Every celebrity has to start somewhere, and for some of them, that somewhere was scary. Long before they were strutting down the red carpet, these 12 stars were screaming, running, and fighting for their lives in horror films.
Whether they were the final girl hanging on by a thread, or a background character you can barely spot if you squint your eyes, these stars began with terrifying roles, and we just have to give them credit for their bravery. Here are 12 celebs who started their careers in horror films:
1.
Johnny Depp’s first-ever movie role had him literally devoured by a bed in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). Only four years later, he was charming audiences as Tom Hanson in 21 Jump Street.
2.
Before he was Doug Ross on ER, George Clooney began his early acting career through a string of horror sequels. His first two movie roles were as Oliver in Return to Horror High (1987) and Matt Stevens in Return of the Killer Tomatoes (1988).
3.
Most people assume she got her start in Scary Movie, but Anna Faris actually began her movie career in the 2000 indie horror Lover’s Lane! Only 5 months later, she catapulted to fame with the Wayans brothers’ hit Scary Movie series.
4.
Clint Eastwood’s very first film role was a lab assistant in the 1955 sci-fi horror Revenge of the Creature. Only 4 years later, he gained traction for his role as Rowdy Yates in Rawhide.
5.
Before receiving Oscar acclaim for roles in films like American Hustle (2013) and Doubt (2008), Amy Adams appeared in Psycho Beach Party (2000), a campy horror-comedy about a surfing killer. About 5 years later, she made her breakthrough as Ashley in Junebug!
6.
Sam Rockwell’s made his film debut in the 1989 indie horror Clownhouse (1989), playing the oldest of three brothers terrorized by escaped institutionalized patients dressed up as clowns. It took him several years in the industry until his breakout role as Chuck Barris in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002).
7.
Before his iconic strut to “Stayin’ Alive,” John Travolta appeared as a cult follower in the 1975 horror film The Devil’s Rain. Surprisingly enough, his second film role was yet another horror film, the iconic Stephen King hit; Carrie (1976).
8.
At just 8 years old, Chloë Grace Moretz made her second film appearance in the 2005 remake of The Amityville Horror. Five years later, she became a scene-stealer in the 2010 action-comedy; Kick-Ass.
9.
Hilary Swank’s first-ever movie role was as Kimberly Hannah in the 1992 Buffy the Vampire Slayer film. Just two years later, she would go on to lead in The Next Karate Kid (1994).
10.
Before Patrick Dempsey was McDreamy on Grey’s Anatomy, he had an uncredited role in the 1985 campy horror film The Stuff. Towards the end of the film, Dempsey can be seen as an “underground stuff buyer”!
11.
Before becoming Wanda Maximoff, Elizabeth Olsen starred in the psychological horror Silent House (2011). She became noticed very quickly as her role in Martha Marcy May Marlene from the same year brought her critical acclaim.
12.
Before rising to stardom on Seinfeld, Jason Alexander first starred in the 1981 horror film The Burning. He played a camp counselor, providing tons of the movie’s comic relief before becoming terrorized by a vengeful caretaker.
Are there any other celebs that started out in horror films? Let us know in the comments!
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