Hillary Swank's 90210 Firing Led to Oscar Win

Hillary Swank's time on Beverly Hills, 90210, playing Carly Reynolds, lasted only 16 episodes during the show's eighth season. Reflecting on this period on their "90210MG" podcast, co-stars Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth suggested that the character's lack of development stemmed from weak writing, not Swank's acting abilities. They noted that Swank's character "came in hot" and was initially portrayed as unlikeable.

This early exit from 90210 ultimately paved the way for Swank's immense success. Podcast producer Amy highlighted that being let go allowed Swank the availability to audition for "Boys Don't Cry." Swank herself has previously shared that being written off the show felt discouraging at the time, making her question her talent in relation to the series' past success.

However, Swank now views the experience as a pivotal moment. She recounted how the 2024 interview revealed a sense of gratitude, seeing it as a powerful reminder of how trusting the process when one door closes can lead to greater opportunities. She landed the lead in "Boys Don't Cry" just two months after her 90210 departure.