Photo Credit ( Pixels )

This week’s article discussed Rooney Mara’s guest appearance on Law & Order: SVU, one of her early acting roles. She describes the position as “ridiculous,” which, let’s face it, it probably was, and expresses her lack of pride in the occasion. However, that need not be a source of shame. Ultimately, a lot of talented actors—or at least well-known ones—began with little roles in corny films and television series, particularly in thrillers, criminal dramas, and soap operas. We’ve made the decision to examine some of the most infamous (and obscure) early roles of performers and actresses who have endured the test of time, inspired by Mara. These are just a few of our personal favorites; feel free to share your own in the comments! Of course, there are countless others because every actor has to start somewhere!

1955’s Revenge of the Creature starring Clint Eastwood

No, Clint Eastwood wasn’t always a tough, menacing man in his early 20s; there was a period in his career when he resembled David Bowie. To be fair, though, it was a black and white period. In the Creature from the Black Lagoon sequel, Eastwood plays a lab technician in an uncredited part, marking his first documented on-screen performance.

In the 1970 film The Party at Kitty and Stud’s, Sylvester Stallone

In contrast to most other actors on this list, Stallone made his feature film debut in a leading part. That movie was a softcore pornographic picture, which sets it apart from many of the other actors on this list. After labeling the movie as “horrendous,” the actor gave an explanation, stating, “I was at the very end of my rope and it was either do that movie or rob someone.” I worked two days for $200 and got myself out of the bus terminal instead of giving in to desperation. Wouldn’t he have been better off going straight into a boxing match?

Michelle Williams in 1993’s Baywatch

We never would have imagined that, at the age of thirteen, Michelle Williams’ first part would have involved her sprinting along the beach in her bikini. We’ve already come to terms with Dawson’s Creek, but it won’t happen for another five years.

Johnny Depp in the 1984 film A Nightmare on Elm Street We see a lot of Johnny Depp’s stomach in his much-discussed debut film role before he is sucked into the bed. Even if it was still early, we believe that Depp should have done better than to be merely another adolescent victim in a horror movie.

Jack Black in 1992’s Bob Roberts

In this mockumentary, which was based on a character Tim Robbins did on Saturday Night Live in 1986, Black had one of his first jobs as an enthusiastic teenager. Seeing him this young is really strange, as he looks to be one of those special individuals who have always been and always will be precisely who they are. John Cusack, Susan Sarandon, and Helen Hunt all have supporting parts in the movie.

Tom Hanks in the 1980 film He Knows You’re Alone Yes, a corny slasher movie was where the indisputable Tom Hanks got his start. His character was allegedly supposed to be killed off in the original script, but the director changed the story to allow him to survive. Fear not—Splash was his next feature film.

Jack Nicholson in the 1958 film The Cry Baby Killer

One of our all-time favorite corny taglines from Nicholson’s feature debut, which was released when he was just 21 (and, to be honest, hardly recognizable), read, “YESTERDAY a Teenage Rebel… TODAY a Mad-Dog Slayer!” Relaxing.

Brad Pitt in 1987’s Another World

Pitt had his first speaking role in two episodes of the soap opera Another World, following a string of uncredited walk-on parts, most notably as one of the preppie guys in Less Than Zero.

Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round, starring Harrison Ford, 1966

In this crime drama starring James Coburn, Harrison Ford makes his first uncredited on-screen cameo as a bellhop. He’s youthful and smooth-cheeked, but he looks exactly the same.

Demi Moore (1982–1983) on General Hospital

Demi Moore, another actor who made her debut in a soap opera, began her career as a model and appeared in a few unheard-of movies before landing her major role as Jackie Templeton on General Hospital.