LGBTQ+ Celebs Who Started In Small Roles And Ended Up Unforgettable

Many of today’s biggest LGBTQ+ stars spent years grinding in the industry before finding their spotlight. From background extras to brief guest appearances on procedural dramas, these actors worked tirelessly to build their resumes. Their journeys prove that persistence and talent can eventually turn minor parts into legendary careers. Here are the LGBTQ+ celebrities who transformed small beginnings into unforgettable stardom.

Pedro Pascal

Pascal appeared as a freshman college student in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ long before he became a household name. He spent years working in theater and taking guest spots on various police procedural shows. His breakout finally arrived when he portrayed Oberyn Martell in ‘Game of Thrones’ to critical acclaim. He eventually secured leading roles in massive franchises like ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Last of Us’.

Sarah Paulson

Paulson worked steadily for years in short-lived television series and minor film roles. She had a small part in the romantic comedy ‘What Women Want’ and appeared in ‘Deadwood’. Her career skyrocketed when she began collaborating with Ryan Murphy on ‘American Horror Story’. She is now considered one of the most versatile and celebrated actresses working in television today.

Jane Lynch

Lynch spent over a decade playing background characters in films like ‘The Fugitive’ and various commercials. She often portrayed authoritative figures such as doctors or nurses in brief television appearances. Her comedic genius became undeniable after her performance in the mockumentary ‘Best in Show’. This trajectory ultimately led to her iconic and award-winning role as Sue Sylvester in ‘Glee’.

Colman Domingo

Domingo spent many years as a working actor in the theater circuit and taking small television roles. He appeared in multiple episodes of the ‘Law & Order’ franchise playing different minor characters. His commanding screen presence eventually earned him significant parts in ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ and ‘Euphoria’. He has since transitioned into a leading man with an Oscar-nominated performance in ‘Rustin’.

Megan Fox

Fox began her career with uncredited roles as an extra in films like ‘Bad Boys II’. She played a minor rival character in the teen movie ‘Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen’. Her career exploded when she was cast as Mikaela Banes in the blockbuster ‘Transformers’ franchise. She has since become a cult icon for her performance in the horror comedy ‘Jennifer’s Body’.

Aubrey Plaza

Plaza started out performing improv comedy and had a very brief stint as an NBC page. She landed a small role in the web series ‘The Jeannie Tate Show’ before gaining traction. Her deadpan delivery helped her secure the role of April Ludgate in ‘Parks and Recreation’. She has since become a major star with acclaimed performances in ‘The White Lotus’ and ‘Emily the Criminal’.

Matt Bomer

Bomer cut his teeth in the industry with roles on daytime soap operas like ‘Guiding Light’. He had a recurring role in the spy comedy ‘Chuck’ before landing his own lead vehicle. His charm and acting ability made him a star as Neal Caffrey in the hit series ‘White Collar’. He has continued to deliver powerful performances in projects like ‘The Normal Heart’ and ‘Fellow Travelers’.

Tessa Thompson

Thompson gained early experience with a guest spot on the crime drama ‘Cold Case’. She had a recurring role in ‘Veronica Mars’ that helped put her on the map. Her career reached new heights with standout performances in ‘Creed’ and ‘Thor: Ragnarok’. She is now a major Hollywood player who headlines blockbusters and produces her own projects.

Andrew Scott

Scott worked in theater and had a practically invisible role as an extra in ‘Saving Private Ryan’. He appeared in the miniseries ‘Band of Brothers’ in a minor capacity early in his career. His interpretation of Moriarty in ‘Sherlock’ brought him global recognition and critical praise. He solidified his status as a leading actor with his role as the Priest in ‘Fleabag’.

Zachary Quinto

Quinto appeared in small guest roles on shows like ‘Touched by an Angel’ and ‘Charmed’. He gained some notice as a computer expert in the series ’24’ before his big break. His villainous role as Sylar in ‘Heroes’ made him a recognizable face in the industry. He later took on the iconic mantle of Spock in the rebooted ‘Star Trek’ film franchise.

Jim Parsons

Parsons struggled for years to find steady work and appeared in commercials for companies like Quiznos. He had a very small role as a knight in the film ‘Garden State’ that few remember. Everything changed when he was cast as Sheldon Cooper in ‘The Big Bang Theory’. He won four Primetime Emmy Awards for the role and became one of the highest-paid actors on television.

Cynthia Nixon

Nixon worked as a child actor in afterschool specials and had a small role in ‘Little Darlings’. She appeared in ‘Amadeus’ as a maid but remained largely under the radar. Her career was defined by her portrayal of Miranda Hobbes in ‘Sex and the City’. She has since maintained a successful acting career alongside her political activism.

Luke Evans

Evans started his career on the West End stage in London before transitioning to film. His early screen roles included minor parts in movies like ‘Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll’. He gained traction with action roles in ‘Clash of the Titans’ and ‘Robin Hood’. He is now known for major roles in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise.

Stephanie Beatriz

Beatriz had small guest roles on police procedurals like ‘The Closer’ and ‘Southland’. She also appeared in the independent film ‘Short Term 12’ alongside other future stars. Her breakout came when she was cast as the tough detective Rosa Diaz in ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’. She has also found massive success in voice acting with the lead role in ‘Encanto’.

Sara Ramirez

Ramirez had a blink-and-you-miss-it role as a cashier in the romantic comedy ‘You’ve Got Mail’. They built a formidable reputation on Broadway before transitioning to television. Their role as Dr. Callie Torres on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ made them a household name. They later continued their television success with a prominent role in ‘And Just Like That…’.

Alan Cumming

Cumming worked extensively in Scottish television and theater before breaking into Hollywood. He played a computer programmer in the James Bond film ‘GoldenEye’. His performance as the Emcee in ‘Cabaret’ on Broadway made him a legend in the theater world. He became widely known to TV audiences for his role as Eli Gold in ‘The Good Wife’.

Fiona Shaw

Shaw was a highly respected theater actress who took small film roles in ‘My Left Foot’ and ‘Super Mario Bros.’. She gained mainstream recognition as the strict Aunt Petunia in the ‘Harry Potter’ series. Her career saw a major resurgence with her role in the spy thriller ‘Killing Eve’. She has recently impressed audiences with her performance in the ‘Star Wars’ series ‘Andor’.

BD Wong

Wong appeared in ‘The Karate Kid Part II’ in a very small role early in his career. He won a Tony Award for ‘M. Butterfly’ but mostly played supporting characters in film. His long-running role as Dr. George Huang on ‘Law & Order: SVU’ made him a familiar face. He later achieved blockbuster success with roles in the ‘Jurassic World’ franchise.

George Takei

Takei started his career doing English dubbing for Japanese monster movies like ‘Rodan’. He took small roles in television westerns and war films during the late fifties. His life changed forever when Gene Roddenberry cast him as Sulu in ‘Star Trek’. He has since become a pop culture icon and a prominent activist for LGBTQ+ rights.

Bella Ramsey

Ramsey began acting as a hobby and landed a role in ‘Game of Thrones’ at a young age. Their portrayal of Lyanna Mormont was meant to be a one-scene appearance but became a fan favorite. This small but impactful start led to other opportunities in shows like ‘His Dark Materials’. They recently achieved massive stardom as the lead in the HBO adaptation of ‘The Last of Us’.

Emma Corrin

Corrin worked in retail and took small roles in shows like ‘Pennyworth’ and ‘Grantchester’. They were relatively unknown when they auditioned for the role of Princess Diana. Their performance in ‘The Crown’ earned them a Golden Globe and instant fame. They have since taken on challenging roles in films like ‘My Policeman’ and ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’.

Amandla Stenberg

Stenberg started with a minor role as the younger version of Zoe Saldana’s character in ‘Colombiana’. She gained global attention for her tragic role as Rue in ‘The Hunger Games’. She transitioned from child actor to serious lead with the film ‘The Hate U Give’. She continues to take on diverse roles in projects like ‘The Acolyte’.

Ariana DeBose

DeBose competed on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and worked in the ensemble of various Broadway shows. She had a small role in the filmed version of ‘Hamilton’ as a specialized dancer. Her film breakthrough came when Steven Spielberg cast her as Anita in ‘West Side Story’. She won an Academy Award for the performance and is now a sought-after film actress.

Murray Bartlett

Bartlett appeared in one episode of ‘Sex and the City’ and acted in the soap opera ‘Guiding Light’. He worked steadily but quietly for years in series like ‘Looking’. His career reached a new level with his role as Armond in the first season of ‘The White Lotus’. The performance earned him an Emmy Award and led to high-profile roles in ‘The Last of Us’ and ‘Welcome to Chippendales’.

Lee Pace

Pace started with guest appearances on ‘Law & Order: SVU’ and television movies. He gained a cult following for his lead role in the short-lived series ‘Pushing Daisies’. He transitioned to blockbusters with roles in ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. He currently stars as the galactic emperor in the sci-fi epic ‘Foundation’.

Richard Armitage

Armitage played an uncredited Naboo fighter pilot in ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace’. He worked in British television for years in shows like ‘North & South’ and ‘Robin Hood’. His international breakthrough happened when he was cast as Thorin Oakenshield in ‘The Hobbit’. He has since become a fixture in thriller miniseries and voice acting.

Hari Nef

Nef began her career in the fashion industry as a model before moving into acting. She had a small recurring role in the series ‘Transparent’ that introduced her to audiences. She appeared in the thriller ‘Assassination Nation’ which raised her profile. Her mainstream breakthrough came as one of the Barbies in Greta Gerwig’s massive hit ‘Barbie’.

Russell Tovey

Tovey started as a child actor in local theater and had small parts in British shows like ‘Holby City’. He gained attention as part of the original cast of ‘The History Boys’ on stage and film. He became a familiar face in the UK through the supernatural drama ‘Being Human’. He has since achieved international recognition in shows like ‘Quantico’ and ‘American Horror Story’.

Kristen Stewart

Stewart worked as a child actor in films like ‘The Safety of Objects’ and ‘Panic Room’. She continued to work steadily in supporting roles until ‘Twilight’ made her a global superstar. She used that fame to pivot into critically acclaimed independent films like ‘Clouds of Sils Maria’. She recently earned an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Princess Diana in ‘Spencer’.

Elliot Page

Page started acting in Canadian television movies and series like ‘Pit Pony’. He had a recurring role in the comedy series ‘Trailer Park Boys’ early in his career. His breakthrough came with the revenge thriller ‘Hard Candy’ and the massive hit ‘Juno’. He now stars in the popular superhero series ‘The Umbrella Academy’.

Kate McKinnon

McKinnon was a cast member on ‘The Big Gay Sketch Show’ before finding mainstream success. She joined the cast of ‘Saturday Night Live’ and became one of its most celebrated performers. Her ability to embody diverse characters earned her multiple Emmy Awards. She has since transitioned to film with roles in ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Barbie’.

Dan Levy

Levy began his career as a television host for MTV Canada and covered various red carpet events. He had a small role in the film ‘Admission’ but struggled to find his footing in acting. He co-created ‘Schitt’s Creek’ with his father and starred as David Rose. The show became a cultural phenomenon and swept the Emmy Awards in its final season.

Ben Whishaw

Whishaw had small roles in films like ‘The Trench’ and ‘Enduring Love’ early on. He gained critical notice for his stage work as Hamlet at the Old Vic. He became known to global audiences as Q in the Daniel Craig era ‘James Bond’ films. He also provides the beloved voice of the title character in the ‘Paddington’ movies.

Holland Taylor

Taylor spent years working in theater and had a role in the sitcom ‘Bosom Buddies’. She often played supporting characters in films like ‘Legally Blonde’ and ‘The Truman Show’. She won an Emmy for her role in ‘The Practice’ and gained fame for ‘Two and a Half Men’. She continues to work in high-profile projects like the series ‘The Morning Show’.

Jonathan Groff

Groff started with a recurring role on the soap opera ‘One Life to Live’. He gained Broadway fame with ‘Spring Awakening’ but was less known to general audiences. His role as Jesse St. James in ‘Glee’ introduced him to a wider demographic. He is now famous for starring in ‘Mindhunter’ and voicing Kristoff in ‘Frozen’.

Clea DuVall

DuVall appeared in episodes of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘ER’ in the late nineties. She became a staple of cult cinema with roles in ‘The Faculty’ and ‘But I’m a Cheerleader’. She has worked steadily in film and television for over two decades. She recently moved behind the camera to direct the holiday rom-com ‘Happiest Season’.

Nathan Lane

Lane worked in theater and had a small role in the film ‘Ironweed’ with Meryl Streep. He voiced a cat in ‘Stuart Little’ and did extensive voice work. His breakout film role came in ‘The Birdcage’ alongside Robin Williams. He remains a titan of Broadway and recently appeared in ‘Only Murders in the Building’.

Janelle Monáe

Monáe began as a musician and released several critically acclaimed albums. She made her film debut with a significant role in the Best Picture winner ‘Moonlight’. She followed this up with a strong performance as an engineer in ‘Hidden Figures’. She recently carried the mystery film ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ as the lead.

Evan Rachel Wood

Wood appeared in television movies and the series ‘American Gothic’ as a child. She gained attention for her role in the drama ‘Thirteen’ as a troubled teenager. She continued to take on challenging roles in independent films and HBO miniseries. Her career reached a new peak with her lead role as Dolores Abernathy in ‘Westworld’.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Rodriguez had small roles in ‘Nurse Jackie’ and ‘The Carrie Diaries’ early in her career. She worked in Off-Broadway theater productions to build her experience. Her life changed when she was cast as Blanca in the groundbreaking series ‘Pose’. She became the first trans actress to win a Golden Globe for a television drama series.

Rutina Wesley

Wesley garnered attention with her first major film role in the dance drama ‘How She Move’. She became widely known for playing Tara Thornton in the vampire series ‘True Blood’. She worked consistently in shows like ‘Queen Sugar’ and ‘Hannibal’. She recently took on the role of Maria in the hit video game adaptation ‘The Last of Us’.

Laverne Cox

Cox appeared in a reality show and had small parts in ‘Law & Order’ and ‘Bored to Death’. She struggled for years and considered quitting the industry before her big break. Her role as Sophia Burset in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ made her a global star. She became the first trans person nominated for a Primetime Emmy in an acting category.

Wanda Sykes

Sykes started her career as a writer for ‘The Chris Rock Show’ and made brief appearances. She played small parts in films like ‘Nutty Professor II: The Klumps’. Her stand-up comedy specials helped her gain a massive following. She is now a celebrated voice actor and star of the sitcom ‘The Upshirt’.

Tituss Burgess

Burgess made his name in Broadway ensembles for shows like ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘Jersey Boys’. He appeared in a small capacity on ’30 Rock’ as a hairdresser. His breakout role came as Titus Andromedon in ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’. He has since become a recognizable comedic force in television and film.

Ian McKellen

McKellen was a giant of the British stage for decades but less known to film audiences. He had small roles in films like ‘The Keep’ and ‘Plenty’ during the eighties. He achieved massive mainstream fame later in life as Magneto in ‘X-Men’. His role as Gandalf in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ cemented his status as a cinema legend.

Jodie Foster

Foster began her career at age three starring in television commercials. She appeared in shows like ‘Gunsmoke’ and ‘The Courtship of Eddie’s Father’. Her role in ‘Taxi Driver’ as a teenager earned her an Oscar nomination and launched her film career. She eventually transitioned into a two-time Oscar winner and a respected director.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Ferguson worked in theater and had a small role in the show ‘The Class’. He appeared in the thriller ‘Untraceable’ but was not yet a star. His casting as Mitchell Pritchett in ‘Modern Family’ changed his career trajectory completely. He earned five Emmy nominations for the role and became a prominent advocate for marriage equality.

Billy Porter

Porter worked for years in Broadway ensembles and released solo music that saw moderate success. He had small guest spots on ‘Law & Order’ and other New York-based shows. His career reached new heights with his Tony-winning role in ‘Kinky Boots’. He achieved global television fame and fashion icon status through his role in ‘Pose’.

Please share which of these celebrity transformations surprised you the most in the comments.