The small screen is often a launch pad for actors! For this list, we’ll be looking at the actors who started with smaller TV roles before making it into the A-list category.
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00:00 - Excuse me, my name's Woody Boyd.
00:01 - Welcome to WatchMojo.
00:03 And today we're counting down our picks
00:05 for the top 20 stars who outgrew their TV show.
00:08 - Oh God, Monica, hi, thank God.
00:11 - For this list, we're looking at the actors
00:13 who started with smaller TV roles
00:15 before making it into the A-list category.
00:17 We're including stars who stayed with their shows
00:19 during their run, but whose successes moved up the scale
00:22 during or after their run.
00:24 Which star's popularity do you think transcended their shows?
00:26 Let us know in the comments.
00:29 Number 20, Bruce Willis, "Moonlighting".
00:32 When the average person thinks of Bruce Willis,
00:34 they usually think of his role in "Die Hard".
00:36 - Yippee-ki-yay.
00:37 - Willis is recognized among the action icons of Hollywood,
00:40 but the actor initially got his start
00:42 next to Cybill Shepard in "Moonlighting".
00:44 - But most of all, most of all,
00:46 I don't wanna talk with you.
00:48 - Hey, I can take a hint.
00:52 - The mystery comedy series sees the pair as detectives
00:55 who use quirky methods to solve crimes.
00:57 The chemistry between Willis and Shepard
00:59 served as the main hook for the series,
01:01 but the former struck "Die Hard" gold
01:03 around the fourth season.
01:05 The movie was just a stepping stone for a big career,
01:07 which also meant that "Moonlighting's" days were numbered.
01:10 - David.
01:11 - What?
01:12 - Nothing, forget it.
01:16 - It's forgotten.
01:17 - Fine.
01:18 - Fine.
01:19 - After the show's conclusion,
01:20 Willis would go on to deliver memorable hits
01:22 like "The Sixth Sense", "Pulp Fiction",
01:24 "12 Monkeys" and more to cement himself as a leading star.
01:29 Number 19, Ashton Kutcher, "That '70s Show".
01:32 It's hard to ever forget Michael Kelso and his trademark.
01:35 - Burn.
01:36 (audience laughing)
01:38 - While his stint on "That '70s Show" remains evergreen,
01:41 Ashton Kutcher kept himself in clear view
01:43 with movies like "Dude, Where's My Car?",
01:45 "The Butterfly Effect" and as the host of "Punk'd".
01:47 - Look out 'cause you're gonna get punk'd.
01:49 (upbeat music)
01:50 - With "That '70s Show" being an ensemble effort,
01:52 Kutcher was able to focus on other projects
01:54 before graduating into the big leagues.
01:56 Because of this, Kelso bid goodbye early in the final season.
02:00 The actor saw further roles in movies like "The Guardian"
02:03 and "What Happens in Vegas"
02:04 before replacing Charlie Sheen in "Two and a Half Men".
02:07 To his credit, he did return for "That '70s Finale"
02:10 and he also made a cameo in "That '90s Show".
02:13 (audience cheering)
02:16 Number 18, Michelle Williams, "Dawson's Creek".
02:20 After multiple Oscar nominations,
02:22 as well as an Emmy and two Golden Globe wins,
02:25 it's difficult to think of a time
02:27 when Michelle Williams was part of a teen drama cast.
02:29 - Well, get over it.
02:31 Not everything in life has to be so complicated.
02:33 - The actress got her break as Jen Lindley in "Dawson's Creek"
02:36 and she stayed with the show through its entire run.
02:39 However, her career has since been defined
02:41 by dramas like "Brokeback Mountain",
02:43 "Manchester by the Sea"
02:45 and the lead role in "My Week with Marilyn".
02:47 - You should get out more, you should see the sights.
02:50 - Well, I am the sights.
02:51 - Her time on "Dawson's Creek" is now seen
02:53 as the starting point for what is a critically acclaimed
02:56 career on the big screen.
02:57 - You don't be afraid, sweetheart.
02:59 Remember, to love is to live.
03:05 - Number 17, John Travolta, "Welcome Back, Cotter".
03:09 Thanks to John Travolta, disco and musicals
03:12 were brought to life with the successes
03:14 of "Saturday Night Fever" and "Grease".
03:16 ♪ Go through your slide ♪
03:17 ♪ And you're burning up the quarter mile ♪
03:19 ♪ Grease like and go ♪
03:20 ♪ Grease like and ♪
03:22 - The actor experienced superstardom
03:23 while continuing to appear in "Welcome Back, Cotter".
03:26 - Up your nose with a rubber hose.
03:28 (crowd cheering)
03:30 - This sitcom features Travolta in the role
03:32 of a troublemaking high school student.
03:33 During its run, he first broke through the big screen
03:36 in the Stephen King adaptation "Carrie",
03:38 but the actor still saw "Welcome Back, Cotter"
03:40 through its four seasons.
03:41 It wouldn't be decades until Travolta
03:43 returned to the small screen.
03:45 By then, his musical legacy continued
03:47 to inspire fans to get their groove on.
03:49 Despite suffering a period of decline,
03:51 he roared back to the A-list with "Pulp Fiction"
03:54 for a career resurgence.
03:55 - What do they call it?
03:56 - They call it the Royale with Cheese.
03:59 - Number 16, "Johnny Depp, 21 Jump Street".
04:03 Watching Johnny Depp in the "21 Jump Street" film
04:05 was a fun surprise, but decades earlier,
04:08 it was the TV series that garnered him
04:10 the status of a teen icon.
04:11 - Tom, it's either this or I assign you to desk
04:14 at Parker Center until you look old enough to be a cop.
04:16 - I am a cop.
04:17 - The actor was the poster boy for the crime drama
04:19 before leaving by the fourth season.
04:21 By then, Edward Scissorhands got Depp
04:23 the big screen recognition he needed.
04:25 Films like "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" and "Ed Wood"
04:27 then established him as a leading man.
04:29 Of course, it was the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise
04:32 that propelled him to worldwide fame,
04:34 as Jack Sparrow became a pop culture mainstay.
04:37 - You will always remember this as the day
04:39 that you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow.
04:43 - With many other popular characters like Willy Wonka,
04:46 Sweeney Todd, and Gellert Grindelwald in the bag,
04:48 Depp's jumpstreet days are now the beginning
04:51 of a celebrated filmography.
04:52 - Here, welcome to the 80s.
04:55 - Thanks.
04:59 - Number 15, Ariana Grande, "Victorious" and "Sam & Cat".
05:03 Rather than her acting career,
05:05 Ariana Grande's rise to the top
05:06 came from her musical success.
05:08 ♪ Give it up, you can't win ♪
05:10 After getting her start in the Nickelodeon series "Victorious"
05:13 as the lovably ditzy Cat Valentine,
05:15 Grande briefly headlined its spinoff "Sam & Cat".
05:18 - What was that noise?
05:19 - I think it's the sound of two girls
05:21 about to be squashed inside a garbage truck.
05:23 - Yeah, well, you don't mean us, right?
05:25 - However, the simultaneous release of her albums
05:28 "Yours Truly" and "My Everything" exploded in popularity.
05:32 And just like that, starring in a Nickelodeon sitcom
05:34 seemed minute in front of an ever-growing singing career.
05:38 ♪ Every time you touch me ♪
05:40 ♪ Every love you make ♪
05:42 ♪ I get a little bit breathy ♪
05:44 ♪ I said I wanted to find you ♪
05:47 With each album becoming a smash hit,
05:49 the sky's the limit for the former Cat Valentine.
05:52 Grande's acting may have taken a back seat,
05:54 but she still had time for onscreen appearances
05:56 in shows like "Screen Queens",
05:58 along with the big screen adaptation of "Wicked".
06:01 Number 14, Adam Driver, "Girls".
06:04 Among the most versatile actors in recent years,
06:07 Adam Driver has starred in dark dramas,
06:09 action thrillers, and big budget blockbusters.
06:12 - You know I can take whatever I want?
06:14 - The actor first gained wider attention
06:16 for playing Kylo Ren in the "Star Wars" sequel trilogy.
06:19 But Driver's streak of critical praise
06:20 began with HBO's "Girls",
06:22 which he appeared in for its entire tenure.
06:25 (burps)
06:26 - Hannah?
06:26 - Mm-hmm?
06:27 - I hear where you stand,
06:28 and as an outsider looking in, I'm impressed.
06:30 - Impressively, Driver was on "Girls"
06:32 during the releases of hits like "Inside" Llewyn Davis,
06:35 "Silence", "Logan Lucky",
06:37 as well as during his "Star Wars" role.
06:39 In the face of so much big screen acclaim,
06:42 mainstream audiences can't be faulted
06:43 for being unaware of the HBO series.
06:45 Since its conclusion,
06:47 Driver has gone on to carve a bigger legacy
06:49 with well-received performances
06:51 in "Marriage Story" and "House of Gucci".
06:53 - My uncle is in prison and my cousin thinks I'm scum.
06:57 You think that's constructive?
06:59 - Number 13, Jason Segel, "How I Met Your Mother".
07:02 Neil Patrick Harris' Barney Stinson
07:04 might get most of the love,
07:06 but Marshall knocked it out of the park.
07:08 - Have you ever thought about
07:09 how many different kinds of fish there are?
07:12 And the names of those fish.
07:15 - "How I Met Your Mother" managed to last nine seasons
07:19 without someone from the main cast dropping out.
07:21 Three years into the show's run, however,
07:23 Jason Segel wrote and starred in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall",
07:26 a raunchy comedy that earned 85% on Rotten Tomatoes
07:30 and established Marshall as a bankable actor.
07:32 - Sorry for all the wrong I've done.
07:36 I've finished trying.
07:38 It was a wonderful dream.
07:40 - Proving to be a hit on the small and big screen,
07:43 Jason landed roles in "Despicable Me",
07:45 "The Muppets Revival" and "The Five Year Engagement".
07:48 - Not to be competitive, but our wedding
07:51 is gonna be way better.
07:54 - Number 12, Katherine Heigl, "Grey's Anatomy".
07:57 Heigl became a household name for her role
07:59 as Izzy Stevens in "Grey's Anatomy".
08:01 She remains the only regular cast member
08:03 from the medical drama to win an Emmy for the show.
08:06 - You're a doctor, obviously.
08:08 - I was, I was a doctor, I'm not anymore.
08:10 - Her star was shining brighter than ever
08:12 as Heigl led box office successes like "Knocked Up",
08:15 "27 Dresses" and "The Ugly Truth".
08:17 - I'm not desperate.
08:19 - Why did you think I sounded desperate?
08:22 - At the time, she was also the only member of the series
08:25 to consistently appear on TV and in cinemas.
08:28 While her "Grey's Anatomy" tenure is remembered
08:30 for the controversy it circulated,
08:31 with Izzy quickly written off the show,
08:34 Heigl usually remained the lead star
08:36 in her subsequent films and TV shows,
08:37 including Netflix's "Firefly Lane".
08:40 - I'm a goddamn legend in the making.
08:42 - That's right, you are.
08:44 - Number 11, Dan Stevens, "Downton Abbey".
08:48 From Yorkshire to 18th century France,
08:50 this English actor's talent is timeless.
08:53 "Downton Abbey" captured the hearts of viewers
08:55 from around the world,
08:56 partially due to Dan Stevens' captivating performance
08:59 as Matthew Crawley.
09:00 - You'll take a man who is more than I am now to follow you.
09:03 So don't think about me.
09:04 - Previously known for his stage work,
09:06 Stevens gave the historical period drama three seasons
09:09 before leaving to try something new.
09:11 First, the gamble did not pay off,
09:13 with 2014's "The Guest" being the actor's biggest film.
09:17 But Stevens reached superstardom
09:19 with Disney's live-action "Beauty and the Beast".
09:21 (dramatic music)
09:24 Number 10, Woody Harrelson, "Cheers".
09:31 The character of Woody Boyd was created
09:33 after the death of previous "Cheers" bartender Coach,
09:36 played by Nicholas Colasanto.
09:38 However, Woody Harrelson won audiences over
09:40 with his boyish charm,
09:42 and would remain with the sitcom for eight further seasons.
09:45 - Sam, a cat and a mouse don't play together.
09:47 They're mortal enemies.
09:48 They don't even know the same game.
09:50 (audience laughing)
09:53 Think before you speak, Sam.
09:54 - Near the show's end, Harrelson showed his acting chops
09:57 in "White Man Can't Jump",
09:59 which kickstarted his film career.
10:01 1994's "Natural Born Killers"
10:03 reconfirmed his place in cinema,
10:05 as Harrelson wowed with his against type performance.
10:08 - It's just murder, man.
10:09 All God's creatures do it in some form or another.
10:12 - The actor has since expanded his horizons,
10:14 appearing in action comedies like "Zombieland"
10:17 and franchise movies like "The Hunger Games"
10:19 and "Planet of the Apes".
10:20 Not too bad for someone
10:21 who got his start tending bar at "Cheers".
10:23 - You people are as dear to me as my own family.
10:26 More so, in fact.
10:28 - Really, Woody?
10:29 - Oh yeah, well, for one thing,
10:30 now you call me Huckleberry.
10:31 I hate being called Huckleberry.
10:33 (audience laughing)
10:34 - That's your nickname, Woody?
10:35 - No, Woody is.
10:36 - Number nine, Chris Pratt, "Parks and Recreation".
10:39 Nothing can replace "Mouse Rat",
10:41 but "Guardians of the Galaxy" is a close second.
10:44 Chris Pratt started off as a sidekick
10:45 on the TV drama "Everwood",
10:47 before landing a part on "Parks and Recreation".
10:50 - Andy Dwyer, security, suites,
10:52 body man, javelin, if need be.
10:55 - While Andy always brought the laughs,
10:57 many were taken by surprise when Pratt was cast
11:00 as Star-Lord in James Gunn's superhero blockbuster.
11:02 "Guardians of the Galaxy" and Pratt's performance
11:05 received near universal praise,
11:07 instantly turning the TV actor
11:09 into one of Hollywood's biggest stars.
11:11 - Bring it down hard.
11:12 - Son of a...
11:14 - Jay!
11:15 - Pratt appears in the "Jurassic World" films
11:17 as well as "Marvel's Infinity War".
11:19 So Andy and Pratt is here to stay.
11:23 Number eight, Jennifer Aniston, "Friends".
11:26 As the faces of one of the most successful shows
11:28 of all time, this sitcom's entire cast
11:31 is pretty much set for life.
11:32 - See, that's how we buy stuff.
11:34 (audience laughing)
11:36 - While all six "Friends" landed roles
11:38 outside of television, Jennifer Aniston
11:40 is the only one to completely outshine the series
11:43 that made her famous.
11:44 Due to a string of lucrative romantic comedies,
11:47 including "Office Space" and "The Break-Up",
11:49 Aniston established herself as a reliable comedic actress
11:52 capable of holding her own alongside any other celebrity.
11:55 Putting aside Aniston's film career,
12:01 the media has always kept tabs on her private life,
12:04 ensuring the actress is known for more than just Rachel.
12:08 Number seven, Donald Glover, "Community".
12:10 Writer, actor, and rapper,
12:13 Childish Gambino is the full package.
12:15 Prior to landing the role of Troy Barnes on "Community",
12:18 Donald Glover paid his dues as a writer on "30 Rock".
12:22 While no stranger to the camera,
12:23 Troy was Glover's first big acting role,
12:26 which lasted for the next five years.
12:28 In the meantime, the actor released two albums
12:30 under the pseudonym of Childish Gambino.
12:33 Preferring to focus on his own work,
12:34 Glover created and starred in "Atlanta",
12:36 a highly acclaimed comedy-drama that won multiple Emmys.
12:40 As Childish Gambino, he also took home a Grammy for "Redbone",
12:47 dialing up his fame factor another notch.
12:50 Number six, George Clooney, "ER".
13:00 A bankable movie star and proven producer today,
13:03 George Clooney got his big break
13:05 when he was cast as ER's Dr. Doug Ross.
13:07 - 93, vital stable. - 93, way to go.
13:11 You made it. How 'bout that, kiddo?
13:14 The role led to a couple of Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
13:17 And for five years, Clooney juggled a busy television and film schedule,
13:21 including the films "Out of Sight" and "From Dusk Till Dawn".
13:24 In 1999, Clooney made his final appearance as a full-time cast member
13:28 and set his sights on Hollywood.
13:30 Within a couple of years, the charismatic actor
13:32 was sharing the silver screen with Brad Pitt,
13:34 Matt Damon and Julia Roberts in "Ocean's Eleven".
13:38 Number five, Will Smith, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air".
13:42 Hey, look who's here, Benson.
13:45 Music, TV and film, there is nothing Big Willie cannot do.
13:51 By the time "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" hit the scene,
13:53 DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince had already released three full-length albums.
13:57 Born and raised in Philadelphia,
13:59 Smith's larger-than-life personality and charisma
14:02 survived the transition to the small screen,
14:04 transforming the rapper into a household name.
14:06 ♪ Na-na-na-na-na ♪
14:08 ♪ Keep it to you, with it ♪
14:08 ♪ Na-na-na-na-na ♪
14:10 After conquering music and TV,
14:12 the film industry was the next logical step,
14:14 with "Independence Day" and "Men in Black"
14:16 cementing Will Smith as an A-list celebrity.
14:19 All right, I'm in.
14:20 'Cause look, there's some next-level shit going on around here, and I'm with that.
14:24 Number four, Michael J. Fox, "Family Ties".
14:27 Who else can say they became a werewolf and a time traveler in the same year?
14:31 Michael J. Fox is synonymous with the '80s,
14:34 and worked on multiple TV series
14:36 before landing the role of Alex P. Keaton on "Family Ties".
14:39 Soon thereafter,
14:40 Steven Spielberg and "Back to the Future" came knocking,
14:43 propelling Fox into the big leagues.
14:45 You've gotta come back with me!
14:48 Where?
14:49 Back to the future!
14:50 The sci-fi classic proved an instant hit,
14:53 and spawned two sequels.
14:55 Although Michael continued to appear on "Family Ties".
14:57 Once Alex P. Keaton's days were done, for a while,
15:00 Fox focused on film,
15:02 before returning with a claim to the small screen in "Spin City".
15:05 Number three, Melissa McCarthy, "Mike & Molly".
15:09 The energetic actress had been in the business for over a decade
15:12 when "Mike & Molly" started its run.
15:14 Within three years,
15:15 Melissa McCarthy went from a relatively unknown actress
15:17 to one of TV and film's leading comedic talents.
15:20 Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, hey, shut my mouth!
15:23 Look at this, unbelievable!
15:25 After her star-making performance in "Bridesmaids",
15:28 McCarthy would go on to work repeatedly with director Paul Feig,
15:31 with leading roles in "The Heat", "Spy",
15:33 and the 2016 "Ghostbusters" remake.
15:36 Despite being one of the most in-demand talents in Hollywood,
15:39 McCarthy remained committed to "Mike & Molly",
15:42 lasting a full six seasons,
15:43 before the sitcom called it a day.
15:46 - You're forgiven. - Oh, best wife ever.
15:48 - You know I really am. - I know.
15:50 Number two, Steve Carell, "The Office".
15:54 The Dana Carvey show lasted for seven short episodes,
15:57 but managed to gift the world two future stars.
16:01 (laughing)
16:03 Alongside Stephen Colbert,
16:07 Steve Carell went on to perform on "The Daily Show",
16:10 before securing the beloved role of Michael Scott
16:12 on the US version of "The Office".
16:15 The worst thing about prison was the...
16:17 was the Dementors, they...
16:19 were flying all over the place and they were scary,
16:22 and then they'd come down and they'd suck the soul out of your body,
16:24 and it hurt!
16:24 While "The Mockumantary" struggled through its first season,
16:27 Carell's performance in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin"
16:29 drew more attention to the series.
16:31 For around seven years,
16:33 Carell balanced a film and TV career,
16:36 before finally retiring the character of Michael Scott.
16:39 Since then, the comedian has branched out into different genres,
16:42 including an Academy Award-nominated turn in "Foxcatcher".
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17:00 The incomparable Robin Williams delighted fans for decades
17:09 with his high-energy brand of comedy.
17:11 Good morning, Vietnam!
17:15 Williams is also known for delivering heartfelt dramatic performances
17:18 in films like "Dead Poets Society", "Awakenings", and "Good Will Hunting".
17:22 What some might overlook is that Williams got his start
17:25 playing an alien in "Mork & Mindy".
17:27 I am Mork from Ork, nanu nanu!
17:29 Part of the "Happy Days" franchise,
17:30 Mork went on hilarious adventures in the late '70s and early '80s.
17:34 In addition to his rising stand-up career,
17:36 Williams was seen in popular films like "Popeye" and "The World According to Garp"
17:40 while "Mork & Mindy" was still on air.
17:42 After the series' cancellation,
17:44 Williams never looked back,
17:45 entertaining viewers with classic characters like Peter Pan,
17:49 Ramon & Lovelace, Theodore Roosevelt,
17:51 and everyone's favorite genie.
17:53 - The ever-impressive.
17:55 - The one-contained duck!
17:58 - Impoffenimated.
18:00 - But never...
18:01 - Duplicated!
18:02 - Duplicated!
18:02 - Duplicated!
18:03 - Duplicated!
18:03 - Duplicated!
18:03 - Duplicated!
18:04 - Genie of the Lamp!
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18:16 [Music]