VIDEOS: Stars Before They Were Famous

By Nana-Adwoa Ofori Posted Jan 7th 2010 12:05PM

Who doesn't love to hear stories about how a struggling actor landed a big break? Every famous person got to the pinnacle of celebrity status by starting somewhere small -- even Brad Pitt. Here is a look at some of Hollywood's most famous celebrities before they were famous, starring in commercials and game shows, selling everything from Heinz Ketchup to pizza in the hopes of making it on the big screen. It is the small gigs that eventually land an aspiring actor the opportunity of a lifetime. Watch >>

1. Brad Pitt Had The Fever for Pringles

Eating junk food has never looked so good. Brad Pitt must have aided Pringles sales through the roof during his early days as he devoured a can of Pringles with his sun kissed bleach blond hair flowing. Advertisers knew back then as well as they do now that sexy people can sell anything.

2. Matt LeBlanc's Pick-up Line: Ketchup

Matt LeBlanc used ketchup to catch the ladies before he landed the role of Joey Tribiani on 'Friends.' This Heinz Ketchup commercial did wonders for LeBlanc as it set the precendt for his cool "ladies man" vibe that he portrayed as his character Joey. Any man that goes to these lengths to impress a girl deserves to star in a hit sitcom.

3. Keanu Reeves For Corn Flakes

Keanu Reeves will be forever famous for his contributions to such films as the 'Matrix' movies and 'Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.' Who knew that before he made it to the silver screen that he was also a poster boy for Kellogg's. The ultimate moment in this 20-second commercial is when Keanu makes a last-minute check to make sure the coast is clear before guiltily indulging in a spoonful of dry cereal. Priceless footage.

4. Elijah Wood Loves Pizza

Elijah Wood has been working the beat since he was practically in diapers. As a quintessential child star, he had landed major roles in 'The Good Son' and 'The Adventures of Huck Finn' almost ten years before the first 'Lord of the Rings' movie ever debuted. With those adorable cheeks, Elijah could sell anything.

5. Kirstie Alley Knows Your Password

Before Kirstie Alley landed her role on 'Cheers,' she was really into game shows. She was once on 'Match Game' in 1979, winning $6,000 (so says Wikipedia) alongside Betty White and Jamie Lee Curtis (video here). She also made her presence known on 'Password Plus' in 1980, sharing the stage with Lucille Ball among other Hollywood royalty.

6. Steve Martin's Pre-Silver Fox Days

Before Steve Martin became a household name, he was a writer for the famous 'Smothers Brothers'. In 1968, Martin stepped into the game show lime light and starred on 'The Dating Game'. Check out this clip as he uses his comedic flare to win the heart of his date and eventually the world.

7. Vanna White Is Serious

Vanna White is known as the beautiful face of the 'Wheel of Fortune,' but who knew that before she was known world wide for displaying vowels, she was one of the lucky contestants on 'The Price is Right.' That day she wore a tee-shirt with the words "Get Serious". Those words could not have been more true because her career took off and continues to soar as one of the most recognizable faces in game show history.

8. Farrah Fawcett Makes A Match

Farrah Fawcett embodied the American beauty unlike any other actress. Her iconic smile and charm caught the eye of Lee Majors, Ryan O'Neal and eventually the world. Before her rise to fame, Farrah had the opportunity to showcase her wit and grace for three bachelors to try and win her heart on 'The Dating Game' in 1969.

Tags: brad pitt, BradPitt, Elijah Wood, elijah woodl, ElijahWood, ElijahWoodl, farrah fawcett, FarrahFawcett, keanu reeves, KeanuReeves, Kirstie Alley, Kirstie-Alley, KirstieAlley, matt leblanc, MattLeblanc, steve martin, SteveMartin, vanna white, VannaWhite

Comments

(29)

Saturday 23 January

By kentfreeland

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I'm certain that I saw Kirstie Alley as the alluring mistress of a White House aide in a Nixon docudrama about 1976-77. I think that's where she first gained acclaim as an actress.

By Mark Hawkins

Kirstie Alley's big break and first acting job was Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Again, somebody needs to get their facts straight.

By Retired newsman

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My facts are straight, Mark.
Perhaps you were too young to remember...

By Barbara Rachelson

Actually, she was an interior decorator from Kansas when she was my opponent on Password in 1980, before she was in Star Trek.

By Beth

I cannot recall the year the television mini-series aired but am positive that Kirstie Allie was part of the ensemble which included the late, Patrick Swayze.

By ads9935

I think the mini-series was North and South.

By racingnutt857

Yes, It was called North Aand South.

By Rene

God bless, Farrah . . . may she rest in peace.

How ironic that the Dating Game sent her and her date to Austria in 1969 . . . and 40 years later (in 2009), she would be traveling over to Germany to undergo cancer treatment.

By twelvnrow

The North/South miniseries were in 1985, 1986, and 1994 which was after her introduction in "The Wrath Of Khan" in 1982.

By rdujetz

Kirstie was also on the original "Match Game", saying she was an interior designer from Omaha, Nebraska.

By Steve

She didn't say she was from Nebraska but she said she was from Kansas.

By tony

no pics ..just a white box

By FINELY TUNED AND POLISHED

Do any of you "HUMANNOIDS" remember the show with the screaming Sgt. with his side-kick "the dummy" along with his silent partner named "chief uck over once easy" ?

By DeeDee

I watch re runs of Cheers sometimes and see how good Kirstie Alley looked then, to bad she looks so awful today with all that weight on her, thats really a curse. I feel bad for her.

By Tony

Brat Pitt played a teenager on the Dallas TV show

By Vic

A few nights ago while watching "Seinfeld" and in the booth at the restaurant seated behind Kramer was an extra named-David Schwimmer. He's only on screen a few seconds but its him-you have to start somewhere. I remember Kramer from the "Dating Game".

By sunny

Hey, they all had to start somewhere......

By Klasy

in that clip,kirstie looks like gilda radnor when she played rosanna rosannadanna or whatever that characters name was.

By alissa

Maybe if Kirstie Alley could see this video of herself she would stick to a diet and lose all that weight. You can lose at any age.

By getreal13

I always had a massive crush on Kirstie Alley. Then she got fat.

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