In recent years, we have seen the release of
Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Extended Universe projects and there are no signs of the universes slowing down. It’s undoubted that, for some actors, the MCU and DC are perfect launching pads for their acting careers in Hollywood that helped them show up on the list of the highest-paid actors.
Before earning a spot in the franchises, actors started out in small films and TV series. For example, before beginning a film career in Hollywood, Chris Hemsworth received critical acclaim when playing Kim Hyde in the Australian television series “Home and Away” between 2004 and 2007. For him, the role in “Home and Away” is consistent work and is a great experience.
Keep scrolling down to see what stars looked like before they became the coolest superheroes.
#1 Robert Downey Jr. - Iron Man
Source: East News
The MCU didn’t actually give Robert Downey Jr. his big break or launch him into the mainstream because he was famous before taking on the role of Iron Man. He landed his first role in the movie “Pound”, which was directed by his father. The actor went on to star in some movies such as “Hail Cesar”, “Home for the Holidays”, “The Shaggy Dog”, etc.
Source: East News
#2 Scarlett Johansson - Black Widow
Source: East News
Scarlett Johansson was a bona fide star by the time she signed on to portray Black Widow in “Iron Man 2”. She began her career at a young age, making her feature film debut at 9 years old in “North”. Her first leading role in “Manny and Lo” earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination.
Source: East News
#3 Chris Hemsworth - Thor
Source: Patrick Riviere
Many Marvel fans love Chris Hemsworth as the hammer-wielding hero. However, many might not know that the actor made his mark on the soap opera “Home and Away”, where he played hunky high school dropout, Kim Hyde.
Source: Patrick Riviere
Source: Evan Agostini
Chris Evans officially became one of the “Hollywood Chrises” after taking on Captain America. He got his start on the 2000 Fox teen drama Opposite Sex, in which he played Cary Baston. He also gained attention for his portrayal of the Marvel Comics character the Human Torch in “Fantastic Four”.
Source: East News
#5 Tom Holland - Spider-Man
Source: East News
While the newest addition to the Marvel line-up is only 20 years old, he has been acting for almost a decade. At the age of 12, he scored the role of Michale, Billy Elliot’s best friend in “Billy Eliot the Musical”. Holland made his feature film debut in “The Impossible”, portraying the eldest of three sons in a British family.
Source: Spider-Man
#6 Mark Ruffalo - Hulk
Source: markruffalo
Mark Ruffalo began acting in the early 1990s and first gained recognition for his work in Kenneth Lonergan’s play “This Is Our Youth” and “You Can Count On Me”. He received a Tony Award nomination for his supporting role in “Awake and Sing”.
Source: East News
#7 Jeremy Renner - Hawkeye
Source: Amy Graves
Although
now- đứng sau tobe Renner is MCU's family man, he started his career playing more lackadaisical types. He made his film debut as underachieving student Mark in "National Lampoon’s Senior Trip” and continued to work in guest roles on televisions such as ‘Deadly Games” and “Strange Luck”.
Source: East News
#8 Jason Momoa – Aquaman
Source: James Devaney
Before taking on the role of “Aquaman”, Jason Momoa made his acting debut as Jason Loane on the syndicated action-drama series “Baywatch: Hawaii”. In 2010, he appeared in the Emmy-nominated HBO series “Game of Thrones”, playing the Dothraki King, Khal Drogo.
Source: East News
#9 Hugh Jackman — Wolverine
Source: Patrick Riviere
Hugh Jackman landed his breakthrough role as Wolverine in the X-Men film series. This role earned him the Guinness World Record for "longest career as a live-action Marvel character". During his career, Jackman has headlined films in various genres, including the romantic comedy Kate & Leopold (2001), the action-horror Van Helsing (2004), the drama The Prestige (2006), and so on. For his role as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, Jackman was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor
Source: East News
#10 Benedict Cumberbatch — Doctor Strange
Source: Toni Anne Barson Archive
Many Marvel fans love Benedict Cumberbatch for the role of Doctor Strange, but the actor was beloved as the star of "Sherlock”. He has received various accolades, including a British Academy Television Award, a Primetime Emmy Award and a Laurence Olivier Award, and a lot of nominations.
Source: Doctor Strage
#11 Paul Rudd - Ant-Man
Source: Derek Storm
Paul Rudd, the smallest Avenger made his acting debut on the NBC drama “Sisters” in 1992, where he played Kirby Quimby Philby. In 2015, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and 6 years later, he was named People’s magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive”.
Source: Ant-Man
#12 Tom Hardy – Venom
Source: Dave Hogan
After studying acting at the Drama Centre London, he made his film debut in “Black Hawk Down”. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, two Critics' Choice Movie Awards, and two British Academy Film Awards. In 2018, he starred as Venom in the anti-hero film “Venom” and its sequel “venom: Let There Be Carnage”.
Source: Venom
#13 Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool
Source: East News
After playing Deadpool in Marvel films, Ryan Reynolds becomes one of the highest-grossing film actors with a worldwide box-office gross of over 5 billion dollars. He began his career starring in the Canadian teen soap opera “Hillside” and then landed the lead role in the sitcom “Two Guys And A Girl”.
Source: Deadpool
#14 Henry Cavill - Superman
Source: Sebastian Artz
Henry Cavill gained international recognition with his role as Superman in the DC Extended Universe superhero films such as “Man of Steel” (2013), “Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016), “Justice League” (2017), and “Zack Snyder's Justice League” (2021). However, many might not know that he appeared in several television series and portrayed supporting roles in movies.
Source: Clay Enos / Warner Bros
#15 Brie Larson - Captain Marvel
Source: Steve Granitz
Brie Larson has been acting for years and even took a stab at a teenage pop music career. Her first professional gig came when she was a child. She appeared in a commercial parody for Barbie, titled "Malibu Mudslide Barbie," in a 1998 episode of The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. She also starred in some minor roles in films but the role of Captain Marvel made her become a major star.
Source: Captain Marvel
#16 Chadwick Boseman - Black Panther
Source: Bobby Bank
Chadwick Boseman played Black Panther, one of the most beloved figures in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it took Boseman a long time to garner critical acclaim. The actor moved to LA to pursue his acting career in 2008. He was cast in a recurring role on the television series “Lincoln Heights” as Nathaniel Ray Taylor, he landed his breakthrough performance in 2013 as baseball player Jackie Robinson in the biographical film “42”. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.
Source: Black Panther