Before They Were Stars: 15 Early Roles of Today's A-Listers

1. Johnny Depp in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

A young Johnny Depp trying to keep his peepers open lest he falls victim to Freddy Krueger. In Elm Street, dreamworlds aren't a haven of solace; they're fatal traps laid by Freddy, the burnt-faced villain with a glove made of knives. A whole slew of teenagers get targeted, including Depp, who plays Glen. What does Glen do? Gets swallowed by a bed, obviously. Who'd have thought the bed that consumed him would catapult him to stardom?

2. Scarlett Johansson in Manny & Lo (1996)

Once upon a time, in a very different movie universe, Scarlett Johansson wasn't the Black Widow, but an 11-year-old runaway named Amanda. Joined by her rebellious teenage sister, Lo, the duo kidnaps an unwitting store clerk in their desperate quest for family and normality. Missing your average Avengers pyrotechnics? Tough luck. However, we get a glimpse into ScarJo's future charisma, even in a grocery aisle.

3. Matthew McConaughey in Dazed and Confused (1993)

Alright, alright, alright. Who could forget McConaughey's laid-back, perma-grinned David Wooderson? This film's one crazy trip down '70s nostalgia lane, complete with flares, muscle cars, and classic rock. What's the deal? Last day of school, baby! Freedom! Our man Matthew struts around, hoping to score at the end-of-year bash.

4. Amy Adams in Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)

In the quaint town of Mount Rose, there's a teen beauty pageant unfolding. The young Amy Adams debuts as Leslie, a perky, uninhibited cheerleader. Who could predict she'd evolve into a multi-nominated actress? Leslie's goal is the tiara; little does she know she's entangled in a web of sabotages and accidental deaths.

5. Leonardo DiCaprio in What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

When Leo played Arnie, a mentally disabled boy in a dysfunctional family, the world took notice. Gilbert, the older brother, is shackled by the burden of caretaking. They live in a sleepy town that's about as exciting as watching paint dry. Arnie's a handful, climbing trees and causing public disruptions. It's tough but it's life. Leo's performance stole the limelight from Johnny Depp, who played Gilbert.

6. Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone (2010)

No hunting Games here, just raw survival. Jennifer Lawrence stars as Ree Dolly, a teenager searching for her dad in the bleak Ozarks. The terrain is rough, and so are the people. She's not shooting arrows; she's dodging bullets of a different kind—social alienation and poverty. The mystery is less whodunit and more where-is-he.

7. Harrison Ford in American Graffiti (1973)

Before soaring in the Millennium Falcon, Harrison Ford was Bob Falfa, a cowboy-hat-wearing, drag-racing hunk. It's the early '60s; teens in Modesto, California, are cruising in their hot rods, hoping to score—or at least avoid a drag-racing disaster. And Ford? He's not fighting Darth Vader; he's just a young gun looking for a good time.

8. Morgan Freeman in Street Smart (1987)

Would you ever think of Morgan Freeman as a villain? In Street Smart, he's Fast Black, a volatile pimp up to no good. A journalist fakes a story about a pimp and a prostitute, and then the world of Fast Black engulfs him. No one's narrating the story of the universe or driving Miss Daisy. Instead, Freeman's delivering a gritty, dangerous performance. An unexpected role for Freeman, but hey, surprises are the spice of life, right?

9. Viola Davis in Far from Heaven (2002)

Before Viola was setting classrooms on fire in How to Get Away with Murder, she was Sybil, a housekeeper in a 1950s racially tense America. The story spins around Cathy Whitaker, who befriends her black gardener, causing a scandal. Through the whole ordeal, Sybil remains steadfast, offering silent but poignant observations.

10. Tom Hanks in Splash (1984)

Tom Hanks plays Allen Bauer, a man who falls in love with a mermaid. Yes, a mermaid, named Madison. Madison saves Allen, they fall in love, and all is fine and dandy until the government gets wind of Madison's aquatic origins. Love is real, but so is the threat of scientific dissection.

11. Cate Blanchett in Paradise Road (1997)

Cate Blanchett in one of her first roles portrays Susan MacCarthy, an Australian nurse during WWII. She's captured by the Japanese and interned in a camp with other women. No Elven queens or royal intrigues here. Music becomes their freedom, their form of rebellion. The Japanese can imprison their bodies, but not their souls, get it? Not Blanchett's best role, but one that hints at the breadth of her talents.

12. Brad Pitt in Thelma & Louise (1991)

Brad Pitt as J.D., a seductive drifter, stole scenes, and Thelma's cash, but also our hearts. A classic tale of two women on the run, each desperate for a new life. Pitt's part may be brief, but he makes each moment count. This isn't Fight Club, no mind-bending twists, just good ol' midwestern allure.

13. Meryl Streep in The Deer Hunter (1978)

Meryl Streep, a powerhouse of talent, started somewhere too—beside Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken in The Deer Hunter. The film tackles the Vietnam War and its aftermath on a group of friends. Streep plays Linda, caught in a romantic triangle.

14. Natalie Portman in Léon: The Professional (1994)

Natalie Portman, a child actor who actually made it, debuted as Mathilda, an orphan taken in by a hitman. This isn't your typical daddy-daughter story. Mathilda wants revenge for her family's death; Léon wants peace. The result? A chaotic blend of gunfights and familial bonds.

15. Denzel Washington in Carbon Copy (1981)

Denzel Washington in a comedy about racial stereotypes. He plays Roger, the long-lost black son of a white executive. This isn't Training Day or Philadelphia; it's a goofy comedy that tries to address race relations but mostly ends up as a dated relic. Yet, there's Denzel, imbuing Roger with charisma, almost as if he knew he'd one day own Hollywood.