24 Stars Who Appeared In Music Videos Before They Skyrocketed To Fame

Did you know RDJ was in an Elton John music video?

Sophia

• Published in Interesting
• July 12, 2022

There's really no easy way to fame—except when you're a nepotism baby, that is. But for most people who actually had to claw their way into success, it was never an easy journey to take.

Some had to do auditions after auditions, and once they do land a gig, it's most likely just a teeny tiny small part—but at least, they have already set their first steps into stardom, even if it's still barely a step at first. Some would land a job as an extra for a film or a show, having the opportunity to work with some of the biggest stars but only being seen as one of the many people in the background—unseen, unheard, and barely noticeable at all.

But that's already everything for these aspiring actors. And as they slowly land more and more gigs, they begin to work their way up, and some of them find themselves having the opportunity to get featured on other interesting projects such as music videos—especially when their fame is already starting to pick up after starring in their breakthrough films.

Now, lo and behold, here are some of our favorite actors that got featured in music videos in the early years of their career—just right before they cemented their reputation in Hollywood:

1. You would probably recognize Taye Diggs from Rent, or All American, or Private Practice.

But he also actually playeda poker player in the music video fo "Temptations" by 2pac way back in 1995.

Take a look at the video here:

2. Rosario Dawson first starred in Kids, but she also starred in this music video at the start of her career.

It was "Out of Control" by The Chemical Brothers in 1999.

Watch the video here:

3. Matt LeBlanc's became a household name when he became Joey in Friends, but he actually starred in some MVs before he became renowned.

He was featured in a lot of music videos in the '90s, but one of the most prominent ones would be Alanis Morissette's 1991 music video for "Walk Away."

Watch the video here:

4. Also from Friends, Courteney Cox appeared in a major '80s music video before becoming known as Monica Geller.

It was Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark" 1984 music video.

Watch the video here:

5. Zooey Deschanel became favorite in 500 Days of Summer, and for her stint in New Girl.

But she actually starred before in The Offspring's 1999 "She's Got Issues" music video — and it was only the third role she landed.

Watch the video here:

6. Jeremy Renner is known Hawkeye in the Avengers films and a TV show, and for his role in The Hurt Locker.

But he actually appeared P!nk's 2003 music video for "Trouble" way before he got really, really famous.

Watch the video here:

7. Sebastian Stan singlehandedly stole our hearts, but his crimes started way before he appeared as Bucky in the MCU.

Three years before he became Bucky, he appeared in Hayden Panettiere's music video for "Wake Up Call" in 2008. This was three years before he played Bucky Barnes.

Watch the video here:

8. Alexander Skarsgård may now be a critically acclaimed actor, but back the first season of True Blood was just being filmed—he starred in a strange music video with a new artist.

As it turns out, that strange music video was actually Lady Gaga's music video for "Paparazzi" in 2009.

Watch the iconic video here:

9. Robert Downey Jr. has long cemented his status as an actor, but he's still worth mentioning here—especially when his music video stint happened way before he became Iron Man.

It was Elton John's "I Want Love."

Watch the video here:

10. Timothy Granaderos Jr. is an actor from 13 Reasons Why.

He had a small part in "Love You Like a Love Song" video in 2011. It was actually his first role.

Watch the video here:

11. X-Men star Lucas Till has a very long list of projects, and it's impossible you've never seen him before even if you don't recognize him.

But back in 2009, he was the lead for Taylor Swift's iconic music video for "You Belong with Me."

Watch the memorable music video here:

12. Miranda Kerr already cemented her status as a model by 2006, but she rose to fame when she became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2007.

But a year before that, she appeared in the MV of "Number One" by Pharrell ft. Kanye West.

Watch the video here:

13. Kim Kardashian, of course, is easily recognizable now anywhere in the world.

But back 2007, when their TV show just started, she actually starred in Fall Out Boy's "Thnks fr th Mmrs."

Watch the video here:

14. It's impossible not to know Angelina Jolie — butshe was pretty much just starting out in the early '90s.

In 1991, her second role was in Antonello Venditti's music video for "Alta marea."

Watch the video here:

15. Chrissy Teigen seems like everywhere now, but she wasn't always this famous.

Before she became a famous model, she starred in John Legend's "Stereo" music video in 2007. And yep, this is where their love story started!

Watch the video here:

16. Evan Rachel Wood is known for a lot of films.

But she once appeared in Green Day's 2005 music video for "Wake Me Up When September Ends."

Watch the video here:

17. Ana de Armas starred with his then-boyfriend Ben Affleck in Deep Water, and she also appeared in No Time to Die, Blade Runner 2049, and Knives Out in the last five years, skyrocketing her fame.

But way back, she once starred in Sidecars' 2009 song "Mundo Fragil."

Watch the video here:

18. Eva Mendes is known for her many films including her marriage with Ryan Gosling, but she also starred in some MVs back then.

One of this was in 1997, for Aerosmith's "Hole in My Soul."

Watch the music video here:

19. Another Aerosmith "It Girl" was Alicia Silverstone, best known as Cher from 1995's Clueless.

She got featured in four Aerosmith music videos before her role in Clueless. Her first appearance was in 1993's "Cryin'."

Watch the video here:

20. While some appeared in music videos as adults already, Jennifer Connelly here was actually still a kid in her first music video appearance.

This was her first acting role over all. It was Duran Duran's "Union of the Snake" in 1983.

Watch the video here:

21. Zach Galifianakis became famous for his role in 2009's The Hangover.

But way back, he was in Fiona Apple's "Not About Love" music video in 2005.

Watch the video here:

22. Bobby Moynihan is known as an SNL comedian and actor.

But when he was just starting out in SNL, he starred as the love interest in Colbie Caillat's 2009 song "Fallin' for You."

Watch the video here:

23. Mekhi Phifer has a lot of roles and credits.

But his first roles were in music videos—including "Don't Let Go (Love)" by En Vogue and "Nobody" by Keith Sweat — and most especially, Brandy and Monica's "The Boy Is Mine" from 1998.

Watch the video here:

24. You probably recognize Adrian Grenier as the annoying boyfriend from The Devil Wears Prada.

But way before that, he starred in Britney Spears' 1999 "(You Drive Me) Crazy" music video.

Watch the video here:

Almost everyone in Hollywood definitely had their humble beginnings, and it's definitely crazy to see these now-very-famous stars appearing in these old music videos—it just shows how much time has gone by and how they have utilized their talents and hard work throughout the years!

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Sophia