Amanda Tapping

Actor, producer, and director Amanda Tapping's career is a prime example of slow and steady wins the race. She built her livelihood on a single role in the television series "Stargate SG-1," a franchise based on the 1994 film "Stargate." While the movie entered with a strong box office, it then tapered off and drew a lukewarm critical response. But in spite of its shaky start, the franchise would eventually better "The X-Files" in terms of its duration, doggedly achieving the cult status that would propel it towards becoming a major small screen success.