Every celebrity has their own origin story, and shockingly, a lot of them started in the one of the most relatable forms of media: commercials. Before they were winning awards, these stars were promoting gum, fast food, and literally anything else under the sun.
And honestly? Seeing their humble beginnings is so inspiring. It’s proof that you can really start anywhere, look a little awkward on TV, and still end up a legend. Here are 12 celebrities who went from commercial babies to full-blown Hollywood royalty:
1.
Before becoming Jack Dawson in Titanic (1997), baby Leonardo DiCaprio was selling gum — Bubble Yum to be exact — with the biggest ’80s child-star energy you’ve ever seen.
3.
We all knew Drew Barrymore started out young in the business, but even before E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), she starred in a 1979 Pillsbury commercial. A baby icon if you will.
4.
Long before his days as Michael Scott on The Office (2005), Steve Carell played a Brown’s Chicken employee in this 1989 commercial. His manager material was calling from the very start…
5.
Before delivering Oscar-winning scripts, Ben Affleck was delivering fast food in this 1989 Burger King commercial. Now that’s range.
6.
Here’s a young Brad Pitt in a 1989 Pringles commercial, wayyy before all the Academy Awards came calling. Even while simply eating chips, he’s somehow still radiating heartthrob energy.
7.
Before becoming the most universally beloved man alive (plus he’s Canadian — extra point), Keanu Reeves appeared in a 1986 Corn Flakes commercial, munching away in a bow tie.
8.
Many years ahead of ruling Genovia in The Princess Diaries (2001), Anne Hathaway was once dreaming of staying at home back in this 1997 better Homes and Gardens commercial.
9.
Several years before becoming Jackie Burkhart on That ’70s Show (1998), Mila Kunis appeared in a 1994 commercial for the Telephone Tammy, a toy phone that could talk to an 11-year-old girl on the other end.
10.
Back in the 1970s, Morgan Freeman was in a Polaroid commercial, telling the other guy taking photos to cool it on all the reshoots.
11.
Showing off his chaotic comedic energy back in the day, Jack Black starred in a 1982 Atari Pitfall commerical. Even as a kid, he was fully committing to the bit.
12.
Many years ahead of swinging into our hearts in Spider-Man (2002), teenage Tobey Maguire once was in a 1991 Tropicana Twister commercial.
It’s wild to think that some of the biggest stars in Hollywood started out doing awkward commercial acting we all joked about growing up.
Which celebrity’s commercial era surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments!
