Highlights

• Some of the biggest Hollywood stars owe their stardom to the horror genre, as many made their film debuts in horror movies.
• Brad Pitt's debut film was actually "Cutting Class" and not "Thelma & Louise." The film follows a school rebel and a twisty horror storyline.
• Johnny Depp made his film debut in "Nightmare on Elm Street," and Leonardo DiCaprio got his break in "Critters 3".

When October rolls in, all things horror become the focus. Halloween candy and costumes, the annual spooky TV specials, and a variety of horror movies available for streaming or on the big screen. Horror movies are a beloved genre that always leaves fans startled and satisfied. The horror genre also happens to be a genre in which many would-be Hollywood superstars have made their film debuts. They may not all have strong Rotten Tomatoes and Audience scores, but these actors have become household names since starring in these films.

Throughout the years, some of the biggest actors have “cut their teeth” in films where they avoid being… cut by teeth. With that thought in mind, let's take a look at a few of those stars who owe their stardom to the genre that has been with cinema from the beginning: the horror genre. Get your garlic cloves, crosses, and silver bullets ready.

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Updated October 2023: With Halloween right around the corner, it seemed fitting to reveal celebrities who got their start in horror films. The genre itself may not seem like the best way for actors to display their talents on the big screen. But, with just the right starring role, careers were built and A-list actors were made. Just ask Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Elizabeth Olsen, and so many more!

16 Brad Pitt

Starring Role: Cutting Class

Many think that Brad Pitt's debut film was Thelma & Louise. In reality, however, the film that would get Pitt's career moving in the right direction is Cutting Class.

The film centers around Brian trying to steal Paula Carson away from her boyfriend, Dwight Ingalls, the school rebel, who is played by Pitt. Shortly after Brian makes his feelings known, students in the school go missing and wind up dead. The suspect is Brian but like all good horror movies, there is always a twist as to who the killer is that no one saw coming.

15 Paul Rudd

Starring Role: Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers

While Clueless would put Paul Rudd on the map as a Hollywood heartthrob and leading man, it was a film that came out later in the year that Rudd filmed before Clueless that helped propel his presence as a screen actor. That film was Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers.

In Halloween 6, Michael Myers tries to hunt down the baby boy of his niece, Jamie Lloyd. While Myers is on the rampage terrorizing members of his sister's family, Tommy Doyle, (Rudd) works with Dr. Loomis to figure out the secrets of the Cult of the Thorn.

14 Elizabeth Olsen

Starring Role: Silent House

Despite being most recognized as the Scarlet Witch these days, Elizabeth Olsen, like many stars before her, got her start in the horror film genre. That film was Silent House.

Silent House is about a young girl named Sarah (Olsen) who finds herself trapped in her family's lakeshore home after her father John falls down the stairs. It is believed that paranormal activity is what is keeping Sarah from escaping the dilapidated home, leading her to hallucinate. However, as the story unfolds, there is something more sinister at play, that audiences did not see coming at the beginning of the film.

13 Kevin Bacon

Starring Role: Friday the 13th

Kevin Bacon will forever be associated with the character Red from Footloose. But it was with Friday the 13th that Bacon's career really got off the ground.

Bacon's character, Jack, meets a violent end in the slasher film after his dalliances with a girl and smoking leave him relaxed. While it was one of the most stereotypical ways for a character to die in a horror film, the level of gore was unlike many had seen to that point.

Appearing to have a love of the horror genre, Bacon returned to star in films that scared audiences such as Tremors and Flatliners years later.

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12 Skeet Ulrich

Starring Role: The Craft

Fans of horror films may think that Skeet Ulrich got his start in Scream. However, it was with the film The Craft, another horror movie that was released the same year as Scream, that fans were introduced to Ulrich instead.

Ulrich plays Chris Hooker who spreads a rumor about Sarah Bailey that ruins her reputation. When the leader of the coven tries to exact revenge on Chris, Sarah steps in to prevent him from being harmed. Ultimately, Sarah fails and the coven turns on her leading to more plot twists until the film's end.

11 Eva Mendes

Starring Role: Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror

These days, Eva Mendes has taken a break from Hollywood to raise her family. But, when she was trying to make a name for herself, Mendes' first film role was in Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror.

Mendes' character is unable to cope with the death of her boyfriend. Her inability to cope eventually leads to her demise as just one of the deaths that occur in this horror film.

10 Matthew McConaughey

Starring Role: The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation

Matthew McConaughey made the phrase, "Alright, alright, alright" a commonplace in American culture with his role in Dazed and Confused. But had things gone to plan, his film, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation, would have been released first and McConaughey would have made his debut as a horror star.

As a result of hold-ups with the studio, Texas Chainsaw Massacre wound up being delayed until 1995. However, Dazed and Confused, which was filmed around the same time, was released as scheduled in 1993. Had the former been released in 1993, McConaughey's foray on the big screen would have been as a starring role. Instead, he played a supporting, yet memorable David Wooderson in the cult small-town Texas film.

9 Gunnar Hansen

Starring Role: Texas Chainsaw Massacre

You likely wouldn’t recognize the Icelandic actor in his debut role, as the man’s face was concealed by a hideous mask. Hansen first appeared on the big screen, brandishing a chainsaw and slicing unsuspecting teens to bits as Leatherface in the 1974 classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

According to IMDb, Hansen not only made his film debut portraying the iconic slasher, he also featured almost exclusively until his untimely death in 2014.

While others have played the part of the chainsaw-wielding maniac, none are as iconic or beloved as the late Hansen.

8 Chloë Grace Moretz

Supporting Role: The Amityville Horror

While, Chloë Grace Moretz actually made her show business debut on the small screen, playing Violet on the TV series The Guardian, the Kick-Ass star made her feature film debut in 2005’s The Amityville Horror (remake.)

According to quizclub.com, Moretz starred as the youngest Lutz child, Chelsea. Moretz went on to be featured in many movies in the horror genre such as The Eye, Let Me In, and the 2013 remake of Stephen King’s Carrie.

Moretz has dealt with a lot of family issues growing up, in addition to a certain Family Guy meme made her a bit self-conscious but has since regained her confidence.

7 Patricia Arquette

Starring Role: Nightmare on Elm Street 3

Patricia Arquette was destined to make a name for herself in Hollywood. The Arquette family lineage is quite impressive, with siblings Rosanna, David, and the late Alexis all being featured on the big screen. However, Patricia’s natural girl-next-door looks and quiet demeanor made her stand out among her siblings.

Patricia, according to britannica.com, made her film debut as Kristen Parker, one of the would-be victims of Freddy Kruger in A Nightmare On Elm Street 3. Arquette’s Parker managed to survive the devilish antics of Freddy and would transition to a respectable film career after Nightmare 3. The role also made Patricia Arquette a lot of money.

6 Hilary Swank

Supporting Role: Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Hilary Swank is one of the most accomplished actresses of her generation, and her massive $70 million net worth proves it. The Academy Award-winning actress has been featured in critically acclaimed films and indie hits since the early '90s. However, according to IMDb, Swank owes her career to the role that started it all, that of Kimberly in the 1992 horror comedy Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Fun fact: Swank also starred in the third installment of The Karate Kid alongside Pat Morita.

5 Jennifer Aniston

Starring Role: Leprechaun

Nowadays, Jennifer Aniston is known all around the world. From her days on the hit TV series Friends to her successful transition to the big screen, Aniston’s star power is undeniable. However, in the early '90s, Aniston was just another unknown trying to break into Hollywood.

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Aniston made her film debut in the 1993 horror Leprechaun, playing the part of Tory Reding. Technically, the Office Space star made her debut a few years earlier in the film Mac and Me, however, this role was uncredited.

4 Tom Hanks

Supporting Role: When You're Alone

Whether he’s playing the lovable Forrest Gump, Ray Peterson in The Burbs, or any of his iconic roles, Tom Hanks has been a big-screen superstar for decades. However, none of those iconic roles would have been an option had it not been for one particular movie which gave the Oscar-winning actor his first big screen opportunity.

The Saving Private Ryan star debuted in the low-budget horror He Knows When You’re Alone. That minor role was all Hanks needed to create a stellar career.

3 Johnny Depp

Supporting Role: Nightmare on Elm Street

Johnny Depp is about as versatile an actor as they come. From eccentric characters such as Edward Scissorhands and Hunter S. Thompson to his more grounded, normal characters he’s played (here's a list of some of them), Depp has built a fantastic career for himself over the years. What does he owe it all to? Well, Depp owes it all to A Nightmare on Elm Street, in which he made his film debut. Seems the Nightmare franchise is responsible for two stellar careers.

2 Leonardo DiCaprio

Starring Role: Critters 3

Leonardo DiCaprio has starred in blockbusters, critically acclaimed films, and put in Oscar-winning performances. But, once upon a time, The Beach star wasn’t the giant star he is today. It took being cast in the second sequel to the Critters franchise for DiCaprio to get his chance at stardom.

According to screenrant.com,Critters 3 was the film in which the world was introduced to DiCaprio.

1 Jamie Lee Curtis

Starring Role: Halloween

Jamie Lee Curtis became the scream queen of the late '70s, early '80s after debuting in the 1978 horror classic Halloween. According to IMDb, Curtis made her first film appearance as Laurie Strode in the iconic slasher.

Curtis reprised her role as Strode in the upcoming, Halloween Ends in 2022.

Fun fact: for the role that launched her career, the Trading Places star was only paid four figures.

Source: britannica.com, IMDb, ScreenRant, celebanswers.com, quizclub.com, Rotten Tomatoes

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