I saw them before they were big stars and knew they had "it"

Cafe Society
41

When I saw Dracula 2000 I went and looked for other movies with Gerard Butler.

42

I know! He’s had steady work, but after seeing him in The Mummy movies, I expected a lot more.

I’d put Carrey in the same category as Robin Williams (Mork and Mindy). Both of them were so manic, I figured they’d make it just on the force of their personalities. If they got a foot in the door, it’d be hell to get rid of them. They make their agents’ lives hell.

Opposite from the OP, George Clooney made NO impact as Jackie’s boyfriend on Roseanne. He was utterly forgettable. My impression changed when he showed up on ER.

43

This concept would make an excellent spinoff thread topic and I can think of quite a few of the same sort whose early work was dreadful but who have persevered to become Big Stars.

I would almost have Bronson in that category, but he was always a better than average hood, creep, heavy or whatever.

Would you do the honors and start that new thread, AuntiePam?

44

I watched “Center Stage” back when it first came out and was very impressed with Zoe Saldana, enough to seek out all of her stuff whenever it would come out. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that she would eventually get huge (with “Star Trek” and “Avatar” coming so close together, she’ll only get bigger).

45

I had to go back in my files of programs to be sure, but I did indeed see Zachary Quinto, the new Mr. Spock (and Sylar on Heroes) on stage when he was in high school, performing in The Pirates of Penzance. He won a local theatrical award for that. I don’t know that I knew that he had it but I knew he had a great talent, and per my notes in the margins, amazing eyebrows.

46

Done!