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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, 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.
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).
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{{examples}}


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{{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]]''
* [[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]]''
* [[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]]''
* [[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]]''
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* [[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]]''
* [[Atsushi Abe]] and [[Nobuhiko Okamoto]] in ''[[A Certain Magical Index]]''
** [[Satomi Arai]] in the spinoff, ''[[To Aru Kagaku no Railgun]]''
** [[Satomi Arai]] in the spinoff, ''[[A Certain Scientific Railgun]]''
* [[Aoi Yuuki]] in ''[[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]]''
* [[Kana Hanazawa]] in ''[[Bakemonogatari]]''
* [[Haruka Tomatsu]] in ''[[Kannagi]]''
* [[Haruka Tomatsu]] in ''[[Kannagi]]''
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* [[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]]''
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* [[Sean Schemmel]] and [[Christopher Sabat]] in [[FUNimation]]'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]]''
* [[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]]''
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* [[Brad Swaile]] in ''[[Death Note]]''
* [[Brad Swaile]] in ''[[Death Note]]''


== Film ==
== Film ==

* [[Amy Adams]] in ''[[Enchanted]]''
* [[Amy Adams]] in ''[[Enchanted]]''
* [[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.
* [[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.
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* ''[[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]]''
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* [[Edward James Olmos]] in ''[[Blade Runner]]''.
* [[Edward James Olmos]] in ''[[Blade Runner]]''.
* [[Leonardo DiCaprio]] and [[Kate Winslet]] in ''[[Titanic]]''
* [[Leonardo DiCaprio]] and [[Kate Winslet]] in ''[[Titanic]]''
* [[Chow Yun Fat]] in ''[[A Better Tomorrow]]''.
* [[Chow Yun-fat]] in ''[[A Better Tomorrow]]''.
* [[Harrison Ford]] in ''[[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]]''
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* [[Dustin Hoffman]] in ''[[The Graduate]]''
* [[Dustin Hoffman]] in ''[[The Graduate]]''
* [[Tom Hardy]] in ''[[Inception]]''.
* [[Tom Hardy]] in ''[[Inception]]''.
* Olivia Wilde in ''[[Tron: Legacy]]'' (although some may argue that her role in ''[[House (TV series)|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]]''
* Jennifer Love Hewitt ''[[I Know What You Did Last Summer]]''
* [[Hugh Jackman]] in ''[[X-Men 1]]''
* [[Hugh Jackman]] in ''[[X-Men 1]]''
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** Arguably, ''[[Spaceballs]]''.
** Arguably, ''[[Spaceballs]]''.
* [[Eddie Murphy]] in ''[[48 Hrs.]]''
* [[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]]''
* [[Sandra Bullock]] in ''[[Speed]]''
* [[Julia Roberts]] in ''[[Pretty Woman]]''
* [[Julia Roberts]] in ''[[Pretty Woman]]''
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* [[Hilary Swank]] in ''[[Boys Don't Cry]]''
* [[Hilary Swank]] in ''[[Boys Don't Cry]]''
* [[Charlize Theron]] in ''2 Days in the Valley''
* [[Charlize Theron]] in ''2 Days in the Valley''
* [[John Travolta (Creator)]] in ''[[Saturday Night Fever]]''
* [[John Travolta]] in ''[[Saturday Night Fever]]''
* [[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 (franchise)|Alien]]''.
* [[Sigourney Weaver]] in ''[[Alien (franchise)|Alien]]''.
* [[Bruce Willis (Creator)]] and [[Alan Rickman]] in ''[[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.
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* [[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 ''[[Winter's Bone]]''
* [[Jennifer Lawrence]] in ''[[Winter's Bone]]''
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* [[Matthew Broderick]] in ''[[Ferris Bueller's Day Off|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]] 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]]''


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== 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 ==
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* 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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* 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]]''.
* David Tennant and Matt Smith in ''[[Doctor Who]]''.
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*** 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 ''[[Chappelle's 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 series)|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]]''
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* [[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]]''. 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 [[J. K. 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.
* [[J. R. R. Tolkien|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.
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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]]'' (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'').
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== 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]]''
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* [[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''
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* [[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}}

Latest revision as of 13:11, 13 August 2023

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.

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

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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