Similar to Erin's "All Grown Up" thread, how about today's well-known Film and TV personalities in the early roles before they were the known stars they are today.  Got any video clips or pictures?


Well respected CNN News Anchor John Roberts.  Here's how you know him today ...

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/images/roberts.john.jpg

What you might not know is that he is Canadian.  In the late 70s, under his abbrieviated name J.D. Roberts, he started his career as a TV music journalist in Canada hosting a show called "The New Music" from 1979-1988.  In 1984, he co-launched MuchMusic (Canada's version of MTV) where he was a VJ for most of the 80s. 

Here he is in 1985 co-hosting Canadian segments for Live-Aid ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6zALfyKtSk

and here he is interviewing Stan Ridgway of 'Wall of Voodoo' ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqo9MdtUMtI

In 1975, a then 12 year old Mike Myers made his acting debut in a guest appearance on the Canadian sitcom The King of Kensington (see photo below). 

I have the Season 1 DVD and finally got around to watching it, and I loved this episode.  He played a youth posing as a boy scout, trying to sell fake raffel tickets to make money for his unemployed mother.  Over the years, the show also featured guest spots from then unknown stars such as Eugene Levy, John Candy and Dave Thomas.

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/3964/myers.png

♦ Now famous actor Djimon Hounsou, who received a well deserved Academy Award nomination for his role in the film 'Blood Diamond', made his first onscreen appearance in Janet Jackson's video for her 1990 hit 'Love Will Never Do (Without You)'.  The video also featured Antonio Sabato Jr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufaw7OWu4EU


♦ Before she was famous, Kirstie Alley appeared as a contestant on a few game shows ...
1979 - Match Game
1980 - Password Plus

In 1975, a then 12 year old Mike Myers made his acting debut in a guest appearance on the Canadian sitcom The King of Kensington (see photo below). 

I have the Season 1 DVD and finally got around to watching it, and I loved this episode.  He played a youth posing as a boy scout, trying to sell fake raffel tickets to make money for his unemployed mother.  Over the years, the show also featured guest spots from then unknown stars such as Eugene Levy, John Candy and Dave Thomas.

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/3964/myers.png


He's still totally recognizable, he just looks like a kid Wayne from Wayne's World. ;D

He's still totally recognizable, he just looks like a kid Wayne from Wayne's World. ;D

Lol...I was thinking that when I looked at that picture too!

♦ Before she was famous, Kirstie Alley appeared as a contestant on a few game shows ...
1979 - Match Game
1980 - Password Plus

I actually saw the Match Game ep on GSN a few years back. 8)

Lol...I was thinking that when I looked at that picture too!



I echo that statement..for sure! ;)

♦ Before she was famous, Kirstie Alley appeared as a contestant on a few game shows ...
1979 - Match Game
1980 - Password Plus


She said she did that to support her drug habit.

My Bodyguard  40 seconds into this clip..... I give you Jennifer Beals

♦ In his native Australia, future Nip/Tuck (and Fantastic Four) star Julian McMahon appeared in the music videos This is the Way and This is It.  The latter is still my favourite song of hers.


♦ American actor Matt LeBlanc and Canadian actor Yannick Bisson appear in the 1991 video Walk Away by Alanis (Morissette).  This is a surprise as the song appears on Alanis' debut album which was released only in Canada.  Bisson is known across Canada for his roles on the TV shows 'Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye' and 'Murdoch Mysteries', and may be remembered in America for his co-starring role on the 90s action series High Tide starring Rick Springfield and George Seagal.

Long before 'Friends', TV fans may also remember Matt LeBlanc for his recurring role as Vinnie Verducci on 'Married ... With Children'.  So popular his character was, he was given a spin-off in 1991 titled Top of the Heap that lasted 7 episodes before getting the AXE.  The following year, they gave Vinnie a 2nd chance on the show 'Vinnie and Bobby', which lasted 7 episodes before getting the AXE. 

♦ In 1989, Matthew Perry had a 3 episode story arc as Carol's new boyfriend.  The story arc was that Perry's character died from internal bleeding due to an accident caused from drinking and driving.

Perry was also on a Season 1 episode of Charles in Charge

♦ Long before she was a recognizable box office star, Catherine Zeta-Jones was a singer.  In 1992, she hit the UK Top 40 with a song called For All Time.  She had a 2nd UK Top 40 in 1994 with the David Essex duet 'True Love Ways'

My Bodyguard  40 seconds into this clip..... I give you Jennifer Beals


I barely recognized her, she was so young.  Also cool to see a young Adam Baldwin (co-star on 'Chuck')

I barely recognized her, she was so young.  Also cool to see a young Adam Baldwin (co-star on 'Chuck')


I wanna go rent that movie now.  I never saw it before.  Does Adam Baldwin get revenge and kick those bullies asses?

I wanna go rent that movie now.  I never saw it before.  Does Adam Baldwin get revenge and kick those bullies asses?


um yeah... I think so... funny thing... they shot the film at the school Beals was attending she was just going to school and they decided to put her in the shots... I don't think she has any lines. I met the director he said he liked her look cuz it was different (exotic) I'm guessing he meant ethnic  ;D  but still imagine you learn they are gonna film a movie at your high school and your mom signs your permission slip to be in it... a couple years later you're starring in a move of your own.... cool right.

♦ American actor Matt LeBlanc and Canadian actor Yannick Bisson appear in the 1991 video Walk Away by Alanis (Morissette).  This is a surprise as the song appears on Alanis' debut album which was released only in Canada.  Bisson is known across Canada for his roles on the TV shows 'Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye' and 'Murdoch Mysteries', and may be remembered in America for his co-starring role on the 90s action series High Tide starring Rick Springfield and George Seagal.



Speaking of Rick Springfield - Zoot was a four piece pop/rock band formed in Adelaide, South Australia in 1965.

They played many clubs and discos around Adelaide, gradually gathering a strong following, and they backed rising singer John Farnham (then known as Johnny Farnham) on demo recordings which secured him a contract with EMI Records.

They renamed themselves Zoot in 1967 at the suggestion of Adelaide musician Doc Neeson, who later went on to front renowned Australian rock band The Angels. In 1968, they relocated to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and performed in several Australian cities. Two of the more notable members of Zoot were founder Beeb Birtles, who also founded the Little River Band in 1975, and Rick Springfield.

http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/e3d071d99ca38e53355e71fb55ed9d81/272335.jpg

I don't know if anyone else has seen Hero At Large starring John ritter but when  he makes his appearance at a movie theater Kevin Bacon is one of the kids trying to get on camera during the TV interview....


btw I couldn't find a clip of kevin bacon but here's a promo for Hero at Large.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4GZrRekmfs&feature=related

My Bodyguard  40 seconds into this clip..... I give you Jennifer Beals


About 3 years before Flashdance. Probably one of her earliest roles.

I also remember Matthew Perry on an early episode of Beverly Hills 90210 (1st or 2nd season).

Speaking of Rick Springfield - Zoot was a four piece pop/rock band formed in Adelaide, South Australia in 1965.

They played many clubs and discos around Adelaide, gradually gathering a strong following, and they backed rising singer John Farnham (then known as Johnny Farnham) on demo recordings which secured him a contract with EMI Records.

They renamed themselves Zoot in 1967 at the suggestion of Adelaide musician Doc Neeson, who later went on to front renowned Australian rock band The Angels. In 1968, they relocated to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and performed in several Australian cities. Two of the more notable members of Zoot were founder Beeb Birtles, who also founded the Little River Band in 1975, and Rick Springfield.

http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/e3d071d99ca38e53355e71fb55ed9d81/272335.jpg

I sorta remember finding out that information. Also, during the 1970s he mainly focused on acting before his main solo career in the 1980s.

John Ritter also played a Reverend Matthew Fordwick in "The Waltons" for 2 years or so.
http://www.geocities.com/walk2waltonsmountain/Cast-RevFordwick.JPG

John Ritter also played a Reverend Matthew Fordwick in "The Waltons" for 2 years or so.
http://www.geocities.com/walk2waltonsmountain/Cast-RevFordwick.JPG




I liked him on that show.  He also appeared in an episode of 'Rhoda' as Brenda's groovy boyfriend.  Peace and love, man!

http://i43.tinypic.com/2586ozq.jpg


BMX Bandits is a 1983 Australian children's adventure film featuring one of Nicole Kidman's earliest appearances.

http://i43.tinypic.com/2586ozq.jpg


BMX Bandits is a 1983 Australian children's adventure film featuring one of Nicole Kidman's earliest appearances.

I remember that film and I did not realise that she was in it.

I remember that film and I did not realise that she was in it.


She looks quite a bit different doesn't she? :o

She looks quite a bit different doesn't she? :o
Younger and a different hairstlye

Two that come to my mind were both were Little Rascals. Jackie Cooper is one and the
other is Mickey Gubitosi, better known as Robert Blake.

♦ Now famous actor Djimon Hounsou, who received a well deserved Academy Award nomination for his role in the film 'Blood Diamond', made his first onscreen appearance in Janet Jackson's video for her 1990 hit 'Love Will Never Do (Without You)'.  The video also featured Antonio Sabato Jr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufaw7OWu4EU


♦ Before she was famous, Kirstie Alley appeared as a contestant on a few game shows ...
1979 - Match Game
1980 - Password Plus



Vanna White appeared on The Price is Right but never got out of "Contestant's Row".



Cat

I just learned that Mary Stuart Masterson appeared as the daughter of her real life father (and Katherine Ross)  in the film Stepford Wives (1975) I haven't been able to find a pic tho.  Her father is Peter Masterson.

I sorta remember finding out that information. Also, during the 1970s he mainly focused on acting before his main solo career in the 1980s.


That's right. What show was he on again?

That's right. What show was he on again?


The main one was High Tide, but he's been in lots of different shows just for a few episodes

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0819782/

I'm sure everyone knows that Morgan Freemen was Easy Reader on the Electric Company.


This one cracks me up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp0-yDJAtWQ


;D ;D ;D ;D



Cat

I'm sure everyone knows that Morgan Freemen was Easy Reader on the Electric Company.


Cat

Yeh, remember that one.

Jodie Foster in Mayberry RFD

http://www.geocities.com/~childactors/images/actress/jodiefoster1a.jpg

Jodie Foster in Mayberry RFD

http://www.geocities.com/~childactors/images/actress/jodiefoster1a.jpg
Is that before or after Bugsy Malone?

Jodie Foster in Mayberry RFD

http://www.geocities.com/~childactors/images/actress/jodiefoster1a.jpg



I don't think she belongs in this thread because I don't think there was a time was she WASN'T a star. She was in just about EVERYTHING including the Partridge Family when she played Gloria Hickey. I believe she started out as a Coppertone Baby & maybe a Gerber Baby Food baby.



Cat

I'm sure everyone knows that Morgan Freemen was Easy Reader on the Electric Company.


This one cracks me up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp0-yDJAtWQ


;D ;D ;D ;D



Cat



Irene Cara was also on The Electric Company. She was one of the members of the Short Circus ,the kid band.

Is that before or after Bugsy Malone?


Before

Before
She was in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore before Bugsy Malone, I mustsee that film again knowing that fact now.

The main one was High Tide, but he's been in lots of different shows just for a few episodes

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0819782/


Wasn't he in an American soapie  ???

I don't think she belongs in this thread because I don't think there was a time was she WASN'T a star. She was in just about EVERYTHING including the Partridge Family when she played Gloria Hickey. I believe she started out as a Coppertone Baby & maybe a Gerber Baby Food baby.



Cat



I was gonna say the same thing....

Jodie Foster for coppertone

http://www.morethings.com/fan/jodie_foster/childhood_pictures/!-baby_jodie_foster-coppertone-ad.jpg

Wasn't he in an American soapie  ???


General Hospital.  He played Noah Drake in the early 80s.
His character was so popular, it was even referenced in the 1981 US Top 40 hit General Hospitale by the Afternoon Delights

General Hospital.  He played Noah Drake in the early 80s.
His character was so popular, it was even referenced in the 1981 US Top 40 hit General Hospitale by the Afternoon Delights




He's still recurring As Noah Drake on the show even now and has 2 sons that are both Dr's and major characters on the show.

General Hospital.  He played Noah Drake in the early 80s.
His character was so popular, it was even referenced in the 1981 US Top 40 hit General Hospitale by the Afternoon Delights


Yes, that's it ! Thanks Jason  :)

Wasn't he in an American soapie  ???


I'd missed that.  I thought you wer referring to his early career so I only really looked at the bottom of the list.  :-[

I'd missed that.  I thought you wer referring to his early career so I only really looked at the bottom of the list.  :-[


No...that's okay..the soapie was the only thing that I knew of his which is why it was in my mind  ;)