Well-Regarded Actors Who Stunk Up Their Earliest Roles
Actors now renowned for their performances began with unsuccessful roles, and many of these artists would like to forget the parts they played in their early films.
Whether due to a terrible script or nerves stemming from inexperience, these actors' first roles were unconvincing, ridiculous, or their performances lacked charisma.
For example, Natalie Portman in the film Léon: The Professional (1994) was very young and didn't demonstrate the brilliance she displays today, just as Leonardo DiCaprio in Critters 3 (1991) didn't stand out in his role as he did in films like Titanic (1997) or The Wolf of Wall Street (2013).
An acting career requires learning and professional development, and these are acquired through experience so that actors can reach their true potential.
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt gave an unconvincing performance in the film Hunk (1987).
Will Smith
Will Smith didn't have a standout role in Where the Day Takes You (1992)—before starring in Men in Black, The Pursuit of Happyness, and I Am Legend.
Tom Hardy
Tom Hardy had a supporting and restrained role in Black Hawk Down (2001).
Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise in Endless Love (1981) lacked the impact that would later make him famous in Mission: Impossible and Top Gun.
Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds had an awkward role in Ordinary Magic (1993). In Deadpool, he delivered one of his most outstanding film performances.
Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman in Léon: The Professional (1994) didn't display the brilliance she would later show.
Matt Damon
Matt Damon had a rather forgettable role in Mystic Pizza (1988) compared to his standout performance in Jason Bourne.
Maggie Smith
Maggie Smith had a forgettable role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) before her breakout roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio gave a terrible performance in Critters 3 (1991), a far cry from his later successes in Titanic and The Wolf of Wall Street.
Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley's performance in the Star Wars saga was widely criticized. She later shone in her starring roles in Pride and Prejudice and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet's performance in Heavenly Creatures (1994) was unremarkable and lacked charisma.
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp had a poor supporting role in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). Years later, he shone in Pirates of the Caribbean.
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence in The Bill Engvall Show (2007) didn't display the talent that would later dazzle the world, as in The Hunger Games.
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman had a low-key and unremarkable start in Erskineville Kings (1999) before achieving worldwide recognition as Wolverine.
Gal Gadot
Gal Gadot had a minor role in Fast & Furious (2009) before starring in Wonder Woman and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Eddie Redmayne
Eddie Redmayne had a minor, unremarkable role in The Good Shepherd (2006). He later starred in the successful films The Theory of Everything and Fantastic Beasts.
Daniel Radcliffe
Before his starring role in Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe showed little experience on the big screen, as seen in David Copperfield (1999).
Chris Pratt
Chris Pratt had a small role in Cursed Part 3 (2000) before Guardians of the Galaxy and The Magnificent Seven.
Chris Hemsworth
Chris Hemsworth had a minor role in Star Trek (2009) before starring in Thor and Avengers.
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway's performance in The Princess Diaries (2001) was naive and innocent compared to her roles in The Devil Wears Prada and Alice in Wonderland.