10 Actors Who Started Out as Movie Extras but Are Now Very Famous and Well-Known in Their Careers
Actors all start their careers from somewhere, and these actors began as extras in films.
We are back again with another celebrity post where we take a look into the lives of celebrities. We'll be discussing 10 actors who actually started out as extras in films before making it to the big screen and landing major roles.
Many actors begin their careers as extras, whether by choice or because someone wanted to see how they would perform before casting them in a larger role. Often, people can act as extras and be recognized for their talent, later receiving offers for major roles.
If you're interested in actors and want to know how they got into the careers they’re in, then you'll want to stay tuned as we explore these 10 actors and what they did before they secured lead roles. Many of these actors might have even been overlooked in their roles as extras, simply because most of us weren't paying attention.
So, with all this being said, we are going to dive in and check out these 10 actors who started out as extras in films before making it big on the big screen in major roles. Let's see where these actors began.
1. Julianne Hough
Julianne Hough actually played a small role in Harry Potter as an extra cheering for Gryffindor. She initially wanted to test out acting but ended up pursuing dancing instead.
Source2. Regé-Jean Page
He played an extra in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.” Viewers can spot him in the background of Bill and Fleur’s wedding. This was long before his role in Bridgerton, for which he is now well-known.
Source3. Simu Liu
Simu Liu is a popular Chinese-Canadian actor who made headlines by playing the role of Shang-Chi in the “Marvel blockbuster - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” However, he started off as an extra in many movies and even worked as a stuntman.
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4. Megan Fox
Megan Fox was actually an extra as a dancer in Bad Boys II before she starred in many different movies, including Transformers.
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5. Jesy Nelson
Jesy Nelson started out as a student in About A Boy before she joined the girl group Little Mix.
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6. Toby Jones
Toby voiced Dobby in Harry Potter, but most people know him from his role in Captain America.
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7. Eva Mendes
Eva Mendes played a bridesmaid in the film A Night At The Roxbury, which was quite a small role. However, it got her recognized, leading to a significant role in Ghost Rider.
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8. Derek Hough
Derek Hough played a few small roles in Harry Potter and other films before appearing on Dancing With The Stars, where he won a total of six times.
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9. Channing Tatum
Channing Tatum appeared in the movie War Of The Worlds before gaining fame through other major films as the lead character. He was seen running alongside Tom Cruise in the film.
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10. Renée Zellweger
She started off as an extra in Dazed & Confused, which eventually led to her starring role in Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation.
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Some actors began their careers as extras and background actors. This was the case for Jennifer Aniston, who started her career as an extra on shows such as Molloy and Herman’s Head before landing her breakout role on the sitcom Friends.
Similarly, Benedict Cumberbatch began his career as an extra in various films and television shows before eventually landing a lead role in the television series Sherlock.
