Well-known movies that famous people were in when they weren\'t famous
 

OK, some ground rules first:

This should not be a "breakout" movie that this person is known for - for example "Ed Burns in Brothers McMullen" does not qualify. Really, they should usually not even have a major part in the film.

Similar point, but even broader - even if they were famous then, it should not be well-known that this actor was in that movie. So films like The Outsiders, The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo's Fire, etc. don't qualify even if some of those people weren't famous yet - everyone knows who was in those movies.

Very obscure movies don't count either - a part in some movie nobody has heard of doesn't count. Nobody cares that Brad Pitt was in Cutting Class.

OK, that said, what am I talking about then?

Basically, I am talking about famous actors having some minor role in a big movie. Then you see it again later after the person becomes famous and say, WTF, is that so-and-so?!?!?! Wow, I never realized HE was in that movie!

Here's a non-movie one to give you an idea. I'm watching an old Punk'd the other day and one of the actors playing a restaurant employee is BJ NOVAK FROM THE OFFICE, WTF!?!?! Hahaha, I guess work is work! Actually, I guess TV shows qualify for this too.

OK, so my first nomination for this thread.

David Caruso was in First Blood (Rambo). He played a young deputy. It was on cable last week and I had to do a double take - WTF, is that David Caruso!?!?!

Re: Well-known movies that famous people were in when they weren\'t fam
 

My nomination: Richard Dreyfuss in The Graduate. He was one of the other tenants in Benjamin's Berkeley apartment building.

Re: Well-known movies that famous people were in when they weren\'t famous
 

Arnold Schwarzenegger was a mute bodyguard in Altman's The Long Goodbye.
Cuba Gooding in Coming to America

Re: Well-known movies that famous people were in when they weren\'t fam
 

Nat Portman in 'Heat'

Awesome interplay with Pacino.

Re: Well-known movies that famous people were in when they weren\'t fam
 

IIR BJ Novak may have done some "writing" for Punked as well.

A classic one is Cliff Claven in Empire Strikes Back.

Re: Well-known movies that famous people were in when they weren\'t fam
 

Sam Jackson in Goodfellas. He's some young, forgettable gangster. I'm not sure if he even has a line of dialogue. But there he is.

Re: Well-known movies that famous people were in when they weren\'t fam *DELETED*
 

Post deleted by woodguy

Re: Well-known movies that famous people were in when they weren\'t fam
 

All,

Both of these are borderline, but a lot of people who know him from Swingers don't realize Jon Favreau was the big fat guy in PCU (is that a well-known movie? maybe not) and Rudy.

Re: Well-known movies that famous people were in when they weren\'t fam
 

[ QUOTE ]
Sam Jackson in Goodfellas. He's some young, forgettable gangster. I'm not sure if he even has a line of dialogue. But there he is.

[/ QUOTE ]
He f*cks up the getaway and they shoot him in the head while making coffee. He has a couple lines. His role in Jurassic Park wasn't too many steps above this, either.

Re: Well-known movies that famous people were in when they weren\'t famous
 

Kevin Bacon in Animal House
Nick Cage and Anthony Edwards in Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Renee Zellwigger in Dazed and Confused

For television- Leo Di Caprio in Growing Pains
George Cloony in Rosanne

Lea Thompson in Burger King commercials

That's it for now