Horror movies have always been a good starting point for actors when trying to get their big break in Hollywood. Traditionally, acting in horror movies was looked down upon, especially in the 1970s and 1980s by the Hollywood elite, as it was considered just one step above acting in pornography. However, as we’ve seen throughout history, the horror genre has been an important springboard in the careers of some of the most talented and famous actors of all time.
Several actors have made it from small appearances as extras in horror films to winning Best Actor at the Academy Awards. Check out these eight high-profile actors who got their start in horror movies before getting their big break.
Updated April 14, 2022: If you love a good horror movie and enjoy seeing movie stars before they were wildly famous, then you’ll be happy to know that this article has been updated with additional content and actors.
8 jennifer aniston – leprechaun (1993)
Before Jennifer Aniston was making a million dollars an episode on possibly the most successful TV show of all time, Friendsher first major feature film role was playing the lead in the 1993 film Elf of Irish folklore at only 24 years old. Elf of Irish folklore had a budget of only $1 million dollars and followed an evil, sadistic leprechaun (Warwick Davis) as he went on a murderous rampage as he searched for his pot of gold.
Although the film was not a huge success upon arrival, it became much more popular when Aniston played the lead role Friends, which inspired many viewers to go back and rent and buy the actress’ first feature film. Aniston went on to win a Primetime Emmy for Best Actress for her role as Rachel in Friendsand have major roles in successful films such as Bruce Almighty, Horrible bossesAnd We are the Millers.
7 Tom Hanks – He Knows You’re Alone (1980)
Long before he became America’s father and one of the most dynamic and phenomenal performers in movie history, Tom Hanks appeared in the 1980 low-budget slasher. He knows you are alone, a small role that marked his feature film debut. In the oft-forgotten horror film, Hanks portrays a college student named Elliot who chastises the protagonist and her claims to be haunted by a mysterious presence. His short scene was just a stepping stone for the beloved actor as he would find great success in both movies and television throughout that decade and beyond.
Hanks got a lot of attention when he starred alongside Peter Scolari in the short-lived sitcom Bosom friendsbefore starring in some of society’s most acclaimed movies such as Sleepless in Seattle, Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, And the lucrative Toy Story franchise. He has become a beloved cultural icon and his illustrious films have grossed more than $9 billion worldwide.
6 Jared Leto – Urban Legend (1998)
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Although Jared Leto had a few big roles in small movies before he was in Urban legend, his role in this 1998 slasher film showed the ability and range that would take him to bigger films throughout his career. In Urban legend, Leto plays a college student who suspects a string of murders is connected to several urban legends. He and his girlfriend Natalie (Alicia Witt) must work together to solve the mystery before committing suicide.
Actor Jared Leto would continue his horror performances in American psychopath (2000), and then starred mainly in science fiction, drama and thriller films. In 2014, Leto won an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in Dallas Buyers Club. He would also be charged as one trimmer and alleged predator.
5 Matthew McConaughey – Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994)
In what is widely regarded as the worst in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series, Matthew McConaughey dresses up as an insane serial-killing relative of the iconic Leatherface. The film was heavily panned by critics, earning only $185,000 of its $600,000 budget. Even The next generation had a limited release and was especially disliked by horror fans, the film spawned not one, but two Oscar-winning actors from the cast.
McConaughey won an Oscar for Best Leading Actor for Dallas Buyers ClubAnd his Next generation co-star, Renée Zellweger, would win two, one in 2002 for Best Supporting Actress in Cold mountain and again in 2020 for Best Leading Actress in Judy.
4 Kevin Bacon – Friday the 13th (1980)
Before he captivated audiences all over the world with his smooth dancing skills Footless and became an overnight sensation, Kevin Bacon appeared in a small movie known as Friday the 13th, with the 1980 epic slasher that established a respected and wildly popular franchise that introduced the masses to hockey mask-wearing villain Jason Voorhees. In the iconic horror film, Bacon plays Jack, a consultant at Crystal Lake who, along with his fellow friends, is terrorized by the ruthless killer. Though his performance is short-lived, the veteran actor received a momentous death in which his throat was pierced by an arrow courtesy of Jason.
A few years later, Bacon skyrocketed to stardom Footless and continued to star in critically acclaimed films such as A Few good men, Apollo 13, And Mystical river. He has built a prolific career and has earned numerous awards, including a Golden Globe, Saturn Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
3 Johnny Depp – A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984
Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Glen Lantz in A nightmare on Elm Street is probably the most memorable of this group. Not necessarily because of his performance in the role, but because his death scene was one of the goriest in horror movie history. In his famous death scene, Depp is pulled into his mattress and a volcanic eruption of blood pours from his bed into the ceiling.
Depp has played countless iconic characters since his first film role, such as Edward Scissorhands and Jack Sparrow, but never took home the Oscars gold, although he was nominated three times throughout his career.
2 George Clooney – Back to Horror High (1987)
In one of this group’s minor roles, George Clooney took on the role of Oliver in his first feature film, Return to Horror High. In this low-budget 1980s slasher, a film crew goes back to a high school where gruesome murders take place to film a horror movie. Clooney plays one of the main protagonists in the film crew’s production, but unfortunately is the first to meet his demise when he leaves the film and becomes the first to be knocked out by the killer.
Since then, Clooney has appeared in several memorable roles, including donning the bat suit Batman and Robinand killing vampires From sunset to sunrise. He has won two Academy Awards. His first, for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Syrian (2005), and his second in 2012 as producer for Argo.
1 Leonardo DiCaprio – Critters 3 (1991
After auditioned more than 100 timesat just 17 years old, Leonardo DiCaprio made his first feature film debut in Beasts 3, the 1991 sequel to the popular 1980s monster movies about aliens trying to eat everything in sight. DiCaprio was nominated for an Oscar just two years later at the age of 19 What does Gilbert grape eat?and has been nominated an additional five times, taking home one win in 2016 for The Revenant.
DiCaprio is also an environmentalist and founded the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, which supports organizations and initiatives committed to a sustainable future for planet Earth. He most recently appeared in Netflix’s environmental satire, don’t look up, and will once again team up with Martin Scorsese in the highly anticipated western crime drama Killers of the flower moon.