Some of the biggest names in Hollywood at present started small. And believe it or not – they got their first break in insignificant, menial roles, only to set the silver screen ablaze later on! Well, it’s tough to believe, but facts can’t be changed. Your favorite stars were once (most of them) struggling actors and even to this day, they stay indebted to the craft and creators who helped them make a foray into this increasingly competitive world. Their stepping stones to success eventually became bigger and now you see them with the requisite experience and networks to boost their popularity. Budding filmmakers who’re reading should retain confidence in their projects and target such budding talents. Maybe they can become something similar as follows.
Mila Kunis
The gorgeous and sharp beauty was barely recognizable in her simple, girl-next-door avatar in the early days of her career in Days of Our Lives. She had merely appeared in one episode of the much-acclaimed soap opera that catapulted her to success. Thereafter, she made appearances in numerous TV shows, including Baywatch, Unhappily Ever After and Hudson Street, to name a few. The 70s Show was a big one in her life, as much as her high-end wedding to her co-star, Ashton Kutcher.
Michael B. Jordan
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that Michael starred along with Sly as a Boxer. Before this, he appeared in several TV shows, but in small roles. His screen appearance as a part of a cute kids’ group on the street in one of the episodes of The Sopranos attracted the attention of most people. It was around the same time that he also starred in Cosby (just one episode).
Michelle Williams
The bombshell was the perfect fit while depicting Marilyn Monroe in the famous My Week with Marilyn. Even in Blue Valentine, where she starred opposite the evergreen Ryan Gosling, she stunned everyone with her heartbreaking performance. But these came much later. Her acclaim to fame can be traced to her regular role for a total of six seasons of Dawson’s Creek, in the character of Jen Lindley. In addition to that, the small-town girl also appeared first on TV in two episodes of the unforgettable Baywatch, way back in the 1990s.
Clint Eastwood
When we talk about Hollywood’s greats, there’s no missing out on Clint. Apart from his successful career as a director and producer in several action-oriented and Western movies, he did wonders in acting too. But this career that he paved for himself didn’t happen overnight! He had to opt for smaller roles first before embarking on the coveted ones. The unaccredited appearance he made in 1955 in Revenge of the Creature stands mention-worthy.
Bruce Willis
Bruce and action scenes go hand-in-hand. Before him gaining such unprecedented fame, he made his entry in the 1980 thriller called The Forest Deadly Sin. His role was short-lived and unaccredited. He merely came on screen for a few seconds. That’s not all! He also used to act in small TV roles, like Moonlighting, which actually garnered him praises from far and wide.
Megan Fox
The star that she is, you would never be able to miss out on her in soaps and serials. While the world would recognize her particularly for the movies Transformers, in the role of Sam Witwicky, the love interest of Shia LaBeouf, that’s not really how she gained stardom. For few seconds, you can spot her in Bad Boys II, where her role as a dancer was un-credited to date. Following that was the Swedish-American TV series (2002), Ocean Ave, where she proved her might once again as Ione Starr.
Denzel Washington
There are solid reasons why Denzel is known to be the most critically acclaimed actor of his generation. No one would have done justice to the epic Malcolm X except him. Or let’s say his impressive performances in American Gangster and Training Day. Before bringing a revolution in the cinematic zone, his 1977 TV movie – Wilma – marked the beginning of his career. Even before this, he starred in an unaccredited role in the film called Death Wish.
To put it simply, filmmakers on a shoestring budget can actually approach big-screen actors. You never know how lucky you can get with celebs. The wannabe actor whom you signed for your mobile film project might be a big star in the making. Who knows?
