Actors in films before they were famous
Plenty of amazing, often overlooked movies feature A-list actors before they gained fame. Viewers interested in seeing the early careers of their favourite stars have a wealth of excellent films to explore.
Angela Lansbury – Till Clouds Roll By
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946) – Kirk Douglas
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers is a 1946 film noir about Martha Ivers, a wealthy woman entangled in a web of deceit and murder stemming from her troubled past. Kirk Douglas makes his film debut as Walter O’Neil, Martha’s weak-willed and alcoholic husband, who is complicit in her dark secrets.
The plot thickens when Sam Masterson, a childhood friend and former lover of Martha, returns to town, reigniting old passions and suspicions. Douglas’ portrayal of Walter adds complexity to the story, depicting a man torn between loyalty, fear, and his own moral struggles.
Riders of Destiny (1933) – John Wayne
In Riders of Destiny, John Wayne stars as Singin’ Sandy Saunders, a mysterious government agent sent to assist a group of struggling ranchers. Disguised as a wandering troubadour, Sandy infiltrates the operations of a corrupt land baron named James Kincaid, who is exploiting the local water supply for his own gain.
Sandy’s quick wit and sharpshooting skills quickly earn him the trust of the ranchers, particularly the spirited Fay Denton, whose father’s land is under threat. As Sandy uncovers Kincaid’s nefarious plans, he rallies the ranchers to stand up against the tyranny and deception they face.
Santa Fe Trail (1940) – Ronald Reagan
Santa Fe Trail is a 1940 western drama that follows the adventures of a group of young West Point graduates, including Jeb Stuart and George Custer, as they navigate the tensions leading up to the American Civil War. Ronald Reagan stars as George Custer, portraying the legendary cavalry officer with a sense of bravery and camaraderie.
The film centres on their mission to capture the radical abolitionist John Brown, whose violent actions threaten to ignite a national conflict. Reagan’s role as Custer adds depth to the narrative, showcasing his loyalty, military skill, and the complexities of his character’s friendships and beliefs.
The Terror (1963) – Jack Nicholson
In The Terror, Jack Nicholson stars as Lieutenant Andre Duvalier, a lost and disillusioned Napoleonic soldier who becomes separated from his regiment along the Baltic coast. After encountering a mysterious and beautiful woman named Helene, he follows her to a desolate castle owned by the enigmatic Baron Von Leppe, played by Boris Karloff.
As Duvalier delves deeper into the castle’s dark secrets, he discovers that Helene is somehow connected to the Baron’s deceased wife, leading him into a nightmarish world of deceit, death, and the supernatural. Nicholson’s character, driven by his sense of duty and fascination with Helene, becomes the unwilling hero in a twisted tale of terror and betrayal. Nicholson had a small but memorable role in the 1960 film The Little Shop of Horrors.
Eegah (1962) – Richard Kiel
Before he became instantly recognisable as the steel-toothed henchman Jaws in the James Bond films, Richard Kiel appeared early in his career in the cult oddity Eegah. Kiel plays the towering, misunderstood caveman Eegah, whose sheer physical presence – amplified by his 7ft 2in frame – dominates the film despite his largely silent performance.
The role leaned heavily on Kiel’s imposing stature rather than dialogue, foreshadowing the way he would later be cast as an unforgettable physical antagonist. Directed by Arch Hall Sr., Eegah has since achieved cult status for its low-budget charm, desert settings, and reputation as one of the most memorably eccentric science-fiction films of the early 1960s.