Hollywood seems to be a dreamland for everyone, which is full of talented actors and actresses. Many
celebrities have famous families, parents, or siblings that have put them on the map today. While others made it big of their volition by working hard, going to audition after audition until they landed a perfect role to catapult their name into
superstardom.
It is said that every actor needs dozens of films under their belt to be considered a legend. Sometimes that might just be a matter of landing the right role in the right movie at exactly the right time and right place. For example,
Macaulay Culkin’s role as Kevin McCallister is always stuck in millions of minds, and people tend to rewatch “
Home Alone” on
Christmas Day. These Celebrities Made It Big With Just One Role.
Below are c
elebrities who made it big with just one role.
Celebrities who made it big with just one role might be seen here. #1 Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly in “Back to the Future”
Source: © Back to the future / Universal Pictures and co-producers, © realmikejfox / Instagram
A scene in “Back to the Future” when Marty McFly traveled to the past in a time machine built in a DeLorean car became iconic in film history. And the star of the movie is Michael J. Fox. After the project, he continued his film career, but his biggest success was the time travel trilogy.
#2 Barbara Eden as Jeannie in “I Dream of Jeannie”
Source: © Back to the future / Universal Pictures and co-producers, © realmikejfox / Instagram
At the age of 34, Barbara Eden appeared in “I Dream of Jeannie” as Jeannie, who lived in a bottle and fell in love with Colonel Anthony Nelson. Thanks to this role, she gained global cognition and received a Golden Globe and Emmy Award nomination.
#3 David Hasselhoff as Mitch Buchannon in “Baywatch”
Source: © Baywatch / GTG Entertainment and co-producers, © DavidHasselhoff / Twitter
David Hasselhoff took on the role of Mitch Buchannon in “Baywatch”, which helped him get famous. His portrayal of Mitch Buchannon ended up making him a television star. In recent years, the actor has made cameos in films like
SpongeBob SquarePants the Movie.
#4 Lynda Carter as Diana Prince in “Wonder Woman”
Source: © Wonder Woman / Bruce Lansbury Productions and co-producers, © reallyndacarter / Instagram
The character Diana Prince in “Wonder Woman” (1975-1979) marked Lynda Carter’s career at a young age. The actress shared, “I can’t do anymore, I’m not Wonder Woman”. In 2020, at age 69, she made a cameo in the film “Wonder Woman” (1984).
#5 Michelle Pfeiffer as Elvira in “Scarface”
Source: © Scarface / Universal Pictures, © michellepfeifferofficial / Instagram
In “Scarface”, Michelle Pfeiffer portrayed Elvira, which cemented her as a top actress in Hollywood. And now, she is still going strong in acting.
#6 Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha in “Bewitched”
Source: © Bewitched / Screen Gems Television and co-producers, © The Corpse Had a Familiar Face / blum-ganz productions and co-producers
Elizabeth Montgomery played Samantha, who used her magic in everyday situations, and was the basis of the Bewitched series. The character helped the actress more famous with her signature nose movement accompanying each spell. Unfortunately, she passed away at the age of 62.
#7 Cameron Diaz as Tina in “The Mask”
Source© The Mask / New Line Cinema and co-producers, © camerondiaz / Instagram
Cameron Diaz hit her name by playing Tina, a singer, and girlfriend of the villain, who falls in love with Stanley Ipkiss in “The Mask”. In 2014, she took a career break to devote herself to her family and in 2017 she made known her definitive retirement from acting.
#8 Brendan Fraser as Rick O’Connell in “The Mummy”
Source: © The Mummy / Universal Pictures and co-producers, © Invision/Invision/East News
American actor Brendan Fraser’s breakthrough came in 1999 when he played adventurer Rick O’Connell in The Mummy. After the success of the movie, the actor got many offers for numerous projects. For several years he was in television series and 2019 he returned to film.
#9 Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins in “Mary Poppins”
Source: © Mary Poppins / Walt Disney Productions and co-producers, © julieandrews / Instagram
The character Mary Poppins in “Mary Poppins” helped Julie Andrews win the Oscar for Best Actress. In 2001 she starred opposite Anne Hathaway in another hit, The Princess Diaries, as Queen Clarisse Renaldi. The film had a sequel in 2004.
#10 Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers in “The Bionic Woman”
Source: © The bionic woman / Harve Bennett Productions and co-producers, © mslindsaywagner / facebook
Jaime Sommers in “The Bionic Woman”, played by Lindsay Wagner, stole millions of hearts. Even though she died in one episode, the directors had to revive her and gave her own series due to the negative reaction of viewers. After the movie, Lindsay Wagner continued working hard. Between 2018 and 2019, she was on Grey´s Anatomy, where she played Helen Karev.
#11 Geena Davis as Thelma Dickinson in “Thelma & Louise”
Source: © Thelma & Louise / Pathé Entertainment and co-producers, © geenadavisorg / Instagram
Thanks to the role of Thelma Dickinson in “Thelma & Louis”, Geena Davis earned herself the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1989. In recent years, the actress has acted mainly in TV series.
#12 Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in “The Godfather”
Source: © The Godfather / Paramount Pictures and co-producers, © American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally / Potato Eater Productions and co-producers
It seems that the role of Michael Corleone, the youngest son of mob boss Vito Corleone, was one of the most coveted in 1972. The role went to Al Pacino who was nominated for an Oscar after that. At age 81, he is still alive and well on the big screen.
#13 Molly Ringwald as Andie Walsh in “Pretty in Pink”
Source: © Pretty in pink / Paramount Pictures, © mollyringwald / Instagram
“Pretty in Pink”, directed by John Hughes, became a classic teen movie and Molly Ringwald was the star of the movie when playing Andie Walsh. Years later, she continues to act in film and television productions. In 2018 she participated in “Kissing Booth”.