How come Kristen Johnston never really became the breakout star

[TMC]

At least among the supporting cast? I know that she has a role on Mom now, but one would figure that her career could've been bigger (a la Joseph Gordon Levitt) following 3rd Rock... She had a ditsy slapstick shtick that was quite similar to what Rebel Wilson or Melissa McCarthy is doing these days.

[PracTz]

Originally Posted by TMC

At least among the supporting cast? I know that she has a role on Mom now, but one would figure that her career could've been bigger (a la Joseph Gordon Levitt) following 3rd Rock... She had a ditsy slapstick shtick that was quite similar to what Rebel Wilson or Melissa McCarthy is doing these days.

Not to mention that she's FAR more likable than either of the latter two current 'stars'.

[80sTrivia]

I've always wondered why myself. She certainly seemed poised to be a major star. She earned so many Emmy nods for Third Rock, and she did have a memorable cameo appearance in one of the Austin Powers films. She was reunited with Wayne Knight in the series The Exes, at which time she was diagnosed with a form of lupus. Glad to see her on Mom, as she is a gifted comedienne.

[Chocolate Moose]

Right? She was fabulous then and still is, now!

[Greenbeans]

She had a LOT of drug/alcohol problems which she admitted held her back. She was a mess during filming 3rd Rock. Testament to her acting skills it doesn't show. She said Lithgow knew something was off with her but didn't put it together until she told him years later when she got sober.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by Greenbeans

She had a LOT of drug/alcohol problems which she admitted held her back. She was a mess during filming 3rd Rock. Testament to her acting skills it doesn't show. She said Lithgow knew something was off with her but didn't put it together until she told him years later when she got sober.

I never knew this. She definitely hid it better than Brett Butler. In that last episode of Grace Under Fire she looks like a tweaker needing a fix bad. Kristen never looked like that on 3rd Rock. I never would have guessed this.

It is a shame Kristen didn't breakout but I'm glad we get to see her in other shows. I like The Exes because of her and she's awesome in Mom. Her and Allison Janney have great chemistry working together.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by 80sTrivia

I've always wondered why myself. She certainly seemed poised to be a major star. She earned so many Emmy nods for Third Rock, and she did have a memorable cameo appearance in one of the Austin Powers films. She was reunited with Wayne Knight in the series The Exes, at which time she was diagnosed with a form of lupus. Glad to see her on Mom, as she is a gifted comedienne.

I wonder if Kristen's height was somewhat of a hindrance. Kristen Johnson is officially listed as being 6'0 feet tall. It's kind of tricky or problematic to cast her as a romantic lead or underdog for example if she's inevitably going to towers over the majority of actors in Hollywood. In fairness, several really tall women have been exceptionally successful in Hollywood in the past like Geena Davis, Laura Dern, Sigourney Weaver, or Kristen's Mom co-star Allison Janney. But those actresses that I mentioned, arguably the range to make up for it.