Every movie star had to start somewhere, and the biggest names in Hollywood each had a role that kickstarted their career. Movies can take unknown actors and make them household names. There are certain roles that actors get that showcase their ability to shine, and make it clear that they could have always succeeded in this industry. There are movie stars that took advantage of their early roles to make an impact.
Some movies, likeRisky Business, showcased an up-and-coming actor’s natural abilities that eventually made them stars. Other movies, likePretty Woman, demonstrate an actor’s ability to create an iconic character against the backdrop of a story that may have otherwise been forgettable.The best movies that made unknown actors massive stars showed how these talented artists could sometimes take smaller roles and make them iconic.
10’Risky Business' (1983)
Tom Cruise
Risky Businessis the story of American teenagerJoel Goodsen (Tom Cruise), who is left home alone. While alone, he goes on a journey of self-discovery with a call-girl named Lana (Rebecca De Mornay). The movie follows Joel as he takes full advantage of his time alone to do whatever he wants and enjoys being a teenager with little to no responsibilities.Risky Businessis a quintessential teen coming-of-age story.
Cruise’s dance number is iconic in itself and it shows his ability to commit fully to any role.Risky Businessallowed Cruise to highlight his capability of leaning into his natural charm.Risky Businessshowed that Cruise could create magnetic characters. The movie is considered Cruise’s breakout role and set the foundation for his current career. AlthoughRisky Businessmay not be an action movie that Cruise has since become famous for appearing in, the story has the charm Cruise needed to set himself apart.
Risky Business
WATCH ON MAX
9’American Psycho' (2000)
Christian Bale
American Psychofollows investment banker Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), who leads a double life in his mind. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis.American Psychofollows Patrick’s frustrationwith his life and longing to escape his mundane existence. The movie follows Patrick’s descent into the chaos of his mind as his grip on reality becomes progressively looser.
Christian Bale’s performance inAmerican Psychoshowcased his ability to play dynamic and complex characters. This role also highlighted Bale’s ability to blend drama with black horror, something he has recreated throughout his career. Although Bale appeared in movies from a young age, includingSteven Spielberg’sEmpire of the Sun,American Psychois what cemented his status as a star. This iconic character is how Bale was able to set himself apart as a dramatic actor.
American Psycho
WATCH ON TUBI
8’The Color Purple' (1985)
Whoopi Goldberg
The Color Purpleis based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name byAlice Walker. The story follows Celie (Whoopi Goldberg), a woman born in Georgia in the early 1900s. Her childhood and adulthood are marked by horrifying abuse. However, The Color Purple follows Celie’s journey to reconnect with her sister Nettie (Akosua Busia) and how she is able to find herself after living through horrendous trauma.
While Goldberg had been developing her comedy career before her role inThe Color Purple, the movie allowed her to demonstrate her ability to succeed in dramatic roles. The movie showcases Goldberg’s ability to use her natural comedic talents to create a heartfelt and deeply relatable character who is easy to root for.The Color Purplewas a venue for Goldberg to kick off her acting career and highlight how she always had a star power that would enable her to be a leader in the industry.
The Color Purple
RENT ON PRIME VIDEO
7’Good Will Hunting' (1997)
Matt Damon
Good Will Huntingis the story of Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a janitor who is a mathematical genius. While he works at MIT while on parole, he solves a complex math problem posted on a whiteboard by Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård). Eventually, Will’s natural abilities open up new opportunities for him. Along the way, he has to reckon with his past, and examine why he finds the need to keep returning to his anti-social tendencies.
Matt Damon had appeared in several roles before this one and had steadily been working in the industry by being in such projects asMystic Pizzaas a young man.However, his role inGood Will Huntingis what launched him into stardom. Will Hunting is such a sweet and relatable character who is clearly struggling when he’s first introduced. This role demonstrated Damon’s ability to play a character who could be relatable to many.
Good Will Hunting
6'12 Years a Slave' (2013)
Lupita Nyong’o
12 Years a Slaveis based on the true story of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who was abducted from his home in New York and sold into slavery in New Orleans.Lupita Nyong’ostars as Patsey, a woman Northup met while enslaved. The story follows Northup’s journey from being kidnapped, to his years spent in slavery, to his eventual freedom.12 Years a Slaveis about Northup’s horrific experience, and Patsey’s story is equally, if not more, devastating.
Nyong’o’s performance in12 Years a Slaveshowed her movie star ability.She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for this. Nyong’o’s commitment to Patsey’s humanity is what elevates this role. Patsey’s story is so horrifying to watch, and Nyong’o handles these real events with authenticity.12 Years a Slavewas proof that Nyong’o could handle difficult stories, which has served her well in her career since.
12 Years a Slave
5’The Deer Hunter' (1978)
Meryl Streep
The Deer Hunterfollows the lives of American soldiers who live in a small American town and are deployed to Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The movie highlights the struggles that these soldiers faced when they returned from war, and how hard it was for them to reintigrate into their communities.Meryl Streepplays Linda, a woman two of the soldiers, Mike (Robert De Niro) and Nick (Christopher Walken), are both in love with.
Meryl Streep’s role inThe Deer Hunteris critical to the story, even if her character isn’t the main focus. This role showcases Streep’s ability to elevate the ensemble around her while making the most of the screen time she is given.The Deer Hunterhighlighted Streep’s star quality, and how she has always had a naturally magnetic quality that has made her a star. Streep’s performance in this movie also demonstrates her ability to create a nuanced character against such a tragic backdrop.
The Deer Hunter
4’Speed' (1994)
Sandra Bullock
Speedis an action drama that follows a city bus that has been rigged with explosives. The movie starsKeanu Reevesas a LAPD cop who is tasked with preventing disaster. Sandra Bullock plays passenger Annie Porter, who becomes essential in thwarting this violent plot.The story focuses on the action of preventing disaster aboard the bus, but also on how this could not have been prevented without Annie’s intervention.
Sandra Bullock’s role inSpeedis another example of one that began as a seemingly small role. However, Bullock was able to use her talent to create a character who was a perfectly ordinary hero who was easy to root for. Bullock showcases her ability to lean into a likable and compelling story.Speedalso gives Bullock the chance to bring emotional stakes to a movie that could otherwise have taken itself far too seriously.
WATCH ON DISNEY+
3’Pretty Woman' (1990)
Julia Roberts
Pretty WomanstarsJulia Robertsas Vivian Ward, a Hollywood sex worker who connects with businessman Edward Lewis (Richard Gere). The story follows Vivian as she enters the world of the upper class, and has to learn an entirely new language to try to fit in. Ultimately, this is a love story, but it’s much more than this.Pretty Womanis a story of finding love, acceptance, and connection, which makes the movie endearing to watch.
Julia Roberts headlines a charming story by creating an equally charming character.In this role, Roberts takes advantage of this Cinderella-adjacent narrative to highlight her star power.Pretty Womanis another example of a movie that was made to demonstrate an actor’s star power. Roberts plays an endearing protagonist who uses her vulnerability as a strength.Pretty Womanset the stage for Roberts' stardom by highlighting her ability to shine.
Pretty Woman
2’Roman Holiday' (1953)
Audrey Hepburn
Roman Holidayis a romantic comedystarringAudrey Hepburnas the fictional Princess Ann. While on a European tour, the princess sneaks away from her entourage and explores Rome. The movie follows the princess as she begins a whirlwind romance with journalist Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck).Roman Holidaywas Hepburn’s first major movie in the English language. The movie is a sweet and adventurous love story.
Roman Holidayis the movie that launched Hepburn’s career in the United States after she gained notoriety in Europe. Hepburn uses her character to highlight how she was always able to bring a unique blend of charisma and earnestness that she brought to so many of her characters.Roman Holidayis an endearing look at Hepburn’s early career and is a look at the star power she had from the beginning of her career.
Roman Holiday
1’The Godfather' (1972)
The Godfatheris a mafia drama that follows thesaga of the Corleone familyas they attempt to hold onto power in the New York gangster scene. The movie follows Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) as he struggles between following in his father’s footsteps and creating his own life. As he gets deeper into his family’s world, he makes choices that set the stage for him to become a major leader in the Italian-American mafia.
Al Pacino was a lesser-known actor before he was cast by directorFrancis Ford Coppolaas the leading role in this epic drama.Pacino used his dramatic expressiveness to create an iconic character whose journey was deeply compelling to watch. Pacino used his character inThe Godfatherto highlight how he could take a morally questionable character and make them easy to sympathize with as they cause chaos for themselves and those around them.
The Godfather
WATCH ON NETFLIX
NEXT: 10 30-Year-Old Movies That Are Perfect From Start to Finish
