Major Celebrities In Minor Roles

Major Celebrities In Minor Roles


September 18, 2024 | Jack Hawkins

Major Celebrities In Minor Roles


Major Celebrities In Minor Roles

Before they were famous, these household names took on some minor film roles that you may only recognize them in many years later. If you've recently re-watched an old classic and thought, "Huh? That's insert famous actor/actress here", then this list might be for you. 

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Bryan Cranston: Seinfeld

We (probably) all know Bryan Cranston from Breaking Bad (2008), but before he was Walter White, he was Hal on Malcolm In The Middle (2000), and before that, he played a recurring minor role as Dr. Tim Whatley—Jerry Seinfeld's dentist. 

Screenshot of Bryan Cranston from the television sitcom Seinfeld (1989-1998)NBC, Seinfeld (1989-1998)

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Al Pacino: Gigli

We all know Al Pacino from The Godfather, but after the incredible success of The Godfather, Pacino accepted a very rare supporting role in a comedy called Gigli (2003). You may not have heard of it, but those who did watch it were likely surprised to see Al Pacino in the role of Starkman, a gangster who made a brief on-screen appearance.

Luckily, Pacino had plenty of other films under his belt, so playing such a small part wasn't a big deal for one of the greats.

Screenshot of Al Pacino from - Gigli (2003)Sony Pictures, Gigli (2003)

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Seth Macfarlane: Gilmore Girls

Before Seth was an award-winning comedian and creator of one of the most successful animated shows of all time, he starred in Gilmore Girls, playing Lorelai's classmate, Zach.

Screenshot of Seth Macfarlane from - Gilmore Girls (2000–2007)Warner Bros., Gilmore Girls (2000–2007)

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Tom Cruise: Tropic Thunder

Another actor who wasn't used to taking a back seat in action films—even those of a silly, comedic bent—is Tom Cruise. Yet, in the 2008 comedy Tropic Thunder starring Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., and Jack Black, Cruise played a minor role as Les Grossman, the studio executive producer of the movie. 

Tom Cruise factsDreamWorks, Tropic Thunder (2008)

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Seth Rogen: Donnie Darko

I haven't watched Donnie Darko (2001) in many years and have (probably like yourself) just found out that Seth Rogen was in it! He starred as a belligerent unnamed classmate of Gretchen Ross, making fun of her and her jail-bound father—he was immediately expelled from the classroom to the principal's office and that's his final appearance in the 2001 classic.

Screenshot of Seth Rogen from - Donnie Darko (2001)Pandora Cinema, Donnie Darko (2001)

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Jared Leto: Fight Club

 I know, I know—we're not supposed to talk about it. But before Jared Leto was playing The Joker in Suicide Squad, he was getting the snot beaten out of him by Edward Norton in the Brad Pitt classic Fight Club (1999).

Screenshot of Jared Leto from - Fight Club (1999)20th Century Fox, Fight Club (1999)

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Dane Cook: Waiting...

Whilst making his way up in the world as a stand-up comic, Dane Cook starred in the 2005 comedy Waiting. Playing a vulgar line cook, he delivers a powerful message not to mess with the folks who prepare your food. His only role in the film was to in some way defile the food of guests at the restaurant when directed to by staff. 

Screenshot of Dane Cook from - Waiting...(2005)Eden Rock Media, Waiting...(2005)

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Robin Williams: Law & Order: SVU

Robin Williams earned an Emmy nomination for this fairly minor role as a protagonist on one episode of Law & Order: SVU, where he played Merritt Rook—a highly intelligent criminal who evaded Benson and Stabler at every turn before (of course) getting caught in the end.

Screenshot of Robin Williams from - Law & Order: SVU (1999-)Universal, Law & Order: SVU (1999-)

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Drew Barrymore: Scream

Drew Barrymore was originally slated to play Sidney Prescott (a role eventually given to Neve Campbell), but unfortunately, she would have to settle for a very minor role in the 1996 horror classic: a role that lasted only a few scenes as she was killed off 12 minutes into Scream.

Screenshot from the movie Scream (1996)Dimension, Scream (1996)

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Jack Black: The Cable Guy

While Black might not have a major role in The Cable Guy (1996), he does play a major role in unveiling a plot point to the audience. Black plays a man named Rick, who reveals to Steven that Chip Douglas was let go from his job for stalking customers.

Screenshot of Jack Black from - The Cable Guy (1996)Sony Pictures, The Cable Guy (1996)

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Bill Murray: Zombieland

In one of the ultimate cameo appearances, Bill Murray dresses up like a zombie in Zombieland (2009) and attempts to scare Jesse Eisenberg's character, Columbus. However, the unfortunate prank gets Murray killed by Columbus and so ends Murray's minor role as himself, playing a zombie.

Screenshot of Bill Murray from - Zombieland (2009)Columbia Pictures, Zombieland (2009)

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George Clooney: The Facts Of Life

George Clooney played handyman George Burnett in the 7th and 8th seasons of The Facts Of Life (1979). Although Clooney's appearance didn't come until 1985, it was one of his many minor roles throughout the 1980s before his breakthrough on TV as Dr. Doug Ross in ER (1994)

Screenshot of George Clooney from The Facts Of Life (1979-88)Embassy Television, The Facts Of Life (1979-88)

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Jennifer Lawrence: Monk

Jennifer Lawrence is a household name nowadays, starring in many a blockbuster, but before her role as the daughter in The Bill Engvall Show (2007), she played a mascot in Monk (2002). Yes, one of Jennifer's first roles was in a costume.

Screenshot from the television series Monk (2002-2009)USA Network, Monk (2002-2009)

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Chris Pratt: Wanted

In the 2008 action film starring James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie, Chris Pratt plays the main character Wesley Gibson (McAvoy's) workplace tormentor who famously gets hit in the face with a keyboard as Gibson embarks on a new life as an action hero, leaving behind his office job and the tormenting Pratt.

Screenshot of Chris Pratt from Wanted (2008)Universal, Wanted(2008)

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Amy Adams: The Office

That's right! Before there was Jim and Pam from The Office (2005), Jim had a girlfriend named Katy Moore. Katy was played for a few episodes by Amy Adams. She has since gone on to star in Enchanted (2007), Disenchanted (2022), American Hustle (2013) and Hillbilly Elegy (2020). Good, I'm glad she found success after getting in the way of Jim and Pam for a few episodes.

Screenshot of Amy Adams from the television sitcom The Office (2005-2013)NBC, The Office (2005-2013)

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Jason Segel: Can't Hardly Wait

If Jason Segel's role in Can't Hardly Wait (1998) was anything like the title of the movie, then Segel wouldn't have had to wait long for his role to be over. This very small part lasted only a few minutes and forever immortalized him as "Watermelon Guy" among the internet movie sleuths, before (of course) How I Met Your Mother (2005).

Screenshot of Jason Segel from - Can't Hardly Wait (1998)Columbia, Can't Hardly Wait (1998)

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Ryan Reynolds: Sabrina, The Teenage Witch

It could not be more 90s than Ryan Reynolds' get-up and hairstyle in this made-for-TV movie based on the hit show, Sabrina, The Teenage Witch (1996) in which he played Seth, Sabrina's love interest.

Screenshot of Ryan Reynolds from Sabrina, The Teenage Witch (1996-2003)Viacom Productions, Sabrina, The Teenage Witch (1996-2003)

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Jessica Alba: The Secret World Of Alex Mack

Jessica was just 13 when she played a "mean girl" in three episodes of The Secret World of Alex Mack (1994). Just six years later, Alba would receive a Golden Globe nomination for her lead role in Dark Angel (2000-2002)

Screenshot of Jessica Alba from - The Secret World Of Alex Mack (1994-98)Hallmark Entertainment, The Secret World Of Alex Mack (1994-98)

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Michelle Williams: Baywatch

Michelle Williams' first on-screen role came in Baywatch (1993) of all shows, where she played a seductive lass targeting Mitch Buchannon's son, Hobie. One year later, Williams made her film debut in the classic Lassie (1994).

Screenshot of Michelle Williams from - Baywatch (1989-2001)GTG entertainment, Baywatch (1989-2001)

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Ryan Gosling: Are You Afraid Of The Dark?

Before he was in The Notebook (2004), Ryan Gosling was a Canadian child actor playing minor roles in small Canadian TV shows. His most notable of these was the Canadian show Are You Afraid Of The Dark?, a horror anthology wherein a 10-year-old Gosling recounts ghost stories around a campfire with other members of "The Midnight Society".

Screenshot of Ryan Gosling from Are You Afraid Of The Dark? (1990-2000)Nickelodeon, Are You Afraid Of The Dark? (1990-2000)

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Michael B. Jordan: The Wire

Michael B. Jordan rose to prominence with his lead roles in Fruitvale Station (2013), Creed (2015), and Black Panther (2018), but before that, he was an unfortunate victim in The Wire, where he played child dealer Wallace, in a short but moving role.

Screenshot of Michael B. Jordan from - The Wire (2002-08)HBO, The Wire (2002-08)

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Emma Stone: Malcolm In The Middle

Emma Stone hadn't even settled on a stage name when she played a role in a 2006 episode of Malcolm In The Middle called "Lois Strikes Back". She is credited as Riley Stone, as that was one of her choices for a professional name. She would eventually settle on Emma Stone and hasn't looked back.

Screenshot of Emma Stone from - Malcolm In The Middle (2000-06)20th Century Fox, Malcolm In The Middle (2000-06)

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Lucy Liu: L.A. Law

Before Lucy Liu starred in Charlie's Angels (2000), she played a minor role in a 1993 episode of the police procedural TV show L.A. Law (1986). She played a Chinese widow giving evidence to the police in Mandarin. After this, she would star in a one-season flop, Pearl (1996) and Ally McBeal (1997).

Lucy Liu at the Tinseltown, Shutterstock

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Chris Tucker: The Fifth Element

The action/sci-fi flick starring Bruce Willis and Mila Jovovich saw Chris Tucker play one of the most memorable and unserious cameos ever. He was Ruby Rhod, the exuberant and flamboyant talk show host who accompanies Bruce Willis on his journey to Fhloston. He later played a supporting role in Tarantino's Jackie Brown (1997) and gained major stardom for his role in the Rush Hour series alongside Jackie Chan.

Screenshot from Ruby Rhod from The Fifth Element (1997)Gaumont, The Fifth Element (1997)

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Tom Hardy: Band of Brothers  

Tom Hardy played Pvt. John Janovec in the HBO-BBC miniseries Band of Brothers (2001). He also had a minor role in Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down (2001).

Screenshot of Tom Hardy from Band of Brothers (2001)DreamWorks, Band of Brothers (2001)

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Morgan Freeman: Brubaker

Some of Morgan Freeman's biggest roles came later in his career. Although his career began with several minor roles in films throughout the 1980s, his earliest of note is in Robert Redford-starring Brubaker, a prison drama from 1980. 

Screenshot of Morgan Freeman from Brubaker (1980)20th Century Fox, Brubaker (1980)

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Bradley Cooper: Sex And The City

In 1999, Cooper received his first minor TV role in the "They Shoot Single People, Don't They?" episode of Sex And The City (1998)where he played "Jake", a downtown smoker.

Screenshot of Bradley Cooper from Sex And The City (1998-2004)HBO, Sex And The City (1998-2004)

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Steve Carrell: Over The Top

Before Steve Carrell and Stephen Colbert were coming up together in the comedy world, Carrell had a few minor television roles, including one on Over The Top (1997), where Carrell played a disgruntled chef.

Screenshot of Steve Carell from Over The Top (1997)Columbia TriStar, Over The Top (1997)

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Matthew McConaughey: Unsolved Mysteries

You might not even recognize the TV show, let alone have watched the episode in which McConaughey appeared. But, that's the point of this list. Matthew McConaughey had a role in Season 5 of Unsolved Mysteries (1987), a TV series that featured dramatic reenactments of unsolved crimes. McConaughey played a shirtless murder victim, Larry Dickens, in the episode: "Texas Most Wanted."

Screenshot of Matthew McConaughey from Unsolved Mysteries (1987-2010)Cosgrove/Meurer, Unsolved Mysteries (1987-2010)

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Jack Nicholson: The Andy Griffith Show

Before Jack Nicholson was, well, Jack Nicholson, he starred in The Andy Griffith Show (1960) in a 1967 episode entitled, "Opie Finds A Baby" from season 7, episode 10. Nicholson then returned to the show for a season 8 episode, "Aunt Bee, The Juror."

Screenshot of Jack Nicholson from The Andy Griffith Show (1960-68)CBS, The Andy Griffith Show (1960-68)

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Laurence Fishburne: Apocalypse Now

While this was hardly a jump-starting role, Laurence Fishburne played a minor role in the 1979 classic, Apocalypse Now. He was just 14 at the time.

Screenshot of Laurence Fishburne from Apocalypse Now (1979)Zoetrope Studios, Apocalypse Now (1979)

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Zooey Deschanel: Veronica's Closet

Zooey Deschanel's career has spanned three decades, but it all began in 1997 with a small role in the sitcom Veronica's Closet (1998). She was a guest star as Elena, a young model for fashion icon Veronica Chase.

Screenshot of Zooey Deschanel from Veronica's Closet (1997-2000)Warner Bros., Veronica's Closet (1997-2000)

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Mary-Lynn Rajskub: Magnolia

Best-known for her TV work in 24, wherein she's undyingly trusting of Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer, Mary-Lynn Rajskub got her start playing Janet in Magnolia (1999), which also starred Tom Cruise.

MARY LYNN RAJSKUB at the In Style 6th Annual Awards Season Diamond Fashion Show - 2007Featureflash Photo Agency, Shutterstock

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Rami Malek: Night At The Museum

You may not have noticed Rami Malek's role in Night At The Museum with Ben Stiller in 2006. He played Pharaoh Ahkmenrah.

Screenshot of Rami Malek from - Night At The Museum (2006)20th Century Fox, Night At The Museum (2006)

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Ben Affleck: Buffy The Vampire Slayer Movie

Another notch for Buffy The Vampire Slayer as a major actor played a minor role. Ben Affleck was a basketball player in a red jersey in the movie.

Screenshot of Ben Affleck from - Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992)Kuzui Enterprises, Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992)

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Natalia Dyer: The Hannah Montana Movie

Before Stranger Things, Natalia Dyer played Hannah Montana's stalker's daughter in The Hannah Montana Movie in 2009.

Screenshot of Natalia Dyer from - The Hannah Montana Movie (2009)Walt Disney Pictures, The Hannah Montana Movie (2009)

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Brie Larson: 13 Going On 30

Another shoutout for a mean-girl role. This time from Brie Larson's role in the 2004 rom-com starring Jennifer Garner, when Larson played a very minor part in 13 Going On 30 (2004).

Screenshot of Brie Larson from - 13 Going On 30 (2004)Revolution Studios, 13 Going On 30 (2004)

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Sandra Oh: The Princess Diaries

Sandra Oh's role in The Princess Diaries as a principal went under the radar in this 2001 family comedy. This was before she landed her famous role in Grey's Anatomy (2005).

Screenshot of Sandra Oh from - The Princess Diaries (2001)Walt Disney Pictures, The Princess Diaries (2001)

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Mila Kunis: Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves

Before her breakout role as Jackie in That 70's Show (1998), Kunis had a minor role in the comedy movie, Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves in 1997.

Screenshot of Mila Kunis from Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves (1997)Walt Disney Pictures, Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves (1997)

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Jennifer Aniston: Leprechaun

If you watched Leprechaun in 1993, you'll have noticed the shotgun-wielding Tory Redding is played by none other than 24-year-old Jennifer Aniston. She identified Leprechaun as her worst-ever role in a 2014 interview with Entertainment Weekly.

Can you think of any other major celebrities who played minor roles? Let us know in the comments!

Screenshot of Jennifer Aniston from Leprechaun (1993)Trimark Pictures, Leprechaun (1993)


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