26 Actors And Their Breakout Roles That Enabled Them To Hit The Big Time

Margot Nolan
Jun 11, 2022
Jun 11, 2022

Do you feel like the movie stars we’ve seen in legendary roles for years were always famous actors? However, even the most iconic of Hollywood royalty had to start somewhere. Whether they begin in commercials, small guest roles, or long-forgotten independent films, most actors must first pay their dues. Many actors are even stuck in debt for years and are unable to progress. However, for an elite and lucky few, one crucial role can be the stepping stone they need to get some initial recognition and respect in the industry. To be honest, those opportunities may come later, after years and years of hard work.
The roles that make an actor who came from nothing into a huge star may not always be the films they are ultimately best known for. Despite this fact, we still highly recommend these films, which can provide signs of the actors' talent. This list will attempt to remind you of 26 actors and their breakthrough roles. Scroll down to see more!

#1 Kristen Dunst as Claudia in "Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles"

Source: © Interview With The Vampires / Warner Bros., © JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX/AFP/East News.

Dunst got her big break when she co-starred in "Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles" with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in 1994. She played a small vampire girl called Claudia who was protected by Cruise and Pitt. Dunst rose to fame when she was a teen girl and received a Golden Globe nomination for her role.

#2 Emma Stone as Jules in "Superbad"

Source: © Superbad / Sony Pictures Releasing, © Invision/Invision/East News

Emma Stone's performance in "Superbad" was certainly a step up in her career. In the film, she acted as Jonah Hill's lucky love interest who was charming and kind.

#3 Leonardo DiCaprio as Arnie Grape in "What’s Eating Gilbert Grape"

Source: © What's Eating Gilbert Grape / Paramount Pictures, © U.S. Department of State / Wikimedia Commons

Even though "Titanic" made Leo famous, his portrayal of the mentally ill Arnie Grape in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" gained the attention of many critics and audiences. Arnie is also one of the most well-liked characters in his career. Leo was also nominated for his first Academy Award.

#4 Christopher Mintz-Plasse as McLovin in "Superbad"

Source: © Superbad / Sony Pictures Releasing, © Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons

McLovin, along with Emma Stone, Jonah Hill, and Michael Cera, was the most popular character in the coming-of-age film "Superbad." His snarky bravery combined with his uber-geeky character impressed the audience so much. And his character was interesting: a 25-year-old Hawaiian organ donor who was friends with cops, Seth Rogen, and Bill Hader.

#5 Jake Gyllenhaal as Donnie Darko in "Donnie Darko"

Source: © Donnie Darko / Newmarket Films, © Gordon Correll / Wikimedia Commons

"Donnie Darko" is considered a must-see because it combines science fiction with a psychological thriller that will leave you speechless. Along with Jake's breakout performance, the film features humor, time travel, the butterfly effect, and an incredible cliffhanger that will leave you breathless.

#6 Kit Harrington as Jon Snow in "Game of Thrones"

Source: © Game of Thrones / Warner Bros. TV Distribution, © Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons

Regardless of how the last season ended, Jon Snow remained practically everyone's favorite among "Game of Thrones" followers. He gained global renown as a result of this breakthrough performance, but it overwhelmed him to the point where he needed psychotherapy later.

#7 Jaden Smith as Christopher Gardner in "The Pursuit of Happyness"

Source: © The Pursuit of Happyness / Sony Pictures Releasing, © Jaden Smith / Instagram

Will Smith and his son Jaden feature in "The Pursuit of Happyness," one of the most well-liked films. However, Jaden's performance was more of a breakout part. In the film, he plays Will Smith's 5-year-old son, and the two of them persevere through their ups and downs together, leading to a truly happy ending.

#8 Noah Centineo as Peter Kavinsky in the "To All The Boys" movie series

Source: © To All The Boys PS I Still Love You / Netflix, © Noah Centineo / Instagram

"To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You" are the latest teen rom-coms that make Centineo famous. The story is as complex as an adolescent's mind, but Centineo does a fantastic job as Peter Kavinsky.

#9 Sandra Bullock as Annie Porter in "Speed"

Source: © Speed / 20th Century Fox, © Eva Rinaldi / Wikimedia Commons

Keanu Reeves was cast as the lead in "Speed" when it was first planned. Bullock, though, became the headliner in this incredible blockbuster. She demonstrated that she was a genuine individual. And as a result, it had a big and extremely good impact on Bullock's career.

#10 Bruce Willis as John McClane in the "Die Hard" movie series

Source: © Die Hard with a Vengeance / 20th Century Fox, © Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons

Because it was filmed in a period when action movies were not considered respectable, many well-known actors turned down the part of John McClane. Willis was initially hesitant when the role was offered to him, but the film's box office success was nothing short of a miracle. Willis became a major action star due to his ability to perform his stunts and faultless acting talents.

#11 Zach Galifianakis as Alan in the "Hangover" movie series

Source: © The Hangover / Warner Bros. Pictures, © Between Two Ferns / Netflix

Zach Galifianakis, like the other characters in the "Hangover" movies, is known for his weird and wacky people and situations. Apart from managing to act the most insane feats, his breakout role was completely off-the-wall, guaranteeing a good chuckle.

#12 Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward in "Pretty Woman"

Source: © Pretty Woman / Buena Vista Pictures, © Julia Roberts / Instagram

Roberts had been in films such as "Mystic Pizza" before "Pretty Woman," but it was "Pretty Woman" that established her place in the industry. Julia represented the charm of the film flawlessly with her wide-eyed smile and natural chemistry with Richard Gere.

#13 Brad Pitt as J.D. in "Thelma & Louise"

Source: © Thelma & Louise / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, © Once Upon a Time in Hollywood / Sony Pictures Releasing

The shirtless scene in "Thelma & Louise" starring Brad Pitt made headlines in 1991. Pitt is still considered an icon today as a result of this film, as well as the other significant films he's worked on.

#14 Jodie Foster as Iris in "Taxi Driver"

Source: © Taxi Driver / Columbia Pictures, © Elysium / Sony Pictures Releasing

Foster, like practically every child performer, struggled during her heyday. When she starred in Martin Scorsese's masterwork "Taxi Driver", though, everything changed. It was undoubtedly a risk for her, but she held her own against actors twice her age. Even today, she is known for playing difficult characters.

#15 Abigail Breslin as Olive Hoover in "Little Miss Sunshine"

Source: Little Miss Sunshine /, © David Shankbone / Wikimedia Commons

Breslin plays a beauty pageant contestant who is also the youngest member of a dysfunctional family in "Little Miss Sunshine." When she was cast as Olive Hoover, she was only six years old. Her co-stars were shocked by her sincerity of purpose while filming and appreciated her performance.

#16 Richard Gere as Edward Lewis in "Pretty Woman"

Source: © Pretty Woman / Buena Vista Pictures, © Arbitrage / Lionsgate

Richard Gere benefited from "Pretty Woman." The casting, the filming, and, of course, their chemistry, were all flawless in this film.

#17 Salma Hayek as Carolina in "Desperado"

Source: © Desperado / Sony Pictures Releasing, © Salma Hayek / Instagram

Salma's breakout role in 1995 was "Desperado." She was Antonio Banderas' partner in the film. Her outfit, in addition to her outstanding acting abilities, was flawless.

#18 Michael Fassbender as Brandon in "Shame"

Source: © Shame / Momentum Pictures, © Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons

"Shame" is a film about a wealthy New Yorker who battles addictions and an inability to make connections. His razor-sharp eyes and incisive performance make this a game-changing role.

#19 Ralph Fiennes as Amon Göth in "Schindler’s List"

Fiennes starred as military commandant Amon Göth in Steven Spielberg's "Schindler's List," for which he received numerous honors and an Oscar nomination for his performance.

#20 Haley Joel Osment as Cole Sear in "The Sixth Sense"

When Osment was 11 years old, he was cast in the thriller "The Sixth Sense", which gave him his big break. He played a youngster who could "see dead people." He co-starred with Bruce Willis in the film, which did quite well at the box office.

#21 Marion Cotillard as Edith Piaf in "La Vie En Rose"

Because the director recognized a resemblance between Piaf's eyes and Cotillard's, she was selected for her breakout role in "La Vie En Rose." She won two Oscars, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and a few more awards for her performance in the film.

#22 Carrie-Anne-Moss as Trinity in "The Matrix"

Moss endured three fitness exams and learned incredible acrobatic skills for her breakout part in "The Matrix". Her career was launched by the film, which provided her with numerous possibilities and prizes.

#23 Margot Robbie as Naomi Lapaglia in "The Wolf of Wall Street"

Margot Robie landed a key role in "The Wolf of Wall Street", appearing alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. She is a charmer throughout the film as Jordan Belfort's wife. She is now a well-known Hollywood actress and an Academy Award nominee.

#24 Scarlett Johansson as Charlotte in "Lost in Translation"

Scarlett Johansson's breakout role in "Lost In Translation" came when she was just 17 years old. She portrayed Charlotte and co-starred with Bill Murray in the film, for which she garnered numerous honors and prizes.

#25 Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes in the "Marvel" movies

One of the most underappreciated "Avengers" is Bucky Barnes. He managed to escape himself from Hydra and remained acutely attuned to Captain America, who was a good guy at heart. Sebastian Stan played the role, which is widely regarded as his breakout role.

#26 Rachel McAdams as Regina George in "Mean Girls"

With Lindsay Lohan, Lacey Chabert, and Amanda Seyfried, McAdams had her breakout performance as Regina George, the mean high school queen.

Share this article