
25 Actors and Actresses Who Had Very Quick Rise to Fame

25. Zac Efron
Zac Efron became a household name almost overnight, skyrocketing from a relative unknown to a superstar in just a few months. Despite the intense media attention, personal pressures, and the challenges that come with early fame, he has managed to keep pushing forward in his career. | © Disney

24. Chloë Grace Moretz
Chloë Grace Moretz's career took off when she played the role of Hit-Girl in Kick-Ass, a performance that mixed action with a sharp sense of humor. Her intense training and fearless stunts impressed audiences and quickly made her a rising star in Hollywood. | © Lionsgate Films

23. Ashley Olsen
Ashley Olsen became a household name as a kid when she and her twin sister started sharing the role of Michelle Tanner on Full House. Despite some early on-set drama, the show's success quickly launched their careers, making them beloved child stars. | © Ashley Olsen

22. Shia LaBeouf
Shia LaBeouf started his career as a child comedian and actor on the Disney Channel series Even Stevens. His breakout role in Transformers quickly catapulted him into stardom, making him a well-known name in Hollywood. | © Paramount Pictures

21. Channing Tatum
Channing Tatum made his film debut in Coach Carter, sharing the screen with Samuel L. Jackson. Despite having no prior basketball experience, he trained hard to bring his character, Jason Lyle, to life, setting the stage for his Hollywood success. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

20. Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie broke out with a memorable role in The Wolf of Wall Street, where her bold performance and on-set assertiveness caught everyone's attention. That breakthrough opened the door for her unstoppable rise, and she even co-founded LuckyChap Entertainment with her husband. | © Paramount Pictures

19. Emma Roberts
Emma Roberts, daughter of Oscar-nominated actor Eric Roberts and niece of Julia Roberts, made her film debut in Blow before rising to fame as Addie SingerUnfabulous, a role that led to award nominations and even a foray into music with her album Unfabulous and More. | © 20th Television

18. Dakota Fanning
Dakota Fanning rose to prominence at just seven years old with her standout performance in I Am Sam. Her role earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination at eight, making her the youngest nominee in SAG history. | © New Line Cinema

17. Macaulay Culkin
Macaulay Culkin became one of Hollywood's most famous child stars with his role as Kevin McCallister in the Home Alone series. His unforgettable performance in the films quickly turned him into a household name and brought him great success. | © 20th Century Fox

16. Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis was mostly known for his TV work when he landed the role in Die Hard, a film that many considered a risky move due to his $5 million fee. The movie turned out to be a massive hit, grossing over $140 million and launching him into major stardom. | © 20th Century Fox

15. Brie Larson
Brie Larson reached new heights in her career when she won an Oscar for her role in Room, marking the breakthrough moment that many had been waiting for. Despite her early work in films like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, her big win showed how hard she had worked to earn her success. | © A24

14. Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise began his film career in 1981, but his breakout role in Top Gun in 1985 quickly made him one of the biggest young stars in Hollywood. His charm and action-packed performances have since cemented his status as an enduring icon in the film industry. | © Paramount Pictures

13. Al Pacino
Al Pacino began his journey by studying at the prestigious Actors Studio and earning acclaim on stage, notably winning an Obie Award for his role in The Indian Wants the Bronx. His career skyrocketed after his unforgettable performance in The Godfather, cementing his place as one of the most iconic actors in Hollywood. | © Paramount Pictures

12. Mahershala Ali
Mahershala Ali impressed audiences with his powerful performance on House of Cards, which hinted at his incredible talent. His smooth transition to major films quickly established him as one of the most respected actors in Hollywood. | © Universal Pictures

11. Chris Pratt
Chris Pratt gained recognition for his work on Parks & Recreation, where he charmed audiences with his comedic talent. His swift move to blockbuster movies turned him into a major Hollywood star almost overnight. | © NBC

10. Florence Pugh
Florence Pugh has quickly become a celebrated actress, earning massive praise in films like Midsommar, Little Women, and Lady Macbeth in just a few years. With the upcoming role in Thunderbolts, her star continues to rise in Hollywood. | © Sony Pictures Releasing

9. Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman was relatively unknown before his breakthrough role as King T'Challa in Black Panther. His powerful performance quickly captured audiences worldwide, turning him into one of the most beloved stars in Hollywood. F for the Wakanda King. | © Marvel Studios

8. Robert Pattinson
Robert Pattinson began his career with a small role in a TV movie in 2004 and made a strong impression as Cedric Diggory in 2005. His breakthrough in Twilight in 2008 proved his talent, even when early critics doubted both him and his co-star Kristen Stewart. | © Summit Entertainment

7. Tom Holland
Tom Holland burst onto the scene as Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, quickly becoming a major star almost overnight. His debut as Peter Parker in Captain America: Civil War set the stage for a string of popular standalone Spider-Man movies. | © Marvel Studios

6. Shailene Woodley
Shailene Woodley first gained attention as Amy Juergens in the ABC Family series The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Her powerful roles in films like The Descendants, The Spectacular Now, and Divergent quickly turned her into an A-tier Hollywood star. | © Lionsgate Films

5. Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe had a few small TV roles before landing the iconic role of Harry Potter, which transformed him into a global superstar. His performance helped launch a series of blockbuster hits, making the franchise one of the biggest box office successes of all time. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

4. Finn Wolfhard
Finn Wolfhard began his acting journey at just nine years old when he landed the role of Mike Wheeler in Stranger Things. His video audition led to an impressive performance, and he, along with his co-stars, won a SAG Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series. | © Netflix

3. Millie Bobbie Brown
Millie Bobby Brown became a breakout star with her role as Eleven in Stranger Things. Her performance not only earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination at just 13 but also made her the youngest person ever to appear on the TIME 100 list. | © Netflix

2. Emma Watson
Emma Watson's breakthrough came when she was cast as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, which launched her into global stardom. Her memorable performance captivated audiences around the world, paving the way for a successful Hollywood career. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

1. Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence's breakthrough role in Winter's Bone shot this beautiful actress into stardom, earning her an Oscar nomination almost overnight. Despite rumors linking her to Weinstein, she was an Oscar nominee before she ever met him and has one project ever connected to those controversies. | © Roadside Attractions
Related News
More