that she wasn’t down, at all, with her auntie Jane’s political outlook.
I think that terrible remake of La Femme Nikita haunted her until she couldn’t take it anymore! LOL. Not sure why but yeah I liked her and not sure what has happened to her! Might be time to do a bit of research online to see.
I believe she was married around 2002 or not long after that, maybe she had accomplished what she wanted with her career, was tired of the Hollywood rat race and decided to focus on being a wife and mother instead.
Her best work was in comedy: Check out “Lake Placid” for an unforgettably funny Bridget Fonda.
I bet this has more to do with Fonda just not wishing to be a movie star rather than a lack of parts for her if she wanted to continue acting. I think she’d established herself fairly well as something of a star.
I always liked her in most everything she did. She wasnt a fake boobed looking mannaquin like a lot of the “leading ladies” they have been shoe horning into movies these days.
Perhaps she simply pulled a Rick Moranis (or a John Hughes) and wanted to focus on being a parent to her young kid rather than a movie star?
Fake boobs? Sounds like time for a mention of the awesome Singles, aka my generation’s Big Chill (but better) …
Janet: Are my breasts too small for you?
Cliff: Sometimes.
I just watched It Could HappenTo You the other day, and was reminded of what a delightful actress she is. She’s very much a missed screen presence. I’d take her over vapid pixies like Megan Fox, Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley etc. any day of the week.
Hey dude, lay off of Keira, she’s got some talent.
is she still married to Danny Elfman?
HOW is Natalie Portman like Megan Fox, JimmyC? You might as well compare Paul Rudd to Martin Lawrence (one of whom has talent, charm, and has made SOME good movies, at least), while you’re at it!
HOW is Natalie Portman like Megan Fox, JimmyC?
I thought I answered that question in my previous comment, when I offered them both as examples of “vapid pixies”. Do I need to further explain those terms? They both have very little personality or screen presence, they both come off annoying in most of their roles, and they are too young and skinny (and in Fox’s case, plastic) to be particularly attractive, at least compared to older, curvier actresses like Salma Hayek or Monica Belucci.
That’s HOW they are alike.
Bridgett Fonda is beautiful inside and out and that has always come across on the screen. Any part that shows depth and complexity she handles beautifully. Because Hollywood doesn’t use her anymore says more about them than it says about her. Like her grandfather before her Bridgett made going to the movies something to look foward to.