14 Actors Who Got Their Big Break in Surprising Roles

1. Harrison Ford – Star Wars ( 1977)

Before he became Han Solo, the galaxy's most lovable rogue, Harrison Ford was a humble carpenter installing cabinets at George Lucas's home. Yes, that's right, our man Harrison was pounding nails, not shooting blasters. But destiny, much like a persistent door-to-door salesperson, had other plans. Lucas, having previously directed Ford in a small role in American Graffiti, offered him the chance to read lines for the Star Wars auditions. Ford did it so well that Lucas couldn't resist casting him, and thus, a star...err... a space cowboy was born.

2. Johnny Depp – A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Before Depp was Jack Sparrow, Edward Scissorhands, or the Mad Hatter, he was just Glen Lantz, a regular teenager with a very irregular bedtime problem. Yep, he was the dreamy boy who had the unfortunate luck to fall prey to Freddy Krueger in Wes Craven's horror classic A Nightmare on Elm Street. Depp's performance in his nightmare-induced demise was so convincingly terror-stricken that it made us think twice about ignoring our bedtimes.

3. Jennifer Aniston – Leprechaun (1993)

Before she was our favorite girl-next-door on Friends, Jennifer Aniston starred in a less-than-friends-worthy movie, Leprechaun. In this low-budget horror-comedy, Aniston's character battles a killer Leprechaun... because who needs conventional horror villains when you have terrifying mythical Irish creatures? It's definitely a far cry from Central Perk, but hey, we all start somewhere!

4. Danny Trejo – Runaway Train (1985)

Now here's a plot twist for you: Danny Trejo, the famously intimidating actor known for roles in Machete and From Dusk Till Dawn, got his big break while working as a drug counselor. On the set of Runaway Train to support a patient, Trejo was recognized for his boxing skills and was initially hired as an extra before being offered a more prominent role. Trejo's real-life tough-guy persona translated perfectly on-screen, turning him into one of Hollywood's most recognized faces.

5. Sylvester Stallone – Rocky (1976)

Stallone's big break came in a role that was less surprising and more unprecedented. The struggling actor wrote the script for Rocky and stubbornly insisted on playing the lead role himself. The film was a long-shot gamble, much like betting on a horse just because it has a cool name. Still, Stallone's steadfast commitment to the role led to a Best Picture Oscar and a defining career as an action star. The moral of the story? Don't underestimate a determined underdog. Or Stallone.

6. Charlize Theron – 2 Days in the Valley (1996)

Before she was Furiosa or a serial killer in Monster, Charlize Theron was just a hitwoman in this lesser-known black comedy. 2 Days in the Valley was a crime caper that didn't exactly break box office records, but it did catch the attention of Hollywood bigwigs who noticed the South African actress's talent. Plus, it introduced the world to Theron's ability to make any character mesmerizing, whether it's a hitwoman or a post-apocalyptic warrior.

7. Hugh Jackman – Oklahoma! (1998)

Yes, you read that right! Before he was Wolverine, the claws-baring, grizzly mutant from X-Men, Hugh Jackman was crooning his heart out in the Royal National Theatre's production of Oklahoma! His role as Curly McLain was so impressive that he attracted the attention of Hollywood scouts and the rest, as they say, is history. And who could forget that glorious voice, which he later showcased in Les Misérables and The Greatest Showman?

8. Julia Roberts – Mystic Pizza (1988)

In this heartwarming tale about three waitresses at a pizzeria, Julia Roberts, before she was the Pretty Woman, gave a standout performance. Despite the film's small budget and relative obscurity, her portrayal of Daisy Arujo attracted Hollywood's attention. Sure, the movie is no Eat Pray Love, but it had enough of the right toppings to serve up a star in the making.

9. George Clooney – Return of the Killer Tomatoes (1988)

Before he was a part of the ER cast or Danny Ocean, George Clooney was battling murderous fruits in Return of the Killer Tomatoes. It's hard to believe that the debonair Clooney once fought off B-movie baddies. But hey, if you can make fighting killer tomatoes look good, you can pretty much pull off anything.

10. Bruce Willis – Moonlighting (1985-1989)

Who could forget the wisecracking private detective David Addison from the TV show Moonlighting? Long before he was saying 'Yippee ki-yay' in Die Hard, Bruce Willis was cracking jokes and solving crimes alongside Cybill Shepherd. His comedic timing and charming smirk set him apart from the other TV hunks of the era, and the rest is explosive action hero history.

11. Jack Black – Bob Roberts (1992)

This political mockumentary featured Black in a small but memorable role as an enthusiastic fan of a folk-singing right-wing politician. Sure, his screen time was more limited than a seasonal pumpkin spice latte, but Black's manic energy shone through even then. His character was a far cry from the lovable, eccentric characters he would later embody, but his potential for comedic genius was evident even in this limited role. Black, like a jack-in-the-box (no pun intended), knew how to make an impression!

12. Whoopi Goldberg – The Color Purple (1985)

Whoopi Goldberg's portrayal of the character Celie, a mistreated woman finding her voice, was a powerful role that was as emotionally demanding as wrestling a grizzly bear. Despite being her debut film role, Goldberg delivered a performance of astonishing depth, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Her transformation into the vulnerable yet resilient Celie laid the groundwork for a career that has since spanned diverse roles and genres.

13. Jamie Foxx – In Living Color (1991-1994)

Long before he was winning Oscars for Ray or even making us laugh in The Jamie Foxx Show, Jamie Foxx was showing off his comedic chops on In Living Color. As part of the ensemble cast, Foxx gave life to an array of characters, showcasing his knack for comedy, impressions, and physical humor. In this sketch comedy show, Foxx's talent was as conspicuous as a peacock in a flock of pigeons. The variety of roles he played not only demonstrated his incredible versatility but also set the stage for a career that would see him embrace roles ranging from action heroes to biographical figures.

14. Sandra Bullock – Love Potion No. 9 (1992)

Before Sandra Bullock was driving a runaway bus in Speed or fighting off space debris in Gravity, she was a geeky biochemist looking for love in the quirky romantic comedy, Love Potion No. 9. As one half of a pair of scientists who stumble upon a magical potion, Bullock's blend of comic timing and girl-next-door charm made her performance endearing. Even if the movie's plot was as cheesy as a stuffed-crust pizza, Bullock's charismatic performance was the secret ingredient that gave audiences a taste of her future star power.