Columbia TriStar Television

Katie Holmes’s notoriety skyrocketed significantly when she began dating Tom Cruise, but she was already an established actor thanks to her breakout role in Dawson’s Creek. The actress has gone on to write, direct, and produce. 

High Bridge Entertainment

Although Breaking Bad took Bryan Cranston's career to entirely new levels, he was already well-known in the entertainment industry. The show did serve as a breakout role for his co-star and friend Aaron Paul, though. 

Color Force

It’s hard to imagine Hollywood without Jennifer Lawrence in it, but that was once a reality. Then entered The Hunger Games, and she became one of the most famous actors — and one of the highest-paid — in the world. 

The Geffen Film Company

Vampire projects have the power to make people into stars. Just ask the casts of Twilight, Vampire Diaries, True Blood , and Kirsten Dunst, whose breakout role was in the film Interview with the Vampire. 

HBO Entertainment

Game of Thrones served as a career-defining role for many actors. Among those for whom it served as a breakout role were Emilia Clarke, Kit Harrington, Sophie Turner, and Maisie Williams. 

Matalon Teper Ohlsson

The ‘90s were dominated by Leonardo DiCaprio. While his work in Titanic might best define that time period for him, he became a movie star well before that. The Oscar winner’s breakout role was in 1993’s What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. 

Peter Engel Productions

Mark-Paul Gosselar has Saved by the Bell to thank for his fame. After wrapping his work on the series, the actor went on to star in series like Franklin & Bash, The Passage, and, notably, NYPD Blue. 

Legendary Pictures

If you’re a fan of Between Two Ferns, you have The Hangover to thank. The iconic comedy served as a breakout role for Zach Galifianakis, and he went on to make multiple sequels and even earned some Emmys. 

Columbia Pictures

Salma Hayek’s career reached new heights when she starred in the film Desperado. After her breakout role, Hayek went on to star in films like Wild Wild West, Frida, Dogma, and more.

Temple Hill Entertainment

The film world wouldn’t be the same had it not been for Twilight . Its contributions were far-reaching, and it made stars out of Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner. Of course, all three returned for the rest of the series. 

Warner Bros.

The Matrix made a major interruption in the sci-fi genre. Some might even say in the matrix. It also gave Carrie-Anne Moss a boost in her career. Since then, she’s had her hand in a multitude of sci-fi films. 

20th Century Fox

Who knew that a 10-year-old could become an indisputable icon in the Christmas movie canon? Macaulay Culkin will always be famous thanks to his breakout role in Home Alone. He was so iconic instantly that he got paid $10 million for the film’s sequel. 

Big Beach Films

Little Miss Sunshine had everyone talking in 2006, and one of the biggest points of conversation was Abigail Breslin. The young actress earned an Oscar nomination for her work, and it led her to be part of other big projects like Definitely, Maybe and August: Osage County. 

20th Century Fox

A good action film can create a legend. Die Hard was an exceptional action film, and Bruce Willis became an icon. He went on to star in multiple Die Hard sequels, as well as a slew of other action films. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

For some people, there was life before Brad Pitt, and there’s life after. Those two distinct eras are marked by one film: Thelma & Louise. The Oscar winner has added dozens of hit films to his filmography since. 

Marvel Studios

Marvel is an absolute machine and has the power to make even the most unrecognizable actors famous. Chris Hemsworth got into the machine and became a star thanks to his breakout role in Thor. 

Universal Pictures

Schindler’s List was an incredibly important movie, and its critical acclaim and awards served as a reflection of that. What some forget, though, is that the film also served as a breakout role for Ralph Fiennes, an actor who’s continued delivering since. 

Chuck Lorre Productions

The Big Bang Theory was a breakout hit for just about everyone in the main cast. While Johnny Galecki had been acting for years, the series introduced audiences to several new faces, notably Jim Parsons and Kaley Cuoco. 

Flower Films

Jake Gyllenhaal has proven his talent time and time again. Among his best roles have been Brokeback Mountain, Nightcrawler, and Prisoners. It all started, though, with his breakout role in Donnie Darko. 

Overbrook Entertainment

Noah Centineo has become a major star in the past few years. His introduction to the world? To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. That film and its sequels shot him into superstardom. 

Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions

Cheers was a breakout project for multiple members of the cast. Ted Danson was one of the most notable members, as was Kelsey Grammer, who, of course, went on to star in the spin-off sitcom named for his character, Frasier. 

Touchstone Pictures

Pretty Woman made Julia Roberts a star. She went on to become a bona fide rom-com queen, and she even won an Oscar. The film was huge for her co-star, Richard Gere, too, and the film has remained a classic. 

It's a Laugh Productions

Hannah Montana was such a big series that it made Miley Cyrus into a celebrity. Her core fanbase was children and adolescents, but she became a celebrity nonetheless. 

Columbia Pictures

Emma Stone has won multiple Oscars and been nominated for even more. She’s one of Hollywood’s most sought-after stars and one of the most recognizable. All of her success started when she got a part in the comedy Superbad. 

American Zoetrope

For decades, Scarlett Johansson has been a top Hollywood star. She’s joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe, been nominated for multiple Oscars, and worked with top directors. Before that, though, she was a breakout star in the film Lost in Translation. 

Légende Films

Marion Cotillard is one of the finest actors to come out of France. She’s got an Oscar to show for it, but her work in the United States and across the world wouldn’t be the same if it hadn’t been for her breakout role in La Vie en Rose. 

Bill/Phillips Productions

Jodie Foster has been part of the zeitgeist for decades. After her breakout role in Taxi Driver, the two-time Oscar winner garnered roles in films like The Accused, The Silence of the Lambs, The Brave One, among others. 

Lucasfilm Ltd.

Once upon a time, no one in the world had ever heard of Star Wars. The first film, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope , changed the course of history, and it brought Harrison Ford into the world, too. 

Film4

Michael Fassbender had had roles in several projects before starring in Shame. But this film took his career to an entirely new level. Included in his accomplishments since the film is two Oscar nominations: One for 12 Years a Slave and another for Steve Jobs. 

Heel and Toe Films

Hugh Laurie was a star in the United Kingdom long before House. However, the medical drama brought him to United States audiences and turned him into an indisputable star. 

Mark Gordon Company

You could make a game out of naming movies in Sandra Bullock’s filmography. The actress is a living cinematic legend, and many would argue that her work in the industry truly began when she starred in the film Speed. 

Paramount Pictures

The world was already familiar with Leonardo DiCaprio when Titanic was released, but audiences had yet to fully get to know Kate Winslet. The movie opened up all sorts of doors for Winslet, leading her to a full career in film and TV. 

NBC

What would today's film industry look like without George Clooney? He's had his own slew of hit films, and he's inspired countless actors and filmmakers. And we all have ER to thank for his contributions. 

Deedle-Dee Productions

The Office will always be one of the greatest TV shows in American history. It will also hold a special place in its cast members' hearts, especially John Krasinski and Rainn Wilson, as it was their breakout role. 

Red Granite Pictures

Margot Robbie is one of the biggest stars in the world. She was known in Australia early in her career thanks to her work on Neighbours, but her career blew up when she co-starred in the Martin Scorcese film The Wolf of Wall Street alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill. 

Blown Deadline Productions

Idris Elba was meant to be a star, and it was apparent from the start. For him, that start was the epic HBO crime drama The Wire, which is still regarded as one of the best TV shows of all time. 

Open 4 Business Productions

Aubrey Plaza became famous thanks to her work in the hit NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. While she wasn't appreciated at the time like she should've been, fans look back on her work as some of her best. 

Be Gentlemen

Good Will Hunting gave Matt Damon and Ben Affleck their careers thanks to the fantastic script they wrote. However, as far as acting is concerned, the film was more of a breakout hit for Damon because of his lead role. 

Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions

Friends was a breakout role for the entire cast. While some of them had found acting work prior to the sitcom, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, and Matt LeBlanc hadn't even touched the level of fame they found after the series premiered. 

New Line Cinema

Sex and the City was also a breakout role for all four of the leading ladies. We all have the show to thank for Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis. 

Castle Rock Entertainment

Jerry Seinfeld already had a career in entertainment before his sitcom took off. But the female star of the show, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, became a household name because of the series. She went on to star in multiple other hit comedy series. 

Chase Films

The Sopranos made superstars out of James Gandolfini and Edie Falco. Unfortunately, Gandolfini wasn't able to continue with his epic career, but Falco went on to star in other projects, like Nurse Jackie. 

Robert Stigwood Organization

John Travolta is a superstar, but even his career started somewhere. And it started in a pretty good place: Saturday Night Fever. 

Stephen J. Cannell Productions

Johnny Depp's career has spanned decades. It's hard to pinpoint what he's best known for, but it's easy to name his breakout role: 21 Jump Street. The actor starred in the cop show in his early 20s. 

Gracie Films

A young Tom Hanks can be found in a number of films from the '80s, but none had as much of an impact on his career as Big. The film gave him his first Oscar nomination and sent him on a major upward trajectory.