Jennifer Aniston's career started off with a role that was far from glamorous before she became the well-known Rachel Green. She had a memorable role as Tory Redding in the 1993 horror-comedy Leprechaun. This role marked a rather unconventional debut, far from the glitz and glam of Friends.
In spite of the film's clichéd plot and its lukewarm reception, Aniston managed to come out unscathed, ultimately winning over audiences and becoming a force to be reckoned with on television. Although Leprechaun may not be considered her most prestigious achievement, it serves as a charming anecdote in her impressive career.
In Skatetown, USA, Patrick Swayze tried his hand at a different style of skating before becoming famous for his roles in Dirty Dancing and Ghost. Released during the roller skating craze of the late 1970s, the film cast Swayze as Ace Johnson, a charismatic skater with his eyes set on a $1,000 prize and a moped.
Despite its optimistic premise, Skatetown, U.S.A. failed to carve out a lasting place in cinema history. However, Swayze’s early role as Ace hinted at the charm and athleticism that would define his later iconic performances. Even in the roller disco haze of the late ‘70s, Swayze’s star quality shone through, paving the way for his ascent to Hollywood stardom and eternal fame.
Famed actress Michelle Pfeiffer had a remarkable early career failure in Grease 2, despite her later roles in classic films like Scarface. Cast as Stephanie Zinone, the leading lady in the 1982 sequel to the beloved musical Grease, Pfeiffer's performance shone despite the film's critical reception.
Despite the mixed reviews for Grease 2, Pfeiffer received accolades for her performance. Critics panned the film for having a dull plot and drawing too many parallels to the original. Even though the picture bombed, Pfeiffer's talent and determination propelled her to stardom, demonstrating that Hollywood's biggest stars can shine through in the darkest of times.
Sylvester Stallone’s rise to fame is the stuff of Hollywood legend, but every legend has its early quirks. Before becoming the embodiment of resilience in Rocky, Stallone faced a different ring in his career. Shortly after arriving in New York City to pursue acting, he starred in The Party at Kitty and Stud’s, a film that later resurfaced as The Italian Stallion.
Despite hiss unconventional beginnings, Stallone’s steadfast refusal to be blackmailed over the film underscores his determination to forge a career on his own terms. From the shadows of a controversial debut emerged the enduring persona of the Italian Stallion, anchoring Stallone’s journey from rocky starts to cinematic triumphs.
Critters III was a watershed moment in Leonardo DiCaprio's career before he became a Hollywood mainstay and household celebrity. Josh, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, navigates the unpredictable encounters with extraterrestrial entities in this sci-fi horror thriller.
Critics weren't crazy about Critters III, but Leonardo DiCaprio's breakout performance in the film laid the groundwork for his subsequent hits. The meteoric rise of Leonardo DiCaprio from creature movies to critically acclaimed films shows how he went from confronting extraterrestrial creatures to mesmerizing audiences in Oscar-winning performances.
The legendary action star and ex-governator of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, embarked on his film journey in the strange world of Hercules in New York (1970). Schwarzenegger played the title role in a mythological comedy set in contemporary New York City, where he was cast as an exiled hero.
Despite the film's lackluster reviews, Schwarzenegger's performance launched a legendary career characterized by macho characters and unforgettable catchphrases. The incredible rise of Arnold Schwarzenegger, from conquering the big screen as Hercules to becoming a symbol of strength and perseverance around the world, highlights the legendary power of determination and drive in Hollywood legend.
Scarlett Johansson, known for her commanding presence in the MCU, once found herself navigating the chaos of a different kind: Home Alone 3. In this 1997 sequel, Johansson portrayed Molly, the exasperated older sister in a post-Culkin installment that failed to capture the magic of its predecessors.
Although Johansson's early involvement with the legendary franchise did not immediately catapult her to stardom, it highlights how unpredictable early jobs in Hollywood can be. In an industry where even the smallest roles may influence a star's career path, Johansson's rise from irritated sister to global action hero is an inspiration, regardless of the response Home Alone 3 received.
Before he became the suave, silver-screen charmer we know today, George Clooney navigated through lesser-known roles, including an unexpected stint in horror sequel history. In 1983, Clooney appeared in Grizzly II: The Concert, a sequel to the 1976 creature feature Grizzly.
Despite sharing the screen with future stars like Laura Dern and Charlie Sheen, the film faced production woes that delayed its release for nearly four decades. With the main producer jailed during filming, Grizzly II languished in obscurity until its belated debut in 2020.
Paul Rudd, known for his wit in comedies and charm as a superhero, began his journey in Hollywood in a rather unexpected place: the horror genre. In 1995’s Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, Rudd took on the role of Tommy Doyle, a character from John Carpenter’s iconic 1978 slasher film.
While the movie itself might not have won critical acclaim, Rudd’s presence stood out. His performance hinted at the charisma and versatility that would later define his career, transcending the eerie shadows of Michael Myers to become a beloved fixture in Hollywood’s comedic and blockbuster realms.
In her early acting career, Courteney Cox had a memorable—though challenging—role in Masters of the Universe before she became known as Monica Geller in Friends. Many were divided by Cox's first film role as Julie Winston, a teenage girl from California who finds herself swept up in the fanciful universe of He-Man and Skeletor.
Regardless of how people felt about the movie, it was Cox's rise from music videos to feature films that set her up for future success. Although Masters of the Universe wasn't exactly a stepping stone to Cox's sitcom prominence, her determination and eventual success demonstrate the winding road to Hollywood fame.
The career of Benicio Del Toro, a performer renowned for his dramatic turns and electrifying performances, started in an unexpected place: a circus. He played the role of Duke in the 1988 film Big Top Pee-Wee, which was set in the whimsical universe of Pee-Wee Herman.
Del Toro's versatility and dedication were on display in his early appearance, which hinted to his future work, including his portrayal of the Wolfman in the 2010 Universal Monster remake, despite the film's odd premise and his synthetic hair covering his face.
Before earning acclaim and Oscars for her performances in critically acclaimed films, Emma Stone took her first steps in Hollywood with a quirky role in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. At just 17 years old, Stone lent her voice to Ivana Tipton, a Pomeranian in the popular Disney Channel series.
While her canine cameo wasn’t the launchpad for her later Oscar success, it highlighted Stone’s early versatility and set the stage for her ascent in the competitive world of entertainment. From voicing a pampered pup to portraying complex characters on the big screen, Stone’s journey epitomizes the transformative power of perseverance and talent in Hollywood’s ever-evolving landscape.
Prior to Ben Affleck's rise as a brooding superhero or rugged action hero in Hollywood, he was honing his acting skills as a child. Affleck's initial claim to fame came in the form of his portrayal of C.T. Granville in The Voyage of the Mimi.
Joining his grandfather on the ship Mimi, a young Affleck embarked on a series of scientific and environmental adventures in this charming 80s educational series. This hero has come a long way from his roles as teenage jocks in Dazed and Confused and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Before he wowed moviegoers in La La Land, Barbie, and The Notebook, Ryan Gosling had a role that wasn't quite a smashing success. Gosling made his big screen debut in the 1996 picture Frankenstein and Me, playing the role of Kenny, a young child whose eccentric relationship with the iconic monster is explored in the film.
Although the film failed to make an impression, Ryan Gosling's early performance showcased the skill and nuance he would later bring to his many roles. It is clear from Gosling's career trajectory that stars may emerge from the ashes of cinematic failures to shine brilliantly in the aftermath.
The unexpected BMX Bandits were Nicole Kidman's entry into the spotlight, and her diversified and acclaimed career has since taken center stage. Kidman played the role of Judy, a free-spirited adolescent whose BMX bike exploits take an exciting twist in this 1983 Australian action-comedy in which she accidentally encounters a group of bank robbers.
Although BMX Bandits couldn't have foretold that Nicole Kidman would become an Oscar-winning actress, they did see early signs of the charisma and skill that would characterize her legendary career in her debut film. From pedal-powered adventures to the pinnacle of film accolades, Kidman's rise to fame from adolescent BMX fan to global superstar exemplifies the thrilling and unpredictable road many stars take.
Triassic Attack was Emilia Clarke's breakout role as an actress before her breakout role as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones. In this spooky tale set in a world where a Native American curse brings dinosaur skeletons back to life, Clarke portrayed the role of Savannah Roundtree in this TV movie shown on the Syfy channel.
A local university's plans to demolish its buildings set in motion a chain reaction that would eventually lead to a showdown between modern technology and long-vanished enemies. Although Clarke's performance in Triassic Attack was not as critically acclaimed as her subsequent work, it did showcase her early adaptability and dedication to different storytelling.
Long before wielding Mjölnir as Thor, Chris Hemsworth embarked on his acting journey with a lesser-known role in the Canadian TV series Guinevere Jones. In this early 2000s show, Hemsworth played King Arthur, appearing in a few episodes where the story mixed teenage drama with supernatural adventures.
Despite the series’ niche appeal, Hemsworth’s early stint as the legendary king hinted at his future transformation into a global superstar. From mythical high school drama to wielding thunder in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hemsworth’s career is a testament to how even the humblest beginnings can lead to epic triumphs.
Elijah Wood's early career took off with roles in beloved films such as Back to the Future Part II and The Adventures of Huck Finn. However, his rise to stardom encountered a setback with the release of North in 1994. Rob Reiner took the director's chair for this film, with Wood playing the lead role in a hilarious adventure to find new parents.
Unfortunately, North failed to captivate both critics and audiences, despite the anticipation. Roger Ebert hilariously tore apart the film, expressing his strong dislike in no uncertain terms. The movie's harsh reception proved to be a pivotal moment in Wood's career, highlighting the fickle nature of Hollywood and its ability to surprise even the most talented up-and-coming actors.
Cate Blanchett, renowned for her chameleon-like abilities to embody iconic figures such as Queen Elizabeth, Katherine Hepburn, and even Bob Dylan, once found herself in a rather regrettable situation when she had to wear a cheerleader's outfit for a role.
Blanchett, who was in need of some extra funds, reluctantly agreed to take on the role. However, she has refrained from watching it due to the overwhelming sense of embarrassment it brings. This unconventional job is a stark contrast to her acclaimed performances that earned her an Oscar.
Action movie and martial arts legend Jean Claude Van Damme had an unusual beginning to his career in Hollywood. Breakin' (1984), a picture riding the crest of the breakdancing craze, featured Van Damme in a cameo role as an eager spectator during his early days of studying acting in the US.
Despite his brief role as an extra in the backdrop of Cannon Films’ attempt to capitalize on pop culture trends, Van Damme’s journey to stardom would later be defined by his martial arts prowess and leading roles in action-packed blockbusters.
