1. Julianne Hough
Julianne Hough, known for her incredible dancing skills, actually made a brief appearance in *Harry Potter* as an extra. In the scene, she’s spotted cheering for Gryffindor during a Quidditch match. Though her love for dancing took her career in a different direction, it’s interesting to see her early start in acting.
2. Regé-Jean Page
Before his breakthrough role in *Bridgerton*, Regé-Jean Page had a background role in *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1*. He played an extra at Bill and Fleur’s wedding scene. Little did viewers know that this face in the background would go on to be one of television’s hottest leading men.
3. Simu Liu
Simu Liu, now famous for his portrayal of Shang-Chi in Marvel’s *Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings*, had a much humbler beginning. He started out as an extra and a stuntman in several projects before landing his breakthrough role. His journey from background work to superhero stardom is truly inspirational.
4. Megan Fox
Long before her starring roles in movies like *Transformers*, Megan Fox appeared as an extra in *Bad Boys II*. In the film, she was seen dancing in a club scene, a small role that preceded her rise to fame as one of Hollywood’s leading actresses.
5. Jesy Nelson
Before becoming a global sensation with the girl group Little Mix, Jesy Nelson had a brief appearance in the movie *About A Boy*. She played a student, blending into the background, but her career in music soon took off, leading her to fame.
6. Toby Jones
Known for voicing Dobby in the *Harry Potter* films and later for his role in *Captain America: The First Avenger*, Toby Jones started with small parts before gaining recognition. His voice work as Dobby remains iconic, and his transition into blockbuster films has solidified his place in the acting world.
7. Eva Mendes
Eva Mendes got her start playing a bridesmaid in the comedy *A Night at the Roxbury*. This small role helped her gain recognition, eventually leading to major roles in films like *Ghost Rider* and *Hitch*. Mendes quickly became a household name in Hollywood.
8. Derek Hough
Before dominating the dance floor on *Dancing With the Stars*, Derek Hough made appearances as an extra in films like *Harry Potter*. While his role in the magical world was brief, his fame skyrocketed as he became a six-time champion on the hit dancing show.
9. Channing Tatum
Channing Tatum had a blink-and-you-miss-it role as an extra in *War of the Worlds*, where he was seen running alongside Tom Cruise. This early appearance didn’t garner much attention, but soon after, he gained recognition for his roles in movies like *Step Up* and *Magic Mike*.
10. Renée Zellweger
Before achieving major success, Renée Zellweger appeared as an extra in *Dazed and Confused*. This small part eventually led her to starring roles, including her notable performance in *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation*. From there, her career skyrocketed, and she became one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses.
Honorable Mentions: More Actors Who Started in the Background
While the 10 actors above managed to turn their extra roles into major opportunities, there are many more who followed similar paths. Jennifer Aniston, for instance, began her career with minor roles in shows like *Molloy* and *Herman’s Head* before landing her iconic role as Rachel Green in *Friends*. Similarly, Benedict Cumberbatch started as a background actor before eventually rising to prominence in the hit series *Sherlock*.
Many actors begin their careers in modest ways, but their talent, perseverance, and hard work allow them to rise to the top. Whether they began as extras or in minor roles, they’ve all become stars in their own right, showing that even the smallest roles can lead to big opportunities.
