Before the Fame: 17 Famous Actors and Their Forgotten Early Roles

We all know the polished versions of today’s biggest actors—the red carpet struts, blockbuster headlines, and late-night interviews. But let’s rewind for a second. Every A-lister started somewhere. And sometimes, that “somewhere” involved low-budget shows, blink-and-you-miss-it appearances, or awkward teen roles that have since been buried beneath fame.

What’s fascinating? These early roles often reveal raw talent long before the world caught on. Curious where your favorite stars got their start? Let’s dive into 17 surprising early gigs that helped shape the icons we know today.

Anya Taylor-Joy — Atlantis (2013–2015)

Before she wowed us in The Queen’s Gambit, Anya Taylor-Joy popped up in the British fantasy drama Atlantis. It wasn’t a major part—but her haunting beauty and magnetic screen presence were already peeking through. Little did anyone know she was just a few years away from international stardom.

Video: Anya Taylor Joy TOTALLY BALD for Atlantis

Before she became the dark, witty face of Wednesday, Jenna Ortega appeared in a 2012 episode of CSI: NY. It was a brief role, but her natural on-screen intensity was unmistakable. From crime scenes to gothic boarding schools, she’s come a long way—and fast.

Cameron Monaghan — Malcolm in the Middle (2000–2006)

Yes, before becoming the unpredictable Ian Gallagher in Shameless or the eerie twin villains in Gotham, Cameron Monaghan had small roles—including one in Malcolm in the Middle. Back then, he was just a freckled-faced kid with sharp comedic timing.

Olivia Cooke — The Secret of Crickley Hall (2012)

You probably recognize Olivia from House of the Dragon, but her first serious acting job was in this creepy BBC mini-series. Even in her early teens, Olivia showed incredible emotional depth and a quiet strength that would later become her trademark.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson — Kick-Ass (2010)
Okay, Kick-Ass isn’t exactly a deep cut—but people forget just how young Aaron Taylor-Johnson was when he took on the role. Long before playing Quicksilver in Avengers: Age of Ultron, this fearless teen action star was proving he had the charisma to carry a franchise.

Zoey Deutch — The Suite Life on Deck (2008–2011)
Before turning heads in Set It Up and The Politician, Zoey Deutch made her debut as Maya Bennett on the Disney Channel’s The Suite Life on Deck. She was witty, quirky, and already stealing scenes—Disney saw it, and so did we.

Timothée Chalamet — Sweet Tooth (2008)

No, not the Netflix dystopian show. This was a short film by Appendix Productions that featured a very young Timmy, years before Call Me by Your Name made him a household name. Even then, his vulnerability on camera was striking.

Danielle Campbell — The Poker House (2008)

Danielle’s breakthrough came later with The Originals, but she first appeared alongside Jennifer Lawrence in this gritty drama. Her subtle, emotionally grounded performance foreshadowed the star she was becoming.

Video: Danielle Campbell – The Poker House 2008
Florence Pugh — The Falling (2014)

Before Midsommar or Oppenheimer, Florence Pugh made her debut in The Falling, a strange and haunting film about fainting spells in a British girls’ school. It was an eerie, standout role—and she nailed it like a seasoned pro.

Brendan Fraser — Airheads (1994)

Long before The Mummy franchise or his Oscar-winning comeback in The Whale, Brendan Fraser played a lovable, clueless rocker in Airheads. It was wild, chaotic, and utterly unforgettable—just like Fraser himself.

Sydney Sweeney — Criminal Minds (2005–present)

Before becoming the queen of Gen-Z angst in Euphoria and The White Lotus, Sydney had small roles in shows like Criminal Minds. Her screen time may have been short, but the camera couldn’t look away.