From Cringe to Stardom: 10 Actors Who Went from Awful to Awe-Inspiring

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Written By William Butterworth

Will Butterworth first started reporting on entertainment news when he was a kid in Barney pajamas giving news reports to his parents while sitting in a cardboard box. Now, he still sits in a cardboard box, but his audience has grown in number (at least that's what his mom tells him). Entertainment junkies unite!

Movie stars don’t always have the strongest talents starting out. It can take an actor years before their craft starts to hit the mark. Check to see if your favorite actor managed to go from terrible actor to bankable movie star.

Robert Pattinson

Twilight
Image Credit: Summit Entertainment

One watch of Twilight (2008) and you might initially think that Pattinson’s career was going to go nowhere. However, look at his recent lineup, The Batman (2022), Tenet (2020), and The Lighthouse (2019), and your expectations are likely blown out of the water.

He has shaken off the glitter and really stepped forward as a leading man.

Bill Hader

Barry
Image Credit: HBO

Bill Hader is best known for his incredible skits on SNL (2005-2019). However, he has also refined his acting chops on television, too. You only need to watch a few episodes of Barry (2018-2023) to see just how far he can stretch his talents.

Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Radcliffe
Image Credit: Funny or Die

Daniel Radcliffe once graced screens as Harry Potter. Like most child actors, he had the promise of some great acting capabilities. Now that he’s free from Hogwarts, his talents have really shone.

From Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022) to Miracle Workers (2019-2023), Radcliffe has shown his magic time and time again.

Matthew McConaughey

Dallas Buyers club
Image Credit: Focus Features, LLC.

Matthew McConaughey always had a great actor in him. He just had to work his way out of being typecast for romantic comedies. Once he started working in films like Dallas Buyers Club (2013), he was able to show the world that he was more than just a romantic lead.

Dave Bautista

Dave Bautista
Image Credit: Alcon Entertainment, LLC.

It can be hard for pro wrestlers to make the switch from wrestling entertainment to the big screen. It’s even harder for them to star in dramatic roles. Dave Bautista has slowly been able to show just what kind of depths he can reach.

Take a look at Blade Runner 2049 (2017) to see just what he can offer.

Christina Applegate

Christina Applegate
Image Credit: Netflix, Inc.

For a long time, Christina Applegate kept getting a similar role. She was the zany one. As time has gone on, she’s finally been able to show just how talented she is.

Dead to Me (2019-2022) is a great example of her full range.

Austin Butler

Austin Butler
Image Credit: Warner Bros.

Most people will know Austin Butler from Elvis (2022). He easily killed the role, but Butler had been around for some time before then. Granted, he was in roles that didn’t exactly allow him to delve deep into the craft.

Thanks to his leading role in Elvis, he can show everyone the talents hidden within him. He may just be the new It man.

Jessica Lange

Jessica Lange
Image Credit: FX

While Jessica Lange has talent, she’s really experienced a Renaissance in recent years. Beginning with her role in American Horror Story (2011-2018), she’s been able to show off just how honed her skills have become.

There’s a good chance these days that if she’s in a movie, then she’s going to be incredible in it.

George Clooney

George Clooney
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

It’s crazy to think there was a time when George Clooney wasn’t a master of his craft. But there was. Early in his career, he was a bit relaxed with his talents. You only need to watch his performance in Gravity (2013) to see how things have changed.

Woody Harrelson

woody harrelson
Image Credit: Home Box Office

One look at Woody Harrelson, and you might not think he’s capable of a great performance. His earlier performances certainly suggest that, too.

However, Harrelson proved that his acting has grown a lot better with age. Just take a look at True Detective (2014-) to see for yourself.

The 20 Best Action Movies of All Time: Thrilling Adventures That Will Leave You Breathless

Inception For MSN
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.

Attention, movie lovers! Prepare for an exhilarating ride as we unveil the ultimate list of the 20 greatest action films ever made. From adrenaline-pumping car chases to mind-blowing fight sequences, we’ve got it all! So grab your snacks, silence your phone, and embark on a cinematic journey that will transport you to thrilling worlds. Superheroes, epic battles, and non-stop excitement await you. Buckle up and let the adventure begin!

The 20 Best Adventure Movies of All Time: Embark on Epic Quests and Thrilling Expeditions!

Interstellar for MSN
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. and Paramount Pictures Corporation.

Embark on an epic adventure through the greatest films of all time! Get ready for thrilling plots, heroic acts, and mesmerizing worlds that will leave you in awe. From Middle-earth’s epic battles to interstellar voyages, these 20 movies will take you on an unforgettable cinematic journey. Grab your popcorn, settle in, and let the adventure begin!

The 20 Best Thriller Movies Ever Made: Heart-Stopping Must-See Films

Fight Club MSN 20th Century
Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox.

Attention, movie buffs! Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled, pulse-pounding cinematic ride! Brace yourself for the top 20 thrillers of all time, featuring unforgettable moments like Batman vs. the Joker, the captivating non-linear storytelling of Pulp Fiction, and the iconic shower scene from Psycho. Buckle up, grab your popcorn, and prepare for a suspenseful journey through movie history. Let the thrills begin!