15 Actors Who Secretly Appeared in Movies You Forgot About

Watching an older movie can sometimes turn into an unexpected game of “Wait… is that really them?” Long before they were headlining blockbuster franchises or winning Academy Awards, plenty of today’s biggest stars showed up in movies most people have completely forgotten about. Some had only a few lines, others appeared for just a single scene, and a few were hiding in supporting roles that barely stood out at the time. Looking back now, it’s surprising to realize those familiar faces were right there all along. Whether they were just starting out or simply hadn’t become household names yet, these early appearances make revisiting old favorites even more fun.

Here are 15 actors who secretly appeared in movies you forgot about.

Jack Black – Demolition Man (1993)

Years before School of Rock, Jack Black briefly appeared as one of Edgar Friendly’s followers in this Sylvester Stallone action film.

Elijah Wood – Back to the Future Part II (1989)

One of Elijah Wood’s earliest movie appearances came as a child watching Marty play a futuristic arcade game.

Scarlett Johansson – Home Alone 3 (1997)

Long before becoming Black Widow, Johansson played Molly Pruitt, the older sister of the film’s young protagonist.

Bryan Cranston – Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Before Malcolm in the Middle and Breaking Bad, Cranston briefly appeared as a one-armed Army officer.

Octavia Spencer – Spider-Man (2002)

She had a tiny role as the wrestling sign-in clerk who sends Peter Parker toward his first big fight.

Kevin Hart – The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)

Hart appears for only a few minutes, but his hilarious argument in the electronics store is unforgettable once you notice him.

Brie Larson – 13 Going on 30 (2004)

Years before winning an Oscar, Larson played one of the popular girls in Jenna’s school.

Ben Affleck – Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

Affleck appears for only a few seconds as an uncredited basketball player.

Matthew McConaughey – Angels in the Outfield (1994)

One of McConaughey’s earliest film roles was a brief appearance as a baseball player.

Renée Zellweger – Dazed and Confused (1993)

Before Jerry Maguire and Bridget Jones’s Diary, Zellweger appears briefly among the large ensemble cast.

Lupita Nyong’o – Non-Stop (2014)

Just before becoming a major Hollywood star, Nyong’o made a small appearance in the Liam Neeson thriller.

Megan Fox – Bad Boys II (2003)

Years before Transformers, Fox briefly appeared during one of the movie’s nightclub scenes.

Michael Shannon – Groundhog Day (1993)

The future Oscar nominee pops up as a nervous newlywed celebrating his wedding day.

Viggo Mortensen – Witness (1985)

Long before becoming Aragorn, Mortensen had a small role in Peter Weir’s acclaimed thriller.

Laurence Fishburne – Apocalypse Now (1979)

Fishburne was only a teenager when he appeared in Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam epic, years before becoming one of Hollywood’s most respected actors.