Everyone has to start somewhere. Whether it’s commercials, TV shows, or in this case, horror movies. It’s fun taking a look at some of the biggest names in Hollywood and seeing their acting roots in horror movies. As you’ll see on this list, many of the movies were not that great. That being said, it isn’t always the fault of these talented actors. They just do what the script tells them.
All of the entries on this list have become household names in celebrity culture, with some of them even going on to Oscar nominees and winners. Here are ten 10 famous actors who started off in horror movies.
Paul Rudd - Halloween: The Curse Of Michael Myers
Before he became America’s sweetheart, the lovable Paul Rudd would start his career by starring in the critically panned Halloween: The Curse Of Michael Myers. This fifth sequel to the long-running franchise was a production nightmare, and the final product shows it.
Still, Rudd’s weird and odd performance as Tommy Doyle makes this movie somewhat enjoyable. Tommy was the kid in the original Halloween and in the years since then, he’s become obsessed with Michael Myers and this mysterious “Cult of Thorn.” While this movie was a failure, Rudd would find fame later that year for his role in Clueless.
Kevin Bacon - Friday The 13th
This is probably the most well-known entry on this list. Kevin Bacon’s first film was in the original Friday The 13th as a camp counselor.
His character is most infamous for having one of the best kills in the entire franchise. As he’s laying down in bed, a hand grabs his head and then an arrow slowly comes up through his neck. It’s a visceral and gory death that’s made all the better thanks to Tom Savini’s excellent practical effects. Bacon would later become a household name four years later in Footloose.
Johnny Depp - Nightmare On Elm Street
Not all the films on this list are bad. Nightmare On Elm Street is a horror classic in so many ways. It also introduced the world to Johnny Depp, one of the most unique and talented actors of this generation.
This wasn’t any small part either since Depp plays Glen, the boyfriend of the main protagonist Nancy. Glen’s character is most remembered for having one of the more infamous death scenes of the series where he’s pulled into a mattress by Freddy, resulting in a huge upside-down waterfall of blood that covers the room. Fun fact: Depp actually beat a young Jackie Earle Haley for the role of Glen, while Haley would later star as Freddy in the 2010 remake.
Crispin Glover - Friday The 13th: The Final Chapter
One year prior to starring in Back To The Future, a young Crispin Glover got one of his first roles in Friday The 13th: The Final Chapter. In the fourth entry of this slasher series, Glover had a minor role as Jimmy, a dorky teenager who would eventually find his face at the sharp end of Jason’s machete.
In a franchise full of forgettable dead meat teens, Glover actually stands out. This was due to his eccentric dance moves and his grisly death scene. Seriously, just search “Crispin Glover dance” on YouTube and you will not be disappointed.
Seth Rogen - Donnie Darko
Seth Rogen’s name has become synonymous with comedy, starring in many early 2000s comedies such as Knocked Up and Pineapple Express.
While he did have his start in the short-lived Freaks and Geeks TV series, his first movie role would be in the 2001 horror/sci-fi cult hit Donnie Darko, where he plays your typical high school bully. The character of Ricky isn’t that crucial to the plot and Rogen received very little screen time.
Jennifer Aniston - Leprechaun
The Leprechaun franchise has never been what you’d call “quality” filmmaking even though it’s somewhat of an iconic franchise. It’s crazy to think that the original movie starred a young Jennifer Aniston in her first movie role who, not long after, would star in Friends and become one of the highest-paid actresses ever.
Just like all the entries in the franchise, the original isn’t that very good. Still, it’s an enjoyable horror comedy and Aniston does what she can with what she’s given. Luckily, she had the talented Warwick Davis to work with.
Rooney Mara - Urban Legends: Bloody Mary
Before she would get the chance to work with David Fincher, Rooney Mara would get a whole 15 seconds of screen time in Urban Legends: Bloody Mary, the direct-to-video sequel in the franchise. Mara had her very first role as “Classroom Girl #1” and all she does is speak some high-school gossip.
Bloody Mary also stars Kata Mara, Rooney’s sister, and it’s one of the few movies they were in together. Eventually, Rooney would be given a supporting role in The Social Network as Erica Albright. One year later she would give her Oscar-nominated performance as Lisbeth Salander in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.
Leonardo DiCaprio - Critters 3
While he may be one of the greatest actors working today, Leonardo DiCaprio actually had his film debut as Josh in Critters 3, a direct-to-video sequel to the horror-comedy series. The only thing he had done prior to this was an uncredited role in Roseanne.
Critters 3 wasn’t as well-received as the first two, but it will always be remembered as the first film to feature DiCaprio. It wouldn’t take long, however, for DiCaprio to be recognized for his talents as he would star in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape two years later, with the Academy giving him a nomination at the young age of 19.
Brad Pitt - Cutting Class
1989’s Cutting Class feels perfectly in line with all the other cheap slasher films of the 80s. It has a very run-of-the-mill slasher premise: a murderous student is released from a mental institute and starts killing students and faculty.
It has the right amount of camp and cheese to make it watchable. Its biggest downside is the lack of any good gore expected from the genre. Pitt is surprisingly decent in this role, having all the charm and charisma that would later make him a star in Hollywood.
Renee Zellweger and Matthew McConaughey - Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation
Originally titled The Return Of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in 1994, this sequel was so bad after its initial screening that Columbia Pictures shelved it. Both McConaughey and Zellweger were unknown during filming but had both become stars in the next couple of years, so the studio decided to capitalize on their names by re-releasing it in 1997, which still failed.
Zellweger isn’t much to write home about in this performance, but that isn’t her fault since it’s a terrible script. McConaughey, on the other hand, is insane and unhinged as Vilmer, one of the Slaughter family members. He makes this movie more fun than it deserves to be.
