15 MCU Actors And Their Early Work
![15 MCU Actors And Their Early Work](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/8/7/828087_320x180.jpg)
Even the MCU's top names had to start somewhere, and these movies highlight some of Marvel's most well-known performers before they became famous. The MCU is frequently used as a springboard for some of Hollywood's most well-known actors. Despite this, many performers made their debut in really sold roles elsewhere. Many of the MCU's top stars had to work their way up via smaller films and gain popularity so that they could wear their superhero avatars.
These talented didn't start their careers as well-known Avengers members. They, like most other actors, had to start with little performances as well as supporting appearances in small productions like made for TV movies.
It makes sense if you think about it. It would be nearly impossible for Marvel to cast first-time performers in the MCU. Most of these actors have done a surprising number of things before donning the cape, shield, and/or hammer. Here are 15 of the MCU cast members' earlier (and sometimes earliest) roles.
![ROBERT DOWNEY JR. CRACKED.COM RDJ's dad (you guessed it) Robert Downey Sr. wrote and directed the movie Pound in 1970. As a way to encourage his son to go into the family business, he had 5 year old Robert Downey Jr. appear in the film as a little boy named Puppy.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/0/1/828101.jpg)
Source: cbr.com
![ELIZABETH OLSEN CRACKED.COM Beginning with smaller roles in Mary-Kate and Ashley's movies, Elizabeth Olsen waited until adulthood to fully launch her acting career. She broke out in two 2011 films-the horror remake Silent House, and cult drama Martha Marcy May Marlene.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/9/6/828096.jpg)
Source: menshealth
![BRIE LARSON CRACKED.COM At 9 years old, Larson's very first professional gig was a commercial parody for Barbie, titled Malibu Mudslide Barbie, in a 1998 episode of The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. From there, she started steadily booking TV and film roles.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/9/2/828092.jpg)
Source: ew.com
![CHRIS PRATT - CRACKED COM Most of us first met a looser version of Star-Lord on Parks and Rec, but teens in the mid 2000s knew him as Bright Abbott on the teen drama Everwood, and as Che on The О.С.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/9/7/828097.jpg)
Source: ew.com
![ZOE SALDANA CRACKED.COM Among the hordes of Law & Order alumni is Zoe Saldana. In 1999, before starring in 3 massive franchises (Star Trek, Avatar, and Guardians), she was involved in a case on Law & Order, and later on Law & Order: SVU as the daughter of a man who was framed for murder.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/0/4/828104.jpg)
Source: cbr.com
![CHRIS HEMSWORTH CRACKED.COM His very first credit was the 2002 Australian TV series Guinevere Jones. Guinevere has flashbacks of her past life as the Queen of Camelot, and although he never speaks, Hemsworth plays her valiant husband, the King.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/9/8/828098.jpg)
Source: cbr.com
![MICHAEL В. JORDAN CRACKED.COM Killmonger's first credit was in season 1, episode 7 ofThe Sopranos, playing a '60s Newark kid harassing young Tony Soprano. Three years later, he originally auditioned for Bodie, but landed the role of Wallace on The Wire, and still gets recognized for it today.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/0/0/828100.jpg)
Source: cheatsheet
![JEREMY RENNER CRACKED.COM In 1995, Renner played trouble-making stoner Mark Dags D'Agastino in National Lampoon's Senior Trip. His I know you like me scene is pretty cringe-worthy, but he landed more TV shows before a breakthrough as Jeffrey Dahmer in the 2002 movie Dahmer.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/9/5/828095.jpg)
Source: cbr.com
![ANTHONY МАСКӀЕ CRACKED.COM 12 years before playing the patriotic Avenger, Falcon, his first role (just after Bar Patron in one episode ofAs If) was as Eminem's biggest rap-battle rival, Papa Doc in 2002's 8 Mile. We're still waiting for his verse.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/9/1/828091.jpg)
Source: cbr.com
![BRADLEY COOPER CRACKED.COM In 2001, long before voicing Rocket, and just after a make out with Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City, Bradley Cooper's first ever movie role was camp counselor Ben in Wet Hot American Summer.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/9/0/828090.jpg)
Source: screenrant
![CHRIS EVANS CRACKED.COM The 2001 comedy Not Another Teen Movie was one of Chris Evans' first big film roles. Evans played the Popular Jock Jake, and barely covered himself with whipped cream and a banana long before covering himself with a shield.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/9/3/828093.jpg)
Source: cinemablend
![SCARLETT JOHANSSON EXIT CRACKED COM As an 11 year old, Johansson played Alex Pruitt's older sister, Molly, in Home Alone 3. Her daughter loved the first two Home Alone movies, so they put on #3, and she later told People Magazine, I said, 'Who's that person?' She was like, 'You?!'](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/0/2/828102.jpg)
Source: screenrant
![MARK RUFFALO CRACKED.COM In 1994, Mark Ruffalo made his feature film debut as Christian in the direct-to-video horror sequel Mirror, Mirror 2: Raven Dance about a haunted looking glass. It somehow warranted a 3rd - Mirror, Mirror 3: The Voyeur in 1995.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/9/9/828099.jpg)
Source: universaldork
![TOM HOLLAND CRACKED.COM Long before Peter Parker, Tom Holland began acting on the stage, where he played the title role in the musical Billy Elliot as a 12 year old. In his feature film debut, he earned Oscar buzz as Lucas in The Impossible.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/1/0/3/828103.jpg)
Source: ew.com
![CHADWICK BOSEMAN CRACKED.COM Before he... was... T'Challa, Chadwick Boseman first appeared on screen in an episode of Third Watch in 2003. Не was a minor character, but it spawned roles on C.S.I, E.R, and a recurring role on the ABC drama Lincoln Heights.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/0/9/4/828094.jpg)
Source: cbr.com