5 legends who started out as background artists
The rocky road to the upper echelons of Hollywood may seem like a daunting task, but what if we told you that getting your big break didn’t require the services of a benevolent godmother? Life wasn’t always a bed of roses for some of the current bigwigs of showbiz either. Take notes from the few relentless ones, who didn’t consider background acting as a step down from their ambitions, and were in turn awarded with a direct route to stardom. These are some of best rags-to-riches stories of Hollywood:
SYLVESTER STALLONE:
Yes, you read it right, THE Sylvester Stallone, who went on to become one of Hollywood’s highest paid actors, had started out as a background artist in Woody Allen’s movie ‘Bananas’ as a subway mugger. He was also an extra in Jane Fonda’s psychological thriller ‘Klute’ as a disco patron.
BRAD PITT:
In 1987’s Less Than Zero, Brad Pitt was an extra billed as “Partygoer / Preppie Guy at Fight”. The actor and producer, whose current net worth is well above $200 million, was paid a meagre amount of $38 for his services as a background artist.
MEGAN FOX:
Megan Fox was an extra in Bad Boys 2 (2003) as a dancer in a club scene. Hats off to the director for passing off someone as hot as Megan as a mere background extra without completely overshadowing the lead actors.
MARILYN MONROE:
Marilyn Monroe, the most popular sex symbol of the 1950’s, started out as a background artist in 1948’s Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay! Marilyn had one line (“Hi Rad”) and could also be briefly glimpsed sitting in a canoe with another actress.
JACKIE CHAN:
The cheeky, adorable and the most popular film star from Hong Kong, Jackie Chan, started out as an extra in two Bruce Lee films: Fists of Fury (1971) and Enter the Dragon (1973). The current heart throb, whose net worth is billed at $395 million, had his share of tough times which he overcame to reach right where he wanted to!