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24 Stars Who Appeared In Music Videos Before They Skyrocketed To Fame

Did you know RDJ was in an Elton John music video?

24 Stars Who Appeared In Music Videos Before They Skyrocketed To Fame

There's really no easy way to fame—except when you're a nepotism baby, that is. But for most people who actually had to claw their way into success, it was never an easy journey to take.

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Some had to go through auditions after auditions, and once they landed a gig, it was most likely just a teeny tiny part—but at least they had already taken their first steps into stardom, even if it's still barely a step at first. Some would land a job as an extra for a film or a show, having the opportunity to work with some of the biggest stars but only being seen as one of the many people in the background—unseen, unheard, and barely noticeable at all.

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But that's already everything for these aspiring actors. As they slowly land more and more gigs, they begin to work their way up, and some of them find themselves having the opportunity to be featured in other interesting projects such as music videos—especially when their fame is already starting to pick up after starring in their breakthrough films.

Now, lo and behold, here are some of our favorite actors who were featured in music videos in the early years of their careers—just before they cemented their reputations in Hollywood:

1. You would probably recognize Taye Diggs from Rent, All American, or Private Practice.

1. You would probably recognize Taye Diggs from Rent, All American, or Private Practice.Amy Sussman / Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
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But he also actually played a poker player in the music video for "Temptations" by 2Pac way back in 1995.

But he also actually played a poker player in the music video for UMG Recordings, Inc.
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Take a look at the video here:

2. Rosario Dawson first starred in Kids, but she also appeared in this music video at the start of her career.

2. Rosario Dawson first starred in Kids, but she also appeared in this music video at the start of her career.Karwai Tang / Getty Images

It was "Out of Control" by The Chemical Brothers in 1999.

It was Virgin Records Ltd

Watch the video here:

3. Matt LeBlanc became a household name when he played Joey in Friends, but he actually starred in some music videos before he became renowned.

3. Matt LeBlanc became a household name when he played Joey in Friends, but he actually starred in some music videos before he became renowned.Margaret Norton / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

He was featured in a lot of music videos in the '90s, but one of the most prominent ones was Alanis Morissette's 1991 music video for "Walk Away."

He was featured in a lot of music videos in the '90s, but one of the most prominent ones was Alanis Morissette's 1991 music video for MCA Records

Watch the video here:

4. Also from Friends, Courteney Cox appeared in a major '80s music video before becoming known as Monica Geller.

4. Also from Friends, Courteney Cox appeared in a major '80s music video before becoming known as Monica Geller.Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images

It was Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark" music video from 1984.

It was Bruce Springsteen's Columbia Records

Watch the video here:

5. Zooey Deschanel became a favorite in 500 Days of Summer and for her stint in New Girl.

5. Zooey Deschanel became a favorite in 500 Days of Summer and for her stint in New Girl.Karwai Tang / Getty Images

But she actually starred in The Offspring's 1999 "She's Got Issues" music video—and it was only the third role she landed.

But she actually starred in The Offspring's 1999 Round Hill Records

Watch the video here:

6. Jeremy Renner is known as Hawkeye in the Avengers films and a TV show, and for his role in The Hurt Locker.

6. Jeremy Renner is known as Hawkeye in the Avengers films and a TV show, and for his role in The Hurt Locker.Theo Wargo / Getty Images for Disney

But he actually appeared in P!nk's 2003 music video for "Trouble" way before he became really, really famous.

But he actually appeared in P!nk's 2003 music video for LaFace Records

Watch the video here:

7. Sebastian Stan singlehandedly stole our hearts, but his rise to fame started way before he appeared as Bucky in the MCU.

7. Sebastian Stan singlehandedly stole our hearts, but his rise to fame started way before he appeared as Bucky in the MCU.Kevin Mazur / Getty Images

Three years before he became Bucky, he appeared in Hayden Panettiere's music video for "Wake Up Call" in 2008. This was three years before he played Bucky Barnes.

Three years before he became Bucky, he appeared in Hayden Panettiere's music video for Hollywood Records

Watch the video here:

8. Alexander Skarsgård may now be a critically acclaimed actor, but back when the first season of True Blood was being filmed, he starred in a strange music video with a new artist.

8. Alexander Skarsgård may now be a critically acclaimed actor, but back when the first season of True Blood was being filmed, he starred in a strange music video with a new artist.Mike Marsland / Mike Marsland / WireImage via Getty Images

As it turns out, that strange music video was actually Lady Gaga's music video for "Paparazzi" in 2009.

As it turns out, that strange music video was actually Lady Gaga's music video for Interscope Records

Watch the iconic video here:

9. Robert Downey Jr. has long cemented his status as an actor, but he's still worth mentioning here—especially since his music video stint happened way before he became Iron Man.

9. Robert Downey Jr. has long cemented his status as an actor, but he's still worth mentioning here—especially since his music video stint happened way before he became Iron Man.Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

It was Elton John's "I Want Love."

It was Elton John's The Rocket Record Company / Mercury Records

Watch the video here:

10. Timothy Granaderos Jr. is an actor from 13 Reasons Why.

10. Timothy Granaderos Jr. is an actor from 13 Reasons Why.Gregg Deguire / WireImage via Getty Images

He had a small part in the "Love You Like a Love Song" video in 2011. It was actually his first role.

He had a small part in the Hollywood Records

Watch the video here:

11. X-Men star Lucas Till has a very long list of projects, and it's impossible that you've never seen him before, even if you don't recognize him.

11. X-Men star Lucas Till has a very long list of projects, and it's impossible that you've never seen him before, even if you don't recognize him.Francois G. Durand / Getty Images

But back in 2009, he was the lead in Taylor Swift's iconic music video for "You Belong with Me."

But back in 2009, he was the lead in Taylor Swift's iconic music video for Big Machine Records

Watch the memorable music video here:

12. Miranda Kerr had already cemented her status as a model by 2006, but she rose to fame when she became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2007.

12. Miranda Kerr had already cemented her status as a model by 2006, but she rose to fame when she became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2007.Jon Kopaloff / FilmMagic via Getty Images

But a year before that, she appeared in the music video for "Number One" by Pharrell ft. Kanye West.

But a year before that, she appeared in the music video for Virgin, Star Trak, Interscope

Watch the video here:

13. Kim Kardashian, of course, is easily recognizable anywhere in the world.

13. Kim Kardashian, of course, is easily recognizable anywhere in the world.Karwai Tang / Getty Images

But back in 2007, when their TV show had just started, she actually starred in Fall Out Boy's "Thnks fr th Mmrs."

But back in 2007, when their TV show had just started, she actually starred in Fall Out Boy's The Island Def Jam Music Group

Watch the video here:

14. It's impossible not to know Angelina Jolie—but she was pretty much just starting out in the early '90s.

14. It's impossible not to know Angelina Jolie—but she was pretty much just starting out in the early '90s.Alex Wong / Getty Images

In 1991, her second role was in Antonello Venditti's music video for "Alta marea."

In 1991, her second role was in Antonello Venditti's music video for Heinz Music Srl

Watch the video here:

15. Chrissy Teigen seems to be everywhere now, but she wasn't always this famous.

15. Chrissy Teigen seems to be everywhere now, but she wasn't always this famous.Amy Sussman / Getty Images

Before she became a famous model, she starred in John Legend's "Stereo" music video in 2007. And yep, this is where their love story started!

Before she became a famous model, she starred in John Legend's Columbia Records

Watch the video here:

16. Evan Rachel Wood is known for a lot of films.

16. Evan Rachel Wood is known for a lot of films.Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic for HBO via Getty Images

But she once appeared in Green Day's 2005 music video for "Wake Me Up When September Ends."

But she once appeared in Green Day's 2005 music video for Reprise Records

Watch the video here:

17. Ana de Armas starred with her then-boyfriend Ben Affleck in Deep Water, and she also appeared in No Time to Die, Blade Runner 2049, and Knives Out in the last five years, skyrocketing her fame.

17. Ana de Armas starred with her then-boyfriend Ben Affleck in Deep Water, and she also appeared in No Time to Die, Blade Runner 2049, and Knives Out in the last five years, skyrocketing her fame.Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images For Louis Vuitton

But way back, she once starred in Sidecars' 2009 song "Mundo Fragil."

But way back, she once starred in Sidecars' 2009 song Allison Music, S.L./SBME España, S.L.

Watch the video here:

18. Eva Mendes is known for her many films, including her marriage to Ryan Gosling, but she also starred in some music videos back then.

18. Eva Mendes is known for her many films, including her marriage to Ryan Gosling, but she also starred in some music videos back then.Alexander Tamargo / FilmMagic via Getty Images

One of these was in 1997, for Aerosmith's "Hole in My Soul."

One of these was in 1997, for Aerosmith's Columbia Records

Watch the music video here:

19. Another Aerosmith "It Girl" was Alicia Silverstone, best known as Cher from 1995's Clueless.

19. Another Aerosmith CBS via Getty Images

She was featured in four Aerosmith music videos before her role in Clueless. Her first appearance was in 1993's "Cryin'."

She was featured in four Aerosmith music videos before her role in Clueless. Her first appearance was in 1993's

Watch the video here:

20. While some appeared in music videos as adults, Jennifer Connelly was actually still a kid in her first music video appearance.

20. While some appeared in music videos as adults, Jennifer Connelly was actually still a kid in her first music video appearance.Victor Boyko / Getty Images

This was her first acting role overall. It was Duran Duran's "Union of the Snake" in 1983.

This was her first acting role overall. It was Duran Duran's Sony ATV Publishing

Watch the video here:

21. Zach Galifianakis became famous for his role in 2009's The Hangover.

21. Zach Galifianakis became famous for his role in 2009's The Hangover.Jon Kopaloff / FilmMagic via Getty Images

But way back, he was in Fiona Apple's "Not About Love" music video in 2005.

But way back, he was in Fiona Apple's Epic Records

Watch the video here:

22. Bobby Moynihan is known as an SNL comedian and actor.

22. Bobby Moynihan is known as an SNL comedian and actor.Jesse Grant / Getty Images for Disney

But when he was just starting out on SNL, he starred as the love interest in Colbie Caillat's 2009 song "Fallin' for You."

But when he was just starting out on SNL, he starred as the love interest in Colbie Caillat's 2009 song Universal Records

Watch the video here:

23. Mekhi Phifer has a lot of roles and credits.

23. Mekhi Phifer has a lot of roles and credits.Leon Bennett / FilmMagic via Getty Images

But his first roles were in music videos—including "Don't Let Go (Love)" by En Vogue and "Nobody" by Keith Sweat—and most especially, Brandy and Monica's "The Boy Is Mine" from 1998.

But his first roles were in music videos—including Atlantic Records

Watch the video here:

24. You probably recognize Adrian Grenier as the annoying boyfriend from The Devil Wears Prada.

24. You probably recognize Adrian Grenier as the annoying boyfriend from The Devil Wears Prada.Eugene Gologursky / Getty Images for CoinGeek

But way before that, he starred in Britney Spears' 1999 "(You Drive Me) Crazy" music video.

But way before that, he starred in Britney Spears' 1999 Jive Records

Watch the video here:

Almost everyone in Hollywood definitely had their humble beginnings, and it's definitely crazy to see these now-very-famous stars appearing in these old music videos—it just shows how much time has gone by and how they have utilized their talents and hard work throughout the years!

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