19 Times Famous Actors Somehow Got Neglected Because They Played A Minor Part

It can be difficult to immediately identify these actors

Maryjane

• Published in Film & TV
• February 10, 2023

Every movie star has a beginning. Even actors who seem to appear out of thin air typically have a number of minor parts.

Movie stars frequently start out as TV stars, though this is less common these days. However, these actors have frequently appeared in supporting roles on television.

What exactly are "minor" roles? Well, it's a little hazy, but to put it briefly, they weren't the main attraction.

They might have had a recurring part, a one-off appearance, or you might have missed them if you were blinking. So yes, there are well-known performers who we may recognize from eminent motion pictures and television programs.

The majority of us have undoubtedly developed an idolization of our favorite movie stars for this reason. However, occasionally we might have missed out on scenes starring the same renowned actors from different movies.

Recall Elton John from the 2019 film Rocketman. Who would have guessed that he was Gary "Eggsy" Unwin, the spy recruit from Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)?

And why is it so difficult to immediately identify these actors? Well, to start with, it might be because of their well-done makeup and costumes.

Here is a list of their lesser-known film roles that the audience has somehow missed as a result. 

1. Eddie Redmayne

According to Digital Spy, the 34-year-old British Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne played William Stafford, the husband of Scarlett Johansson’s Mary Boleyn. The actor claims he was hilariously miscast in “The Other Boleyn Girl.”

2. Chris Hemsworth

In the movie A Perfect Getaway, Kale, along with Cleo, was encountered by Cliff and Cydney on the drive to the start of the hiking trail. After several teeth were discovered in Kale’s backpack, he and Cleo were arrested for the killings.

3. In The Iron Lady, Olivia Colman played the role of Carol Thatcher, the daughter of the main character, Margaret Thatcher

4. In the movie Rocketman, Taron Egerton played Elton John, a talented musician

The film is named after John’s 1972 song “Rocket Man” and chronicles the tale of John’s early days in England as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through his creative connection with Taupin.

5. In Moonlighting, Brad Dourif played Father McDonovan in the Season 3 episode “All Creatures Great and… Not So Great”

The Catholic priest is smitten with a woman who attends confession on a regular basis. The woman has stated that she intends to commit suicide this week.

He employs Blue Moon Investigations to track her down since she vanishes before he can catch up with her.

6. In the movie Wood Practical Magic, Evan Rachel Wood played Sally’s (Bullock) daughter Kylie Owens before rising to fame for her role in “Westworld”

She looked and acted a lot like her Aunt Gillian and she was only approximately 11 years old at the time (Kidman).

7. In Judy, Michael Gambon played the supporting role of Bernard Delfont

He was the one that brought Judy in to perform in his venue. The character is grumpy and upset at her drug and booze-induced unreliability but unmistakably moved.

8. In Suicide Squad, David Harbour played Dexter Tolliver. Dexter Tolliver is the President’s National Security Advisor, and he ends up supporting Amanda Waller’s Task Force X concept because of its potential assets.

9. In Midnight in Paris, Corey Stoll played the role of Ernest Hemmingway, a famous American novelist. The character here, in a way, is said to be an idealized and romanticized version of Hemingway.

10. In Casanova, Omid Djalili played the role of Lupo. Francesca misidentifies Casanova as Lupo Salvato (Casanova’s servant), and Casanova amuses her because she despises the infamous Casanova

11. Adam Scott is most likely best known for his role on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation.” Scott appeared in 96 episodes of the long-running comedy series as Ben Wyatt (via IMDb).

However, Adam Scott also played Johnny Meyer in The Aviator. He had a little role in the film, but his portrayal as Hughes’ publicity agent Johnny Meyer is memorable.

Hughes hired Meyer from Warner Bros. during his time in Hollywood. Meyer was a real-life publicist of the time.

12. In the movie Mary Poppins Returns, Julie Walters played Ellen, Michael’s and Jane’s long-time housekeeper

The character was previously portrayed by Hermione Baddeley in the original film.

13. In The Office Series, Dakota Johnson reprises her role as Dakota in its last episode, fittingly continuing the show’s habit of utilizing the actors’ true names for their roles

Dakota begins working at Dunder Mifflin as a new accountant after the documentary airs, as the firm needed to fill up for the numerous Scranton branch workers who were fired or quit.

14. Drew Barrymore

The most memorable role in 50 first dates is probably Lucy Whitmore, portrayed by Drew Barrymore. However, she did also play one of the two female assistants for Two-Face in the film Batman Forever.

15. In the movie Cry-Baby, Willem Dafoe played the role of Hateful Guard, a minor character in the movie

His ass slap on Johnny Depp was improvised, making it one of the funniest moments in cinema.

16. Rose McGowan plays evil sorceress Marique in the Conan the Barbarian film, but her exaggerated forehead – aka her “10-head,” as she called her character’s look, was simply down to movie magic.

17. In Mona Lisa Smile, Ginnifer Goodwin played the role of Constance “Connie” Baker

Betty convinces Connie that Charlie, Betty’s cousin, is simply using her since his parents had planned for him to marry Deb MacIntyre. Connie leaves the relationship because she believes in Betty’s narrative.

However, Connie and Charlie reunite a few weeks later, with Charlie stating that he has already chosen not to marry Deb, so Connie and he get back together.

18. Sean Astin playing Samwise Gamgee in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings film trilogy is definitely his most famous role.

However, what people don’t know is that he also played a part in the film 50 first dates, as Doug Whitmore. He is Lucy’s older brother, a lisping, steroid-dependent bodybuilder.

19. In the movie The Grand Budapest Hotel, F. Murray Abraham played the role of old Zero at the start of the film

Zero is the main character of the movie, while Tony Revolori played the younger version of the character.

One of our interests around here is researching the filmographies of well-known actors and actresses. We're interested in those modest roles that served as stepping stones to fame rather than whether they went on to become TV stars.

After all, Hollywood demands top-notch production workers for blockbusters.

Maryjane