# Bit parts when they were not so famous **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 27, 2004, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521 "2004-10-27T19:29:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/241 "2005-08-25T03:42:13Z")
I did a search and it didn’t come up, so I’m going to mention the 1945 version of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Angela Lansbury and Donna Reed, both young and gorgeous, played Gray’s two love interests. And a very young Peter Lawford played Donna’s boyfriend. ---
**Author:** ![DrMemory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DrMemory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrMemory)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/242 "2005-08-25T12:32:57Z")
Harrison Ford also played the biology teacher (seen only from the back) in E.T. I forget who played “The man with the keys” in that movie, but it Was someone. Billy Bob Thornton and Jason Priestly are both in Tombstone. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/243 "2005-08-25T12:35:10Z")
According to the director’s commentary on _Chariots of Fire_, two of the extras in the crowd during the famous race-around-the-quad scene are Kenneth Branaugh and Stephen Fry. Both were students at Cambridge at that time. I’ve looked closely, but can’t find them. Stephen Fry can definitely be seen later on in the same movie: there is a montage of racers in training accompanied by voices singing “He Remains an Englishman,” and at the end of it, the main characters are seen on stage, performing _HMS Pinafore_ and finishing this song. Mr. Fry, dressed as a sailor, is standing behind them. ---
**Author:** ![Winnie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e480ec/32.png) [@Winnie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winnie)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/244 "2005-08-25T13:06:47Z")
> [@Priceguy](#): > > Samuel L Jackson have done a lot of these. He’s the guy walking around saying “Everyone who comes to Hollywood has a dream. What’s your dream? What’s your dream?” in _Pretty Woman_, and the guy robbing McDowell’s in _Coming to America_ Nope. This is [Abdul Salaam El Razzac](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0252745/) ---
**Author:** ![cruel\_butterfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5daacb/32.png) [@cruel\_butterfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cruel_butterfly)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/245 "2005-08-25T14:46:56Z")
> [@DrMemory](#): > > Harrison Ford also played the biology teacher (seen only from the back) in E.T. > > I forget who played “The man with the keys” in that movie, but it Was someone. > > Billy Bob Thornton and Jason Priestly are both in Tombstone. Peter Coyote played the man with the keys… ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/246 "2005-08-25T15:03:46Z")
> [@cruel butterfly](#): > > Peter Coyote played the man with the keys… Peter Coyote’s role in E.T. was hardly a bit part. He was running the government team that was studying ET, wasn’t he? ---
**Author:** ![cruel\_butterfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5daacb/32.png) [@cruel\_butterfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cruel_butterfly)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/247 "2005-08-25T17:16:33Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Peter Coyote’s role in E.T. was hardly a bit part. He was running the government team that was studying ET, wasn’t he? That’s what I was thinking when I answered that question. I wonder sometimes if there are those who just have never made the connection between the opening search team scene and the subsequent medical team scenes, both featuring the same guy. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/248 "2005-08-25T17:53:10Z")
> [@cruel butterfly](#): > > That’s what I was thinking when I answered that question. I wonder sometimes if there are those who just have never made the connection between the opening search team scene and the subsequent medical team scenes, both featuring the same guy. Whoa…I never did make that connection, actually! Of course, it’s been something like 20 years since I saw ET, so even if I did know that, I forgot it. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/249 "2005-08-25T18:18:32Z")
Watch Star Trek’s _The Corbomite Manuever_ to see a **very** young Clint Howard. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/250 "2005-08-25T18:29:17Z")
> [@JSexton](#): > > Perusing IMDB: He’s played Dr. Frankenstein in two different movies, Napoleon in two different movies, and top Nazi’s in two different movies. Weird. Ian Holm also played Jack the Ripper in _From Hell_. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/251 "2005-08-25T18:29:36Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > Sarah Michelle Gellar had a bit part (no lines) in the 1988 Chevy Chase movie _Funny Farm_, preceding her role on the soap _All My Children_ by five years. I know IMDB credits her with such a role, but in fact, it ended up on the cutting room floor. Ms. Gellar has no screen time in _Funny Farm_. ---
**Author:** ![MikeTheTiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3be4f8/32.png) [@MikeTheTiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeTheTiger)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/252 "2005-08-25T18:48:51Z")
Not a bit part either, but the recipient of Mr. Miyagi’s wisdom and training in Karate Kid III was no longer Daniel-san, but in fact was Hilary Swank. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/253 "2005-08-25T19:04:00Z")
> [@TeaElle](#): > > Which makes perfect sense, since Penny Marshall and Rob Reiner were, at that time, married (or just about to be). > > Their daughter, Tracy, played Betty “Spaghetti” Horn (the one whose husband was killed in the war) in _A League of Their Own_, which Marshall directed. Tracy is the daughter of Penny Marshall and Michael Henry, her first husband. She was adopted by Reiner after he married Penny. She’s been relatively successful in Hollywood. I don’t want to sound suspicious about nepotism or anything… but of her 29 film credits, fifteen were directed by her uncle, her mother, or her stepfather. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/254 "2005-08-25T19:13:58Z")
> [@MikeTheTiger](#): > > Not a bit part either, but the recipient of Mr. Miyagi’s wisdom and training in Karate Kid III was no longer Daniel-san, but in fact was Hilary Swank. I think you’re getting **Karate Kid III** and **The Next Karate Kid** mixed up. My contributions: **Gwyneth Paltrow** had a bit part in **Hook** as (I think) the grown-up Wendy at the end. **Scarlett Johannsen** played the annoying older sister in the so-dumb-it’s-funny **Home Alone 3** ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/255 "2005-08-25T19:17:15Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Oh! > > Everyone’s favorite obsessive-compulsive, Monk’s Tony Shaloub, was the cab driver who didn’t speak English) in _Quick Change_. His only line? > > “Wuh-hair to?” You forgot, “Blaftarri. Blaftarri! (honk, honk, wave) Blaftarri!” ---
**Author:** ![MikeTheTiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3be4f8/32.png) [@MikeTheTiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeTheTiger)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/256 "2005-08-25T19:44:38Z")
[QUOTE=MaxTheVool] I think you’re getting **Karate Kid III** and **The Next Karate Kid** mixed up. You are correct, sah! ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/257 "2005-08-25T20:59:47Z")
**George Clooney** was Roseanne’s boss at Wellman Plastics. I think that was by far his biggest gig at the time. **S. Epatha “Lt. Van Buren” Merkerson** was Reba the Mail Lady on _Pee-Wee’s Playhouse_. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/258 "2005-08-25T22:05:42Z")
A younger, thinner John Goodman was seen in the 80s with a fork and spoon in the Chunky Soup “its a soup that eats like a meal” spots. Also in the 80s, Bruce Willis goofed off on the Levis (Lees?) 501 Blues jean commercials. ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/259 "2005-08-25T22:10:55Z")
A couple from my recent watching of the first-season DVD’s of The Partridge Family (yes, I actually am something of a fan of this cheesy series): Farrah Fawcett played a girl Rueben hired to attempt to fake out the conman who was pretending to have whiplash after a tiny bump to his car by the family’s bus. The conman was Harry Morgan, but he was already well-known from Dragnet. Jaclyn Smith played the daughter of a guy Shirley was dating, who the kids thought was his young lover with whom he was cheating on their mom. Annette O’Toole, who later got the distinction of being both Superman’s first love (Lana Lang, in Superman IV) and Superman’s adoptive mother (Martha Kent, in Smallville), was the girl for which Keith Partridge sold his car to raise enough money to take her to the prom. Unlike those above, it wasn’t really a bit part. She had several scenes in that one episode. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521/260 "2005-08-25T23:29:04Z")
> [@Troy McClure SF](#): > > **George Clooney** was Roseanne’s boss at Wellman Plastics. I think that was by far his biggest gig at the time. He was a recurring character on “The Facts of Life” a good four years before he ever appeared on “Roseanne”. Funny fact…Clooney had a minor role on the earlier Elliott Gould sitcom “E/R” almost exactly a decade before he played the role of Doug Ross on the drama “ER”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bit-parts-when-they-were-not-so-famous/271521.md?page=14)