Actors Who Started Their Careers With Horror Movies (15 pics)

1

Elizabeth Olsen starred as Sarah in Silent House in 2011. The movie premiered at Sundance at the same time as Martha Marcy May Marlene, which earned her critical acclaim.

2

Patricia Arquette's very first movie role was as Kristen Parker in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors in 1987. Right after the movie, she would go on to star in critically acclaimed movies like Lost Highway, Ed Wood, Flirting with Disaster, and more.

3

In 1995, Paul Rudd starred in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers as Tommy Doyle. Although Clueless hit theaters first in 1995, he actually filmed Halloween 6 first.

4

Patrick Dempsey's first movie role was in The Stuff in 1985 as "Underground Stuff Buyer #2." Two years later, he landed his breakout role in Can't Buy Me Love.

5

Julia Louis-Dreyfus made her movie debut in Troll in 1986 as Jeanette Cooper. The role came after her stint on Saturday Night Live and before she landed Seinfeld in 1989.

6

After appearing as an extra in a few movies, Skeet Ulrich's first big role came in 1996 when he starred as Chris Hooker in The Craft. Later that same year, he also starred as Billy Loomis in Scream.

7

Neve Campbell's very first movie role was in The Dark as Jesse Donovan in 1993. Three years later, she would land her most notable role as Sidney Prescott in Scream.

8

Similarly, Renée Zellweger was cast as Jenny in The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and also had a small role in Dazed and Confused. Both movies filmed in Texas, which is where Matthew and Renée were cast.

9

Following his first acting credit in Animal House, Kevin Bacon appeared as Jack Burrell in Friday the 13th in 1980. His breakout role in Footloose would come four years later.

10

Leonardo DiCaprio's very first movie role was as Josh in Critters 3 in 1991. The movie was a direct-to-video release. Two years later, he landed his breakout role in What's Eating Gilbert Grape.

11

Jennifer Aniston's first film was Leprechaun as Tory Redding in 1993. A year later, she would land her breakout role as Rachel in Friends.

12

Eva Mendes' very first movie role was in 1998, when she appeared in Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror as Kir. Three years later, she landed her notable role in Training Day.

13

Adam Scott's first movie role was as Jacques in Hellraiser: Bloodline in 1996. Eight years later, he landed a role in The Aviator and then went on to, of course, star in Party Down and Parks and Recreation.