Star-Making Role: Difference between revisions

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{{trope}}
{{trope}}
[[File:hugh_jackman_wolverine.jpg|link=X-Men (Film)|thumb|400px|He was an accomplished stage actor in Australia before this. Because of this, you know who [[Hugh Jackman]] is.]]
[[File:hugh jackman wolverine.jpg|link=X-Men (film)|thumb|400px|He was an accomplished stage actor in Australia before this. Because of this, you know who [[Hugh Jackman]] is.]]


{{quote|"Everyone said I was an overnight success, but it was ten years leading up to that."|'''Naomi Watts''', in relation to her success with ''[[Mulholland Drive]]''}}
{{quote|"Everyone said I was an overnight success, but it was ten years leading up to that."
|'''Naomi Watts''', in relation to her success with ''[[Mulholland Drive]]''}}


Every A-List star starts somewhere. They do bit parts and walk-on roles, sometimes even becoming "[[Hey Its That Guy|that guy]]". They may be a lesser part of an [[Ensemble Cast]] who becomes an [[Ensemble Darkhorse]]. They may even wind up doing [[Old Shame|something they may not be proud of later]]. Either way, when their memoirs are written or they sit down with James Lipton, ''this'' will be the role that they point to and say "that's where it ''really'' started for me" -- the rise from obscurity to getting first billing. The role may have been written for the specific purpose of making this specific person a star by showcasing their talents. More often than not, it's a case of taking the right part and running with it. This is the role they earn their name with. This isn't always a star's first role. It's not even their first film or series to be a major success. It's the first role where they stop being "[[Hey Its That Guy|that guy]]" and become known by their name alone.
Every A-List star starts somewhere. They do bit parts and walk-on roles, sometimes even becoming "[[Hey, It's That Guy!|that guy]]". They may be a lesser part of an [[Ensemble Cast]] who becomes an [[Ensemble Darkhorse]]. They may even wind up doing [[Old Shame|something they may not be proud of later]]. Either way, when their memoirs are written or they sit down with James Lipton, ''this'' will be the role that they point to and say "that's where it ''really'' started for me"—the rise from obscurity to getting first billing. The role may have been written for the specific purpose of making this specific person a star by showcasing their talents. More often than not, it's a case of taking the right part and running with it. This is the role they earn their name with. This isn't always a star's first role. It's not even their first film or series to be a major success. It's the first role where they stop being "[[Hey, It's That Guy!|that guy]]" and become known by their name alone.


See also [[Retroactive Recognition]] for reactions to roles the actor had before his SMR (think Harrison Ford as a bellhop in ''Dead Heat On A Merry Go Round'', [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-NehUB_7l0 here]). Contrast [[Star Derailing Role]] for when the star goes in the opposite direction. Compare [[Breakthrough Hit]] (equivalent for creators).
See also [[Retroactive Recognition]] for reactions to roles the actor had before his SMR (think Harrison Ford as a bellhop in ''Dead Heat On A Merry Go Round'', [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-NehUB_7l0 here]). Contrast [[Star-Derailing Role]] for when the star goes in the opposite direction. Compare [[Breakthrough Hit]] (equivalent for creators).
⚫
{{examples|Examples}}


⚫
{{examples}}
== Anime and Manga ==
== Seiyuu ==
== Anime and Manga ==
=== Seiyuu ===
* [[Jun Fukuyama]] and [[Ami Koshimizu]] in ''[[Code Geass]]''
* [[Jun Fukuyama]] and [[Ami Koshimizu]] in ''[[Code Geass]]''
* [[Megumi Hayashibara]] in ''[[Ranma One Half]]''
* [[Megumi Hayashibara]] in ''[[Ranma ½]]''
* [[Aya Hirano]], [[Daisuke Ono]], [[Minori Chihara]], [[Yuko Goto]] and [[Tomokazu Sugita]] in ''[[The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya]]''
* [[Aya Hirano]],{{verify}} [[Daisuke Ono]], [[Minori Chihara]], [[Yūko Gotō]] and [[Tomokazu Sugita]] in ''[[The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya]]''
* [[Aya Hisakawa]] and [[Kotono Mitsuishi]] in ''[[Sailor Moon]]''
* [[Aya Hisakawa]], [[Emi Shinohara]], and [[Kotono Mitsuishi]] in ''[[Sailor Moon]]''
* [[Ayako Kawasumi]] and [[Yui Horie]] in ''[[To Heart]]''
* [[Ayako Kawasumi]] and [[Yui Horie]] in ''[[To Heart]]''
* [[Kikuko Inoue]] in ''[[Ah My Goddess (Manga)|Ah My Goddess]]''
* [[Kikuko Inoue]] in ''[[Ah! My Goddess]]''{{verify|reason=Is a role in an OAV really star-making, even if it's the title role?}}
* [[Kanae Ito]] in ''[[Shugo Chara]]''
* [[Kanae Ito]] in ''[[Shugo Chara]]''
* [[Eri Kitamura]] in ''[[Blood Plus]]''
* [[Eri Kitamura]] in ''[[Blood+]]''
* [[Rie Kugimiya]] in ''[[Shakugan no Shana]]''
* [[Rie Kugimiya]] in ''[[Shakugan no Shana]]''
* [[Mamoru Miyano]] in ''[[Death Note (Manga)|Death Note]]''
* [[Mamoru Miyano]] in ''[[Death Note]]''
* [[Nana Mizuki]] and [[Yukari Tamura]] in ''[[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]]''
* [[Nana Mizuki]] and [[Yukari Tamura]]{{verify}} in ''[[Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha]]''
* [[Mai Nakahara]] in ''[[Mai-HiME (Anime)|Mai-HiME]]''
* [[Mai Nakahara]] in ''[[My-HiME]]''
* [[Rina Sato]] in ''[[Negima]]''
* [[Rina Sato]] in ''[[Negima]]''
* [[Rie Tanaka]] and [[Soichiro Hoshi]] in ''[[Gundam Seed]]''
* [[Rie Tanaka]] and [[Soichiro Hoshi]] in ''[[Gundam Seed]]''
* [[Aki Toyosaki]], [[Yoko Hikasa]], [[Minako Kotobuki]], [[Satomi Sato]] and [[Ayana Taketatsu]] in ''[[K-On]]!''
* [[Aki Toyosaki]], [[Yoko Hikasa]], [[Minako Kotobuki]], [[Satomi Sato]] and [[Ayana Taketatsu]] in ''[[K-On!]]!''
* [[Kana Ueda]] in ''[[Fate Stay Night]]''
* [[Kana Ueda]] in ''[[Fate/stay night]]''
* [[Romi Park]] in ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist]]''
* [[Romi Park]] in ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist]]''
* [[Masakazu Morita]] in ''[[Bleach]]''
* [[Masakazu Morita]] in ''[[Bleach]]''
* [[Katsuyuki Konishi]], [[Tetsuya Kakihara]], [[Marina Inoue]] and [[Yukari Fukui]] in ''[[Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]]''
* [[Katsuyuki Konishi]], [[Tetsuya Kakihara]], [[Marina Inoue]] and [[Yukari Fukui]] in ''[[Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]]''
* [[Toshiyuki Morikawa]] and [[Takehito Koyasu]] in ''[[Tekkaman Blade (Anime)|Tekkaman Blade]]''
* [[Toshiyuki Morikawa]] and [[Takehito Koyasu]] in ''[[Tekkaman Blade]]''
* [[Hikaru Midorikawa]], [[Toshihiko Seki]] and [[Ryotaro Okiayu]] in ''[[Gundam Wing]]''
* [[Hikaru Midorikawa]], [[Toshihiko Seki]] and [[Ryotaro Okiayu]] in ''[[Gundam Wing]]''
* [[Tomokazu Seki]] in ''[[G Gundam]]''
* [[Tomokazu Seki]] in ''[[G Gundam]]''
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* [[Akira Ishida]] in ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]''
* [[Akira Ishida]] in ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]''
* [[Tohru Furuya]] and [[Shuichi Ikeda]] in ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]''
* [[Tohru Furuya]] and [[Shuichi Ikeda]] in ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]''
* [[Nozomu Sasaki]] in ''[[Akira (Manga)|Akira]]''
* [[Nozomu Sasaki]] in ''[[Akira]]''
* [[Atsuko Tanaka]] in ''[[Ghost in The Shell]]''
* [[Atsuko Tanaka]] in ''[[Ghost in the Shell]]''
* [[Kaori Shimizu]] in ''[[Serial Experiments Lain]]''
* [[Kaori Shimizu]] in ''[[Serial Experiments Lain]]''
* [[Hiroshi Kamiya]] and [[Yuuichi Nakamura]] in ''[[Gundam 00]]''
* [[Hiroshi Kamiya]] and [[Yuuichi Nakamura]] in ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam 00]]''
* [[Junko Takeuchi]] in ''[[Naruto]]''.
* [[Junko Takeuchi]] in ''[[Naruto]]''.
* [[Emiri Katou]] in ''[[Lucky Star]]''
* [[Emiri Katou]] in ''[[Lucky Star]]''
* [[Atsushi Abe]] and [[Nobuhiko Okamoto]] in ''[[To Aru Majutsu no Index (Anime)|To Aru Majutsu no Index]]''
* [[Atsushi Abe]] and [[Nobuhiko Okamoto]] in ''[[A Certain Magical Index]]''
** [[Satomi Arai]] in the spinoff, ''[[To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (Manga)|To Aru Kagaku no Railgun]]''
** [[Satomi Arai]] in the spinoff, ''[[A Certain Scientific Railgun]]''
* [[Aoi Yuuki]] in ''[[Puella Magi Madoka Magica (Anime)|Puella Magi Madoka Magica]]''
* [[Aoi Yuuki]] in ''[[Puella Magi Madoka Magica]]''
* [[Nao Touyama]] in ''[[The World God Only Knows]]''
* [[Nao Tōyama]] in ''[[The World God Only Knows]]''
* [[Kana Hanazawa]] in ''[[Bakemonogatari (Light Novel)|Bakemonogatari]]''
* [[Kana Hanazawa]] in ''[[Bakemonogatari]]''
* [[Haruka Tomatsu]] in ''[[Kannagi]]''
* [[Haruka Tomatsu]] in ''[[Kannagi]]''
* [[Shizuka Itou]] in ''[[Hayate the Combat Butler (Manga)|Hayate the Combat Butler]]''
* [[Shizuka Itou]] in ''[[Hayate the Combat Butler]]''
* [[Tomoko Kawakami]] in ''[[Revolutionary Girl Utena]]''
* [[Tomoko Kawakami]] in ''[[Revolutionary Girl Utena]]''
* [[Maaya Sakamoto]] in ''[[Vision of Escaflowne]]''
* [[Maaya Sakamoto]] in ''[[Vision of Escaflowne]]''
* [[KENN]] in ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh GX|Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters GX]]''
* [[KENN]] in ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! GX|Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters GX]]''
* [[Ai Kayano]] in ''[[Ano Hana]]''
* [[Ai Kayano]] in ''[[Ano Hana]]''
* [[Hisako Kanemoto]] in ''[[Shinryaku Ika Musume]]''
* [[Hisako Kanemoto]] in ''[[Squid Girl]]''
* [[Kana Asumi]] in ''[[Hidamari Sketch]]''
* [[Kana Asumi]] in ''[[Hidamari Sketch]]''


== Dub Voices ==
=== Dub Voices ===
* [[Steve Blum]] and [[Wendee Lee]] in ''[[Cowboy Bebop]]''
* [[Steve Blum]] and [[Wendee Lee]] in ''[[Cowboy Bebop]]''{{verify}}
* [[Matt Hill]] and [[Samuel Vincent]] in ''[[Gundam Seed]]''
* [[Matt Hill]] and [[Samuel Vincent]] in ''[[Gundam Seed]]''
* [[Johnny Yong Bosch]] in ''[[Bleach]]''
* [[Johnny Yong Bosch]] in ''[[Bleach]]''
** Before this, Bosch was known for his roles as [[Power Rangers|Adam Park]] and [[Trigun|Vash]]. It wasn't until he got the role of Ichigo Kurosaki that his popularity began to soar.
** Before this, Bosch was known for his roles as [[Power Rangers|Adam Park]] and [[Trigun|Vash]]. It wasn't until he got the role of Ichigo Kurosaki that his popularity began to soar.
** Also [[Kyle Hebert]] in the same show, which is also compounded with his role in ''[[Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]]''.
** Also [[Kyle Hebert]] in the same show, which is also compounded with his role in ''[[Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]]''.
* [[Christine Maria Cabanos]] in ''[[K-On]]''
* [[Christine Maria Cabanos]] in ''[[K-On!]]''
* [[Crispin Freeman]] in ''[[Hellsing]]''
* [[Crispin Freeman]] in ''[[Hellsing]]''
* [[Veronica Taylor]] and [[Eric Stuart]] in ''[[Pokémon (Anime)|Pokémon]]''.
* [[Veronica Taylor]] and [[Eric Stuart]] in ''[[Pokémon (anime)|Pokémon]]''.
* [[Vic Mignogna]] in ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist (Anime)|Fullmetal Alchemist]]''
* [[Vic Mignogna]] in ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist (anime)|Fullmetal Alchemist]]''
* [[Lisa Ortiz]] in ''[[Slayers]]''
* [[Lisa Ortiz]] in ''[[Slayers]]''
** The show also featured the debuts of Veronica Taylor, Eric Stuart, and Crispin Freeman, but Ortiz received the most notoriety for being the lead, and had fewer successes later in her career compared to the other three.
** The show also featured the debuts of Veronica Taylor, Eric Stuart, and Crispin Freeman, but Ortiz received the most notoriety for being the lead, and had fewer successes later in her career compared to the other three.
* [[Mary Elizabeth McGlynn]] in ''[[Ghost in The Shell]]''
* [[Mary Elizabeth McGlynn]] in ''[[Ghost in the Shell]]''
* [[Sean Schemmel]] and [[Christopher Sabat]] in [[FU Nimation]]'s dub of ''[[Dragonball Z]]''
* [[Sean Schemmel]] and [[Christopher Sabat]] in [[FUNimation]]'s dub of ''[[Dragonball Z]]''
* [[Yuri Lowenthal]], [[Stephanie Sheh]], [[Liam O Brien]], and [[Kate Higgins]] from ''[[Naruto]]'', among others.
* [[Yuri Lowenthal]], [[Stephanie Sheh]], [[Liam O'Brien]], and [[Kate Higgins]] from ''[[Naruto]]'', among others.
* [[Neil Ross]] ("Keith") and [[Michael Bell]] ("Lance") in ''[[Voltron]]: Defender Of The Universe'' (specifically, the ''[[Go Lion]]'' half)
* [[Neil Ross]] ("Keith") and [[Michael Bell]] ("Lance") in ''[[Voltron]]: Defender Of The Universe'' (specifically, the ''[[GoLion]]'' half)
* [[Billie Lou Watt]] in ''[[Astro Boy]]''
* [[Billie Lou Watt]] in ''[[Astro Boy]]''
* [[Dan Green]] in ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh]]''
* [[Dan Green]] in ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh!]]''
* [[Greg Ayres]] in ''[[Saiyuki]]''
* [[Greg Ayres]] in ''[[Saiyuki]]''
* [[Spike Spencer]] in ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]''
* [[Spike Spencer]] in ''[[Neon Genesis Evangelion]]''
* [[Chris Patton]] and [[Luci Christian]] in ''[[Full Metal Panic]]''
* [[Chris Patton]] and [[Luci Christian]] in ''[[Full Metal Panic!]]''
* [[Kira Vincent Davis]] and [[Jessica Boone]] in ''[[Azumanga Daioh (Manga)|Azumanga Daioh]]''
* [[Kira Vincent-Davis]] and [[Jessica Boone]] in ''[[Azumanga Daioh]]''
* [[Hillary Haag]] in ''[[Chrono Crusade]]''
* [[Hilary Haag]] in ''[[Chrono Crusade]]''
* [[Brittney Karbowski]], Melissa Davis and Maggie Flecknoe in ''[[Pani Poni Dash]]''
* [[Brittney Karbowski]], Melissa Davis and Maggie Flecknoe in ''[[Pani Poni Dash!]]''
* [[Laura Bailey]] in ''[[Fruits Basket]]''
* [[Laura Bailey]] in ''[[Fruits Basket]]''
* [[Maryke Hendrikse]] in ''[[Black Lagoon]]''.
* [[Maryke Hendrikse]] in ''[[Black Lagoon]]''.
* [[Richard Ian Cox]], [[Kirby Morrow]] and [[Kelly Sheridan]] in ''[[Inuyasha]]''
* [[Richard Ian Cox]], [[Kirby Morrow]] and [[Kelly Sheridan]] in ''[[Inuyasha]]''
* [[Tabitha St Germain]] in ''[[Shakugan no Shana]]''
* [[Tabitha St. Germain]] in ''[[Shakugan no Shana]]''
* [[Brad Swaile]] in ''[[Death Note (Manga)|Death Note]]''
* [[Brad Swaile]] in ''[[Death Note]]''

⚫
== Film ==


⚫
== Film ==
* [[Amy Adams]] in ''[[Enchanted]]''
* [[Amy Adams]] in ''[[Enchanted]]''
* [[Ben Affleck]] in ''[[Armageddon (Film)|Armageddon]]''. He became [[Hey Its That Guy|That Guy]] in ''Mallrats'' and ''[[Shakespeare in Love]]'' in his own right after ''Good Will Hunting'' but it was [[Michael Bay]]'s [[Summer Blockbuster]] that provided his SMR.
* [[Ben Affleck]] in ''[[Armageddon]]''. He became [[Hey, It's That Guy!|That Guy]] in ''Mallrats'' and ''[[Shakespeare in Love]]'' in his own right after ''Good Will Hunting'' but it was [[Michael Bay]]'s [[Summer Blockbuster]] that provided his SMR.
* This seems to be one of [[Judd Apatow]]'s specialties:
* This seems to be one of [[Judd Apatow]]'s specialties:
** [[Steve Carell]] in ''[[The 40-Year-Old Virgin]]''.
** [[Steve Carell]] in ''[[The 40-Year-Old Virgin]]''.
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* [[Jennifer Lopez]] in ''[[Selena]]''. This was before her singing career began, by the way.
* [[Jennifer Lopez]] in ''[[Selena]]''. This was before her singing career began, by the way.
* [[Christian Bale]] and [[Cillian Murphy]] in ''[[Batman Begins]]''
* [[Christian Bale]] and [[Cillian Murphy]] in ''[[Batman Begins]]''
* [[Gerard Butler]] in ''[[Three Hundred (Film)|300]]''
* [[Gerard Butler]] in ''[[300]]''
* [[Bruce Campbell]] in ''The [[Evil Dead]]''
* [[Bruce Campbell]] in ''The [[Evil Dead]]''
* [[Jim Carrey]] in ''[[Ace Ventura]]''
* [[Jim Carrey]] in ''[[Ace Ventura]]''
** Also in ''[[The Mask (Film)|The Mask]]'', which also revealed [[Cameron Diaz]] (who might share the Star Making Role with ''There's Something About Mary'').
** Also in ''[[The Mask (film)|The Mask]]'', which also revealed [[Cameron Diaz]] (who might share the Star Making Role with ''There's Something About Mary'').
* ''[[Rumble in The Bronx]]'' made [[Jackie Chan]] an international star, while ''[[Rush Hour]]'' made Jackie Chan a US movie star. He'd been huge in Asia for years.
* ''[[Rumble in The Bronx]]'' made [[Jackie Chan]] an international star, while ''[[Rush Hour]]'' made Jackie Chan a US movie star. He'd been huge in Asia for years.
* [[Sean Connery]] in ''[[James Bond]]''
* [[Sean Connery]] in ''[[James Bond]]''
** Later followed by Roger Moore (though he had also done ''[[The Saint]]''), [[Timothy Dalton]] and [[Daniel Craig]] (but not Pierce Brosnan; see Live Action TV)
** Later followed by Roger Moore (though he had also done ''[[The Saint]]''), [[Timothy Dalton]] and [[Daniel Craig]] (but not Pierce Brosnan; see Live-Action TV)
* [[Russell Crowe]] in ''[[Gladiator (Film)|Gladiator]]''
* [[Russell Crowe]] in ''[[Gladiator (film)|Gladiator]]''
* [[Tom Cruise]] in ''[[Risky Business]]''
* [[Tom Cruise]] in ''[[Risky Business]]''
* [[Matt Damon]] in ''[[Good Will Hunting]]''
* [[Matt Damon]] in ''[[Good Will Hunting]]''
* Though ''[[Edward Scissorhands]]'' made [[Johnny Depp]] a bit of a cult/indie film favourite, it wasn't until ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean]]'' that he really became a big Hollywood 'star'.
* Though ''[[Edward Scissorhands]]'' made [[Johnny Depp]] a bit of a cult/indie film favourite, it wasn't until ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean]]'' that he really became a big Hollywood 'star'.
* [[Edward James Olmos]] in ''[[Blade Runner]]''.
* [[Edward James Olmos]] in ''[[Blade Runner]]''.
* [[Leonardo Di Caprio]] and [[Kate Winslet]] in ''[[Titanic]]''
* [[Leonardo DiCaprio]] and [[Kate Winslet]] in ''[[Titanic]]''
* [[Chow Yun Fat (Creator)|Chow Yun Fat]] in ''[[A Better Tomorrow]]''.
* [[Chow Yun-fat]] in ''[[A Better Tomorrow]]''.
* [[Harrison Ford]] in ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark (Film)|Raiders of the Lost Ark]]'', although ''[[Star Wars]]'' is also a good candidate.
* [[Harrison Ford]] in ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]'', although ''[[Star Wars]]'' is also a good candidate.
* [[Michael J Fox]] in ''[[Back to The Future]]''
* [[Michael J. Fox]] in ''[[Back to The Future]]''
* ''[[The Hangover]]'': Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis.
* ''[[The Hangover]]'': Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis.
* [[Mel Gibson (Creator)|Mel Gibson]] in ''[[Mad Max (Film)|Mad Max]]''.
* [[Mel Gibson]] in ''[[Mad Max]]''.
* Danny Glover in ''[[Lethal Weapon (Film)|Lethal Weapon]]''.
* Danny Glover in ''[[Lethal Weapon]]''.
* [[Kirsten Dunst]] in ''[[Interview With the Vampire]]'' as a child star. She later established her adult career with ''[[Spider Man (Film)|Spider Man]]''.
* [[Kirsten Dunst]] in ''[[Interview with the Vampire]]'' as a child star. She later established her adult career with ''[[Spider-Man (film)|Spider Man]]''.
** ''[[Bring It On]]'' bridges the gap in her teen years.
** ''[[Bring It On]]'' bridges the gap in her teen years.
* [[Paul Giamatti]] in ''Sideways''.
* [[Paul Giamatti]] in ''Sideways''.
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* [[Audrey Hepburn]] in ''[[Roman Holiday]]''
* [[Audrey Hepburn]] in ''[[Roman Holiday]]''
* [[Dustin Hoffman]] in ''[[The Graduate]]''
* [[Dustin Hoffman]] in ''[[The Graduate]]''
* [[Tom Hardy]] in ''[[Inception (Film)|Inception]]''.
* [[Tom Hardy]] in ''[[Inception]]''.
* Olivia Wilde in ''[[Tron Legacy (Film)|Tron Legacy]]'' (although some may argue that her role in ''[[House (TV)|House]]'' helped her quite a bit as well).
* [[Olivia Wilde]] in ''[[Tron: Legacy]]'' (although some may argue that her role in ''[[House (TV series)|House]]'' helped her quite a bit as well).
* Jennifer Love Hewitt ''[[I Know What You Did Last Summer (Film)|I Know What You Did Last Summer]]''
* Jennifer Love Hewitt ''[[I Know What You Did Last Summer]]''
* [[Hugh Jackman]] in ''[[X Men 1 (Film)|X Men 1]]''
* [[Hugh Jackman]] in ''[[X-Men 1]]''
* [[Angelina Jolie]] in ''[[Girl Interrupted]]''.
* [[Angelina Jolie]] in ''[[Girl, Interrupted]]''.
* [[Dwayne Johnson|Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson]] in ''[[The Scorpion King]]''.
* [[Dwayne Johnson|Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson]] in ''[[The Scorpion King]]''.
* Milla Jovovich in ''[[The Fifth Element (Film)|The Fifth Element]]''
* Milla Jovovich in ''[[The Fifth Element]]''
* [[Bruce Lee]] in ''[[Enter the Dragon]]'', the last film which would be fully completed before his untimely death.
* [[Bruce Lee]] in ''[[Enter the Dragon]]'', the last film which would be fully completed before his untimely death.
** His son, Brandon, died filming his own SMR in ''[[The Crow]]''.
** His son, Brandon, died filming his own SMR in ''[[The Crow]]''.
* [[Marilyn Monroe]] in ''Niagara''
* [[Marilyn Monroe]] in ''Niagara''
* [[Rick Moranis]] in ''[[Honey I Shrunk the Kids (Film)|Honey I Shrunk the Kids]]''
* [[Rick Moranis]] in ''[[Honey, I Shrunk the Kids]]''
** Arguably, ''[[Spaceballs (Film)|Spaceballs]]''.
** Arguably, ''[[Spaceballs]]''.
* [[Eddie Murphy]] in ''[[Forty Eight Hours]]''
* [[Eddie Murphy]] in ''[[48 Hrs.]]''
* [[Ellen Page]] in ''[[Juno]]''.
* [[Elliot Page]] in ''[[Juno]]''.
* [[Bill Murray]] and Harold Ramis in ''[[Ghostbusters]]''. [[Dan Aykroyd]] as well, as ''[[Blues Brothers]]'' hasn't been nearly as long-lasting in popularity.
* [[Bill Murray]] and Harold Ramis in ''[[Ghostbusters]]''. [[Dan Aykroyd]] as well, as ''[[Blues Brothers]]'' hasn't been nearly as long-lasting in popularity.
* [[Claude Rains]] in ''[[The Invisible Man (Film)|The Invisible Man]]'' -- despite the fact that [[One Scene Wonder|his face appears in only the last scene]], in which he is a corpse.
* [[Claude Rains]] in ''[[The Invisible Man (film)|The Invisible Man]]''—despite the fact that [[One-Scene Wonder|his face appears in only the last scene]], in which he is a corpse.
* [[Sandra Bullock]] in ''[[Speed (Film)|Speed]]''
* [[Sandra Bullock]] in ''[[Speed]]''
* [[Julia Roberts]] in ''[[Pretty Woman]]''
* [[Julia Roberts]] in ''[[Pretty Woman]]''
* [[Joseph Gordon-Levitt]] in ''500DaysOfSummer''.
* [[Joseph Gordon-Levitt]] in ''500DaysOfSummer''.
* [[Adam Sandler]] in ''[[Billy Madison]]''
* [[Adam Sandler]] in ''[[Billy Madison]]''
* [[Sylvester Stallone]] in ''[[Rocky (Film)|Rocky]]''
* [[Sylvester Stallone]] in ''[[Rocky (film)|Rocky]]''
* [[Meryl Streep]] in ''Kramer vs. Kramer''.
* [[Meryl Streep]] in ''Kramer vs. Kramer''.
* [[Hilary Swank]] in ''[[Boys Don't Cry]]''
* [[Hilary Swank]] in ''[[Boys Don't Cry]]''
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* [[Ken Watanabe]]'s Hollywood career in ''[[The Last Samurai]]''
* [[Ken Watanabe]]'s Hollywood career in ''[[The Last Samurai]]''
* [[Naomi Watts]] in ''[[Mulholland Drive]]''.
* [[Naomi Watts]] in ''[[Mulholland Drive]]''.
* [[Sigourney Weaver]] in ''[[Alien (Film)|Alien]]''.
* [[Sigourney Weaver]] in ''[[Alien (franchise)|Alien]]''.
* [[Bruce Willis]] and [[Alan Rickman]] in ''[[Die Hard (Film)|Die Hard]]''.
* [[Bruce Willis]] and [[Alan Rickman]] in ''[[Die Hard]]''.
* [[Vin Diesel]] in ''[[Pitch Black]]'' and ''[[The Fast and The Furious]]''.
* [[Vin Diesel]] in ''[[Pitch Black]]'' and ''[[The Fast and the Furious]]''.
* [[Salma Hayek]], whose striking turn as the vampire stripper in ''[[From Dusk Till Dawn]]'' - and her striking bikini - instantly catapulted her to stardom.
* [[Salma Hayek]], whose striking turn as the vampire stripper in ''[[From Dusk till Dawn]]'' - and her striking bikini - instantly catapulted her to stardom.
* [[Al Pacino]] in ''[[The Godfather (Film)|The Godfather]]''
* [[Al Pacino]] in ''[[The Godfather]]''
** [[Robert De Niro]] in ''[[The Godfather (Film)|The Godfather]] Part II''.
** [[Robert De Niro]] in ''[[The Godfather]] Part II''.
* [[Robert Redford]] in ''[[Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid]]''.
* [[Robert Redford]] in ''[[Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid]]''.
* [[Julie Andrews]] in ''[[Mary Poppins]]''.
* [[Julie Andrews]] in ''[[Mary Poppins]]''.
* [[Humphrey Bogart]] in ''[[The Maltese Falcon]]''.
* [[Humphrey Bogart]] in ''[[The Maltese Falcon]]''.
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* [[John Wayne]] in ''[[Stagecoach]]''.
* [[John Wayne]] in ''[[Stagecoach]]''.
* [[Kevin Costner]] in ''[[The Untouchables]]''.
* [[Kevin Costner]] in ''[[The Untouchables]]''.
* [[Clint Eastwood]] in ''[[A Fistfulof Dollars]]''.
* [[Clint Eastwood]] in ''[[A Fistful of Dollars]]''.
** Although Eastwood was already known as a TV star (''[[Rawhide]]'') when he started his film career.
** Although Eastwood was already known as a TV star (''[[Rawhide]]'') when he started his film career.
* [[Daniel Radcliffe]], [[Rupert Grint]], and [[Emma Watson]] (and pretty much all the child actors) in ''[[Harry Potter (Film)|Harry Potter]]''.
* [[Daniel Radcliffe]], [[Rupert Grint]], and [[Emma Watson]] (and pretty much all the child actors) in ''[[Harry Potter (film)|Harry Potter]]''.
* [[Peter Sellers]] in ''[[The Pink Panther]]''.
* [[Peter Sellers]] in ''[[The Pink Panther]]''.
* [[Samuel L Jackson]] in ''[[Pulp Fiction]]''.
* [[Samuel L. Jackson]] in ''[[Pulp Fiction]]''.
* [[Heath Ledger]] in ''[[Brokeback Mountain]],'' although you could make an argument for ''[[The Dark Knight]].''
* [[Heath Ledger]] in ''[[Brokeback Mountain]],'' although you could make an argument for ''[[The Dark Knight]].''
* [[Viggo Mortensen]] and [[Orlando Bloom]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''
* [[Viggo Mortensen]] and [[Orlando Bloom]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''
* [[Zoe Saldana]] in ''[[Avatar]]''
* [[Zoe Saldaña]] in ''[[Avatar]]''
** The 2009 ''[[Star Trek]]'' reboot didn't hurt her career either.
** The 2009 ''[[Star Trek]]'' reboot didn't hurt her career either.
* [[Jennifer Lawrence]] in ''[[Winters Bone]]''
* [[Jennifer Lawrence]] in ''[[Winter's Bone]]''
** ''[[The Hunger Games (Film)|The Hunger Games]]'' is probably a better consideration.
** ''[[The Hunger Games (film)|The Hunger Games]]'' is probably a better consideration.
** You shouldn't forget about ''[[X Men First Class (Film)|X Men First Class]].''
** You shouldn't forget about ''[[X-Men: First Class|X Men First Class]].''
* William Holden in ''[[Sunset Boulevard]]''.
* William Holden in ''[[Sunset Boulevard]]''.
* [[Matthew Broderick]] in ''[[Ferris Buellers Day Off (Film)|Ferris Buellers Day Off]]''
* [[Matthew Broderick]] in ''[[Ferris Bueller's Day Off|Ferris Buellers Day Off]]''
* [[Michael Caine]] in the original ''[[Alfie]]''
* [[Michael Caine]] in the original ''[[Alfie]]''
* [[Cate Blanchett]] in ''[[Elizabeth]]''
* [[Cate Blanchett]] in ''[[Elizabeth (film)|Elizabeth]]''
* [[Anthony Hopkins]] in ''[[Silence of the Lambs]]''
* [[Anthony Hopkins]] in ''[[Silence of the Lambs]]''
* [[Catherine Zeta Jones]] in ''[[The Mask of Zorro]]''
* [[Catherine Zeta Jones]] in ''[[The Mask of Zorro]]''
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* [[Bela Lugosi]] in ''Dracula''.
* [[Bela Lugosi]] in ''Dracula''.
* [[Boris Karloff]] in ''Frankenstein''.
* [[Boris Karloff]] in ''Frankenstein''.
* [[Amanda Seyfried]] in ''[[Mamma Mia]]''.
* [[Amanda Seyfried]] in ''[[Mamma Mia!]]''.
* Hugo Weaving, ''[[The Matrix]]''. He's now one of the highest-grossing actors of all time thanks to THREE blockbuster trilogies plus ''[[Captain America the First Avenger]]''.
* Hugo Weaving, ''[[The Matrix]]''. He's now one of the highest-grossing actors of all time thanks to ''three'' blockbuster trilogies plus ''[[Captain America: The First Avenger]]''.
* [[Abbott and Costello (Creator)|Abbott and Costello]] in ''Buck Privates''.
* [[Abbott and Costello]] in ''Buck Privates''.
* Tom Hiddleston in ''[[Thor (Film)|Thor]]''.
* Tom Hiddleston in ''[[Thor (film)|Thor]]''.
* [[Shirley Temple]] in ''[[Little Miss Marker]]''


⚫
== Film-Animation ==


⚫
== Film - Animation ==
* [[Jodi Benson]] in ''[[The Little Mermaid]]''.
* [[Jodi Benson]] in ''[[The Little Mermaid]]''.
* [[Tony Jay]] in ''[[The Hunchback of Notre Dame]]''.
* [[Tony Jay]] in ''[[The Hunchback of Notre Dame]]''.
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== Live Action TV ==
== Live Action TV ==
⚫
* The [[Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)|2004 ''Battlestar Galactica'']] provided quite a few of these: [[Katee Sackhoff]], Jamie Bamber, Grace Park, Tricia Helfer, Tahmoh Penikett, Aaron Douglas and James Callis.

⚫
* ''[[Battlestar Galactica]]'' provided quite a few of these: [[Katee Sackhoff]], Jamie Bamber, Grace Park, Tricia Helfer, Tahmoh Penikett, Aaron Douglas and James Callis.
* [[Jessica Alba]] in ''[[Dark Angel]]''
* [[Jessica Alba]] in ''[[Dark Angel]]''
* Richard Dean Anderson in ''[[MacGyver]]''
* Richard Dean Anderson in ''[[MacGyver]]''
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** [[Fan Nickname|The Hoff's]] SMR could arguably be ''[[Knight Rider]]'' and ''Baywatch'' considered a [[Career Resurrection]].
** [[Fan Nickname|The Hoff's]] SMR could arguably be ''[[Knight Rider]]'' and ''Baywatch'' considered a [[Career Resurrection]].
* [[Jennifer Aniston]] in ''[[Friends]]''
* [[Jennifer Aniston]] in ''[[Friends]]''
* Christina Applegate in ''[[Married With Children]]''.
* Christina Applegate in ''[[Married... with Children]]''.
* [[Rowan Atkinson]] in ''[[Black Adder]]''
* [[Rowan Atkinson]] in ''[[Blackadder]]''
** In the UK ''Blackadder'' had Star Making Roles for Atkinson, [[Hugh Laurie]], Tony Robinson, [[Stephen Fry]] and Miranda Richardson. In the U.S., Laurie didn't become a star until the debut of ''[[House (TV)|House]]'' after ''[[Mr. Bean]]'' made Atkinson a star there.
** In the UK ''Blackadder'' had Star Making Roles for Atkinson, [[Hugh Laurie]], Tony Robinson, [[Stephen Fry]] and Miranda Richardson. In the U.S., Laurie didn't become a star until the debut of ''[[House (TV series)|House]]'' after ''[[Mr. Bean]]'' made Atkinson a star there.
* [[Nathan Fillion]] and [[Summer Glau]] in ''[[Firefly (TV)|Firefly]]''.
* [[Nathan Fillion]] and [[Summer Glau]] in ''[[Firefly]]''.
* [[Christina Hendricks]] and [[Jon Hamm]] in ''[[Mad Men]]''.
* [[Christina Hendricks]] and [[Jon Hamm]] in ''[[Mad Men]]''.
* [[Neil Patrick Harris]] in ''[[Doogie Howser, M.D.]]'' as a child star, and in ''[[How I Met Your Mother]]'' as an adult.
* [[Neil Patrick Harris]] in ''[[Doogie Howser, M.D.]]'' as a child star, and in ''[[How I Met Your Mother]]'' as an adult.
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* Claire Danes in ''My So-Called Life''.
* Claire Danes in ''My So-Called Life''.
* [[Sean Bean]] in ''[[Sharpe]]''
* [[Sean Bean]] in ''[[Sharpe]]''
* Pierce Brosnan in ''[[Remington Steele (TV)|Remington Steele]]''
* Pierce Brosnan in ''[[Remington Steele]]''
* David Caruso had been on ''[[NYPD Blue]]'' for only the first season and was labeled the next big thing, but a series of box office bombs shifted him to back burner status. Then ''[[CSI: Miami]]'' comes around, [[Career Resurrection|and the rest...is history]].
* David Caruso had been on ''[[NYPD Blue]]'' for only the first season and was labeled the next big thing, but a series of box office bombs shifted him to back burner status. Then ''[[CSI: Miami]]'' comes around, [[Career Resurrection|and the rest...is history]].
** [[Memetic Mutation|Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaah...!]]
** [[Memetic Mutation|Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaah...!]]
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* Ted Danson on ''[[Cheers]]''
* Ted Danson on ''[[Cheers]]''
** Which spawned ''[[Frasier]]'', which provided SMR's for Kelsey Grammer and later David Hyde Pierce.
** Which spawned ''[[Frasier]]'', which provided SMR's for Kelsey Grammer and later David Hyde Pierce.
* Tony Danza and Alyssa Milano in ''[[Whos the Boss]]''
* Tony Danza and Alyssa Milano in ''[[Who's The Boss?]]''
* Teri Hatcher and Dean Cain in ''[[Lois and Clark]]''
* Teri Hatcher and Dean Cain in ''[[Lois and Clark]]''
* David Tennant and Matt Smith in ''[[Doctor Who (TV)|Doctor Who]]''.
* David Tennant and Matt Smith in ''[[Doctor Who]]''.
** Christopher Eccleston (to an extent), John Barrowman and Billie Piper.
** Christopher Eccleston (to an extent), John Barrowman and Billie Piper.
*** This goes for most of the Doctor's and their companions, particularly William Hartnell and Tom Baker.
*** This goes for most of the Doctor's and their companions, particularly William Hartnell and Tom Baker.
* Eva Longoria in ''[[Desperate Housewives]]''
* Eva Longoria in ''[[Desperate Housewives]]''
* Ashton Kutcher and [[Mila Kunis]] in ''[[That 70s Show]]''.
* Ashton Kutcher and [[Mila Kunis]] in ''[[That '70s Show]]''.
* Charlie Murphy on ''[[Chappelles Show]]'', following the ''C: True Hollywood Stories'' skits in the second season.
* Charlie Murphy on ''[[Chappelle's Show]]'', following the ''C: True Hollywood Stories'' skits in the second season.
* [[Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen|The Olsen twins, Mary Kate and Ashley]], on ''[[Full House]]''. They started [[Former Child Star|much younger]] than most examples.
* [[Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen|The Olsen twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley]], on ''[[Full House]]''. They started [[Former Child Star|much younger]] than most examples.
* [[Hayden Panettiere]]<ref>(many believe she deserves an entry in the Live Action Film folder as well for ''[[Remember the Titans]]'', but she's had more success to date in television than film)</ref> and [[Zachary Quinto]] in ''[[Heroes (TV)|Heroes]]''.
* [[Hayden Panettiere]]<ref>(many believe she deserves an entry in the Live Action Film folder as well for ''[[Remember the Titans]]'', but she's had more success to date in television than film)</ref> and [[Zachary Quinto]] in ''[[Heroes (TV series)|Heroes]]''.
* Ty Pennington from ''Extreme Makeover: Home Edition''
* Ty Pennington from ''Extreme Makeover: Home Edition''
* Jeri Ryan in ''[[Star Trek Voyager]]''
* Jeri Ryan in ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]''
* Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman from ''[[Myth Busters]]''.
* Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman from ''[[MythBusters]]''.
* [[William Shatner]] and [[Leonard Nimoy]] from ''[[Star Trek]]''
* [[William Shatner]] and [[Leonard Nimoy]] from ''[[Star Trek]]''
* [[Will Smith]] in ''[[The Fresh Prince of Bel Air]]''
* [[Will Smith]] in ''[[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]]''
* [[Amanda Tapping]] in ''[[Stargate SG 1]]''.
* [[Amanda Tapping]] in ''[[Stargate SG-1]]''.
* Bob Vila from ''[[This Old House]]''
* Bob Vila from ''[[This Old House]]''
* [[Robin Williams]] in ''[[Mork and Mindy]]''
* [[Robin Williams]] in ''[[Mork and Mindy]]''
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** Geraldo Rivera shot to fame by reporting on treatment of the mentally retarded, but it was the Al Capone's Vault thing that really skyrocketed him.
** Geraldo Rivera shot to fame by reporting on treatment of the mentally retarded, but it was the Al Capone's Vault thing that really skyrocketed him.
* [[David Mitchell]] and Robert Webb on ''[[Peep Show]]''. Mitchell has claimed that they would have kept doing radio and perhaps a television sketch show as a [[Double Act]], but this was what made them household names.
* [[David Mitchell]] and Robert Webb on ''[[Peep Show]]''. Mitchell has claimed that they would have kept doing radio and perhaps a television sketch show as a [[Double Act]], but this was what made them household names.
* ''[[Breaking Bad]]'' for Bryan Cranston. Cranston had become "[[Hey Its That Guy]]" because of his roles on ''Seinfeld'', ''[[Malcolm in The Middle]]'' and various bit parts in other shows and movies. While ''Malcolm'' had a cult following, it's ''[[Breaking Bad]]'' that has made Cranston a star winning him three consecutive "Best Actor" Emmys and making him an in-demand actor for supporting roles in films starting in 2010.
* ''[[Breaking Bad]]'' for Bryan Cranston. Cranston had become "[[Hey, It's That Guy!]]" because of his roles on ''Seinfeld'', ''[[Malcolm in the Middle]]'' and various bit parts in other shows and movies. While ''Malcolm'' had a cult following, it's ''[[Breaking Bad]]'' that has made Cranston a star winning him three consecutive "Best Actor" Emmys and making him an in-demand actor for supporting roles in films starting in 2010.
* Ricky Gervais in ''[[The Office]]''.
* Ricky Gervais in ''[[The Office]]''.
* [[Tetsuo Kurata]] in [[Kamen Rider Black]].
* [[Tetsuo Kurata]] in [[Kamen Rider Black]].
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* [[Dee Bradley Baker]] in ''[[Legends of the Hidden Temple]]''
* [[Dee Bradley Baker]] in ''[[Legends of the Hidden Temple]]''
* [[Peter Dinklage]] in [[Game of Thrones]]
* [[Peter Dinklage]] in [[Game of Thrones]]
* Takeru Sato in ''[[Kamen Rider Den O]]''
* Takeru Sato in ''[[Kamen Rider Den-O]]''



== Literature ==
== Literature ==
Many writers have early works mired in obscurity before they publish the story or collection of work that makes them a star.
Many writers have early works mired in obscurity before they publish the story or collection of work that makes them a star.
⚫
* Cervantes was regarded as a very mediocre playwright and author of a mildly successful pastoral romance before he published ''[[Don Quixote]]''. The rest is history.

⚫
* Cervantes was regarded as a very mediocre playwright and author of a mildly successful pastoral romance before he published ''[[Don Quixote (Literature)|Don Quixote]]''. The rest is history.
* [[Stephen King]] sold many short stories to various magazines and periodicals before he found success with ''[[Carrie]]''.
* [[Stephen King]] sold many short stories to various magazines and periodicals before he found success with ''[[Carrie]]''.
* It wasn't really until the publication of ''[[Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire]]'' that [[JK Rowling]]'s [[Harry Potter|little wizard]] really became the international multi-media juggernaut it is known as today.
* It wasn't really until the publication of ''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (novel)|Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]'' that [[J. K. Rowling]]'s [[Harry Potter|little wizard]] really became the international multi-media juggernaut it is known as today.
* [[JRR Tolkien (Creator)|JRR Tolkien]] was a very well-regarded English Literature professor at Oxford; however, had he not written the ''[[Lord of the Rings]]'' trilogy he likely would have remained unknown outside of academia.
* [[J. R. R. Tolkien]] was a very well-regarded English Literature professor at Oxford; however, had he not written the ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' trilogy he likely would have remained unknown outside of academia.



== Professional Wrestling ==
== Professional Wrestling ==
While many pro wrestlers find a successful character (if they're lucky) and play it for the duration of their career (if they're not [[Mick Foley]]) there is such a phenomenon as a star making match. A sub-trope, but probably not enough of one for its own page.
While many pro wrestlers find a successful character (if they're lucky) and play it for the duration of their career (if they're not [[Mick Foley]]) there is such a phenomenon as a star making match. A sub-trope, but probably not enough of one for its own page.

* [[Hulk Hogan]] was a big time wrestling star before his legendary [[Wrestlemania]] 3 bout with [[Andre the Giant]], but that match catapulted him, and pro wrestling in general, to international stardom.
* [[Hulk Hogan]] was a big time wrestling star before his legendary [[Wrestlemania]] 3 bout with [[Andre the Giant]], but that match catapulted him, and pro wrestling in general, to international stardom.
** Also from Wrestlemania 3: Ricky Steamboat and the late [[Randy Savage]]'s Intercontinental Title match was a landmark for showcasing that smaller wrestlers with tight work could steal the show and carry a crowd. It's frequently cited as one of the greatest matches of all time, and some aficionados say it's better than Hogan/Andre.
** Also from Wrestlemania 3: Ricky Steamboat and the late [[Randy Savage]]'s Intercontinental Title match was a landmark for showcasing that smaller wrestlers with tight work could steal the show and carry a crowd. It's frequently cited as one of the greatest matches of all time, and some aficionados say it's better than Hogan/Andre.
* [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] first got over with his King of the Ring win in 1996, but it was his submission match at Wrestlemania 13 with [[Bret Hart]] that solidified his standing.
* [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] first got over with his King of the Ring win in 1996, but it was his submission match at Wrestlemania 13 with [[Bret Hart]] that solidified his standing.
* [[Mick Foley]]'s Hell In A Cell match with [[The Undertaker]] at King of the Ring 1998, possibly for all the wrong reasons.
* [[Mick Foley]]'s Hell In A Cell match with [[The Undertaker]] at King of the Ring 1998, possibly for all the wrong reasons.
** Though it was Mr. Socko that helped solidify Mankind as the [[Crouching Moron Hidden Badass]] we know and Foley himself to superstardom.
** Though it was Mr. Socko that helped solidify Mankind as the [[Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass]] we know and Foley himself to superstardom.
* [[Shawn Michaels]]' Wrestlemania X effort in a Ladder Match against Razor Ramon ([[Scott Hall]]), who sadly could never quite capitalize on his own momentum, largely due to personal problems, or this might be a double-sided SMR.
* [[Shawn Michaels]]' Wrestlemania X effort in a Ladder Match against Razor Ramon ([[Scott Hall]]), who sadly could never quite capitalize on his own momentum, largely due to personal problems, or this might be a double-sided SMR.
* Speaking of double-sided Star Making Matches and ladders, The Hardy Boyz and [[Edge]] and [[Christian]] broke out over a series of Ladder Matches against one another, started by an outstanding effort at No Mercy 1999. The whole Hardyz/E&C feud is a [[Crowning Moment of Awesome (Sugar Wiki)|Crowning Moment of Awesome]] for all four men.
* Speaking of double-sided Star Making Matches and ladders, The Hardy Boyz and [[Edge]] and [[Christian]] broke out over a series of Ladder Matches against one another, started by an outstanding effort at No Mercy 1999. The whole Hardyz/E&C feud is a [[Moment of Awesome (Sugar Wiki)|Crowning Moment of Awesome]] for all four men.
** The Dudley Boyz became stars by making it a [[Melee a Trois]] with the above and adding tables as the first letter in TLC.
** The Dudley Boyz became stars by making it a [[Melee a Trois]] with the above and adding tables as the first letter in TLC.
* Though a regional and territorial star for years, [[Ric Flair]]'s breakout match on the national stage was the legendary "I Quit" match against Terry Funk at [[WCW]]'s Clash of the Champions IX. Because fans hadn't evolved to the "[[Smart Mark|smark]]" stage yet and weren't entirely in on the choreographed nature of the sport, Funk didn't come out of this match looking as good as Flair did with the fans. However, it got him over with other wrestlers and many cite this as one of their favorite matches.
* Though a regional and territorial star for years, [[Ric Flair]]'s breakout match on the national stage was the legendary "I Quit" match against Terry Funk at [[WCW]]'s Clash of the Champions IX. Because fans hadn't evolved to the "[[Smart Mark|smark]]" stage yet and weren't entirely in on the choreographed nature of the sport, Funk didn't come out of this match looking as good as Flair did with the fans. However, it got him over with other wrestlers and many cite this as one of their favorite matches.
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== Theatre ==
== Theatre ==
* [[Ethel Merman]] in ''[[Anything Goes]]'', the first musical to feature her as much as a comic actress as a singer.
* [[Ethel Merman]] in ''[[Anything Goes]]'', the first musical to feature her as much as a comic actress as a singer.



== Video Games (Voice Acting) ==
== Video Games (Voice Acting) ==

* [[Nolan North]] as Nathan Drake from ''[[Uncharted]]''
* [[Nolan North]] as Nathan Drake from ''[[Uncharted]]''
* [[David Hayter]] as Snake in ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]''
* [[David Hayter]] as Snake in ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]''
* [[Takahiro Sakurai]] in ''The Compilation of [[Final Fantasy VII (Video Game)|Final Fantasy VII]]'' (specifically, ''[[Final Fantasy VII Advent Children|Advent Children]]'').
* [[Takahiro Sakurai]] in ''The Compilation of [[Final Fantasy VII]]'' (specifically, ''[[Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children|Advent Children]]'').
* Most of the Idols in ''[[The Idolmaster (Video Game)|The Idolmaster]]'', who were doing mostly [[Visual Novel]] games before debuting in ''Idolmaster'', some went off to do video games and others expanded to anime. The ones recently most known from that: [[Asami Imai]], [[Chiaki Takahashi]] and [[Hiromi Hirata]].
* Most of the Idols in ''[[The Idolmaster (video game)|The Idolmaster]]'', who were doing mostly [[Visual Novel]] games before debuting in ''Idolmaster'', some went off to do video games and others expanded to anime. The ones recently most known from that: [[Asami Imai]], [[Chiaki Takahashi]] and [[Hiromi Hirata]].
** ''[[Blaz Blue]]'' on the other hand elevated both Imai and Takahashi from mostly game voice actors into more mainstream anime actors. In America, this also was a big role for [[Cristina Valenzuela]] (the voice of Noel Vermilion).
** ''[[BlazBlue]]'' on the other hand elevated both Imai and Takahashi from mostly game voice actors into more mainstream anime actors. In America, this also was a big role for [[Cristina Valenzuela]] (the voice of Noel Vermilion).
* [[Adam Howden]] as Anders in ''[[Dragon Age II]]''.
* [[Adam Howden]] as Anders in ''[[Dragon Age II]]''.
* [[Reuben Langdon]] as Dante in ''[[Devil May Cry]] 3'' (he was mostly a [[Motion Capture]] actor before ''DMC3'').
* [[Reuben Langdon]] as Dante in ''[[Devil May Cry]] 3'' (he was mostly a [[Motion Capture]] actor before ''DMC3'').
* [[Roger Craig Smith]] and [[DC Douglas|D.C. Douglas]] as Chris and Wesker in ''[[Resident Evil 5]]''.
* [[Roger Craig Smith]] and [[D. C. Douglas]] as Chris and Wesker in ''[[Resident Evil 5]]''.
* [[Charles Martinet]] as Mario in the ''[[Super Mario Bros]]'' series.
* [[Charles Martinet]] as Mario in the ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' series.
* [[Kouki Uchiyama]] as Roxas in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II (Video Game)|Kingdom Hearts II]]''
* [[Kouki Uchiyama]] as Roxas in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''
** Similarly, [[Jesse McCartney]] also voicing Roxas. While he was already a star, this gave him recognition as a voice actor.
** Similarly, [[Jesse McCartney]] also voicing Roxas. While he was already a star, this gave him recognition as a voice actor.
* [[Yuuki Kaji]] as Hope Estheim in ''[[Final Fantasy XIII (Video Game)|Final Fantasy XIII]]''.
* [[Yuuki Kaji]] as Hope Estheim in ''[[Final Fantasy XIII]]''.
** [[Ali Hillis]] as Lightning in the English version (This, also combined with Liara T'soni of ''[[Mass Effect]]'')
** [[Ali Hillis]] as Lightning in the English version (This, also combined with Liara T'soni of ''[[Mass Effect]]'')
* [[James Arnold Taylor]] as Tidus in ''[[Final Fantasy X (Video Game)|Final Fantasy X]]''.
* [[James Arnold Taylor]] as Tidus in ''[[Final Fantasy X]]''.
* [[Gideon Emery]] as Balthier in ''[[Final Fantasy XII (Video Game)|Final Fantasy XII]]''.
* [[Gideon Emery]] as Balthier in ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]''.
* The ''[[Tokimeki Memorial]]'' series were this for:
* The ''[[Tokimeki Memorial]]'' series were this for:
** [[Mami Kingetsu]] (voice actress of Shiori Fujisaki, the central heroine of ''Tokimeki Memorial 1'')
** [[Mami Kingetsu]] (voice actress of Shiori Fujisaki, the central heroine of ''Tokimeki Memorial 1'')
** [[Kazusa Murai]] (voice actress of Kaori Yae, an extremely popular heroine of ''Tokimeki Memorial 2'').
** [[Kazusa Murai]] (voice actress of Kaori Yae, an extremely popular heroine of ''Tokimeki Memorial 2'').
* [[Troy Baker]] in ''[[Tales of Vesperia (Video Game)|Tales of Vesperia]]''. Arguably, ''[[Persona 4 (Video Game)|Persona 4]]'' also helps out (as it was released around the same time)
* [[Troy Baker]] in ''[[Tales of Vesperia]]''. Arguably, ''[[Persona 4]]'' also helps out (as it was released around the same time)


== Western Animation ==
== Western Animation ==
⚫
* [[Kevin Conroy]] in ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]''

⚫
* [[Kevin Conroy]] in ''[[Batman the Animated Series]]''
* [[Keith David]] in ''[[Gargoyles]]''
* [[Keith David]] in ''[[Gargoyles]]''
* E.G.Daily, [[Kath Soucie]] and [[Christine Cavanaugh]] in ''[[Rugrats]]''.
* E.G.Daily, [[Kath Soucie]] and [[Christine Cavanaugh]] in ''[[Rugrats]]''.
* [[Maurice La Marche]] in ''[[Pinky and The Brain (Animation)|Pinky and The Brain]]''
* [[Maurice LaMarche]] in ''[[Pinky and The Brain]]''
* [[John Dimaggio]] in ''[[Futurama (Animation)|Futurama]]''
* [[John Dimaggio]] in ''[[Futurama]]''
* [[Rob Paulsen]] and Jess Harnell in ''[[Animaniacs (Animation)|Animaniacs]]''
* [[Rob Paulsen]] and Jess Harnell in ''[[Animaniacs]]''
* Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, and [[Hank Azaria]] in ''[[The Simpsons (Animation)|The Simpsons]]''
* Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, and [[Hank Azaria]] in ''[[The Simpsons (animation)|The Simpsons]]''
* [[Frank Welker]] in ''[[Scooby Doo]] Where Are You''
* [[Frank Welker]] in ''[[Scooby Doo]] Where Are You''
* [[Peter Cullen]] in ''[[The Transformers (Animation)|The Transformers]]''
* [[Peter Cullen]] in ''[[The Transformers (animation)|The Transformers]]''
* [[Jim Cummings]] in ''[[Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers (Animation)|Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers]]''
* [[Jim Cummings]] in ''[[Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers (animation)|Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers]]''
* [[Casey Kasem]] in ''[[Scooby Doo]]'' and radio's ''American Top 40''
* [[Casey Kasem]] in ''[[Scooby Doo]]'' and radio's ''American Top 40''
* [[Grey Delisle]] in ''[[The Fairly Odd Parents]]''.
* [[Grey DeLisle]] in ''[[The Fairly OddParents]]''.
* Ventriloquist [[Paul Winchell]] in ''[[Wacky Races]]''
* Ventriloquist [[Paul Winchell]] in ''[[Wacky Races]]''
* Radio Announcer Gary Owens in ''[[Space Ghost]] and Dino Boy''
* Radio Announcer Gary Owens in ''[[Space Ghost]] and Dino Boy''
** Arguably ''Laugh-in'' made his name more than his cartoons.
** Arguably ''Laugh-in'' made his name more than his cartoons.
* [[Billy West]] in ''[[The Ren and Stimpy Show]]''.
* [[Billy West]] in ''[[The Ren and Stimpy Show]]''.
* [[Clancy Brown]] in [[Superman the Animated Series]]
* [[Clancy Brown]] in [[Superman: The Animated Series]]
* [[Cree Summer]] in ''[[Inspector Gadget]]'' and ''[[Atlantis the Lost Empire]]''.
* [[Cree Summer]] in ''[[Inspector Gadget]]'' and ''[[Atlantis: The Lost Empire]]''.
* [[Will Friedle]] in ''[[Batman Beyond]]''.
* [[Will Friedle]] in ''[[Batman Beyond]]''.
* [[Charlie Adler]] in either ''[[Jem]]'', ''[[My Little Pony]]'' (the original 1980s series), or ''[[Tiny Toon Adventures (Animation)|Tiny Toon Adventures]]''.
* [[Charlie Adler]] in either ''[[Jem]]'', ''[[My Little Pony]]'' (the original 1980s series), or ''[[Tiny Toon Adventures]]''.
* [[Tress MacNeille]] in ''[[Tiny Toon Adventures]]''.
* [[Tress MacNeille]] in ''[[Tiny Toon Adventures]]''.
* [[Richard Steven Horvitz]] in ''[[Invader Zim]]''.
* [[Richard Steven Horvitz]] in ''[[Invader Zim]]''.
* [[Tom Kenny]] in ''[[Spongebob SquarePants]]''
* [[Tom Kenny]] in ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]''
* [[Mae Whitman]] and [[Dante Basco]] in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]''.
* [[Mae Whitman]] and [[Dante Basco]] in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]''.
* [[Tara Strong]] in ''[[The Powerpuff Girls]]'' (And arguably, ''[[One Hundred and One Dalmatians (Disney)|101 Dalmatians: The Series]]'')
* [[Tara Strong]] in ''[[The Powerpuff Girls]]'' (And arguably, ''[[101 Dalmatians|101 Dalmatians: The Series]]'')
* Pamela Segal-Aldon in ''[[King of the Hill]]''
* Pamela Segal-Aldon in ''[[King of the Hill]]''
* April Winchell in ''[[Goof Troop]]''
* April Winchell in ''[[Goof Troop]]''
* [[Jeff Bennett]] in ''[[Johnny Bravo]]''.
* [[Jeff Bennett]] in ''[[Johnny Bravo]]''.
* [[Hynden Walch]], [[Khary Payton]] and [[Greg Cipes]] in ''[[Teen Titans (Animation)|Teen Titans]]''.
* [[Hynden Walch]], [[Khary Payton]] and [[Greg Cipes]] in ''[[Teen Titans (animation)|Teen Titans]]''.
* [[Josh Keaton]] in ''[[The Spectacular Spider Man]]''
* [[Josh Keaton]] in ''[[The Spectacular Spider-Man]]''
* [[Matthew Mercer]] in ''[[Thundercats 2011]]''. Sure, people on the 'net knew who he was before he started playing Tygra, but that was his big breakout.
* [[Matthew Mercer]] in [[ThunderCats (2011 series)|the ''ThunderCats'' reboot]]. Sure, people on the Net knew who he was before he started playing Tygra, but that was his big breakout.


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Trivia Trope]]
[[Category:Trivia Trope]]
[[Category:Show Business]]
[[Category:Show Business]]
[[Category:Star Making Role]]
[[Category:Star-Making Role]]
[[Category:Trope]]

Latest revision as of 13:11, 13 August 2023

He was an accomplished stage actor in Australia before this. Because of this, you know who Hugh Jackman is.

"Everyone said I was an overnight success, but it was ten years leading up to that."

—Naomi Watts, in relation to her success with Mulholland Drive

Every A-List star starts somewhere. They do bit parts and walk-on roles, sometimes even becoming "that guy". They may be a lesser part of an Ensemble Cast who becomes an Ensemble Darkhorse. They may even wind up doing something they may not be proud of later. Either way, when their memoirs are written or they sit down with James Lipton, this will be the role that they point to and say "that's where it really started for me"—the rise from obscurity to getting first billing. The role may have been written for the specific purpose of making this specific person a star by showcasing their talents. More often than not, it's a case of taking the right part and running with it. This is the role they earn their name with. This isn't always a star's first role. It's not even their first film or series to be a major success. It's the first role where they stop being "that guy" and become known by their name alone.

See also Retroactive Recognition for reactions to roles the actor had before his SMR (think Harrison Ford as a bellhop in Dead Heat On A Merry Go Round, here). Contrast Star-Derailing Role for when the star goes in the opposite direction. Compare Breakthrough Hit (equivalent for creators).

Examples of Star-Making Role include:

Anime and Manga

Seiyuu

Dub Voices

Film

Film - Animation

Live Action TV

Literature

Many writers have early works mired in obscurity before they publish the story or collection of work that makes them a star.

  • Cervantes was regarded as a very mediocre playwright and author of a mildly successful pastoral romance before he published Don Quixote. The rest is history.
  • Stephen King sold many short stories to various magazines and periodicals before he found success with Carrie.
  • It wasn't really until the publication of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire that J. K. Rowling's little wizard really became the international multi-media juggernaut it is known as today.
  • J. R. R. Tolkien was a very well-regarded English Literature professor at Oxford; however, had he not written the The Lord of the Rings trilogy he likely would have remained unknown outside of academia.

Professional Wrestling

While many pro wrestlers find a successful character (if they're lucky) and play it for the duration of their career (if they're not Mick Foley) there is such a phenomenon as a star making match. A sub-trope, but probably not enough of one for its own page.

  • Hulk Hogan was a big time wrestling star before his legendary Wrestlemania 3 bout with Andre the Giant, but that match catapulted him, and pro wrestling in general, to international stardom.
    • Also from Wrestlemania 3: Ricky Steamboat and the late Randy Savage's Intercontinental Title match was a landmark for showcasing that smaller wrestlers with tight work could steal the show and carry a crowd. It's frequently cited as one of the greatest matches of all time, and some aficionados say it's better than Hogan/Andre.
  • Stone Cold Steve Austin first got over with his King of the Ring win in 1996, but it was his submission match at Wrestlemania 13 with Bret Hart that solidified his standing.
  • Mick Foley's Hell In A Cell match with The Undertaker at King of the Ring 1998, possibly for all the wrong reasons.
  • Shawn Michaels' Wrestlemania X effort in a Ladder Match against Razor Ramon (Scott Hall), who sadly could never quite capitalize on his own momentum, largely due to personal problems, or this might be a double-sided SMR.
  • Speaking of double-sided Star Making Matches and ladders, The Hardy Boyz and Edge and Christian broke out over a series of Ladder Matches against one another, started by an outstanding effort at No Mercy 1999. The whole Hardyz/E&C feud is a Crowning Moment of Awesome for all four men.
    • The Dudley Boyz became stars by making it a Melee a Trois with the above and adding tables as the first letter in TLC.
  • Though a regional and territorial star for years, Ric Flair's breakout match on the national stage was the legendary "I Quit" match against Terry Funk at WCW's Clash of the Champions IX. Because fans hadn't evolved to the "smark" stage yet and weren't entirely in on the choreographed nature of the sport, Funk didn't come out of this match looking as good as Flair did with the fans. However, it got him over with other wrestlers and many cite this as one of their favorite matches.
  • Jeff Hardy became more of a legitimate Single Eventer after his praised ladder match with The Undertaker. Later in 2008, his feud with Triple H cemented his new found Main Event Status.
  • While John Morrison was always fairly popular, he wasn't really taken seriously as an actual contender in the Main Event until his match with Sheamus at TLC 2010.
  • Triple H escaped his past as Shawn Michaels' sidekick after his feud and retiring of Mick Foley.
  • CM Punk had been an indy darling for years but stagnated in WWE. Towards the end of a six year contract, facing an uncertain future, Punk grabbed a microphone and dropped a legendary worked shoot promo three weeks before Money in the Bank 2011. He went on to win the WWE title from John Cena at the event and solidified himself as a major star. (He probably would have left the company for real had he not cut that promo.) Nearly a year later, after several high-profile matches with some of WWE's top stars, a lengthy WWE title reign, a stellar program with the legendary Chris Jericho, and a Wrestlemania main event match one could argue he is the biggest star in the business.
  • While Daniel Bryan has always been an internet favorite, the moment that helped his popularity skyrocket was... his 18-second loss to Sheamus at Wrestlemania 28.

Theatre

Video Games (Voice Acting)

Western Animation

  1. ↑ (many believe she deserves an entry in the Live Action Film folder as well for Remember the Titans, but she's had more success to date in television than film)
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