How amazing would it be to become a Hollywood star and walk on red carpets or talk to celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Leonardo DiCaprio? Plenty of people have dreamt of being an actor but it takes great lengths to actually become one.
Indeed, acting is one of the most difficult professions to get into and not many people end up becoming an A-list actor. Before receiving wide recognition, actor experience rejection after rejection. It can take countless auditions, acting classes and of course, blood, sweat, and tears to make it to the top.
But sometimes, life can shape one’s future in a way that he/she could’ve never imagined. For example, at age 16, Rosario Dawson, who was discovered when sitting on her New York City stoop never had any intentions of acting. Or Charlize Thero was spotted by a talent agent after she was yelling at a bank teller.
Below are 10 actors who landed life-changing movie roles with no experience got their big break by being in the right place at the right time
John Wayne never had the intention of working in Hollywood but aspired to be a professional football player. He played for the University of South Carolina's football team but because of his injury, he lost his scholarship. To make ends meet, he got a job as a prop boy at the Fox Film Corporation. Fortunately, John Ford, one of the top directors at the time notice him and decided to give him a role in “Mother Machree”. After that, he earned his first role in “The Big Trail”.
At a young age, Danny Trejo had a drug problem and was in and out of jail many times, so it’s hard to imagine he’d be a famous actor one day. During prison, he became a champion boxer. After being out of jail, he worked as a counselor. Once times, when helping a patient on the set of the movie “Runaway Train”, he was offered a small role in the prison. Since then, we’ve seen the actor in dozens of films.
David Boreanaz was famous for his role as Angel – the dark and very handsome vampire, in the surprise cult classic “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”. Since then, he was offered to star in some series. All of this fame might not have ever happened if he hadn’t been spotted, out for a walk with his dog.
Rosario Dawson was discovered while sitting on her front porch in New York City. She was asked to test for a role in the movie “Kids” (1995) and eventually nailed it. Since then, she’s starred in a number of acclaimed films.
Johnny Depp dreamt of being a musician. However, after he was introduced to actor Nicolas Cage, he was advised to pursue acting and so he did. His first role was in the movie “A Nightmare on Elm Street”. From then on, he became a teen idol and his career as an actor skyrocketed.
When attending a Canadian football game in 1989, he was featured on the stadium’s Jumbotron wearing a Labatt’s Beer T-shirt. Her picture attracted the beer brewing company’s attention. She was offered to become their spokesmodel and then, her life changed forever. She took a big leap from modeling to acting, landing some parts on television shows.
A Ford Modeling Agency agent spotted Evangeline Lilly while she was walking around the streets of British Columbia. Although she had no intention of modeling or acting, she needed money to pay for school. She started playing small roles in commercials and TV shows but she ultimately got her big break after auditioning for ABC's Lost.
A rep from Revlon spotted Natalie Portman – a nine-year-old girl, eating pizza in Long Island and got her into modeling. After a short time, she segued into acting. She got huge attention after playing a young girl who learns how to become an assassin in “The Professional”.
Jennifer Lawrence, the 12-years-old girl, was discovered on her vacation in The Big Apple by a talent agent. The Hunger Games star made her debut on the TV series “Monk” and received her first Oscar nod with Winter's Bone in 2010.
Firstly, Ashton Kutcher was studying biochemical engineering in the hopes of finding a cure for his twin brother’s cerebral palsy and septal heart defect. He began modeling and eventually acting when, one out at a bar, a model scout encouraged him to enter a modeling contest.
Indeed, acting is one of the most difficult professions to get into and not many people end up becoming an A-list actor. Before receiving wide recognition, actor experience rejection after rejection. It can take countless auditions, acting classes and of course, blood, sweat, and tears to make it to the top.
But sometimes, life can shape one’s future in a way that he/she could’ve never imagined. For example, at age 16, Rosario Dawson, who was discovered when sitting on her New York City stoop never had any intentions of acting. Or Charlize Thero was spotted by a talent agent after she was yelling at a bank teller.
Below are 10 actors who landed life-changing movie roles with no experience got their big break by being in the right place at the right time
#1 John Wayne - Aspired To Be A Football Player
Source: Britannica
John Wayne never had the intention of working in Hollywood but aspired to be a professional football player. He played for the University of South Carolina's football team but because of his injury, he lost his scholarship. To make ends meet, he got a job as a prop boy at the Fox Film Corporation. Fortunately, John Ford, one of the top directors at the time notice him and decided to give him a role in “Mother Machree”. After that, he earned his first role in “The Big Trail”.
#2 Danny Trejo - Never Believed He'd Be Acting After Being In And Out Of A Cell
Source: Ernesto Ruscio / Getty Images
At a young age, Danny Trejo had a drug problem and was in and out of jail many times, so it’s hard to imagine he’d be a famous actor one day. During prison, he became a champion boxer. After being out of jail, he worked as a counselor. Once times, when helping a patient on the set of the movie “Runaway Train”, he was offered a small role in the prison. Since then, we’ve seen the actor in dozens of films.
#3 David Boreanaz - Suggested To Play Angel After Being Spotted Walking His Dog
Source: Pinterest
David Boreanaz was famous for his role as Angel – the dark and very handsome vampire, in the surprise cult classic “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”. Since then, he was offered to star in some series. All of this fame might not have ever happened if he hadn’t been spotted, out for a walk with his dog.
#4 Rosario Dawson - Was Noticed On Her Front Porch In NYC
Source: East News
Rosario Dawson was discovered while sitting on her front porch in New York City. She was asked to test for a role in the movie “Kids” (1995) and eventually nailed it. Since then, she’s starred in a number of acclaimed films.
#5 Johnny Depp - Young Musician Became One Of Hollywood's Biggest Names
Source: Nightmare on Elm Street / New Line Cinema
Johnny Depp dreamt of being a musician. However, after he was introduced to actor Nicolas Cage, he was advised to pursue acting and so he did. His first role was in the movie “A Nightmare on Elm Street”. From then on, he became a teen idol and his career as an actor skyrocketed.
#6 Pamela Anderson - Picture On Football Jumbotron Made Her A Star
Source: Home Improvement / ABC
When attending a Canadian football game in 1989, he was featured on the stadium’s Jumbotron wearing a Labatt’s Beer T-shirt. Her picture attracted the beer brewing company’s attention. She was offered to become their spokesmodel and then, her life changed forever. She took a big leap from modeling to acting, landing some parts on television shows.
#7 Evangeline Lilly - Used Modeling Money To Pay For School
Source: Lost / ABC
A Ford Modeling Agency agent spotted Evangeline Lilly while she was walking around the streets of British Columbia. Although she had no intention of modeling or acting, she needed money to pay for school. She started playing small roles in commercials and TV shows but she ultimately got her big break after auditioning for ABC's Lost.
#8 Natalie Portman – Was Spotted While Eating Pizza
Source: IMDB
A rep from Revlon spotted Natalie Portman – a nine-year-old girl, eating pizza in Long Island and got her into modeling. After a short time, she segued into acting. She got huge attention after playing a young girl who learns how to become an assassin in “The Professional”.
#9 Jennifer Lawrence – Was Discovered In A Vacation
Source: Roadside Attractions
Jennifer Lawrence, the 12-years-old girl, was discovered on her vacation in The Big Apple by a talent agent. The Hunger Games star made her debut on the TV series “Monk” and received her first Oscar nod with Winter's Bone in 2010.
#10 Ashton Kutcher – Was Discovered In A Bar
Source: East News
Firstly, Ashton Kutcher was studying biochemical engineering in the hopes of finding a cure for his twin brother’s cerebral palsy and septal heart defect. He began modeling and eventually acting when, one out at a bar, a model scout encouraged him to enter a modeling contest.