The Big Break: How Box Office Hits Launched the Careers of Famous Actors

The Power of Box Office Hits

Catching a big break is the classic plight of actors, though many great stars were lucky enough to kick off their careers with commercially successful hits. While there have been many outstanding performances from a first-time movie actor, great acting, unfortunately, won't always lead to career success. However, appearing in, or even better, starring in, a film that makes a profit at the box office is an immediate ticket to more roles. Every year, fresh actors break out into the mainstream. 2023 saw Charles Melton make a case for himself as an Oscar-caliber performer in May December, Cailee Spaeny impressed audiences as the lead in Priscilla, and Dominic Sessa came out of nowhere with a heartfelt role in The Holdovers. Every year has its breakout successes, but actors rarely find it in their first move, let alone those films becoming box office hits.

The impact of box office hits is evident in the careers of many famous actors. Let's take a look at some iconic actors who achieved immediate success with their first movies, which turned out to be box office hits, catapulting them into stardom.

Alan Rickman: Die Hard (1988)

Known primarily for his role as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter film franchise, Alan Rickman got off to a hot start in his film career as Hans Gruber in Die Hard. After a decade of stage and television work, Rickman burst onto the big screen as the highly memorable villain, acting opposite Bruce Willis in one of the best action movies of all time. The movie was a breakout success, grossing over $80 million. Box office success continued to be a trend throughout Rickman's career, and he continued to star in commercially successful projects, with his films making $8 billion in total.

Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber pointing a gun in Die Hard

Alan Rickman's journey from Die Hard to the Harry Potter franchise showcases the enduring impact of a box office hit on an actor's career.

Hailee Steinfeld: True Grit (2010)

Unlike Alan Rickman, who had years of acting experience, Hailee Steinfeld was only 13 when she was cast in the Coen Brothers' True Grit. The young actress stole the show despite co-starring alongside veterans Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, and Jeff Bridges. The film grossed over $250 million, propelling Steinfeld into a prospering film career. Over a decade later, she's starred in the Spider-Verse movies, Bumblebee, and has recently taken on the role of Kate Bishop in the MCU.

Mattie points a gun at someone in True Grit

Hailee Steinfeld's breakout success with True Grit highlights the transformative impact of a box office hit on a young actor's career.

Anna Paquin: The Piano (1993)

Anna Paquin has had a tremendous career in movies and TV, starring in the X-Men films, the HBO series True Blood, and movies like The Irishman and Almost Famous. Before all that, Paquin won an Academy Award at just 11 years old for her role in The Piano, a period romance thriller that grossed $140 million. She's still the second-youngest actor to win an Oscar, an incredible accomplishment.

Anna Paquin in The Piano

Anna Paquin's remarkable success with The Piano underscores the profound impact of a box office hit on a young actor's career.