15 Actors Who Looked Completely Different in Their First TV Roles

Before they became Hollywood stars, plenty of familiar faces turned up in television shows that most people barely remember. Some played teenagers in short-lived sitcoms, others appeared in crime reenactments, and a few got their start on children’s television. Looking back at those performances can be a strange experience, especially when the actor now seems inseparable from a much more famous character. The hairstyles are different, the clothes have aged considerably, and occasionally the entire show feels like something from another lifetime. A few of these early performances are surprisingly easy to find, too. Here are 15 actors whose first television roles are worth another look.

Jennifer Aniston Wasn’t Rachel Green Yet

Jennifer Aniston made her sitcom debut playing Courtney Walker on Molloy in 1990, sporting the big brown hair of her pre-Friends days.

Ryan Gosling Was a Disney Mouseketeer

A 12-year-old Ryan Gosling joined The All-New Mickey Mouse Club in 1993, sporting a very different style while singing and performing alongside other future stars.

Emma Stone Started Out as Laurie Partridge

Emma Stone appeared on television as Laurie Partridge in the VH1 talent competition and subsequent pilot, showing off straight brown hair years before her famous red-haired roles.

Matthew McConaughey Played a Crime Reenactment Victim

Matthew McConaughey’s television debut came in a 1992 episode of Unsolved Mysteries, where the future Oscar winner portrayed murder victim Larry Dickens in a dramatic reenactment.

Chris Hemsworth Was King Arthur Before Thor

Chris Hemsworth made his TV debut playing King Arthur in Guinevere Jones (2002), wearing a long brunette wig and medieval costume instead of Thor’s familiar armor.

Millie Bobby Brown Was Alice Before Eleven

Millie Bobby Brown made her television acting debut as young Alice in Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (2013), years before becoming Eleven on Stranger Things.

Zendaya Started Out on Disney Channel

Zendaya made her television acting debut as Rocky Blue on Shake It Up in 2010, wearing the bright colors and playful hairstyles of early-2010s Disney Channel.

Ariana Grande Had Bright Red Hair on Nickelodeon

Before her pop career, Ariana Grande made her television acting debut as Cat Valentine on Victorious (2010), with bright red hair that became her character’s signature.

Jason Bateman Was a Little House on the Prairie Kid

Jason Bateman made his television acting debut as James Cooper Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie in 1981, looking almost unrecognizable with his childhood bowl haircut.

Zac Efron Was a Kid on Firefly

Zac Efron made his television debut playing young Simon Tam in a 2002 episode of Firefly, looking worlds away from his future High School Musical persona.

Aaron Paul Appeared on Beverly Hills, 90210

Years before playing Jesse Pinkman, Aaron Paul made his television acting debut in a 1999 episode of Beverly Hills, 90210, appearing as a young guest character.

Selena Gomez Was One of Barney’s Friends

Selena Gomez’s first television role was Gianna on Barney & Friends in 2002, when she was just a child performing alongside the famous purple dinosaur.

Demi Lovato Also Got Her Start With Barney

Demi Lovato played Angela on Barney & Friends beginning in 2002, appearing alongside Selena Gomez long before their Disney Channel careers made them household names.

Cole Sprouse Was a Baby on Grace Under Fire

Cole Sprouse made his television acting debut in Grace Under Fire in 1993, sharing the role of baby Patrick Kelly with his twin brother Dylan.

Margot Robbie Was on an Australian Crime Drama

Margot Robbie made her TV debut as Caitlin Brentford in a 2008 episode of City Homicide, before landing the Neighbours role that brought her wider recognition.