19 Actors Who Were Straight-Up Told They Wouldn't Make It In Hollywood

16. Gabourey Sidibe claims she was once told by Joan Cusack to leave Hollywood. “I met Joan Cusack, who is my favorite, favorite — I love her — but it was before I became [famous] or whatever. I was at some industry party, and she says, ‘Are you an actress?’ And I said, ‘Yeah!’ And she says, ‘Oh honey, you should really quit the business, it’s so image-conscious.’ I think she really, really meant it in a good way…but I was like, ‘Oh, please don’t tell me to quit my job!'” Sidibe later nabbed the lead role in Precious, for which she was nominated for an Oscar and a BAFTA.