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Thanks to the hugely successful Rush Hour films in which he starred alongside the incomparable Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker became a household name in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was also one of Hollywood’s best-paid performers.
But after Rush Hour 2, Tucker disappeared from the big screen. When he returned for Rush Hour 3, it had been six years since his last movie appearance. And after that, Tucker vanished again. He’s had no lead roles since.
Why would a Hollywood actor of Tucker’s stature, success and celebrity turn his back on movies? Just what happened to Chris Tucker and why don’t we see him in movies anymore?
Why isn’t Chris Tucker in movies anymore?
Chris Tucker emerged as a comic tour de force in the 1990s, stealing scenes in films such as 1994’s House Party 3 and 1997 hits The Fifth Element and Jackie Brown.
He co-starred in the cult classic Friday alongside Ice Cube in 1995 and also in likable comedy Money Talks alongside Charlie Sheen. This led to box office smash hit Rush Hour in 1998 – which gave Tucker the chance to emulate his idol Eddie Murphy in the Beverly Hills Cop movies – followed by a sequel in 2001.
Rush Hour 2 was released to acclaim by critics and fans with the film making nearly $350 million at the box office. Tucker had risen to the top in Hollywood. He was rich. He was famous. He could have his pick of any film role.
However, he wouldn’t be seen again on the big screen until Rush Hour’s next sequel in 2007. In the years since then, Tucker has similarly been scarce. Something caused his movie career to hit a standstill, but what was it?
Why Chris Tucker disappeared from movies
There are a number of reasons why we don’t see Chris Tucker anymore. Partly, despite having lots of offers on the table, he reportedly turned down many, including some very notable roles such as Inspector Closseau in Ivan Reitman’s The Pink Panther and the lead in Django Unchained (a role ultimately played brilliantly by Jamie Foxx).
Other films Tucker decided to pass on include Any Given Sunday, Next Friday, Black Knight, Knight and Day and Tower Heist. He was also expected to play the part Chris Rock eventually got in Lethal Weapon 4 but decided against it as he was concentrating on Rush Hour at the time.
So he’s very picky about what characters he chooses to play. But surely in the time between Rush Hour 2 and Rush Hour 3 (2001 to 2007) and the years since then, he would have found roles suitable for his talents?
Well, suffice to say, the offers did begin to dry up. Tucker’s time away from the screen diminished his Hollywood appeal making him less of the bankable lead he was during the decade in which he produced the Rush Hour films. He also didn’t need the money. Tucker had earned the right to be selective. If the movie wasn’t right he wasn’t compelled to appear only for the pay cheque.
Tucker also changed as a person. He became a born-again Christian in 1997 and Ice Cube said this was the primary reason for Tucker not returning to the role he played in 1995’s Friday for the sequels because of his new religious convictions.
The actor also had other interests. In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel in April 2019 he spoke about his business ventures including a failed comedy club.
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He also wanted to return to his roots as a stand up comic. Because he stays true to his faith, meaning he won’t curse on-screen, his roles are now somewhat limited. With stand up, he has total control of the material.
Tucker also decided to stay out of the limelight in the early 2010s because of an issue with the IRS over unpaid taxes. In 2014, Forbes reported his total debt was up to over $14 million. A spokesperson said the issue had occurred as the result of “poor accounting and business management”. Still appearing unresolved, the IRS filed a lawsuit in 2021 claiming the comedian owed taxes amounting to $9.6 million that date back to 2002.
So while Tucker appears content to stay out of the movie spotlight, if the IRS are still on his back, a phone call to his friend Jackie Chain might be in order to get the ball finally rolling on the much-rumoured Rush Hour 4.
Until then, the former Hollywood heavyweight is content just living his life.
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