Top 10 Movies That Turned an Unknown Actor Into a Global Megastar

Matt Damon

Long before he was one of the film industry’s biggest names, Matt Damon was a Harvard student appearing in plays and a handful of films. After leaving the Ivy League school, he began collaborating with his pal, Ben Affleck, on a script which would become known as “Good Will Hunting”. Not only did Damon co-write the screenplay, but he also started as the titular character, a mathematical genius from a rough upbringing. The film launched Damon into the Hollywood stratosphere, and earned him and Affleck the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. He soon found himself as one of Hollywood’s leading men, with noteworthy turns in “The Talented Mr. Ripley” just two years later, and the “Bourne” franchise.

Dev Patel

Before he became a movie star, Dev Patel cut his teeth on the British teen drama series, “Skins”. Only a short time later, he booked the lead role of Jamal Malik in Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionaire”. A thrilling tale of a young man from Mumbai who gets a chance to compete on “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?”, the film became a huge success, grossing nearly $400 million and winning the Oscar for Best Picture. Patel was nominated for a BAFTA Award and quickly saw his career transform significantly. Soon, he was taking on more leading roles and even ventured into directing with 2024’s “Monkey Man.” Some might call it luck, but for Patel, his rise to fame has always been “written”.

Lupita Nyong'o

After graduating from the prestigious Yale School of Drama, Lupita Nyong'o went from student to Academy Award-winning performer, and all it took was one movie. With her debut feature film role in the Steve McQueen period piece, “12 Years A Slave,” Nyong'o captivated audiences around the world and became a household name. The film follows the harrowing true story of Solomon Northup, a free Black man who was sold into slavery during the 1800s. Nyong’o played Patsey, a role which earned her rave reviews and the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Since then, she has starred in hits like “Us”, and franchises such as “Star Wars” and “Black Panther”. A star since her feature debut, Nyong'o certainly is a legend in the making.

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt is arguably one of the biggest movie stars of the century. That said, it is hard to imagine a time when he was a struggling young actor. After earning small credits here and there, he finally found his footing with an appearance in Ridley Scott’s “Thelma & Louise”. A thrilling crime drama about two best friends on the run, it was the perfect vehicle for Pitt. His role as Geena Davis’ love interest, J.D., garnered him a lot of attention and set the stage for his meteoric rise to the spotlight. Today, Pitt is an A-list actor and producer, with an award-winning career that many can only dream of.

Daniel Kaluuya

In 2017, the horror genre found its newest icon in the person of Jordan Peele. The writer and director of “Get Out” forged a name for himself thanks to the film’s acclaim and his Oscar win. But Peele is not its only success story. The film also made a star out of lead actor Daniel Kaluuya. No stranger to showbiz, Kaluuya had appeared in several onscreen projects before landing the breakout role. In the terrifying psychological horror, he played Chris, a Black man who discovers a sinister plot when he meets his white girlfriend’s family. It earned Kaluuya an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, and though he didn’t win in that category, he ended up clinching a Best Supporting Actor Award just four years later.

Zach Galifianakis


Fans of Zach Galifianakis knew long before “The Hangover” that he was a pretty big deal in the comedy scene. However, it was the 2009 movie that truly launched him into super stardom. The flick about a Las Vegas bachelor party gone very wrong, also features Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms, but it was Galifianakis who stole the show as the perplexing but kind-hearted Alan. The success of the film produced sequels and a massive fanbase. It also brought Galifianakis endless opportunities in the industry, while allowing him to stay true to his unique and distinct brand of comedy.

Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis has punched, kicked and jabbed his way through some of the silver screen’s biggest action flicks. However, his career wouldn’t have been the same if it wasn’t for a little film called “Die Hard”. The ‘80s classic follows a cop trying to save as many lives as possible after a skyscraper gets overtaken by terrorists on Christmas Eve. Playing the role of John McClane, Willis not only gave a great performance but turned the movie into a pop culture phenomenon. It took him from being an actor known mostly for his TV work to one of Hollywood’s foremost leading men. He went on to headline other action epics like “12 Monkeys”, “The Fifth Element” and of course, the “Die Hard” sequels.

Chris Hemsworth

Joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe almost always guarantees success, just ask Chris Hemsworth! The Australian actor became a bonafide superstar when director Kenneth Branagh cast him as the ultimate Norse God, Thor, in the eponymous 2011 film. Prior to that, Hemsworth was known primarily for his work on the Aussie soap opera, “Home & Away”. Although he had both TV and film credits under his belt, “Thor” was a game changer for his career. The MCU afforded him worldwide recognition, fame and an action packed career. In fact, by 2014, Forbes named Hemsworth as one of the World's Highest Paid Actors!

Sandra Bullock

Today, Sandra Bullock is known as an Academy Award-winning actress. However, in the late 80s, she was an unknown name, still trying to establish herself. She appeared in a slew of both indie and action flicks, but in 1994, her career picked up momentum. Alongside Keanu Reeves, Bullock starred in “Speed”, a vehicular thriller about a bomb on board a bus barreling its way through LA. The gripping blockbuster amassed $350 million at the international box office, and with numbers like that, you could say Bullock’s career was steered in the right direction. She followed “Speed” up with leading roles in other ‘90s films, before becoming a bona fide superstar the next decade, earning an Oscar for 2009’s “The Blind Side.”

Julia Roberts


1990 was a big year for Julia Roberts. Not only was she nominated for an Academy Award for “Steel Magnolias”, but she also starred in the film that would turn her into a leading lady. In “Pretty Woman”, Roberts portrayed an escort Vivian, who is paid to spend the week with Edward, a well-off business man played by Richard Gere. The romantic comedy was a massive box office success and became a cultural sensation due in large part to Roberts' endearing performance. The film even garnered her a second Oscar nomination, and a career that can’t be topped.



Which one of the breakout roles is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!