Richest Hollywood Actors Who Started as Extras

Hollywood is a competitive industry where only a select few talented people succeed. Many actors have to start out as background actors or extras. While appearing as an extra can seem like a modest start, it can be an exciting chance to network with influential people in the business and open doors to a successful acting career.

Some of the most well-known stars in Hollywood today began as extras. As an illustration, Megan Fox began acting in 2001 as a background extra in the movie “Bad Boyz 2”. Her diligent effort in the background paid off, earning her a regular slot on the program “Hope & Faith” and ultimately a part in the “Transformers” series.

Brad Pitt, Channing Tatum, Sylvester Stallone, and Marilyn Monroe are some more actors that began their careers as extras. Before they became famous and wealthy, every one of these celebrities had to work hard and make sacrifices. However, their success stories demonstrate that, even if you start at the bottom, it is still possible to succeed in Hollywood.

The Richest Hollywood Actors Who Started as Extras will be explored in this article. We will look at their modest origins and how they ultimately found success. Additionally, we’ll talk about the value of background work in the acting world and how it may serve as a springboard for a fruitful career.

Richest Hollywood Actors Who Started as Extras

1. George Clooney – $500 Million

Richest Hollywood Actors Who Started as Extras

Net Worth: $500 Million
Date of Birth: May 6, 1961 (62 years old)
Place of Birth: Lexington
Gender: Male
Profession: Actor, Film Producer, Film director, Television producer, Television Director, Voice Actor, Screenwriter
Nationality: United States of America

George Clooney is an American actor, screenwriter, director, businessman, and campaigner with a $500 million net worth. In the entertainment world, George Clooney is one of the most sought-after A-List actors. He frequently receives at least $20 million for a single film part. Clooney appears to have it all.

With an acting career entering its fourth decade, a highly regarded directing career, numerous successful writing and producing credits to his name, and good looks that tend to get better with age, it would appear that Mr Clooney has the touch of Midas.

George Clooney worked in minor and background roles before becoming the well-known actor he is today. His first acting credits date back to 1978 miniseries about the economic development of Colorado. After that, Clooney survived the 1980s by delivering a few clichéd lines in one of the many cop dramas that were airing then.

He eventually had a few lines in television programs like “Sisters” and “Roseanne,” which cleared the way for Clooney to get the part in the medical drama “ER” that ignited his career.

2. Sylvester Stallone – $400 Million

Actors Who Started as Extras

Net Worth: $400 Million
Date of Birth: Jul 6, 1946 (77 years old)
Place of Birth: New York City
Gender: Male
Profession: Screenwriter, Actor, Film director, Television producer, Film Producer, Voice Actor
Nationality: United States of America

Sylvester Stallone is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, and director who has a net worth of $400 million. He is easily one of the most famous and beloved action stars of all time. After launching to superstar status thanks to “Rocky,” Stallone became one of the highest-paid action stars of the 1980s and 1990s.

During his years of writing the film “Rocky” and trying to make it big as an actor, Stallone was doing background work not only to pay the bills but also to network with directors and producers. He appeared as an uncredited actor in the 1971 movie “Klute” and as the subway mugger in Woody Allen’s 1971 film “Bananas.” After “Rocky” became such a success, Stallone found himself at the helm of one of Hollywood’s biggest franchises as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

Stallone has written and produced a handful of highly-successful franchises including “Rocky,” “Rambo,” and “The Expendables.” As of this writing, Stallone’s movies have generated more than $4 billion in global revenue. Unlike most Hollywood stars, Stallone has written, produced, and/or directed many of his major franchise movies.

3. Jackie Chan – $400 Million

Richest Hollywood Actors Who Started as Extras

Net Worth: $400 Million
Date of Birth: Apr 7, 1954 (69 years old)
Place of Birth: Victoria Peak
Gender: Male
Profession: Actor, Film Producer, Film director, Stunt Performer, Screenwriter, Martial Artist, Singer, Television producer, Entrepreneur, Comedian
Nationality: Hong Kong

Jackie Chan is a Hong Kong-born movie star who has a net worth of $400 million. He is synonymous with Kung-Fu, martial arts, and action movies over an incredibly successful career spanning multiple decades. Jackie Chan is well known for doing his own stunts, and his movies have captured the attention of a global audience.

Chan began his career in various Eastern movies, but he has also branched out to appear in Western films. He is also a talented singer and has released many successful albums. In many cases, he sang the theme songs for his movies. Some consider him to be the most widely-recognized film actor in the world.

Before he took to the role of a funny Kung Fu artist, Jackie Chan used to work as an extra in the films of another famous martial artist, Bruce Lee. He took part in the fight scenes in two of Lee’s films, Fists of Fury in 1971 and Enter the Dragon in 1973. Chan eventually established himself as a star in his own right, and his movies have entertained audiences of all ages for decades.

4. Brad Pitt – $400 Million

Richest Hollywood Actors

Net Worth: $400 Million
Date of Birth: Dec 18, 1963 (59 years old)
Place of Birth: Shawnee
Gender: Male
Profession: Actor, Film Producer, Voice Actor, Television producer
Nationality: United States of America

With a $400 million net worth, Brad Pitt is a very successful actor and producer. One of the most well-known and well-paid entertainers in the world, he regularly earns at least $20 million for major motion picture releases. He was nominated for a number of Academy Awards, and he won two of them—one for Best Picture in his capacity as producer of “12 Years a Slave” in 2014 and another for Best Supporting Actor in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” in 2020.

Pitt’s acting career in Hollywood began with minor roles in movies like “Less Than Zero” (1987), where he was identified as the “Partygoer/Preppie Guy at Fight.” His biggest role came in the 1991 movie “Thelma and Louise,” which helped establish him as an iconic star.

Since then, Pitt has been in other popular movies, including “Fight Club,” “Seven,” “Ocean’s Eleven,” “Troy,” and “Inglourious Basterds.” Additionally, he is a co-founder of Plan B Entertainment, which is responsible for the production of a number of significant movies like “The Departed,” “Moonlight,” and “12 Years a Slave.”

5. Clint Eastwood – $375 million

Richest Hollywood Actors Who Started as Extras

Net Worth: $375 Million
Date of Birth: May 31, 1930 (93 years old)
Place of Birth: San Francisco
Gender: Male
Profession: Actor, Film director, Film Producer, Politician, Composer, Pianist, Film Score Composer, Television producer, Businessperson, Investor
Nationality: United States of America

American actor, director, producer, and politician Clint Eastwood has a $375 million fortune. After finding success in the TV show “Rawhide,” he went on to become an international star for his performances as the Man with No Name in Sergio Leone’s 1960 spaghetti Western trilogy and as the antihero cop Harry Callahan in the 1970s and 1980s’ five “Dirty Harry” movies.

In the 1950s, Eastwood got his start doing background work for movies, sometimes going undetected and unacknowledged. However, Eastwood didn’t squander any of his time during filming. With each movie he worked on, he developed relationships and networks with producers and directors, which helped him become more well-known.

His talent eventually became noticeable when he was given speaking roles and credit. The once-hopeful extra is now one of Hollywood’s most recognizable and influential figures.

These and other early roles helped Eastwood establish himself as a cultural icon of masculinity and one of the most recognizable performers in movie history. It’s difficult to believe that Clint Eastwood, a well-known actor and director, previously obtained employment as an extra through Central Casting.

6. Bruce Willis – $250 Million

Richest Hollywood Actors Who Started as Extras

Net Worth: $250 Million
Date of Birth: Mar 19, 1955 (68 years old)
Place of Birth: Idar-Oberstein
Gender: Male
Profession: Actor, Film Producer, Television producer, Businessperson, Voice Actor, Singer, Musician, Writer, Composer
Nationality: United States of America

Bruce Willis is an American retired actor, producer, and musician who has a net worth of $250 million. He is one of the highest-paid leading men in Hollywood, and his earnings from 1999’s The Sixth Sense totalled $114 million thanks to a generous cut of the film’s gross. His upfront salary was $14 million.

Willis’ career began in the early 1980s, and he quickly rose to fame with roles in films such as Die Hard and Pulp Fiction. He has since starred in dozens of movies, and he is known for his tough guy persona, his big heart, and his versatile appearance.

In 1981, Willis had an uncredited role in the courtroom scene of Paul Newman’s film The Verdict. This was just seven years before he landed the role that would immortalize him in Hollywood forever: John McClane in Die Hard.

Willis has certainly come a long way from his early days as an uncredited actor. He is now one of the most successful and beloved actors in Hollywood, and his legacy will continue to inspire audiences for years to come.

7. Matt Damon –  $170 Million

Actors Who Started as Extras

Net Worth: $170 Million
Date of Birth: Oct 8, 1970 (52 years old)
Place of Birth: Cambridge
Gender: Male
Profession: Actor, Film Producer, Television producer, Screenwriter, Voice Actor, Spokesperson
Nationality: United States of America

Matt Damon is an American actor, writer, producer, and philanthropist. He has been active in the film industry since the mid-1990s and has been a significant box office draw in recent years.

Damon began his career as an extra in the film Field of Dreams in 1989. However, he has managed to almost completely erase that from his curriculum vitae after the movie Good Will Hunting. In Good Will Hunting, he co-wrote the screenplay with his friend Ben Affleck, and they both won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Since Good Will Hunting, Damon has appeared in a number of major films, including The Bourne Identity, The Departed, and The Martian. He has also starred in the Ocean’s Eleven trilogy and the Jason Bourne film series.

Damon is one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, and he is known for his down-to-earth personality and his commitment to social justice. He is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has worked to raise awareness of issues such as poverty and HIV/AIDS.

Damon’s net worth is estimated to be $170 million. He is a successful actor, writer, and producer, and he is also a philanthropist who is committed to making a difference in the world.

8. Ben Affleck – $150 Million

Richest Hollywood Actors Who Started as Extras

Net Worth: $150 Million
Date of Birth: Aug 15, 1972 (50 years old)
Place of Birth: Berkeley
Gender: Male
Profession: Actor, Film director, Screenwriter, Film Producer, Television producer, Professional Poker Player, Businessperson
Nationality: United States of America

American actor, screenwriter, producer, and director Ben Affleck is worth $150 million. He is most well-known for writing and starring in “Good Will Hunting” and for directing and appearing in “Argo.” He and Matt Damon won an Academy Award for “Good Will Hunting”‘s Best Original Screenplay.

One of Hollywood’s leading men, Ben Affleck captivates the audience with his attractiveness, acting prowess, and youth. He started his career at the same time as actor and childhood friend Matt Damon.

Ben Affleck started out in minor roles as an extra and made his film debut in 1989’s Field of Dreams, where he was spotted with a pal in the Fenway Park sequences. He left behind the days of supporting roles as he and Damon soared to popularity with Good Will Hunting.

The Academy Award for “Argo” went to Ben. Ben has accumulated a fortune in salary throughout the course of his work. Unsurprisingly, the $15 million he received from the 2003 film “Paycheck” ranks as one of his highest acting paychecks (before backend bonuses).

9. Renee Zellweger – $90 Million

Richest Hollywood Actress

Net Worth: $90 Million
Date of Birth: Apr 25, 1969 (54 years old)
Place of Birth: Katy
Gender: Female
Profession: Actor, Voice Actor, Film Producer, Television producer, Singer
Nationality: United States of America

Renée Zellweger is an award-winning American actress and producer with a net worth of $90 million. She is perhaps best known for her roles in films such as Bridget Jones’s Diary, Jerry Maguire, Cold Mountain, and Judy, for which she won Academy Awards.

Zellweger got her start in Hollywood with extras roles in commercials and bit parts in films. In 1993, she had a small role in the cult classic Dazed and Confused, and a (cut) bit part in the horror/comedy My Boyfriend’s Back. She then moved to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career full-time.

In 1994, Zellweger landed her first major role in the slasher film Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to launch Zellweger’s career.

Over the next few years, Zellweger starred in a number of successful films, including Jerry Maguire, One True Thing, and Nurse Betty. In 2001, she starred in the romantic comedy Bridget Jones’s Diary, which was a huge international hit.

10. Channing Tatum -$80 million

Richest Hollywood Actors Who Started as Extras

Net Worth: $80 Million
Date of Birth: Apr 26, 1980 (43 years old)
Place of Birth: Cullman
Gender: Male
Profession: Actor, Film Producer, Model, Dancer, Voice Actor
Nationality: United States of America

Channing Tatum is a gifted actor, dancer, and model who has conquered the globe with his incredible physique, smooth motions, and endearing grin. His performances thus far show a bright future in Hollywood.

Tatum started out as an extra in his acting roles. Early in his career, he also had success as a dancer and model. The chapel sequence in War of the Worlds was one of his most noteworthy supporting performances. Additionally, he appears in the music video for Ricky Martin’s song “She Bangs.”

In the dance movie Step Up from 2006, Tatum got his big break. Tatum’s standing as a leading actor has been enhanced by the movie’s box office and critical acclaim. Since then, he has acted in a number of popular movies, such as The Lego Movie, Magic Mike, and 21 Jump Street.

Tatum is a skilled performer who can take on a wide range of roles. His performances in Step Up and Magic Mike both demonstrated his prowess as a dancer. In Hollywood, Tatum is a rising star, and his career will undoubtedly continue to expand in the years to come.

FAQs

What are the benefits of starting out as an extra in Hollywood?

• You can become knowledgeable about the profession. Working as an extra gives you the opportunity to learn about the many roles that people play on set and gain insight into how movies and TV episodes are produced. For budding actors hoping to break into Hollywood, this can be a crucial experience.
• You are able to link people: Meeting other professionals in the industry, including actors, directors, and producers, is made possible by working as an extra. When you’re looking for your first speaking part, these relationships can be beneficial.
• You may be paid: Even while the compensation for extras isn’t huge, it’s still a method to earn some cash while developing your acting career.

Challenges of starting out as an extra in Hollywood?

• The rivalry is intense: In Hollywood, there are many people who want to work as extras, thus the competition can be severe. You must therefore be ready to put in a lot of effort and differentiate yourself from the competition.
• The hours may seem endless: Extras frequently have to put in long shifts and even whole days at a time. If you’re not used to it, this can be draining.
• Your screen time can be limited: There is no assurance that you will appear on screen, even if you are fortunate enough to be selected as an extra. Occasionally, extras’ faces are never shown and they are solely employed for background shots.

What are some tips for aspiring actors who want to start out as extras?

• Make research:  It’s a good idea to do some research and educate yourself about the many casting agencies in Hollywood before you start applying for part-time work. This will improve your chances of getting cast and assist you in finding the best agency.
• Prepare yourself to network: In Hollywood, networking is crucial, and extras in particular need to do it. Make sure to introduce yourself and tell everyone you are an actor when you first arrive on set.
• Be an expert:  Despite the fact that you are only an extra, it’s crucial to act professionally while on set. This entails being punctual, organized, and obedient to instructions.
• Never give up: Despite the tough competition, keep working toward your goal of being an actor or actress. Work diligently and ultimately,

Richest Hollywood Actors Who Started as Extras

1. George Clooney – $500 Million
2. Sylvester Stallone – $400 Million
3. Jackie Chan – $400 Million
4. Brad Pitt – $400 Million
5. Clint Eastwood – $375 million
6. Bruce Willis – $250 Million
7. Matt Damon –  $170 Million
8. Ben Affleck – $150 Million
9. Renee Zellweger – $90 Million
10. Channing Tatum -$80 million

In times of necessity, these actors and several more Hollywood stars took on minor roles. They made the decision to not squander their time on the sets because they were aware that no part is minor.

Instead, they built relationships with producers and directors and kept up their networking while also becoming familiar with the specifics of working in the film industry.

They eventually started to stand out more and more, and eventually, every one of them achieved their personal Hollywood dream.

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