7. Matt Damon, Mystic Pizza
The 1988 movie that put Julia Roberts on the radar also featured a one-line part by Matt Damon. The line was, “Mom, do you want my green stuff?” Incidentally, IMDB also claims he’s watching a baseball game in 1989’s Field of Dreams, but that’s unconfirmed.
8. Jack Nicholson, The Cry Baby Killer
He played Jimmy Wallace, a teenager who thinks he’s killed two people. Doing a terrible horror movie must be a prerequisite for becoming a leading man in Hollywood.
9. Jean Claude Van Damme, Monaco Forever
The movie’s about a jewel thief staging a heist in Monaco and coming across problems along the way. I’m not sure what role Van Damme or his rippling biceps play, but IMDB calls his character, “Gay Karate Man.” ’Nough said.
10. Morgan Freeman, Who Says I Can’t Ride a Rainbow!
If Van Damme wins the award for best character name, Freeman nabs the best movie title award. You don’t even have to see the movie; just imagine Freeman’s deep voice demanding to know who’s denying him a rainbow ride. That’s entertainment aplenty.
Seeing the humble origins of these actors and knowing what mega-watt celebs they are now just proves how far hard work and determination can take you. It also proves that even the smallest parts in movies shouldn’t be discounted, since they could contribute to something bigger in the future. If anything, they at least helped cover rent.
Updated September 17, 2010
