From TV advertising to Hollywood: 7 movie stars who started their careers with commercials (8 photos + 6 videos)
Many Hollywood stars rose to success gradually. They honed their acting skills on TV - in TV series or even in advertising. And here's who made the journey from TV commercial actors to major Hollywood superstars. 
Mila Kunis in Lisa Frank advertising. Photo from boredomtherapy.com
Leonardo DiCaprio 
Leonardo DiCaprio worked hard to pave his way to cinematic Olympus. As a child, he starred in many television commercials. For example, in the late 1980s, the actor could be seen in Bubble Yum chewing gum commercials.
In the early 90s, Leo moved to a higher level - he played in TV series and began appearing in films. In 1993, DiCaprio earned his first Oscar nomination - he was noted for his participation in the drama What's Eating Gilbert Grape? And that was just the beginning!
Tobey Maguire
Tobey Maguire, one of Leonardo DiCaprio's closest friends, also started out with various commercials (in fact, the future stars met at one of the auditions). For example, in 1990, Toby starred in a commercial for the Atari Lynx portable electronic game.
Soon the actor switched to television series, and then was able to break into big cinema. Interestingly, Maguire auditioned for the leading role in the biographical drama This Boy's Life (1993), but the director chose DiCaprio. But Leo helped Toby play the main character's friend.
Kirsten Dunst
Kirsten Dunst's long and fruitful career began with several television commercials, including advertising for Baby Uh Oh dolls.
The actress's work continued in TV series and films. Moreover, already at the age of 12, in 1994, she appeared in three large and very different studio projects at once: the comedy “Greed”, the horror “Interview with the Vampire” and the family drama “Little Women”.
Drew Barrymore
The star of “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982) and “50 First Dates” (2004) is part of the famous Barrymore acting dynasty. Her ancestors played prominent roles in American theatrical life as early as the 19th century. And later, representatives of the family became film actors.
It's no surprise that Drew has been in front of the camera since he was a baby. She began her career at the age of 11 months, starring in commercials. The actress participated in the promotion of dog food and products of such popular brands as Pillsbury and McDonald's.
Mila Kunis
Mila Kunis went to her first casting in 1993, when she was 10 years old. She starred in commercials for Barbie and Lisa Frank toys.
After that, Mila had several minor roles in television series and films. And in 1998, the actress was entrusted with one of the main roles in the series “That '70s Show” (1998–2006). According to the script, her heroine was 18 years old. However, producers cast 14-year-old Kunis because they thought she was perfect for the role.
Ben Affleck
Before he became an in-demand actor, respected director, tabloid hero, and meme figure, Ben Affleck started out simple. In 1989, he starred in a commercial for the fast food chain Burger King.
This was followed by episodic participation in various television shows and films, and then more expanded roles. The real breakthrough for Ben was the Oscar for the script for the drama “Good Will Hunting” (1997). Affleck shared the award with his best friend Matt Damon, after which both moved to the big leagues of Hollywood.
Paul Rudd
Paul Rudd's first on-screen appearance was in a TV commercial for the Super Nintendo video game console in 1991.
Then the actor starred in TV series, and in 1995 he received his first film role, playing in the cult youth comedy Cluelesse". After a while, Paul became a fairly famous comedian. But worldwide fame came to Rudd when Marvel Studios cast him as Ant-Man.
