Before Hollywood Came Calling
Before they were winning Oscars, starring in blockbusters, or becoming television icons, some of Hollywood's biggest stars were hiding in plain sight on MTV. They played rebellious teenagers, backup dancers, and even background extras in hit music videos watched by millions. Some were complete unknowns, while others were just one big break away from fame.
Here are the surprising music video appearances you probably never knew featured future Hollywood stars.
Screenshot from Miracle, Universal Music Group (1990)
Angelina Jolie In Meat Loaf's "Rock And Roll Dreams Come Through"
Long before Maleficent and Girl, Interrupted, a young Angelina Jolie appeared in Meat Loaf's dramatic 1994 music video. She played a runaway teenager in a fantasy-filled production directed by Michael Bay. With elaborate sets and an emotional storyline, the video gave Jolie plenty of screen time years before she became an Oscar-winning actress.
Screenshot from Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through, MCA Records (1993), Enhanced
Matthew McConaughey In Trisha Yearwood's "Walkaway Joe"
Before audiences heard his famous catchphrase in Dazed and Confused, Matthew McConaughey played a troublesome young boyfriend in Trisha Yearwood's 1992 music video. His character romances a young woman before revealing that he isn't particularly dependable. Just one year later, McConaughey's performance as David Wooderson in Dazed and Confused helped launch his Hollywood career.
Screenshot from Walkaway Joe, MCA Nashville (1992)
Christina Hendricks In Everclear's "One Hit Wonder"
Years before playing Joan Holloway on Mad Men, Christina Hendricks appeared in Everclear's 1998 video for "One Hit Wonder." The future television star portrayed a contestant named Loopy on a retro-style game show hosted by Wink Martindale. Her appearance was a long way from the sophisticated office manager who would eventually make her a household name.
Screenshot from One Hit Wonder, Capitol Records (1997)
Jeremy Renner In Pink's "Trouble"
Before becoming Hawkeye in the Marvel movies, Jeremy Renner appeared opposite Pink in her 2003 music video for "Trouble." The Western-themed production featured Renner as a sheriff who clashes with the rebellious singer. Although Renner had already begun acting professionally, his major Hollywood breakthroughs were still ahead of him.
Screenshot from Trouble, Arista Records (2003)
Channing Tatum In Ricky Martin's "She Bangs"
Before Magic Mike made him famous for his dancing, Channing Tatum appeared in Ricky Martin's colorful 2000 music video for "She Bangs." The future Hollywood star can be spotted as a shirtless bartender in the elaborate underwater-club setting. It was an early glimpse of the dancing talent that would eventually become one of his biggest trademarks.
Harald Krichel, Wikimedia Commons
Eva Mendes In Will Smith's "Miami"
In 1998, Eva Mendes appeared in Will Smith's music video for the party anthem "Miami." She can be spotted driving a convertible alongside Smith in the sun-soaked production. Seven years later, the two reunited on the big screen in Hitch, with Mendes playing the woman who captures Smith's character's heart.
Screenshot from Miami, Columbia Records (1998), Enhanced
Matt LeBlanc In Jon Bon Jovi's "Miracle"
Before he became Joey Tribbiani on Friends, Matt LeBlanc appeared in Jon Bon Jovi's 1990 music video for "Miracle." The Western-inspired production featured LeBlanc as one of the young men in the story, several years before his television breakthrough. Four years later, Friends premiered, transforming the relatively unknown actor into one of television's biggest stars.
Screenshot from Miracle, Mercury Records (1990)
Jennifer Lopez In Janet Jackson's "That's The Way Love Goes"
Long before becoming a movie star and recording artist, Jennifer Lopez appeared in Janet Jackson's 1993 music video for "That's the Way Love Goes." Lopez was one of the young performers hanging out and dancing alongside Jackson in the relaxed, intimate production. Her breakout film role in Selena arrived four years later, followed by a hugely successful recording career.
Screenshot from That's the Way Love Goes, Virgin Records (1993), Enhanced
Alicia Silverstone In Aerosmith's "Cryin'"
Before Clueless made her a defining face of 1990s teen cinema, Alicia Silverstone starred in Aerosmith's 1993 music video for "Cryin'." She played a young woman navigating heartbreak and rebellion in a dramatic storyline that became an MTV favorite. Silverstone subsequently appeared in two more Aerosmith videos, "Amazing" and "Crazy," cementing her status as one of the era's most recognizable music video stars.
Screenshot from Cryin', Geffen Records (1993)
Wentworth Miller In Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together"
Before becoming Michael Scofield on Prison Break, Wentworth Miller played Mariah Carey's romantic interest in her 2005 music video for "We Belong Together." His character interrupts Carey's wedding to another man, played by Eric Roberts, before the singer abandons the ceremony to reunite with him. Just months later, Prison Break premiered and transformed Miller into an international television star.
Screenshot from We Belong Together, Island Def Jam (2005)
Elijah Wood In Paula Abdul's "Forever Your Girl"
Long before carrying the One Ring across Middle-earth, Elijah Wood appeared in Paula Abdul's 1989 music video for "Forever Your Girl." The future Lord of the Rings star was just eight years old when he played a miniature music executive in the David Fincher-directed production. Wood later recalled the experience fondly, revealing that Abdul still remembered working with him decades afterward.
Screenshot from Forever Your Girl, Virgin Records (1988)
Djimon Hounsou In Madonna's "Express Yourself"
Before earning Academy Award nominations for In America and Blood Diamond, Djimon Hounsou worked as a model and music video performer. He appeared in Madonna's visually striking 1989 video for "Express Yourself," directed by David Fincher. Hounsou's striking screen presence also landed him appearances in Janet Jackson's "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" and C+C Music Factory's "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)."
Jason London In Aerosmith's "Amazing"
Aerosmith's 1993 music video for "Amazing" featured Jason London opposite Alicia Silverstone in a futuristic romantic storyline. London played a young man who enters a virtual-reality experience and encounters Silverstone's character. He had already appeared in Dazed and Confused that same year, but his involvement in one of Aerosmith's most ambitious music videos remains a frequently overlooked part of his early career.
Screenshot from Amazing, Geffen Records (1993)
Zooey Deschanel In The Offspring's "She's Got Issues"
Before becoming the quirky star of New Girl, Zooey Deschanel appeared in The Offspring's 1999 music video for "She's Got Issues." She played the central young woman in a brightly colored production filled with exaggerated animated effects. Deschanel made her feature-film debut in Mumford that same year, beginning a career that would eventually span acting and music.
Screenshot from She's Got Issues, Columbia Records (1999), Enhanced
Jennifer Lawrence In Parachute's "The Mess I Made"
Before The Hunger Games transformed her into an international superstar, Jennifer Lawrence appeared in Parachute's 2009 music video for "The Mess I Made." She played the romantic interest of the band's lead singer, Will Anderson, in a storyline about a troubled relationship. Just one year later, her acclaimed performance in Winter's Bone earned her an Academy Award nomination and announced the arrival of a major new talent.
Screenshot from The Mess I Made, Mercury Records (2009), Enhanced
Wesley Snipes In Michael Jackson's "Bad"
Before Blade and New Jack City, Wesley Snipes faced off against Michael Jackson in the 1987 music video for "Bad." Directed by Martin Scorsese, the extended production featured Snipes as Mini Max, a confrontational member of Jackson's old neighborhood group. His intense performance offered an early glimpse of the commanding screen presence that would later define his action-movie career.
Screenshot from Bad, Epic Records (1987)
Norman Reedus In Radiohead's "Fake Plastic Trees"
Before becoming Daryl Dixon on The Walking Dead, Norman Reedus appeared in Radiohead's 1995 music video for "Fake Plastic Trees." The video placed its characters inside a brightly lit supermarket, where Reedus can be spotted fooling around with a shopping cart. His unusual appearance came several years before he gained recognition through The Boondock Saints.
Screenshot from Fake Plastic Trees, Parlophone Records (1995), Enhanced
Aaron Paul In Korn's "Thoughtless"
Long before playing Jesse Pinkman on Breaking Bad, Aaron Paul appeared in Korn's dark 2002 music video for "Thoughtless." He played a bullied teenager who becomes the central figure in the video's disturbing high-school storyline. Six years later, Breaking Bad premiered, and Paul's emotionally charged performance turned him into one of television's most celebrated actors.
Screenshot from Thoughtless, Epic Records (2002)
Benicio Del Toro In Madonna's "La Isla Bonita"
Before becoming an Oscar-winning actor, Benicio del Toro made a brief appearance in Madonna's 1987 music video for "La Isla Bonita." The young performer can be spotted sitting on the hood of a car in the Latin-inspired production. Years later, del Toro became one of Hollywood's most acclaimed character actors, winning an Academy Award for Traffic.
Screenshot from La Isla Bonita, Warner Records (1987), Enhanced
Patrick Swayze In Toto's "Rosanna"
Before Dirty Dancing made him a romantic leading man, Patrick Swayze showed off his moves in Toto's 1982 video for "Rosanna." He appeared among the dancers in the street-gang-inspired choreography, drawing on his professional dance training. Still relatively unknown, Swayze would make his film breakthrough in The Outsiders the following year.
Screenshot from Rosanna, Columbia Records (1982)
Cynthia Rhodes In Toto's "Rosanna"
Cynthia Rhodes was another future Dirty Dancing star hiding in Toto's "Rosanna" music video. Her background as a professional dancer made her a natural fit for the elaborate choreography, and she appears as the woman in red. Five years later, she played Penny, the talented dance instructor who partners with Patrick Swayze's Johnny Castle in the beloved 1987 movie.
Screenshot from Rosanna, Columbia Records (1982)
John Goodman In Talking Heads' "Wild Wild Life"
Before becoming America's favorite television dad on Roseanne, John Goodman appeared in Talking Heads' 1986 music video for "Wild Wild Life." The song was featured in David Byrne's film True Stories, which also included Goodman in its cast. The video featured performers lip-syncing in a karaoke-bar setting, giving viewers an early look at the actor who would soon become a sitcom fixture.
Screenshot from Wild Wild Life, Sire Records (1986)
RuPaul In The B-52's "Love Shack"
Before becoming an international drag superstar, RuPaul appeared in the B-52's exuberant 1989 video for "Love Shack." He was part of the colorful crowd of dancers and partygoers celebrating inside the fictional nightclub. RuPaul's own musical breakthrough arrived several years later with "Supermodel (You Better Work)," followed by his enormous success as a television personality.
Screenshot from Love Shack, Reprise Records (1989), Enhanced
Liv Tyler In Aerosmith's "Crazy"
Liv Tyler appeared alongside Alicia Silverstone in Aerosmith's 1994 music video for "Crazy." The two played rebellious schoolgirls who ditch their classes and embark on a mischievous road trip. Tyler, the daughter of Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, later became a major film star through movies including Armageddon and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Screenshot from Crazy, Geffen Records (1994), Enhanced
Zach Galifianakis In Fiona Apple's "Not About Love"
Before The Hangover made him a Hollywood comedy star, Zach Galifianakis appeared in Fiona Apple's wonderfully strange 2005 video for "Not About Love." The comedian lip-synced, danced, and performed increasingly ridiculous movements while Apple remained relatively serious. The two knew each other from Los Angeles' Largo comedy and music scene, making the unusual collaboration a natural fit.
Screenshot from Not About Love, Epic Records (2005)
Kirsten Dunst In Savage Garden's "I Knew I Loved You"
In 1999, Kirsten Dunst appeared in Savage Garden's romantic music video for "I Knew I Loved You." She played a young woman riding a subway train who catches the attention of singer Darren Hayes. Dunst was already known for Interview with the Vampire and Jumanji, but her future role as Mary Jane Watson in the Spider-Man movies would bring even greater international fame.
Screenshot from I Knew I Loved You, Columbia Records (1999)
Courteney Cox In Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing In The Dark"
One of the most famous pre-Hollywood music video appearances belongs to Courteney Cox. In Bruce Springsteen's 1984 video for "Dancing in the Dark," the young actress played an enthusiastic concertgoer whom Springsteen invited onstage to dance. Directed by Brian De Palma, the video became an MTV staple and introduced Cox to millions of viewers a decade before Friends premiered.
Screenshot from Dancing in the Dark, Columbia Records (1984)
Before They Were Household Names
Long before their Hollywood breakthroughs, these actors were appearing in music videos that millions of fans watched without recognizing their future star power. Some stole the spotlight, while others were barely noticeable in the background. Next time you revisit an old MTV favorite, take a closer look. You might just spot a future Oscar winner hiding in plain sight.
Screenshot from We Belong Together, Island Def Jam (2005)
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