Top 10 Exact Moments Actors Nailed Their Audition & Got the Part

Top 10 Exact Moments an Actor NAILED Their Audition and Got the Part

Welcome to MsMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the auditions that didnt just land an actor a job they let everyone know they were a force to be reckoned with.

#10: Miley Cyrus

Hannah Montana (2006-11)

The Disney star-turned-pop icon gave new meaning to the word persistence. She chased the leading spot on Hannah Montana for months, eventually recording multiple audition tapes. Theres a world of difference between her auditions for the role. The first is too peppy and too concerned with being what the creators want. The second time around, she is almost eerily confident and grounded, able to toss off the written jokes like shes coming up with them on the fly. By the time of her final audition, its as if shes already in front of a live audience.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannah_Montana

YouTube: thecastingfactory

First audition tape: https://youtu.be/z3Y7RRzi-Pc?si=YP0a-04gcnBAv-U1&t=13

Second tape: https://youtu.be/z3Y7RRzi-Pc?si=PqBg4DRMFufUlKTl&t=71

Final audition: https://youtu.be/z3Y7RRzi-Pc?si=m-NqFyj3xrXfjrCv&t=270

Hannah Montana (2006-11)

Disney Channel

S01E01 Lilly, Do You Want to Know a Secret?

First scene: https://youtu.be/RaicX33mWUA?si=_KpkVwyzosUlcNRE&t=3

#9: Seth Rogen

Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)

Watching this one-season wonder now almost feels surreal. Much of the Freaks and Geeks ensemble went on to become major heavy hitters in film and television after the show came to an abrupt and undeserving end. But from the start, Seth Rogens casual way with hilarious lines is evident. His audition tape for the role of the sarcastic Ken Miller is proof of the actors unmistakable charisma. Effortlessly funny and confident, everything we know of him as a performer is right there from the jump. Despite still being a teenager at the time, hes already got the essential ingredients that would make him a star.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freaks_and_Geeks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seth_Rogen

YouTube: thecastingfactory

Audition tape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRq5FMUsFv0

Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000)

NBC

S01E01 Pilot

(10:25) Mushrooms

#8: Will Ferrell

Saturday Night Live (1975-)

TV Guide ranked him as the second best SNL cast member of all time. Coming in second to a legend like Eddie Murphy cant feel too bad. Will Ferrells brilliance is clear in his original audition tape. The SNL audition process is fabled for the sheer terror it inspires. Lorne Michaels and the producers are a famously tough audience. Performing on the famed 8H stage, Ferrell manages to not just get laughs, but some actual applause for his impressions and two hilarious original characters. Both of these new creations would make it onto the show.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Ferrell# https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studio_8H https://www.cinemablend.com/television/pete-davidson-more-snl-greats-recall-horror-producers-not-laughing-during-auditions b-roll

YouTube: Saturday Night Live

Will Ferrell's SNL Audition

Applause: https://youtu.be/QIKsvWgoYss?si=5Y1KD1UkIRFJbxkW&t=170

The Taylors are here/laughter: https://youtu.be/QIKsvWgoYss?si=VXMuyVbmxbdfi8fV&t=282

Get off the shed: https://youtu.be/QIKsvWgoYss?si=QLUQ202lAmmO8geX&t=322

Ill be busy: https://youtu.be/QIKsvWgoYss?si=i4x8DvxoEZGuawxD&t=400

Businessman who plays with cat toys: https://youtu.be/QIKsvWgoYss?si=gVJ6Fydpy7tAbMR1&t=418

Saturday Night Live (1975-)

NBC

S21E01 Mariel Hemingway; Blues Traveler

Get off the shed!: https://youtu.be/5HxwkZGzqS4?si=CK1r0AnbLZErX2PH&t=102

S24E08 Vince Vaughn/Lauryn Hill

Cat toys: https://youtu.be/LrfDXbw6gQI?si=EjC9Qf-jhHlBrGXS&t=124

#7: Emma Stone

Easy A (2010)

Before she became a Hollywood powerhouse, the star of La La Land and Poor Things was a dependable supporting performer in popular comedies. With Easy A, she proved she was a movie star in her own right. The role required her to sling witticisms and young Millennial awkwardness like its coming out of her skin. From her very first webcam self-tape, which is directed straight to camera, she is remarkable. She is a natural. Theres nothing even remotely performative about her. Its the true start to one of modern Hollywoods most accomplished and varied careers.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easy_A https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Emma_Stone_performances

YouTube: Not B-ROLL

Audition Tape (webcam): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ie_8lasbQc

Confession: https://youtu.be/-ie_8lasbQc?si=qpsPxDDWrXRTQuFN&t=21

Sordid past: https://youtu.be/-ie_8lasbQc?si=oEApyiEUmGIHO_y0&t=28

Easy A (2010)

Sony Pictures Releasing

Pious: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJZP20y0R2Q&list=PLZbXA4lyCtqrCsqpe26HIVwWBikP2ixo8&index=4&t=2s

Webcam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKD0B8uROMI&list=PLZbXA4lyCtqrCsqpe26HIVwWBikP2ixo8&index=10

#6: Gabourey Sidibe

Precious (2009)

Claireece Precious Jones is a role that requires an actor who can handle some deep emotional depths. It was also Gabourey Sidibes first film role. The amount of confidence that producers Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey and director Lee Daniels placed in her is truly special. And thats exactly the feeling when you see her audition tape. Sidibe transforms into the character before our eyes. The scene she reads is particularly heavy, and her sobbing confession is pretty breathtaking. Once the movie was released, she joined an elite club of people Oscar-nominated for their screen debut.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabourey_Sidibe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precious_(film)

The Wall Street Journal, Lionsgate

Audition Tape: https://www.wsj.com/video/gabourey-audition-for-precious/F2B510CE-7A70-4F9C-87A1-9BCAE0ABBBA5

Precious (2009)

Lionsgate

Name: https://youtu.be/6YrOrxkPsnc?si=EqFyu6u6ghyD8rw-&t=334

#5: Bill SkarsgårdIt (2017)

Hes a modern master of movie monsters. Bill Skarsgård brought Stephen Kings snarling and shapeshifting killer clown back to life in the 2017 film, and he became an instant icon. Producers were immediately locked in. The actors read on the character was exactly what they had in mind. From his creepy smile to his deceptively thoughtful manner, Skarsgård imbued Pennywise the Dancing Clown with a childish kind of evil thats just way too convincing. Hes the kind of performer who can completely transform in the most hideous and instantly unforgettable ways.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_(2017_film) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Skarsg%C3%A5rd

Warner Bros.

Behind-the scenes features

Instincts: https://youtu.be/NGyhhejI-iE?si=Cn-Veu0LfIflDZkG&t=3190

Audition: https://youtu.be/NGyhhejI-iE?si=1ycIP_SaCo2s6lhS&t=3202

Nice boat: https://youtu.be/NGyhhejI-iE?si=F448OrKswjN6XHAd&t=3205

It (2017)

Warner Bros.

Sewer: https://youtu.be/eUscbH7EbeE?si=gHLe0-R6nbY_qyvo&t=102

#4: Jason Momoa

Game of Thrones (2011-19)

To play Khal Drogo on the HBO series barnburner of a first season, the future Aquaman actor knew he needed to make an impression. After all, this would be his biggest role to date. Hawaiian actor Jason Momoa wracked his brain, trying to figure out how to convey the characters ferocity and strength without dialogue. He decided to do a traditional haka dance. It was so effective, the casting team made him do it again so they could film it. For an actor whose physical presence is as well-known as his acting skills, its a fitting beginning to an illustrious career.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Momoa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_Thrones https://time.com/4641078/game-of-thrones-jason-momoa-khal-drogo-audition/

Game of Thrones (2011-19)

HBO

S01E07 You Win or You Die

Khal Drogo: https://youtu.be/UyqKWROjrq4?si=xv8UX2Xqobh4cc6Q&t=93

YouTube: ThronesLore Chronicles

Audition Tape: https://youtu.be/nCU5u6YN5-c?si=ROPaKFSqO-mHQ11F&t=11

#3: Matthew McConaughey

Dazed and Confused (1993)

Easygoing David Wooderson gives new meaning to the word laid-back. In the audition tape for his first major film role, Matthew McConaughey slips right into character. He oozes charisma, even when what hes saying is incredibly morally questionable. Thats a movie star being born right before our eyes. Theres a reason why his role in Dazed and Confused is so well-regarded. Wooderson became a part of McConaugheys entire screen persona. You know an actors done a great job when people are still quoting their character well over 30 years later.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dazed_and_Confused_(film)# https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_McConaughey

YouTube: CRITERION

Audition Tape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZTei7UMTPk

Dazed and Confused (1993)

Gramercy Pictures

Itd be a lot cooler: https://youtu.be/mbsv7cJsJxM?si=zdE48LR_AtEhm1ce&t=22

Alright alright alright: https://youtu.be/mbsv7cJsJxM?si=PxsAD6YllnY1-GWO&t=126

#2: Rachel McAdams

The Notebook (2004)

Between this and Mean Girls, Rachel McAdams was about to blow up in a big way. Both movies proved she could kill it with comedy or drama, but when she auditioned with co-star Ryan Gosling, she showed off major dramatic skills. You can hear the emotions in her quivering voice. And despite being relatively early in the process of discovering her character, she has a firm hold on her already. The rumor is that it was down to her and Britney Spears for the part of Allie in The Notebook, but McAdams ability is undeniable. The fact that its even better in the finished film is just more proof of her talent.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Notebook https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_McAdams

YouTube: lookforalaugh

Audition: https://youtu.be/_XfUUYK7Gkg?si=M4X0V9lNAQf_HhER&t=61

Crying: https://youtu.be/_XfUUYK7Gkg?si=znCPsFzoFiGYivJT&t=128

Somebody gets hurt: https://youtu.be/_XfUUYK7Gkg?si=D2hk8JlKM_cQAM6g&t=172

The Notebook (2004)

New Line Cinema

Fight scene 1: https://youtu.be/dGIGG6QLjLg?si=mW2hOEC2EZ-zvg0U&t=67

Fight scene 2: https://youtu.be/dGIGG6QLjLg?si=_kCOMe5ILIG_250T&t=162

#1: Henry Thomas

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

The young actor at the center of director Steven Spielbergs science fiction classic is a marvel. At only 10 years old, Henry Thomas gave a tremendous performance that emotionally anchored E.T. Interestingly, Thomas didnt do well in the initial audition process. It was only after he was able to demonstrate his range in an improv that Spielberg offered him the job right there in the audition room. Its easy to see why. The tape is genuinely moving. Youd be forgiven if you forgot he was acting and just started bawling right along with him. And when he instantly snaps out of it, you realize youre watching a young master.

Sources:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.T._the_Extra-Terrestrial https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Thomas https://www.oscars.org/news/how-steven-spielberg-chose-henry-thomas-play-elliott-et

YouTube: UniversalPicsSweden

Audition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA5giyG8E7g&t=1s

Cant take him: https://youtu.be/tA5giyG8E7g?si=0BJyJVk_Ynk7mIw_&t=68

Hes mine: https://youtu.be/tA5giyG8E7g?si=496ivwjOzO7pCx03&t=119

Job offer: https://youtu.be/tA5giyG8E7g?si=XaleBIXrn7gNHOG8&t=186

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Universal Pictures

Sad scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaEeznL0Si8

Which of these auditions did you think was most impressive? Tell us in the comments.

New Line Cinema, YouTube: Did You Catch This?

Introducing Cameron Diaz (2005)

Audition Tape: https://youtu.be/RswvPYyqvOA?si=flLHUWzsLAJMDg7m&t=271