Famous Debuts: The First Roles of Hollywood Stars

Every famous actor has to start somewhere. While some struggled for years to emerge from the cosmic dust of anonymity with small TV and movie parts, others landed starring roles right away.

Curious to find out who’s who? Read this article to rediscover the initial sparks that launched these actors’ illustrious careers!

Heath Ledger, ‘Ship to Shore’ (1993)

The renowned actor, who passed away at a young age, began his career in 1993 in the family comedy ‘Ship to Shore.’ He later played Snowy Bowles in the Australian television series ‘Sweat’ in 1996. Ledger had his breakthrough in 1999 when he starred in his debut films ’10 Things I Hate About You’ and ‘Two Hands.’

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Natalie Portman, ‘Léon: The Professional’ (1994)

Natalie Portman was 13 years old when she appeared in her first film, ‘Léon: The Professional,’ in which she plays a little girl who is adopted by a killer after her family is murdered.

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Nicole Kidman, ‘Bush Christmas’ (1983)

The A-list actress has been in the business for over 30 years. Kidman began her acting career in the film ‘Bush Christmas,’ which tells the story of an Australian family trying to save their farm from foreclosure.

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Leonardo DiCaprio, ‘Romper Room and Friends’ (1979)

Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the most famous actors in Hollywood. In 1979, at the age of 5, he got his first television role in ‘Romper Room and Friends.’ After a few TV appearances, DiCaprio secured a small role in ‘Critters 3’ (1991), a story about furry aliens in Los Angeles.

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Cameron Diaz, ‘The Mask’ (1994)

One of Hollywood’s most famous actresses, Cameron Diaz made her debut as the villain and also the hero’s love interest in the 1994 hit movie ‘The Mask.’

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Denzel Washington, ‘Wilma’ (1977)

Denzel Washington has been a prominent Hollywood star since the late 1990s. He made his debut in a flashback scene in the TV movie ‘Wilma’ (1977), centered around track star Wilma Rudolph. In his first film role, Washington played the illegitimate son of a white man in the film ‘Carbon Copy’ (1981).

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Tommy Lee Jones, ‘Love Story’ (1970)

Tommy Lee Jones’ career has matured like a fine wine. When he took on his remarkable role in ‘No Country for Old Men’ (2007), he had almost four decades of illustrious work behind him. His first role was in the movie ‘Love Story’ (1970), in which he played Oliver’s roommate—a key male character in the romantic storyline. His breakthrough, however, came when he played a police investigator who helps a woman who has the eerie ability to see through the eyes of a murderer in the movie ‘Eyes of Laura Mars’ (1978).

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Morgan Freeman, ‘New York Television Theatre’ (1969)©Getty Images

The famous actor has an extensive career with over 1,200 appearances. It all began in 1969 with an episode of ‘New York Television Theatre.’ His film debut was a small role in ‘Who Says I Can’t Ride a Rainbow!’ (1971), about the last farm in Manhattan.

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Jack Nicholson, ‘Matinee Theatre’ (1956)

Nicholson earned his first TV role as the son of a musician on ‘Matinee Theatre’ in 1956. Two years later, he graced the silver screen in his debut film ‘The Cry Baby Killer’, portraying a young man who holds people hostage because he’s convinced he has unwittingly committed murder.

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Hugh Jackman, ‘Paperback Hero’ (1999)

The famous ‘X-Men’ star began his career in the 1990s as a television actor. He made his film debut in 1999 with the role of Jack Willis in the movie ‘Paperback Hero.’ Jackman played a truck driver who cruises the harsh Australian outback and becomes famous as a successful paperback author.

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Benicio Del Toro, ‘Shell Game’ (1987) and ‘Licence to Kill’ (1989)

Benicio Del Toro made his first TV appearance in 1987 in an episode of ‘Shell Game’ about a conning couple. He then lent his voice to a dog-faced boy in a Pee-Wee Herman movie. But it was his portrayal of a minor James Bond villain in ‘Licence to Kill’ (1989) that really attracted attention.

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Dan Aykroyd, ‘Coming up Rosie’ (1975)

In 1975, Dan Aykroyd made his screen debut in the Canadian TV show ‘Coming Up Rosie.’ He then starred in his first film role as a blind man in ‘Love at First Sight’ (1977). Three years later, he became famous with ‘The Blues Brothers.’

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Johnny Depp, ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ (1984)

In 1984, 21-year-old Johnny Depp made his debut as Glen Lantz in the original film ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street.’ This was Depp’s first appearance on the big screen before he shot to fame with his role in ‘Cry-Baby’ (1990).

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Meryl Streep, ‘Julia’ (1977)

Meryl Streep, one of Hollywood’s most esteemed actresses, has appeared in almost 90 films. Her debut was a small role in ‘Julia’ in 1977, a movie about a playwright who smuggles money into Nazi Germany.

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Matthew McConaughey, ‘Dazed and Confused’ (1993)

After appearing in a TV show in 1992 and playing Guy #2 in ‘My Boyfriend’s Back’ in 1993, Matthew McConaughey became famous for his role as the bad boy in ‘Dazed and Confused’ (1993).

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Russell Crowe, ‘Spyforce’ (1972)

The ‘Gladiator’ star began his acting career in 1972 at the age of 8, when he played an uncredited orphan in the TV series ‘Spyforce,’ which was about Australian spies during the Second World War. Crowe also appeared in four episodes of the Australian series ‘Neighbors’ before landing his first American film role in ‘Blood Oath’ (1990) alongside George Takei.

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Jim Carrey, ‘All in Good Taste’ (1983) and ‘Once Bitten’ (1985)

Jim Carrey began his career as a voice actor in 1980 in the Canadian television program ‘The All-Night Show,’ which was broadcast early in the morning. He made his film debut in 1983 in the Canadian movie ‘All in Good Taste,’ which is about a hijacked screenplay. He got his first Hollywood role in 1985 when he played a man who falls in love with a vampire in ‘Once Bitten.’

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Don Cheadle, ‘Moving Violations’ (1985)

Don Cheadle began his acting career with a role in a movie about a tutoring course for drivers, in which he played a fast food employee.

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Jennifer Lawrence, ‘Monk’ (2006) and ‘The Poker House’ (2008)

Jennifer Lawrence had her first role as a mascot in the TV show ‘Monk’ in 2006. The actress then starred in the film ‘The Poker House,’ which tells the story of actress Lori Petty. Since then, Lawrence has been one of the first choices for Hollywood blockbusters.

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