How 10+ Stars Have Changed Since Their First Role

When Hollywood actors were at the beginning of their careers, they were full of hope, they dreamt about fame, and they had so much power and energy that it’s palpable in the photos of them that were taken decades ago.

We at Bright Side compared some of the earliest roles of famous actors to their later works. We think some of them still look ambitious. Do you agree?

Alicia Silverstone

At the age of 6, Alicia Silverstone started working as a model, appearing in TV projects and winning viewers’ hearts. She debuted in The Wonder Years in 1992 and she got the nickname, “dream girl.” After her role as Batgirl in Batman & Robin, which is considered to be one of the worst films of all time, Silverstone’s career has taken her to different places, from Bad Therapy to The Baby-Sitters Club. She’s also worked as a voice actress, appearing in the Canadian children’s show, Braceface and Masters of the Universe: Revelation.

Angelina Jolie

This beautiful actress first appeared on screen as a child, in the comedy Lookin’ to Get Out. Her mother and father were also in this film: actor Jon Voight and actress Marcheline Bertrand. Today, we can see Angelina Jolie in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and in 2021, we expect the film The Eternals to be released and it will reveal what happens after Avengers: Endgame.

Nicole Kidman

This Australian actress debuted in the film, Bush Christmas, and then continued her path in Hollywood. She had a second wave of popularity when she appeared in Big Little Lies and last year, the film Bombshell was released and it was really controversial. It was based on real events when 2 women started a revolution against their boss.

Elizabeth Hurley

22-year-old Elizabeth Hurley sang the part of Marietta in the film, Aria. After that, she appeared in several successful British and Hollywood movies. We saw her as an attractive devil in Bedazzled and then the English beauty decided to focus on producing movies and she started her own company. Some of her later roles include playing Queen Helena in The Royals and Morgan Le Fay in Runaways, where she looks absolutely gorgeous.

Ben Stiller

Ben Stiller debuted in the Kate & Allie television series. Since then, his career has taken an upward trajectory and he now has a long list of movies under his belt: more than 60 roles and successful experiences as a director and screenwriter. And we love Stiller for hit movies like Night at the Museum and Meet the Parents. One of his more recent films was Brad’s Status, about a man who questions his life choices.

Rose McGowan

The bright and controversial Rose McGowan first appeared on screen in Encino Man. She also appeared The Doom Generation as Amy, and for that, she got an Independent Spirit Award. Then, she played many other roles that made her a star, like 112 episodes as Paige Matthews in Charmed, and as Cherry Darling, who saves humanity from zombies in Planet Terror. Some of her most recent roles were in Indecision IV and appearances on the TV series Chopped.

Later, the actress became interested in music and wrote the book, Brave.

Kirstie Alley

In the ’90s, Kirstie was a star in It Takes Two and Look Who’s Talking, after making her first appearance in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Then, she disappeared from the big screen because she had problems regarding the extra weight she’d gained, which is why she only appeared in different reality shows like Kirstie Alley’s Big Life. But she managed to get back in shape and return to the screen. You might have seen her in The Goldbergs. One of her most recent roles was in Lifetime’s You Can’t Take My Daughter.

Jennifer Grey

Jennifer Grey made her film debut in Reckless. In 1986, she appeared in the film, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and one year later she got her big break when she got a part in Dirty Dancing alongside Patrick Swayze. Despite this great start, her career didn’t go very well. She’s had to play supporting roles and parts in TV series. Finally, she got a leading role in Wind, but the film wasn’t very successful. You may have also caught Grey in episodes of House, M.D., Grey’s Anatomy, and The Conners.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert’s career started in 1970 with the film Pound. But in his early work, he wasn’t even credited. His first full-fledged role was in Baby It’s You. Today, Robert is a Golden Globe winner, and an Oscar and Emmy nominee. He’s an extremely popular actor. He’s played Tony Stark and Dolittle and we’re looking forward to seeing him in All-Star Weekend, Sherlock Holmes 3, and Black Widow.

Renée Zellweger

The 2-time Oscar winner and owner of 4 Golden Globes started her career by debuting in Dazed and Confused. She also played the role of Starlene, a troubled girl who runs away from the police in Love and a .45. Today, Zellweger is a successful actress and her most recent work was on the Netflix show, What If.

Meg Ryan

After making her debut in Rich and Famous in 1981, Meg Ryan appeared in the film, Top Gun with Tom Cruise. Her role was so memorable that she was quoted and considered a rising star. In the ’90s, she had a lot of fans thanks to movies like Sleepless in Seattle, and When Harry Met Sally... And Meg Ryan’s haircuts were just as popular as Rachel’s hair (from Friends) would eventually be. One of her later roles was in Ithaca alongside Tom Hanks.

Christoph Waltz

The Austrian actor became widely popular thanks to his role as Standartenführer Hans Landa in the Quentin Tarantino film, Inglourious Basterds. He started his career almost 40 years ago in the black and white film, Kopfstand. Now, he has more than 60 roles under his belt, one of the more recent ones being Alita: Battle Angel. And this year, we hope to see him in the twenty-fifth James Bond movie, No Time to Die.

Eva Longoria

The star of Desperate Housewives started her career in an episode in Beverly Hills, 90210. She played a flight attendant there. Afterward, she had a series of very popular roles, and she tried herself as a director in Devious Maids. Today, you can see Longoria in commercials and TV shows, and last year, she appeared in Dora and the Lost City of Gold.

Bill Murray

In 1979, Bill Murray appeared in the comedy, Meatballs, and since then, he has appeared in more than 60 roles, the most famous one of which is Ghostbusters. Last year, you may have seen his short part in Zombieland: Double Tap, and even when pushing 70, he continued to work on projects with Wes Anderson and Sofia Coppola.

Jennifer Aniston

30 years ago, Jennifer Aniston appeared in her first movie, Camp Cucamonga. She had a big future ahead of her and would become the legendary Rachel in Friends. She most recently appeared in The Morning Show where she played a TV anchor fighting for her rights and a better life.

Hugh Jackman

The movie debut of the future Wolverine was in the crime thriller Profile of a Serial Killer. He became popular in 2 years — in 2000, he was invited to play the role of Logan in X-Men. The most recent movie he did was Bad Education on HBO.

Lena Headey

Lena Headey, more commonly remembered as Cersei by fans of Game of Thrones, appeared on screen at the age of 19 in the serious drama, Waterland, the adaptation of a Graham Swift novel. And in one of her recent movies, Fighting With My Family, she played a very interesting role and her bright red hair looked stunning. Together with Dwayne Johnson, they told the story of a wrestler and her family.

Jim Carrey

In his childhood, Jim Carrey loved making faces and later began doing stand-up in comedy clubs. In 1981, he debuted in Rubberface. Today, he has done more than 50 movies and is one of the highest-paid comedians in the world. In 2020, he appeared in the film, Sonic the Hedgehog.

Clint Eastwood

This legendary actor, movie director, and composer started his career as an extra in Revenge of the Creature, that was shot in 1955. Today, Clint Eastwood rarely appears on the screen himself: he works as a director. Last year, the biography Richard Jewell was released.

Which of the actors has changed the most since his or her first appearance on screen? Share your opinions in the comment section below!