10 Actors Who Got Their Start in Horror

Before the Oscars, the blockbuster franchises, and the global recognition, many of Hollywood's most celebrated actors first stepped in front of the camera for a very different reason: to scream, run, and die in a horror movie. The horror genre has long been a fertile training ground for fresh talent, offering a unique opportunity to showcase raw emotion and commanding screen presence, often on a shoestring budget. It’s a world away from the polished prestige dramas or big-budget sci-fi epics they would later be known for. For these future A-listers, their careers began not with a dramatic monologue, but with a blood-curdling shriek.

This insider’s look reveals the surprising starting point for some of the biggest names in the business. From battling tiny aliens to being stalked by slasher icons, these early roles are a fascinating glimpse into the nascent careers of stars before they were stars. It proves that for many actors who started in horror, the path to cinematic glory was paved with fake blood, practical effects, and the kind of on-screen terror that launches a career. Join us as we pull back the curtain on the unexpected, and often gory, beginnings of 10 beloved actors.

1. Johnny Depp - A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Before he was a pirate, a candy maker, or a man with scissors for hands, Johnny Depp was just a teenage heartthrob trying to stay awake. His very first feature film role was as Glen Lantz in Wes Craven's seminal slasher, A Nightmare on Elm Street.

### A Gory Gateway to Stardom

Depp played the unsuspecting boyfriend of the film's "final girl," Nancy Thompson. In a film filled with inventive and terrifying dream sequences, Depp's character suffers one of the most memorable and gruesome deaths in horror history. After finally succumbing to sleep, Glen is pulled into his own bed by Freddy Krueger, only for a geyser of blood to erupt from the mattress, painting the ceiling red. It was a shocking and audacious practical effect that cemented the film's legacy and, unexpectedly, launched Depp's career. Though his screen time was limited, his charismatic presence was undeniable, marking him as one of the most famous actors started in horror.

### From Springwood to Superstardom

The role in A Nightmare on Elm Street led to more work, and a few years later, Depp became a certified teen idol on the TV show 21 Jump Street. From there, he actively sought out unconventional roles, beginning a long and fruitful collaboration with director Tim Burton. He went on to become one of the most versatile and recognizable actors of his generation, but for horror fans, he will always be the boy who got eaten by a bed.

2. Leonardo DiCaprio - Critters 3 (1991)

It’s hard to imagine the Oscar-winning star of The Revenant and Titanic battling tiny, furry aliens, but that’s exactly where Leonardo DiCaprio got his big-screen start. His film debut was in the direct-to-video creature feature, Critters 3.

### Battling Intergalactic Fuzzballs

At just 16 years old, DiCaprio played Josh, the stepson of a corrupt landlord in a rundown Los Angeles apartment building. The film sees the titular carnivorous aliens terrorizing the tenants, and a young DiCaprio must navigate the B-movie chaos to survive. While the film itself is a far cry from the prestigious projects he would later be known for, DiCaprio's commitment to the role is evident. Even in this campy sequel, his talent shines through, proving he was destined for bigger things than fighting space porcupines.

### A Trajectory to the Top

DiCaprio would later describe the role as a standard, no-depth kid character, but it was a crucial first step. Just a couple of years later, he would receive critical acclaim for his role in What's Eating Gilbert Grape?, setting him on a path to becoming one of the most respected actors in the world. His journey is perhaps the most dramatic example of how many celebrated actors started in horror in the most unlikely of projects.

3. Jennifer Aniston - Leprechaun (1993)

Before she was Rachel Green, America's sweetheart, Jennifer Aniston was Tory Reding, a materialistic teenager being terrorized by a diminutive, wish-granting monster. Her first major film role was as the lead in the cult horror-comedy Leprechaun.

### More Than a Stroke of Luck

In the film, Aniston's character is forced to fight for her life against the vengeful Leprechaun who is hunting for his stolen pot of gold. The movie is a blend of schlocky horror and slapstick comedy, and Aniston gamely plays the part, showcasing a comedic timing that would later make her a global superstar. While she has since poked fun at her horror debut, the film remains a beloved cult classic and a testament to her early hustle.

### From Horror to "Friends"

Leprechaun was released in January 1993, and by the following year, Aniston had been cast in the pilot for Friends. The sitcom would become a cultural phenomenon, making her a household name and one of the highest-paid actresses in television. While her career has been defined by comedy and drama, her horror roots provided an unforgettable, if unconventional, starting point.

4. Tom Hanks - He Knows You're Alone (1980)

Tom Hanks is now known as "America's Dad," a two-time Oscar winner celebrated for his wholesome and heroic roles. It's almost impossible to picture him in a gritty slasher film, but his very first movie was just that: the 1980 stalker flick He Knows You're Alone.

### A Minor Role in a Major Genre

The film, heavily inspired by the success of Halloween, follows a bride-to-be who is stalked by a relentless killer. Hanks has a small supporting role as Elliot, a psychology student who philosophizes about the appeal of fear and horror movies. His character provides a brief moment of levity and charm in an otherwise standard slasher. It was a minor part, but it was Hanks' first taste of feature filmmaking.

### The Path to Prestige

This early horror credit is a fascinating piece of trivia in a career filled with iconic dramatic and comedic performances. Hanks quickly moved on from the genre, starring in the sitcom Bosom Buddies before his breakout film role in Splash. He would go on to win back-to-back Best Actor Oscars for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, cementing a legacy far removed from the world of knife-wielding maniacs.

5. Charlize Theron - Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest (1995)

Academy Award winner Charlize Theron is known for her transformative and powerful performances in films like Monster and Mad Max: Fury Road. Her screen debut, however, was much more humble and entirely uncredited: she played a follower of a demonic corn cult in Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest.

### A Silent Start in a Sinister Cult

In this third installment of the Stephen King-inspired franchise, the creepy corn-worshipping children are brought to Chicago. Theron appears as one of the cult members, a background role with no lines. Blink and you might miss her, but her appearance marks her very first time on a film set. It’s a classic example of an actor taking any job they can to get a foot in the door, even if it means silently praising a supernatural entity named "He Who Walks Behind the Rows."

### Reaping a Hollywood Harvest

Despite the inauspicious start, Theron's talent and striking presence quickly led to more substantial roles. Within a few years, she was a sought-after leading lady. Her win for Best Actress for portraying serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster showcased a dramatic intensity that was worlds away from her silent, corn-cult beginnings, proving that even the smallest seeds can grow into mighty Hollywood careers.

6. George Clooney - Return to Horror High (1987)

Before he was the epitome of suave sophistication in Ocean's Eleven or an acclaimed director, George Clooney was just another actor trying to make it, taking roles in B-horror movies. One of his earliest credits was in the meta-slasher comedy Return to Horror High.

### A Short-Lived Role with Lasting Impact

Clooney plays Oliver, an actor in a movie-within-a-movie who gets killed off early in the film. It was a small part in a tongue-in-cheek horror film, but his signature charm was already apparent. Interestingly, Clooney had also filmed a role in another horror movie, Grizzly II: The Revenge, back in 1983, but the film was shelved for decades and only saw a release in 2020, making Return to Horror High his official horror debut for many years.

### From B-Movie Actor to A-List Icon

Clooney toiled in television and low-budget films for years before his breakout role as Dr. Doug Ross on the medical drama ER in 1994. That show catapulted him to stardom, and he leveraged his television success into a stellar film career as an actor, director, and producer. His journey shows that the list of actors started in horror includes even the most debonair of Hollywood royalty.

7. Patricia Arquette - A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)

The Nightmare on Elm Street franchise has the distinction of launching not one, but two major acting careers. Three years after Johnny Depp's debut, Patricia Arquette made her first film appearance in what is often considered the best sequel in the series, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.

### A Dream Debut Performance

Arquette starred as Kristen Parker, a troubled teenager who has the ability to pull other people into her dreams. She becomes the central figure in the fight against Freddy Krueger, leading her fellow psychiatric hospital patients—the "Dream Warriors"—in a battle against the dream demon. It was a demanding debut role that required a blend of vulnerability and strength, and Arquette delivered a powerful performance that anchored the film.

### An Oscar-Winning Career

Following her memorable debut, Arquette built a diverse and acclaimed career, working with directors like David Lynch and winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Boyhood. Her career demonstrates that a strong start, even in a horror sequel, can be the foundation for a long and respected career in Hollywood.

8. Paul Rudd - Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)

Known for his affable charm and comedic timing in films like Clueless and as Marvel's Ant-Man, Paul Rudd's first leading film role was in a much darker universe. He starred as Tommy Doyle in the sixth installment of the Halloween franchise.

### Facing Off Against Michael Myers

Rudd played a grown-up version of Tommy Doyle, the young boy Laurie Strode babysat in the original Halloween. In this installment, Tommy is obsessed with Michael Myers and becomes the primary protagonist trying to protect the Strode family from the seemingly unstoppable killer. While the film received mixed reviews, Rudd's performance was noted for its intensity, a departure from the comedic roles that would later define his career.

### From Haddonfield to the MCU

Interestingly, Rudd filmed Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers before his breakout role in the 1995 hit comedy Clueless, but Clueless was released first. His career quickly veered toward comedy, and he became a staple in Judd Apatow films before joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His early horror role remains a surprising and fascinating entry on his filmography.

9. Renée Zellweger - Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994)

Before she was Bridget Jones or won Oscars for Cold Mountain and Judy, Renée Zellweger shared the screen with another future star, Matthew McConaughey, in the bizarre fourth entry of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series.

### Surviving Leatherface

Originally titled The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the film was shelved for several years before being re-released to capitalize on its newly famous stars. Zellweger plays Jenny, a high school student who, after a prom night car crash, finds herself tormented by Leatherface and his unhinged family. She spends most of the movie running and screaming, the quintessential "final girl."

### A New Generation of Star Power

The film is notoriously campy and strange, a far cry from the gritty terror of the original. However, both Zellweger and McConaughey's raw talent is on full display. Shortly after, Zellweger's career took off with her role in Jerry Maguire, and she became one of Hollywood's most acclaimed dramatic and comedic actresses.

10. Hilary Swank - Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

Two-time Best Actress winner Hilary Swank is known for her intensely committed dramatic performances in films like Boys Don't Cry and Million Dollar Baby. Her very first film role, however, was a small, comedic part in the original movie version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

### A Valley Girl Vampire Victim

Swank played Kimberly Hannah, a shallow friend of Buffy's who delivers vapid one-liners before eventually being turned into a vampire. It was a minor role in a film that was more comedy than horror, but it was her entry into the world of feature films. The part showcased a light, comedic side to Swank that audiences would rarely see again as her career progressed.

### Slaying the Dramatic Scene

This small, silly role stands in stark contrast to the gritty, transformative performances that would earn her two Academy Awards. Swank’s career is a powerful reminder that many of the most serious and respected actors started in horror or horror-comedy, using these early opportunities as a stepping stone to showcase their range and launch themselves toward greatness.

From battling demons in dreams to running from chainsaw-wielding madmen, the horror genre has consistently provided a launching pad for future Hollywood icons. These ten actors are just a few examples of the incredible talent that got its start in a world of screams and scares. Their careers prove that sometimes, the road to an Oscar begins with a truly terrifying first step.