From Small Screen to Silver Screen: 10 Movie Stars Who Started Their Careers in Forgotten TV Shows

Numerous renowned Hollywood movie stars initially gained recognition through TV shows that have long faded from memory. Despite the current critical success of television, the medium was not always considered prestigious. In the past, television was often viewed as a stepping stone towards larger and more illustrious opportunities for up-and-coming actors.

Although popular TV shows could elevate stars to A-list status, movies were widely seen as a more glamorous and esteemed path to screen fame. Consequently, transitioning from TV shows to movies was a significant milestone for young actors. This still holds true today, however, the emergence of critically acclaimed and cinematic television shows like Stranger Things and Game of Thrones has led contemporary actors to frequently move between television and film. In the 1990s and 2000s, on the other hand, shifting from television to movie stardom was a clear sign of an actor's career trajectory on the rise. This is why there are several forgotten shows that are only remembered for providing early starring roles for future movie actors.

10 Ryan Gosling—Breaker High

Breaker High, a teen comedy-drama, featured a group of students receiving education aboard a cruise ship. The show aired for one season, from 1997 to 1998. This Canadian comedy series resembled Saved By The Bell, but had a unique maritime setting. Notably, Breaker High introduced future superstar Ryan Gosling, who portrayed the hilarious class clown, Sean Hanlon. Hanlon served as comedic relief in Breaker High's cast, long before Gosling achieved A-list status through movies like Drive, La La Land, and the underrated Shane Black action-comedy The Nice Guys.

9 Brie Larson and Kat Dennings—Raising Dad

Raising Dad, a sentimental sitcom, aired for one season from 2001 to 2002. The show featured Bob Saget from Full House, portraying the character of Matt, a widower who attempts to raise his two teenage daughters while working as a teacher in their school. Notably, the series introduced Kat Dennings and Brie Larson as the on-screen daughters. Since the show ended, Dennings has made a name for herself in movies like Thor, The House Bunny, and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, while Larson has achieved success as Captain Marvel in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

8 Zac Efron—Summerland

The drama series Summerland aired for two seasons, spanning from 2004 to 2005. Similar to Raising Dad, Summerland revolved around a sorrowful storyline where a designer took on the responsibility of raising her niece and nephews following the tragic demise of their parents. In the first season of Summerland, Zac Efron portrayed the best friend of one of the children, and by the second season, he had become a regular cast member. Several years later, Efron achieved superstardom by securing leading roles in popular blockbusters such as Baywatch, The Greatest Showman, and the comedic franchise Neighbors.

7 Ryan Reynolds—Two Guys and a Girl (And a Pizza Place)

Two Guys and a Girl (And a Pizza Place) was one of several sitcoms in the early 2000s that centered around a group of lazy individuals and their efforts to balance work, relationships, and social life. The show aired for four seasons, though it was eventually renamed as Two Guys and a Girl after the pizza place motif was dropped. The sitcom doesn't possess any remarkable qualities, except for the fact that Ryan Reynolds portrayed one of the main characters. Prior to his portrayal of the scarred superhero Deadpool, Reynolds played the endearing everyman antihero in this relatively obscure series.

6 Anne Hathaway and Jesse Eisenberg—Get Real

5 Mae Whitman and Alia Shawkat—State of Grace

was a short-lived comedy-drama that attempted to differentiate itself from numerous competitors with its use of meta-humor. However, apart from a few moments where the protagonists directly addressed the camera,

5 Mae Whitman and Alia Shawkat—State of Grace

failed to offer anything that hadn't already been done (and done better) by shows like Dawson's Creek and My So-Called Life. Nevertheless,

5 Mae Whitman and Alia Shawkat—State of Grace

did serve as a platform for the early careers of Anne Hathaway and Jesse Eisenberg. Hathaway portrayed the ambitious eldest daughter of the family before her breakout role in The Princess Diaries, while Eisenberg played the nerdy character Kenny before achieving A-list status with his performance in The Social Network.

Mae Whitman and Alia Shawkat, who later became movie stars in The Duff and The To-Do List, first appeared together in the popular sitcom Arrested Development before it gained enormous influence in 2003. However, two years prior to Arrested Development, Whitman and Shawkat collaborated in an less impactful comedy series about their dysfunctional families. State of Grace was a sentimental portrayal of two young girls who formed a friendship despite their religious differences. Regrettably, the show failed to receive much critical acclaim, despite featuring two talented leads.

4 Brittany Snow—American Dreams

While State of Grace may have been overly nostalgic for the 1950s, it paled in comparison to American Dreams. Running for three seasons from 2002 to 2005, American Dreams offered a sanitized portrayal of American history through the lens of a Catholic family. The central character, Meg, found her place on American Bandstand, and was portrayed by Brittany Snow, who would later gain fame for her role in Pitch Perfect. Interestingly, Snow's portrayal in Hairspray deviated from her typically sweet persona on American Dreams, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

3 Corey Stoll—Law And Order: LA

Corey Stoll's breakthrough as a star arrived with the success of Before Midnight in Paris. However, prior to this, he had a promising opportunity as the lead actor in Law and Order: LA, which was regarded as a potential career-defining role. Unfortunately, the highly anticipated spinoff of the acclaimed Law and Order franchise faced significant challenges. Law and Order: LA failed to meet expectations, resulting in its cancellation after just one season due to declining viewership and negative critical reception. Nevertheless, Stoll managed to recover from this setback and eventually achieved further success, notably by joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the 2015 film Ant-Man.

2 Jennifer Aniston—Molloy

Jennifer Aniston rose to fame in the iconic TV show Friends, but prior to that, she had a notable role in the 1993 horror comedy Leprechaun. However, while Leprechaun may be considered cheesy, it is still a memorable film. On the other hand, Molloy, a short-lived family sitcom designed to showcase Mayim Bialik's talent, was not as memorable. Molloy premiered around the same time as the successful show Blossom and was quickly canceled due to Blossom's popularity. In Molloy, Aniston portrayed the mean stepsister of Bialik's character, limiting her opportunity to showcase the comedic skills she would later exhibit in blockbuster movies such as Marley and Me, Bruce Almighty, Murder Mystery, and Just Go With It.

1 Jackie Earle Haley—Wait Till Your Father Gets Home

Wait Till Your Father Gets Home, a controversial hit from the 1970s, paved the way for animated comedy series to embrace a subversive parody of sitcom schmaltz. This landmark show served as an early inspiration for iconic animated sitcoms like The Simpsons and Family Guy. Although Wait Till Your Father Gets Home may not have left a lasting legacy, it did play a significant role in the career of actor Jackie Earle Haley. Decades before his roles in Watchmen and the 2010 remake of Nightmare On Elm Street, Haley showcased his talent by portraying one of the show's child characters, propelling him into the realm of movie stardom.