20 Actors Who Almost Quit Before Their Big Break

From the outside it can be hard to know just how long an actor worked before making it big, but for many that answer is absolutely staggering. Countless performers came dangerously close to walking away from acting entirely before landing the one role that changed everything. Some were working odd jobs just to survive, others had endured dozens of failed auditions, and a few had already decided to pursue completely different careers. Then one opportunity arrived at exactly the right moment. Here are 20 actors who nearly gave up before the breakthrough role that finally launched their careers.

Kristen Wiig

Wiig struggled in comedy and acting for years before joining Saturday Night Live, which launched her career.

Mark Ruffalo

Ruffalo struggled financially and faced constant rejection before his breakthrough performance in You Can Count on Me.

Melissa McCarthy

After years of struggling in television and comedy, she was considering giving up before her breakout comedic role in Bridesmaids.

Morgan Freeman

Freeman worked for decades in smaller roles before achieving widespread recognition with Driving Miss Daisy.

Octavia Spencer

Spencer spent years appearing in small roles before her Oscar winning performance in The Help finally gave her the spotlight.

Pedro Pascal

Pascal spent years doing minor television roles and nearly left acting before his scene stealing appearance in Game of Thrones.

Samuel L. Jackson

Jackson spent decades in minor roles and struggled with addiction before his breakthrough performance in Pulp Fiction finally brought him major recognition.

Steve Carell

Carell spent years doing improv and minor television appearances before his career exploded with The 40-Year-Old Virgin.

Sylvester Stallone

Nearly broke and rejected by multiple studios, Stallone even sold his dog for money before writing and starring in Rocky, the role that made him a star.

Taraji P. Henson

Henson moved to Hollywood with very little money and struggled for years before gaining recognition with Hustle & Flow.

Tiffany Haddish

Haddish endured years of instability and even homelessness before her breakout role in Girls Trip.

Viola Davis

Despite immense talent, Davis faced years of limited opportunities before her powerful performance in Doubt brought her widespread acclaim.

Alan Rickman

Rickman began acting professionally later in life and was close to leaving theater before his unforgettable debut film role in Die Hard.

Bryan Cranston

Cranston had a long career of small roles before his career changing lead role in Breaking Bad.

Chris Pratt

Pratt had been living in a van in Hawaii and working odd jobs before eventually landing roles that led to his breakout in Parks and Recreation.

Harrison Ford

Ford struggled for years with small roles and was working as a carpenter to support his family when he landed the role of Han Solo in Star Wars, which completely changed his career.

Hugh Jackman

Jackman had limited film experience and nearly returned to theater full time before being cast as Wolverine in X-Men.

Jeremy Renner

Renner supported himself by renovating houses while pursuing acting before his breakout role in The Hurt Locker.

Jessica Chastain

After years of auditions and rejection, Chastain nearly quit before landing major roles in The Help and several other films the same year.

Jon Hamm

Hamm spent years auditioning unsuccessfully and nearly left acting at age 36 before landing Don Draper in Mad Men.