The journey to stardom is not an easy one. While some celebrities are fortunate enough to be born into the business, others must work tirelessly to climb the ladder of success.
In fact, many of today's most famous stars began their careers as extras in television shows or movies, often just passing by as vague silhouettes in the background—so unrecognizable that you might be surprised to learn they were ever there.
Every actor has a story to tell, many of which come from humble beginnings that can be truly inspiring.
After all, nobody starts at the top, and becoming a great actor doesn’t happen overnight. With that in mind, here are ten celebrities who started as background actors, and their journeys might just surprise you.
1. Brad Pitt
Many may know Brad Pitt as Hollywood royalty, but his journey to stardom began much more modestly.
Before fame, he appeared as an extra in the 1987 film Less Than Zero, where he played a party-goer leaning against the wall.
That same year, he also had background roles in Hunk, as a boy at the beach, and in No Way Out, as a party guest.
But it was also in the same year that Pitt debuted on television, with a two-episode role on the NBC soap opera Another World.
As many might have noticed, with his impressive acting skills and striking looks, he started to secure more consistent acting opportunities then.
2. Marilyn Monroe
Before Marilyn Monroe became an icon in the 1950s and early 1960s, she began her career as an extra in the 1948 film Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!.
Although she was already signed to 20th Century Fox as a contract player at the time, she was still honing her skills in acting, singing, and dancing, which limited her to just one line: “Hi, Rad,” before quickly walking off-screen.
If you ever noticed a young woman in a pinafore walking down the church steps, that was Monroe.
3. John Wayne
John Wayne, known to many as "the Duke," was an iconic figure of Hollywood's Golden Age and a symbol of the American cowboy.
However, before he achieved legendary status, he worked as a background actor in several films.
He began his career as a prop boy and extra in the 1928 film Mother Machree. He also had uncredited roles in Brown of Harvard (1926) and The Dropkick (1927), where he notably played football alongside his real-life USC teammates.
His breakout role finally came in the 1939 movie Stagecoach, where he played the role of Ringo Kid and established his status as a leading man in Hollywood.
4. Renée Zellweger
Who would have thought that Renée Zellweger, one of the world’s highest-paid actresses in 2007, was once the "girl in the blue pickup truck" in the 1993 film Dazed and Confused?
She juggled various responsibilities at that time, working as a cocktail waitress while attending college and starting her acting career.
In her brief appearance, she walked past Matthew McConaughey’s character, Wooderson, outside the Emporium.
Although she was easy to miss in that role, she did appear in a couple of scenes as a wild high school student.
Today, Zellweger is famously known for her iconic roles as Bridget Jones and Dorothy Boyd, the character who famously told Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise), “You had me at hello.”.
5. Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone is now synonymous with his iconic roles as Rocky Balboa and John Rambo, but before he became a legendary action star, he started his career as a background actor in films like Downhill Racer, MASH*, and Lovers and Other Strangers.
His first notable appearance was in Woody Allen’s 1971 comedy Bananas, in which he played a mugger who harassed the lead character on the subway.
Initially, Allen considered sending Stallone back to the casting agency, believing he didn’t look tough enough for the role.
However, Stallone proved his worth, ultimately establishing himself as a Hollywood icon known for his powerful performances in action films.
6. Daniel Day-Lewis
Often described as one of the greatest actors in cinema history, Daniel Day-Lewis began his career with a small role as a child vandal in the 1971 film Sunday Bloody Sunday.
In this film, the 14-year-old Day-Lewis scratched the side of a blue car with a broken bottle.
Over a decade later, he had his big break in the 1985 movie My Beautiful Laundrette, where he earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of Johnny, a former right-wing punk who enters into a romantic relationship with a Pakistani-British young man.
He continued to deliver standout performances in films such as A Room with a View (1985) and The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988), further solidifying his status as a legendary actor.
7. Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio began his career by appearing in classic television series at a young age.
Before gaining recognition as Luke Brower in the hit ABC sitcom Growing Pains, he had an uncredited role as Darlene’s classmate on Roseanne.
Interestingly, he was also part of Ron Howard’s sitcom Parenthood at the time, playing Garry Buckman, which suggests he was taking on as many projects as possible.
He didn’t need to juggle multiple roles for long, though; his career truly took off with his acclaimed performance in the 1993 film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, where he portrayed a mentally challenged teenager and earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
However, it was his role as Romeo in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet (1996) that turned him into a household name and a teen heartthrob, launching him into stardom.
8. Channing Tatum
Many may not realize that Channing Tatum's first foray into the entertainment industry as an actor was as a bartender in Ricky Martin's music video for She Bangs, which likely prepared him for his later role in Magic Mike.
He was also set to have a whole scene in War of the Worlds in 2005, but it was ultimately cut down to a brief moment where he runs behind Tom Cruise's character during an alien attack on a church.
As a result, he only appeared as a silhouette beside a police officer dressed in a jacket, cap, and jeans.
Fortunately, Tatum made his official film debut that same year in Coach Carter, where he played Jason Lyle.
9. Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis began his career on the off-Broadway stage before transitioning to film and television.
He started as a background actor in The First Deadly Sin (1980) as a man entering a diner and in The Verdict (1981) as a court audience member, sitting in the third row and wearing a grey suit.
Willis then achieved his breakout role as David Addison Jr. in the television series Moonlighting (1985-1989), showing off his talent and charisma.
This success paved the way for his iconic portrayal of John McClane in the blockbuster film Die Hard (1988), which catapulted him to Hollywood stardom.
10. Ben Affleck
Before Ben Affleck became the big star he is today, he appeared as an extra in the 1989 sports fantasy film Field of Dreams alongside his best friend, Matt Damon, proving they had been good friends since they started in the business.
He also had a background role in The Good Mother.
Although he already gained recognition in Dazed and Confused, marking him as a rising star in Hollywood, he was featured as a basketball player in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie.
Affleck's biggest break came when he co-wrote and starred in the 1997 film Good Will Hunting, again alongside Damon, which won them the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.