Actors who made it, and embarrassing past movies

[Archivist]

When you look at the filmographies of many leading or popular actors, you'll see their beginning bit-part movies, too.  Denzel Washington was an uncredited mugger in Death Wish.  Robert Patrick was in the Mad Max rip-off Equalizer 2000.  Jean-Claude Van Damme can be seen in the background in one of those Breakin' movies.  I even remember Kelly Hu looking like a schoolgirl, being thrown about by Jason in a Friday The 13th movie.

Who are some of your favourite actors that made it, or what obscure and possibly embarrassing movies lurk in the past of some who later became stars?

And another, harder question: who do you see in bit parts now that you think or hope will make it?

[claws]

Though she made her acting debut in Rich and Famous (1981), people usually remember Meg Ryan from Amityville 3-D (1983). Her second feature.

Christopher McDonald was in quite a few B-movies throughout the '80's before he became an A-list actor in the '90's. His first feature movie was The Hearse (1980).

Blink and you'll miss:

Holly Hunter in The Burning (1981).
Marisa Tomei in The Toxic Avenger (1984).
Charlize Theron in Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest (1995).

[66Crush]

Jennifer Aniston- Leprechaun
Jason Alexander- The Burning
Tom Hanks- Bachelor Party
Leighton Meester- Drive Thru
Nina Dobrev- American Mall
Minka Kelly- The Pumpkin Carver
Jack Nicholson- The Terror
Tom Baker -Vault of Horror
David Hasslehoff- Revenge of Cheerleaders (not that he could be proud of his recent efforts either).

Yes, I know most of these are starring roles and not bit parts, but they are probably embarrassing when these actors look back on them.

I want to see Crystal Lowe become a big star because the girl has been topless in almost everything I've seen her in. She's a good actress, I mean she's putting in the effort. Yeah, she has a nice body, but I'd hate to see her end up a always being a b lister because of that. The only movie I've seen her in where she didn't get undressed is "Yeti: Curse of the Snow Demon." That movie was so bad that I commend her for just showing up.

[claws]

Tom Hanks- Bachelor Party

I'll raise the bar with

Tom Hanks- He Knows You're Alone (1980) 

[Conf]

Well, Morgan Freeman began his career as "Easy Reader" on "The Electric Company" which is pretty embarassing today if you look for it on youtube.

[Doc Daneeka]

Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation for Matthew McConaughey and Renee Zellweger. This, mind you, is the Texas Chainsaw Massacre film that dealt with psychos with robotic legs (played by Matthew McConaughey) ordering take-out pizza and taking orders from The Illuminati.

[Raffine]

Demi Moore in PARASITE (1982)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-IjsMYRm3M

I saw this in the theater in 3-D! It gave me such a clanging migraine headache I threw up my popcorn and nachos in the parking lot and my buddy (who didn't have his license yet) had to drive us home.

Good times!

[LilCerberus]

While Robert Englund's role in Galaxy of Terror would be strangely prophetic, my all time favorite has to be the elevator scene in St. Ives.

[metalmonster]

leonardo dicaprio in CRITTERS 3
kevin bacon in FRIDAY THE 13TH
bill cosby in LEONARD PART 6
nicolas cage in VAMPIRE'S KISS
elizabeth moss in MIDNIGHT'S CHILD
johnny depp in A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET & FREDDY'S DEAD : THE FINAL NIGHTMARE
katherine heigl in BRIDE OF CHUCKY
susan sarandon in THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW
julia roberts in MARY REILLY , HOOK , FLATLINERS
keifer sutherland in THE LOST BOYS



these movies are some of the best movies of their careers!

[crackers]

George Clooney in Return Of The Killer Tomatoes and Return to Horror High, although I think his part in ROTKT was him at his funniest and I really like him in it.

[Rev. Powell]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Md9lCfO-lo

Originally named A PARTY AT KITTY AND STUDS, renamed THE ITALIAN STALLION and re-released after ROCKY made Sly a household name.

[retrorussell]

Fisher Stevens (Short Circuit 1&2) gets his fingers cut off in THE BURNING.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra7iJna4MxU
Clint Eastwood as a lab assistant in REVENGE OF THE CREATURE.

[66Crush]

Tom Hanks- Bachelor Party

I'll raise the bar with

Tom Hanks- He Knows You're Alone (1980) 

I was going to mention that one at first, but I haven't seen it yet and didn't want to pass judgement on it. But I do remember him saying that he made "Splash" before "Bachelor Party" but it didn't get released until after. He also said if he knew "Splash" was going to be a hit that he never would have made "Bachelor Party." So I knew he didn't exactly hold that film in high regard (but I like it).

[ChaosTheory]

Fisher Stevens (Short Circuit 1&2) gets his fingers cut off in THE BURNING.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra7iJna4MxU

Wasn't Jason Alexander (SEINFELD's George) in that movie too? 

Eva Mendes was in one of the CHILDREN OF THE CORN flicks, I think part V.
Jennifer Connelly in PHENOMENA (although I like that movie)
Jodie Foster in THE LITTLE GIRL WHO LIVES DOWN THE LANE
Sam Rockwell in CLOWNHOUSE
Michael Fassbender in BLOOD CREEK

As for actors I hoped would become bigger, the one that stands out is J.D. Williams - aka "Froggy" from POOTIE TANG.  He also played Bodie on the tv show THE WIRE (my favorite character on that show) and I hoped to see him in more things after that but he didn't really resurface.....

[clockworkcanary]

Tom Hanks crying and flipping out in Mazes and Monsters.

Kevin Bacon in Friday the 13th.

Demi Moore in Master Ninja.

Crispin Glover in Friday the 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter