But then they try to move on - and find that their iconic character just won't let them.
The latest actor to complain about being shackled to his famous alter ego is Alfonso Ribeiro.
You may know him better as Will Smith's highfalutin cousin Carlton Banks from 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He's said being overshadowed by his character has "stopped me from being able to be an actor".
