30 Celebs Who Are Known Best By Their First "Big Role"

Buzz Feed

2 days ago

You know how some people peak in high school? Well, these actors hit it so hard with their very first role, they basically set the bar too high for themselves. Even if they went on to have long, successful careers, there's one character we'll always associate them with — and honestly, nothing else has ever quite topped it.
Like, seriously — how could Elijah Wood ever not be Frodo Baggins in our minds? That role is etched in pop culture forever. So let's take a look at some of our favourite A-list stars and the iconic breakout roles that launched them so high, they've basically spent their whole careers trying not to come down.
Here we go...
Hugh Jackman — Wolverine in X-Men
Hugh Jackman became a household name with the launch of the X-Men franchise in 2000. And while he's delivered plenty of iconic performances since — The Greatest Showman, Les Misérables, Prisoners — let's be real: When you hear 'Hugh Jackman,' you think Wolverine. Honestly, it's hard to watch him on a late-night show without half-expecting him to pop those claws.
Bruce Willis — John McClane in Die Hard
Bruce Willis broke out in the late '80s thanks to Die Hard — and while he's racked up more than 100 film credits since, he'll always be best known as John McClane. And that line? Unforgettable: 'Yippee ki-yay, motherf***er.'
Noah Centineo — Peter in To All The Boys I've Loved Before
Noah Centineo's career is still just getting started, but for now, he's best known for the role that put him on the map — Peter in To All the Boys I've Loved Before. Even if he pivots to totally different genres, it's hard to picture him as anything but the sweet, charming guy waiting by the lockers.
David Schwimmer — Ross Geller in Friends
Saying David Schwimmer nailed it on his first big try is kind of an understatement. Being one of the leads on a decade-defining, wildly beloved sitcom like Friends? That's a tough act to follow. And sure, he voiced the iconic Melman in Madagascar — but you can't look at him without immediately seeing Ross Geller.
Anna Kendrick — Beca in Pitch Perfect
Anna Kendrick is a multi-talented woman. She can sing, she can dance, and she proved it in her breakthrough performance as Beca in Pitch Perfect. And while she's built an impressively wide-ranging career, she's still best known for that movie — and yep, that cup song.
Rupert Grint — Ron Weasley in Harry Potter
They say it's hard to separate yourself from a franchise — and Rupert Grint is proof. He's taken on new roles since Harry Potter, like in Servant, but he'll always be Ron Weasley. Rat and all.
Tobey Maguire — Peter Parker in Spider-man
Tobey Maguire has stepped out of the red suit for standout roles in films like The Great Gatsby and Brothers, but let's be honest — when you think of his career, you think Spider-Man.
Miley Cyrus — Hannah Montana in Hannah Montana
Miley Cyrus has been shaking things up with her music for years, but she got her start as the one and only Hannah Montana. And while she's put serious effort into moving beyond the Disney roots that made her famous, she still racks up the most screen credits as that pop-star alter ego.
Sean Connery — James Bond in James Bond
Sean Connery went from humble beginnings to landing a franchise right out of the gate. And while he's a fan favourite in Indiana Jones, it was his first turn as James Bond that truly defined his career. The only real question is: Did Sean Connery give Bond the voice — or did Bond give it to him?
Kristen Stewart — Bella Swan in Twilight
Kristen Stewart had been around for a while, but everything changed when she became Bella Swan in the Twilight saga. In 2008, she was Bella — and Bella was everywhere. And even though she's taken on tons of impressive roles since, that breakout moment was lightning in a bottle.
John Krasinski — Jim Halpert in The Office
John Krasinski nearly walked away from acting before landing the role of a lifetime: Jim Halpert on The Office. And what a first big swing it was. To this day, it's hard not to picture him as the charming, goofy guy with a thing for the receptionist.
Chris Hemsworth — Thor in Thor
The Hemsworth brothers have been blessing our screens for years, but Chris's career-defining role was the one that launched him into full-blown stardom. Joining the Marvel universe is never a bad move — and let's be real, Chris is Thor now. Cue me throwing a hammer across the living room.
Vanessa Hudgens — Gabriella Montez in High School Musical
Vanessa Hudgens started young — and honestly, it's hard to top High School Musical as a breakout role. Sure, she's been the queen of Netflix holiday movies in recent years, but in our hearts, she'll always be Gabriella Montez. Then again... maybe one day she will be breaking free.
Julia Roberts — Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman
Julia Roberts has a stacked filmography, from Erin Brockovich to Eat, Pray, Love; she's proven time and again that she's got serious range. But let's be real: You can't say her name without instantly thinking of Pretty Woman, the film that made her a star.
Kit Harrington — Jon Snow in Game of Thrones
Kit Harrington had a very impressive lucky strike when he got the role of Jon Snow within the first few years of his career. Now, he'll forever be remembered as the brooding hero of Game of Thrones.
Al Pacino — Michael Corleone in The Godfather
Al Pacino's had a long, legendary run, but everything changed in 1972 when he stepped into the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather. Even with iconic turns in Scarface and beyond, nothing quite tops that first big role.
John Travolta — Danny Zuko in Grease
I know what you're thinking. And yes, John Travolta was iconic in Hairspray. Totally agree. But when it comes to career-defining roles that stick with you since day one, he hit the jackpot early as Danny Zuko in Grease. That performance? It got me saying, "I got chills, they're multiplying. It's electrifying!!"
Sigourney Weaver — Ellen Ripley in Alien
Gen Z might know Sigourney Weaver best from Avatar, but her real claim to fame goes way back to the late '70s. She was Ellen Ripley in Alien, and no amount of blue paint can outshine that legacy.
Arnold Schwarzenegger — Terminator in The Terminator
Arnold Schwarzenegger may have taken a detour into politics, but his first major acting role — The Terminator — was a total jackpot. No matter what else he's done since, all we hear is: 'I'll be back.'
Zach Galifianakis — Alan in The Hangover
Zach Galifianakis is a captivating comedian. He crushed it so hard as Alan in The Hangover; it's tough to imagine any role topping that.
Jesse Eisenberg — Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network
Sure, Now You See Me turned into a whole trilogy — but The Social Network is an Oscar-winning masterpiece that cemented Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg forever. And honestly? I'll fight anyone who says it's not his most iconic role.
Elliot Page — Juno in Juno
Elliot Page is endlessly talented. And while they've proven their talent it in lesser-known gems like Hard Candy (highly recommend, btw), we all remember Juno. The Sunny D, the chair, the hamburger phone and all.
Alicia Silverstone — Cher Horowitz in Clueless
Alicia Silverstone has been killing it since the early '90s, but her true breakout was — and always will be — Cher Horowitz in Clueless. And if anyone tries to say she's had a bigger role? All I have to say is: 'As if! Ugh.'
Sarah Michelle Gellar — Buffy Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Sarah Michelle Gellar is an absolute gift to the screen. Sure, she's unforgettable in Cruel Intentions and Scooby-Doo, but in our minds, she'll always be staking vampires with a crucifix around her neck. She is Buffy through and through.
Jennifer Grey — Frances Houseman in Dirty Dancing
Fun fact: Mindy in Friends was Jennifer Grey. I know — wild, right? But let's be honest, the only role most of us associate with her is Baby from Dirty Dancing. She danced into our hearts in that first big role and never really left.
Amanda Seyfried — Sophie in Mamma Mia
Amanda Seyfried has serious range, with a filmography that stretches across genres and decades. Yes, we know she's iconic as Karen in Mean Girls, but nothing tops being a main character alongside Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia. To this day, Sophie is still her best-known role. Honestly, she deserves all the money. money, money.
Gabourey Sidibe — Precious in Precious
Gabourey Sidibe is the definition of landing a role so powerful that she could've retired the day filming wrapped. Her performance in Precious was that unforgettable — raw, stunning, and career-making. Truly, a standing ovation moment.
Nikki Blonsky — Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray
These days, Nikki Blonsky might be better known for her cameo videos, but let's not forget she hit it out of the park with her debut in Hairspray. Before she was wishing people Happy Birthday on camera, she was belting out, 'Good morning, Baltimore!'
Carrie-Anne Moss — Trinity in The Matrix
Although Carrie-Anne Moss was in Memento — one of Christopher Nolan's early masterpieces — it was her role as Trinity in The Matrix that cemented her legacy. Black leather, slow-mo kicks, total badass.
And finally: Jon Heder — Napoleon Dynamite in Napoleon Dynamite
Jon Heder has such a specific vibe; it's like Napoleon Dynamite was written just for him. He was that role. Which is probably why he'll forever be remembered as Napoleon, tater tots and all.
Drop a comment with the stars we missed that are forever frozen in their breakout role — and shout out their underrated projects you think deserved way more love. I'll go first...
IMO, Robert Pattinson is one of the best actors of our generation — his filmography is impressive and expansive. So it's kinda tragic that so many people still call him 'the Twilight guy.' Because if you've seen The Lighthouse, you know that man can ACT.
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