Michael Putland // Getty Images Hollywood is a difficult industry to break into–and like any field of work, one must start small. For actors, that could mean taking bit parts in TV episodes or being an extra in a movie. But one common gig for anyone aspiring to make it big in Hollywood is appearing in a commercial. The job commitment is short, the exposure is high, and the opportunities are infinite. Names we now know as Oscar, Emmy, and Tony winners starred in commercials years before they became prolific actors. Thanks to the internet, several of these commercials–some even as early as the 1970s–are still accessible to the masses. There’s a novelty to watching the leading man of a multi-million dollar superhero franchise in a grainy ad for a 1980s video game console. To celebrate those humble beginnings, Stacker looked back at 25 actors who had prominent parts in commercials before ascending to stardom–but with a playful twist to test your celebrity know-how. You’ll be challenged to name the star who was in an ad for a well-known brand based on a couple of hints about what they might be known for now. Can you guess them all? Corn Pops JJava Designs // Shutterstock Before winning three Primetime Emmy Awards for acting in a critically acclaimed drama set in contemporary New Mexico, this performer had to have his Pops in a 1999 Kellogg’s cereal commercial. Aaron Paul Gareth Cattermole // Getty Images The ageless Paul Rudd appeared in a 1991 Super Nintendo commercial, four years before his most well-known early film role in 1995’s “Clueless.” In the 2000s, Rudd became a frequent collaborator of filmmaker Judd Apatow, with parts in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Knocked Up,” and “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.” These days, you can see Rudd as the Marvel superhero Ant-Man in his titular Marvel series and in the “Avengers” movies. Burger Boy Bullstar // Shutterstock Before she moved to the United States, this actor appeared in a late ’80s commercial for a fast-food chain called Burger Boy in Mexico. Salma Hayek Pinault Theo Wargo // Getty Images After taking on some small parts in Mexico in the late ’80s, including a Burger Boy commercial, Salma Hayek Pinault moved to Los Angeles to pursue a Hollywood career. It wasn’t until Robert Rodriguez cast her as the lead in 1995’s “Desperado” opposite Antonio Banderas that she became a familiar name in Hollywood. Her most critically acclaimed role came in 2002 as Frida Kahlo in “Frida,” and her extensive and eclectic filmography has only expanded from there. Brown’s Chicken Seika Chujo // Shutterstock Best known for portraying an eccentric office manager on television, this performer showed off his on-screen comedic timing in a 1989 Brown’s Chicken commercial. Steve Carell Mike Coppola // Getty Images After his chicken commercial in the late ’80s, Steve Carell started performing with The Second City troupe in Chicago alongside other comedians like Amy Sedaris and Stephen Colbert. That led to roles in comedy shows, including “The Dana Carvey Show” and, most notably, “The Daily Show.” Carell then had a surprise hit as the lead in 2005’s “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” establishing him as a Hollywood star. Shortly after, Carell took on the part of Michael Scott in “The Office,” his longest and most memorable role to date. Mutual Savings Bank Ground Picture // Shutterstock Before she roamed the halls of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, this comedian touted the services of Mutual Savings Bank in a 1995 commercial. Tina Fey Marla Aufmuth // Getty Images Tina Fey shot her first commercial a couple of years before she made a name for herself on “Saturday Night Live,” starting in 1997. After performing in Chicago with The Second City, Fey landed a job as a writer for “SNL,” eventually getting promoted to head writer in 1999 and performing on screen the following year. Fey then wrote and appeared in the hit teen comedy “Mean Girls” in 2004 and eventually left “SNL” to create “30 Rock,” a sitcom loosely based on her experiences at “SNL.” She occasionally returned to Studio 8H to parody her look-alike, then-vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. My Super Sweet 16 LightRocket // Getty Images She may have won an Oscar at only 22 years old, but a few years prior, this actor made an appearance advertising MTV’s “My Super Sweet 16” reality show. Jennifer Lawrence Pascal Le Segretain // Getty Images Along with her 2005 MTV commercial appearance, Jennifer Lawrence had guest roles on shows like “Monk” and “Medium” early in her career. But it was 2010’s “Winter’s Bone” that put Lawrence on the map, gaining her an Oscar nomination at age 20. Her roles as Katniss Everdeen in “The Hunger Games” franchise won her international recognition, and her first Oscar win came in 2013 for “Silver Linings Playbook.” Story editing by Jaimie Etkin. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
Quiz: Do you know which commercials these actors were in before they were famous?
