Featured roles make movie stars – actors can go from having indefinite careers to being the talk of Tinseltown overnight if they can impressively play a major role that stands out as memorable, even if it’s not the protagonist. For some, the breakout role just paves the way for a career full of iconic characters, some far more memorable than the actor’s first project. For example, Margot Robbie’s breakout role in The Wolf of Wall Street made headlines, but now she’s most famous for playing the main character in Barbie.
However, some stars, although they achieve the same status in the future, are always associated with their first big role. Their standout performances turned them into movie stars, and although they may continue to do highly successful work, The actors’ most famous roles will always be their breakthrough. For example, Bruce Willis did Unbreakable and The Sixth Sense among other much-loved performances, but he will always be famous for playing John McClane in Die Hard and its sequels.
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Abigail Breslin – Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
As Olive Hoover
Although Abigail Breslin was successful in later roles, her most famous character will forever be Olive in Little Miss Sunshine, a performance for which she was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at the age of 10. The iconic line she says about what makes a person a loser has been enshrined in the movie hall of fame as one of the greatest lines ever written, and part of her claim to fame is Breslin’s emotionally captivating delivery.
One of the greatest child star performances in film history, Breslin’s ability to hold her own alongside veteran actors like Toni Collette and Steve Carell makes her performance quite inspiring. She went on to develop a very interesting filmography, with all types of genres and roles, from action to Zombieland to horror in Scream Queens. Her career is still young and there is a chance she will perform even more brilliantly than she did during Little Miss Sunshinebut for now, it is rightfully his most famous film.
9
Chris Hemsworth – Thor (2011)
As Thor
Working in the MCU has done wonders for many artists, practically reviving the nearly dead career of Robert Downey Jr. While he will always be famous for playing Tony Stark, his breakout role was in the 80s. However, for Chris Hemsworth, his big break in Hollywood happened to Thor. Playing the hammer-wielding Norse god made him a household name, and he made three more individual films based on his character, also appearing in four Avengers films.
Hemsworth gained fame as an action star, playing the protagonist in numerous action films, including the Extraction films, which he also produced. Most recently, he starred in the latest edition of Mad Max franchise. He has become so popular that people can’t stop casting Chris Hemsworth in important roles. While there are many impressive titles and performances in his filmography, he will always be famous for playing Thor, a role that people keep wanting him to reprise.
8
Emilia Clarke – Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
As Daenerys Targaryen
The Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen, is perhaps the most important character in Game of Thrones. Being cast as her was an impressive achievement, but being cast as her for her first major role is even greater, especially if they can deliver quality work on par with industry veterans like Lena Headey and Charles Dance. Emilia Clarke did this and went from being practically unknown to being the face of many people’s favorite character in just a few appearances.
It’s no surprise that the lead character she played on what was once the most famous TV show of all time remains her most popular role.
Although Clarke did not make as many films as one would expect, given the success of her breakout role, she did give some notable performances, most famously in Me before youbut also more recently in the MCU Secret Invasion. She displays an interesting range of genres in her work, from romcom to action thriller to sci-fi, but it’s no surprise that the main character she played in what was once the most famous TV show of all time remains her role. most popular.
7
Mark-Paul Gosselaar – Saved by the Bell (1989-1993)
As Zack Morris
The charming and handsome Zack from Saved by the bell proved to be the role Mark-Paul Gosselaar would need to break into the industry. Somehow, one of the sitcom’s darkest characters, Zack, managed to be captivating entirely because of Gosselaar’s charismatic personality. The sitcom itself became a groundbreaking show, racking up nearly 90 episodes and spawning many films and spin-offs in the years that followed. Gosselaar’s protagonist definitely deserves a lot of the credit for the show’s popularity.
Gosselaar has used the momentum of his success to carve out an impressive career for himself. Most recently, he starred in the NBC crime drama series Found as an antagonist. Found has been renewed for season 3 and Gosselaar will be back to continue his role. Although his filmography now includes many shows over the years, Zack is on another level because of the nostalgia and Saved by the bell being a landmark for TV.
6
Julia Roberts – Pretty Woman (1990)
As Vivian Ward
One of the most famous roles of all time, Julia Roberts’ performance as Vivian Ward in beautiful woman remains his most iconic role. Roberts is one of the most successful movie stars among those who broke into Hollywood in the 1990s, and has an impressive list of films to his name, from Erin Brockovich to Notting Hill. However, nothing beats your work in beautiful woman.
Roberts became known as the queen of comedies, spearheading the genre’s many hits and flops during its peak popularity. But she’s done projects of all kinds, like crime thrillers, including two Sam Esmail projects, the film Leave the world behind, and the limited series Return home. However, after the release of the first one, the film that reached Netflix’s top 10 is beautiful womanproving that it is still his most popular film role. Vivian Ward’s feisty, funny, and feminist personality will always continue to delight fans.
5
Zach Galifianakis – The Hangover (2009)
As Alan
Zach Galifianakis has made his way in the industry as a master of absurdist and borderline questionable comedy, making jokes about subjects that people would avoid in today’s political climate. Your talk show Among the ferns features some very questionable jokes, but Nothing pushes the boundaries of what’s okay to say more than the things he says as Alan, the man he played in his debut film, The Hangover, and its sequels.
Alan walks the line between intolerable and endearing because, on the one hand, he manages to offend everyone he speaks to; but on the other hand, he is like a lost man trying his best to make friends who can protect him. Galifiankis’s strangeness in the role provides the necessary balance for his character to have the effects of offending people and gaining their empathy simultaneously.
4
Kristen Stewart – Twilight (2008)
As Bella Swan
Based on the novel of the same name by Stephanie Meyers, the cult classic vampire romance Dusk It was so successful that it had four sequels, each starring Kristen Stewart as the protagonist Bella Swan. Stewart gained popularity amid controversy over her relationship with co-star Robert Pattinson and the criticism she faced for being a bad actress because of her weak performance as Bella. His career changed radically shortly after the release of his last album. Dusk film; she has been making independent films ever since.
However, Stewart’s professional image is always linked to Dusk. Although fans who followed her closely know how far she has distanced herself from who she was at that time and from the film itself, this remains her best-known role. Since coming out as queer, she has chosen to play LGBTQ+ characters and has completely changed her personality both behind and in front of the camera. However, unfortunately, none of his subsequent projects found the same popularity as Dusk. ONE Dusk The TV remake is in the works, reviving discussions about Stewart’s performance in the original films.
3
Harrison Ford – Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
As Han Solo
When it comes to the action and thriller genres, there are a few staple actors that always come to mind, and Harrison Ford is one of them. He has appeared in some iconic roles during his more than five-decade career, in blockbuster franchises such as Blade runner, Indiana Jonesit is clear, Star Wars. Han Solo’s Best Quotes Star Wars make him one of the most beloved characters in the history of cinema, who has won the admiration of legions of fans over the years.
Ford’s charismatic bad boy persona as the bounty hunter/spaceship pilot who joins the resistance against Darth Vader makes him a compelling screen presence. His chemistry with Carrie Fisher also made Leia and Han a fan-favorite couple in the Star Wars fandom. Ford has had one of the best action hero careers of all time and has many iconic roles, but none can compete with Han Solo’s popularity. – and for good reason.
2
Carrie-Anne Moss – The Matrix (1999)
As Trinity
Not only did The Matrix put directing duo Lana and Lilly Wachowski on the map, it also gave Carrie-Anne Moss her big break. The action blockbuster served as a breakthrough in special effects with the revolutionary use of slow motion to heighten the impact of martial arts choreography and parkour stunts. Moss’ Trinity is one of the main characters who is mainly at the center of the action. Dressed in black leather, she jumps across rooftops and dodges bullets with balance.
Moss went on to star in some very exciting projects, from the Netflix show Marvel Jessica Jones to Disney Star Wars show The Acolyte. His filmography primarily consists of leading roles in mystery thrillers and action blockbusters, but his most prominent presence is in the Headquarters franchise, for which she reprized her role as Trinity in all sequels. Matrix: Resurrections confirmed Moss’ status as permanent, and she was expected to return for the next film as well.
1
Macaulay Culkin – Home Alone (1990)
As Kevin McCallister
Forever etched in everyone’s memory as the adorable boy from Alone at home, Macaulay Culkin is rightly best remembered for his breakout role in the 1990 comedy, one of the best Christmas movies without Santa Claus. This is part of the reason why he hasn’t had as much success as an adult star in the industry as he did as a child actor. That said, his youth career can hardly be dismissed as comprising just the two Alone at home films he directed.
The timelessness of Alone at home and its sequel is reason enough to explain why Culkin’s most famous role remains Kevin McCallister.
Of rich rich and My girl to The good son and Uncle BuckCulkin’s lovable charisma got him cast in many films when he was still young. Of his roles after adulthood, the most notable is in Saved! He makes a good impression in this film, but hasn’t had much success since. The timelessness of Alone at home and its sequel is reason enough to explain why Culkin’s most famous role remains Kevin McCallister. It’s one of the most refreshing and memorable roles of all time, and Culkin’s infectious energy makes him a must-see every Christmas.