Top 10 Stars Who Appeared in Teen Movies BEFORE They Were Famous
#10: Brie Larson “Right on Track” (2003)
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Starting off strong with Captain Marvel herself! Brie Larson has had a long and illustrious career, starring in Marvel movies and finding herself worthy of awards buzz. Most fans know she started acting when she was fairly young – you can see her show up in bit parts in movies like “Sleepover” and “13 Going on 30.” But you might have forgotten about her supporting role in a little Disney Channel Original Movie called “Right on Track.” Larson stars alongside “Seventh Heaven” star Beverley Mitchell, and the two play junior drag racing sisters Erica and Courtney Enders. The movie is sweet and fun, and Larson brings a little bit of those acting chops she’ll develop later on to the role of a baby sister.
#9: Zoe Saldana “Crossroads” (2002)
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Another Marvel star before she turned green! You might remember this little teen road trip film for its starring turn from a little-known pop star named Britney Spears. But, future “Guardians of the Galaxy” star Zoe Saldana also makes an appearance in quite a big way. Saldana plays Kit and makes up one-third of the trio who decides to take a road trip to L.A. after high school graduation. The movie itself isn’t that great, but it’s fun to watch Saldana bust out the chops we know she has when she gets a chance.
#8: America Ferrera “Real Women Have Curves” (2002)
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America Ferrera has been part of many beloved projects. Whether it’s her starring turn in the TV series “Ugly Betty” or bringing Carmen to life in the beloved teen movie “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” she’s always a reliable source of comfort. But, you might not remember her role in this 2002 Sundance standout. Making her feature film debut, Ferrera starred as Ana in the movie adaptation of “Real Women Have Curves,” the story of a high schooler balancing her dream of going to college with harsh economic realities. Ferrera absolutely shines in the film, showing us a glimmer of the talent that will later make her a household name.
#7: Ben Affleck “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1992)
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We all know Ben Affleck – he’s definitely made a sport of being in front of the camera, paparazzi, or otherwise, as much as he possibly can. He’s been around so long, it’s hard to remember where you first saw him – was it “Good Will Hunting?” “Dazed and Confused?” Well, whatever it was, we can almost guarantee you that you probably didn’t remember his very minor role in the film version of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” He plays a random basketball player, and he doesn’t even get a name – he’s known as “Basketball Player #10.” Don’t worry Ben, there are brighter times ahead.
#6: Olivia Wilde “The Girl Next Door” (2004)
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This one’s a “blink and you might miss it” moment. Olivia Wilde has more than proved herself an established actress – she’s starred in many indie movies and had a long run on the TV show “House” – and even proved herself a capable director with “Booksmart” in 2019. But in 2004, she was just another actress looking for a break – and she got a very minor role in the romantic teen comedy “The Girl Next Door.” She plays Kellie, and she’s really barely in the movie. Just a few years later, Wilde would make her “House” debut, but we get a kick out of seeing her in this one.
#5: Kerry Washington “Save the Last Dance” (2001)
Kerry Washington and Olivia Pope – those names are almost interchangeable at this point. But there was a time when Kerry Washington wasn’t strutting her way through the White House, or crying into her giant glass of red wine at every available moment. In the 2001 teen romance “Save the Last Dance,” she plays Chenille – a high school girl who befriends Julia Stiles’ character Sara. It’s a pretty heavy role for a teen movie – Washington plays a teen mom, and all the hardship that entails. But she plays it with excellence – would we expect anything less from Ms. Pope?
#4: Seth Rogen “Donnie Darko” (2001)
When you think of Seth Rogen, you probably think of a jolly, crass man child. You think “Pineapple Express,” “Knocked Up,” or any number of other comedies he’s starred in over the years. You probably don’t, however, think of his supporting role in the cult classic “Donnie Darko.” Rogen plays Ricky Danforth, a jerky high school kid who does awful things like robbing houses and getting into fights. Definitely a far cry from the happy-go-lucky, pottery-making guy we know today! We guess everyone’s gotta start somewhere.
#3: Reese Witherspoon “The Man in the Moon” (1991)
Reese Witherspoon took the world by storm as Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde” in the early 2000s, but she definitely had a strong 90s run as well. There’s Tracy Flick in “Election,” or Annette in “Cruel Intentions.” However, you might be forgetting a little-known 1991 film called “The Man in the Moon.” This movie marks Reese Witherspoon’s film debut, and she plays a lovelorn teenager named Dani who falls in love with a boy her father doesn’t approve of. The film handles pretty adult themes, and Reese handles them well for how young she is.
#2: Jessica Alba “Never Been Kissed” (1999)
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This 90s romance has more than a few familiar faces – of course, there’s Drew Barrymore, playing a 25-year-old reporter who goes undercover at a local high school. But you might recognize some of those high schoolers as well. James Franco shows up for a few scenes to make his film debut, but we’re saving this spot for Jessica Alba. Alba plays one of the popular girls at school who Drew’s character has to fool into thinking she’s a hip, young teenager. Alba wasn’t the household name she now is at the time – she’d done some TV shows and a few movies – but you certainly notice her now.
#1: Chris Evans “Not Another Teen Movie” (2001)
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Before he was the upstanding, slightly awkward Captain America, he was just another dumb jock. Chris Evans made his film debut in this 2001 parody of a teen movie – and parody, he did! “Not Another Teen Movie” pokes fun at all the overused cliches from movies like “She’s All That,” “Varsity Blues,” and more. The movie was decidedly not well-received when it came out, but it does have a few funny moments, and to his credit, Evans does a great job playing his role to excess. And even proved to be a master of awkward kissing – something he might have carried on into his role as Cap.
