Actors In Commercials Before Their Big Break

Brad Pitt

Image Source: Reddit

Before getting their big break, the majority of actors will work within normal everyday jobs, and will sometimes get cast for smaller roles (namely within commercials). Having a role in a commercial, is one of the main ways that actors begin building their acting portfolio. For example, Brad Pitt once starred in a Pringles commercial, before he had entered into Hollywood.

Megan Fox

Image Source: YouTube

Megan Fox starred in a range of small-time commercials, before she started being cast in Hollywood blockbusters, such as: 'Transformers', 'Jennifer's Body', 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles', 'Till Death' and 'This Is 40'. One of the commercials she starred in, was for a modelling competition.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Image Source: Imdb

Before starring in the blockbuster 'Titanic', Leonardo DiCaprio featured in a range of different commercials. He had recurring roles in commercials for products, such as: Bubble Yum and Matchbox cars. It has been a few years since his commercial appearances, and it's clear that they really set the foundation for his acting career.

Elijah Wood

Image Source: YouTube

Before landing his iconic role of Frodo in 'The Lord Of The Rings' trilogy, Elijah Wood appeared in a commercial for Pizza Hut, as well as Paula Abdul's music video! These appearances definitely helped him get his foot-in-the-door of the entertainment industry.

Ben Affleck

Image Source: Backstage

Ben Affleck had his fair share of commercial appearances, before becoming an A-list Hollywood actor. He featured in commercials for Burger King and Dunkin' Donuts, which are two of the most popular fast food chains within America. Maybe now he gets free burgers and coffees.

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Image Source: YouTube

Catherine Zeta-Jones had steady work through commercials within the UK, and these definitely helped her build up her acting portfolio, before she gained her big break into Hollywood. It is possible that talent scouts spotted her within these commercials, and felt her talents were being wasted on the small-screen.

Seth Green

Image Source: YouTube

Many actors begin their career young, and Seth Green in no exception. He featured in a range of commercials as a child, which led to him being picked up by a talent scout and acting agency. Seth has since gone on to have a very successful career within television and film.

Lindsay Lohan

Image Source: YouTube

Before becoming one of Disney's most famous child actors, Lindsay Lohan was featured in a variety of commercials, for a range of products and services. One of these commercials, was for the brand: Jell-O. She has had a rocky career, but she has recently made a comeback into the entertainment industry.

Steve Carell

Image Source: Backstage

Before landing his role of Michael Scott in 'The Office', Steve Carell featured in a variety of commercials, including some for: Brown's Chicken and Mailboxes. He has gone on to become one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors, especially for comedy and animation.

Eva Mendes

Image Source: Bellazon

Eva Mendes built the foundation of her career within commercials, and starred in commercials for products such as: Revlon and Calvin Klein. She slowing transitioned into acting within films, and worked her way up from smaller, supporting roles, to key parts.

Jon Hamm

Image Source: YouTube

Before his role in the hit show 'Mad Men', Jon Hamm featured in a handful of commercials, including some for: Mercedes-Benz and H&R Block. After landing his role in 'Mad Men', he went on to star in a variety of television shows and movies, specializing in dramas and thrillers.

Keanu Reeves

Image Source: Dailymotion

Keanu Reeves is well-known for his role in the 'John Wick' franchise, as well as being one of the most versatile actors within Hollywood. He reached this level of acting stardom, by initially featuring in commercials. Keanu was featured in commercials for products, such as: Coca-Cola and Kellogg's.

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Image Source: Reddit

Before landing her starring role in 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' and the live-action 'Scooby Doo' movies, Sarah Michelle Gellar starred in several commercials. She was cast in commercials for products, such as: Burger King and Lee Jeans. Maybe she also gets free burgers, as well as discounted jeans.

Ashton Kutcher

Image Source: Cinemablend

Like many other actors, Ashton Kutcher started his career within modelling, and then progressed into acting. He starred in commercials for Calvin Klein and Pizza Hut, before gaining his big break into Hollywood acting, and being cast in hit television shows and movies.

Matt LeBlanc

Image Source: 

Backstage

Before landing a leading role in one of the most popular sitcoms of all time, 'Friends', Matt LeBlanc began making his name via commercial acting. He was cast in a variety of commercials, which included one for Heinz Ketchup. It just goes to show, that even some of the most famous actors, had to make their way into the industry somehow.

Julianne Moore

Image Source: HuffPost

Julianne Moore is one of the most famous actors within Hollywood, and she has starred in an array of high-grossing movies. However, before she reached this level of stardom, she was featured in various commercials. She appeared in commercials for a range of products, including one for Colgate Toothpaste.

Neil Patrick Harris

Image Source: NPR

Similarly to Seth Green and Lindsay Lohan, Neil Patrick Harris started his acting career as a child actor within commercials. He was cast in a wide variety of commercials, for a range of product and services. Neil Patrick Harris went on to feature in hit television shows, such as: 'How I Met Your Mother'.

Mila Kunis

Image Source: Backstage

Before starring in 'That 70's Show', 'Family Guy' and various blockbuster movies, Mila Kunis started her career within commercial acting. She was featured in several commercials for the popular 90's brand: Lisa Frank. It is likely she was picked up from these commercials, due to the products popularity.

Jennifer Lawrence

Image Source: Business Insider India

Jennifer Lawrence is one of Hollywood's most popular young stars, and she has had leading roles in a range of blockbuster movies e.g. 'The Hunger Games' franchise and 'Silver Linings Playbook'. Jennifer comes from humble beginnings of commercial acting, and was featured in one for MTV'S My Super Sweet 16.

Aaron Paul

Image Source: TV Insider

Aaron Paul, best known for his role of Jesse in 'Breaking Bad', started his acting career via commercials. He featured in commercials for products, such as: Corn Pops and Juicy Fruit, before being picked up by a talent scout, and breaking into Hollywood.

Adrien Brody

Image Source: MarketingNews

Adrien Brody is a seasoned actor within Hollywood, who has starred in multiple hit movies, including: 'The Pianist'. Before gaining his big break into Hollywood, Brody was cast in commercials for products, such as: Sprite and Schweppes. Since becoming and established actor, he has won an Oscar, and has had multiple nominations.

Alyson Hannigan

Image Source: YouTube

Alyson Hannigan, best known for her role in 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer', featured in a handful of commercials, before being picked up by Hollywood. Alyson was featured in commercials for McDonald's and Six Flags, which led to her being cast in a range of television show roles, and movies.

Jack Black

Image Source: YouTube

Jack Black is well-known for his extensive acting career, as well as his musical talents. Before reaching Hollywood, Jack starred in a commercial for the video-game, Pitfall! This seems to be the only (early) commercial acting that Jack did,, before getting his big break, and building his successful acting career.

Jason Bateman

Image Source: Yahoo

Before being cast in his role within 'Arrested Development', Jason Bateman appeared in a range of commercials. One of these commercials, was for Golden Grahams Cereal. This seems to be the only commercial that Bateman was featured in (during his early career), and he has since gone on to have a successful career within Hollywood.

Kirsten Dunst

Image Source: Giant Freakin Robot

Before starring in a range of blockbuster movies, such as 'Interview With A Vampire' and 'Spiderman', Kirsten Dunst began her career within a range of different commercials. She was cast in commercials for a variety of products, including: Kix Cereal and Barbie.

Jodie Foster

Image Source: Ad Age

Jodie Foster, best-known for her role of Clarissa in 'Silence Of The Lambs', is an extremely talented actor, however she came from the humble beginnings of commercial acting. Jodie featured in commercials for Coppertone and McDonald's, which eventually led to her break-through into Hollywood.

Queen Latifah

Image Source: Michael Benabib

Before becoming a world-renowned rapper and actress, Queen Latifah was featured in a handful of commercials. One of these commercials, was for Pizza Hut, which most likely led to her being picked up by a talent scout. Her career started within music, and eventually progressed into full-time acting.

Paul Rudd

Image Source: YouTube

Paul Rudd is well-known for his various comedic roles within television shows and movies, and has made a successful career off of making people laugh. Paul was cast in a handful of commercials, for a range of products, including: Super Nintendo! His break into Hollywood shortly followed this.

John Goodman

Image Source: YouTube

John Goodman appeared in a number of commercials, before breaking his way into Hollywood, and starring in 'Roseanne'. Some of the commercials he starred in, included: McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts (similar to some of the other actors featured on this list).

Billy Dee Williams

Image Source: Reddit

Billy Dee Williams appeared in a famous Colt 45 beer commercial, before entering into Hollywood, and landing his iconic role of Lando Calrissian in the 'Star Wars' franchise. It is possible that he featured in other commercials, but the Colt 45 commercial is the most recognizable.