# How many people have done a starring role as their debut? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 20, 2009, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718 "2009-04-20T13:54:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/1 "2009-04-20T13:54:42Z")
The thread on Susan Boyner got me thinking “Who has done a leading role with no training and no experience?” The only person I know of is Israel’s [Dudu Fisher](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudu_Fisher). He was trained as a cantor, tried out for Les Miserables after seeing it in London, and ended up with the lead role of Jean Valjean. Anyone else who got to the top without years in the chorus? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/2 "2009-04-20T14:11:03Z")
I did, in a high school production of _Charley’s Aunt_. 😃 Lots of child actors could be said to have had a starring role their first time out - think of _Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Old Yeller, Oliver_ and _Paper Moon_. ---
**Author:** ![Nothar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nothar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nothar)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/3 "2009-04-20T14:18:38Z")
Does Cameron Diaz count? Her first movie role was in the Mask as the female lead opposite Jim Carrey. Carrey was definitely the “star” of the movie, but she was 2nd billing in her first movie out, which is pretty rare. ---
**Author:** ![Hi\_Neighbor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hi_neighbor/32/494_2.png) [@Hi\_Neighbor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hi_Neighbor)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/4 "2009-04-20T14:26:13Z")
Mark Hamill comes to mind. Before starring as Luke Skywalker, he was an extra on one episode of _Night Gallery_, then voice acted in an animated post-apocalyptic science fiction/fantasy film, _Wizards_. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/5 "2009-04-20T14:28:54Z")
> [@Hi\_Neighbor](#): > > Mark Hamill comes to mind. Before starring as Luke Skywalker, he was an extra on one episode of _Night Gallery_, then voice acted in an animated post-apocalyptic science fiction/fantasy film, _Wizards_. He was also in the pilot of _Eight is Enough_ as David Bradford, but turned down the series to do _Star Wars_ ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/6 "2009-04-20T14:29:06Z")
Marlee Matlin won an Oscar for her film debut in _Children of a Lesser God._ ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/7 "2009-04-20T14:32:22Z")
Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) ---
**Author:** ![Hi\_Neighbor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hi_neighbor/32/494_2.png) [@Hi\_Neighbor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hi_Neighbor)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/8 "2009-04-20T14:38:43Z")
Both Sean Astin (_Rudy_, _Lord of the Rings_) and Josh Brolin (_No Country for Old Men_, _W._) made their silver screen debuts in the 1985 cult classic, _The Goonies_. ETA: It was more of an ensemble cast, though. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/9 "2009-04-20T14:39:35Z")
What about Edward Norton: started with: Primal Fear The People vs. Larry Flynt Everyone Says I Love You Rounders American History X Fight Club Keeping the Faith The Score Death to Smoochy then down the cast in Frida followed by: Red Dragon 25th Hour The Italian Job Down in the Valley The Illusionist ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/10 "2009-04-20T14:40:28Z")
Hamill was a featured actor in the TV show, **[The Texas Wheelers](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071064/)**. **Jean Seberg** ’s first movie role was as Joan of Arc in **[Saint Joan](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050928/)**. **Millie Perkins** started out as the lead in **Diary of Anne Frank**. **Klinton Spillsbury** ’s first (and last) acting role was the lead in **Legend of the Lone Ranger**. All his lines had to be redubbed by another actor. ---
**Author:** ![Hi\_Neighbor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hi_neighbor/32/494_2.png) [@Hi\_Neighbor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hi_Neighbor)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/11 "2009-04-20T14:43:26Z")
Christopher Charles Mintz-Plasse (McLovin from _Superbad_) auditioned on a whim. From Wiki, he didn’t even have any headshots - he simply took a picture of himself on his camera phone. ---
**Author:** ![mariposalabrown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@mariposalabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mariposalabrown)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/12 "2009-04-20T15:40:42Z")
Eddie Furlong was found on the steps of the Pasadena Boy’s and Girl’s Club and put in Terminator 2. ---
**Author:** ![Hi\_Neighbor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hi_neighbor/32/494_2.png) [@Hi\_Neighbor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hi_Neighbor)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/13 "2009-04-20T15:47:55Z")
In the 1995 American drama film, _Kids_, director Larry Clark cast New York City “street” kids with no previous acting experience in the film, notably Leo Fitzpatrick (Telly) and the late Justin Pierce (Casper). Some have faded back into relative obscurity; meanwhile, others, such as Rosario Dawson (_Rent_, _Sin City_, _Men in Black II_, _Alexander_) and Academy Award-nominee Chloë Sevigny (_Boys Don’t Cry_, _American Psycho_, _Big Love_, _Party Monster_), have since found success in their acting careers as well-recognized actresses. Jon Abrahams also continues acting and starred in a string of successful movies including _The Faculty_, _Boston Public_, _Scary Movie_, and _Meet the Parents_. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/14 "2009-04-20T15:52:37Z")
Hang S. Ngor. He was a doctor in Cambodia. He had no acting experience but plenty of life experience to play Dith Pran in _The Killing Fields_. Won an Oscar for his first acting role of any kind. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/15 "2009-04-20T15:58:18Z")
Ben Kingsley had extensive experience as an actor in theater and on British television, but I believe “Gandhi” was his first film role. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/16 "2009-04-20T16:03:46Z")
May I present one of the great trivia answers of all time: [Klinton Spillsbury](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0818812/). Exactly one show business credit, one starring role, never worked again. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/17 "2009-04-20T16:03:54Z")
I know of two, probably because I’m personally connected to both. Kelly McGillis (an old friend of mine) starred i[n Reuben, Reuben](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084591/). That was her true “debut” as far as film and television combined. Meg Tilly did a couple of small TV bits before her film debut, which was directed by my then-brother-in-law, who also cast my sister in a small roll as a reporter in his own debut, “One Dark NIght”, which was named “Mausoleum” originally. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/18 "2009-04-20T16:06:29Z")
How could I have forgotten my favorite religious epic? > **[Enrique Irazoqui | Actor](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0409820/)** > > Known for: The Gospel According to St. Matthew, Noche de vino tinto, Dante no es únicamente severo Pier Paolo Pasolini used a LOT of amateurs with little or no acting experience in his cast for “The Gospel According to St. Matthew,” including Enrigue Irazoqui, who played Jesus. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/19 "2009-04-20T16:08:15Z")
The credits of _The Princess Bride_ say “_Introducing_ Robin Wright,” although consulting imdb, she apparently was in a couple TV series prior to. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718/20 "2009-04-20T16:09:07Z")
And while it’s hard to be the “star” in a cast that includes om Cruise and Jack Nicholson, Rob Reiner gave the role of the primary defendant in “A Few Good Men” to Wolfgang Bodison, a non-actor who’d been working as a production assistant. Supposedly, Rob Reiner wasn’t happy with any of the auditioners, and said, “What we really need is somebody like Wolf here… say Wolf, have you ever done any acting?” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-have-done-a-starring-role-as-their-debut/493718.md?page=2)