10 Big Stars Who Almost Quit Acting Before They Got Famous

The road to stardom is tough, filled with rejection and doubt that can push even the most talented to the brink of giving up. For some actors, a single role at the right moment kept them in the game, turning near-quitters into global icons.

I’ve gathered ten actors who were ready to walk away from Hollywood before landing their breakthrough roles. From grueling auditions to personal struggles, their stories show the grit it took to stay in the fight. Let’s dive into the roles that saved their careers and made them household names.

Noah Centineo – Peter Kavinsky in ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ (2018)

Noah Centineo was on the verge of quitting acting after a Disney Channel pilot didn’t get picked up, locking him out of auditions for six months. Struggling in Los Angeles, he felt his career was stalling, but then he landed the role of Peter Kavinsky in the Netflix rom-com ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’, which grossed attention and made him a teen heartthrob.

The film’s success, driven by its $13 million budget and massive streaming popularity, boosted his Instagram following from 800,000 to 13.4 million in weeks. This role led to more Netflix hits like ‘Sierra Burgess Is a Loser’ (2018), cementing his status and building a net worth around $2 million.

Melissa McCarthy – Sookie St. James in ‘Gilmore Girls’ (2000-2007)

Melissa McCarthy faced constant rejections and worked production jobs to survive, vowing to quit acting if she didn’t succeed by 30. Just before her deadline, she landed Sookie St. James in ‘Gilmore Girls’, a role that brought her steady work and recognition across seven seasons.

The show’s cult following led to her breakout in ‘Bridesmaids’ (2011), which grossed $288 million. McCarthy’s later roles in ‘The Heat’ (2013) earned her $14 million, and her net worth now hovers around $90 million, thanks to that pivotal TV role.

Millie Bobby Brown – Eleven in ‘Stranger Things’ (2016-2025)

Millie Bobby Brown, despite early roles in ‘Modern Family’ (2009-2020), felt defeated after missing out on ‘Game of Thrones’. At 11, she nearly quit acting, but two months later, she landed Eleven in ‘Stranger Things’, a Netflix phenomenon that became a cultural juggernaut.

The show’s massive viewership, with season four hitting 1.4 billion hours watched, made her a star. Her salary reached $7 million per season, and roles in ‘Enola Holmes’ (2020) added to her $14 million net worth, all sparked by that last-second audition.

Elizabeth Olsen – Martha in ‘Martha Marcy May Marlene’ (2011)

Elizabeth Olsen almost left acting due to the intense media scrutiny faced by her sisters, Mary-Kate and Ashley. She considered abandoning Hollywood, but her role in the indie drama ‘Martha Marcy May Marlene’, made for $600,000 and grossing $5.4 million, changed everything with its critical acclaim.

This performance led to her casting as Scarlet Witch in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ (2015), which grossed $1.4 billion. Her MCU roles and films like ‘Wind River’ (2017) have built her a $11 million fortune.

Bradley Cooper – Will Tippin in ‘Alias’ (2001-2006)

Bradley Cooper was ready to quit after his role in ‘Alias’ dwindled, leaving him sidelined. A torn Achilles tendon forced him to spend a year recovering, deepening his doubts about acting. Just after, he landed ‘Wedding Crashers’ (2005), which grossed $285 million and revived his career.

His breakout in ‘The Hangover’ (2009), earning $467 million, made him a star. Cooper’s salaries later hit $40 million for films like ‘American Sniper’ (2014), contributing to his $120 million net worth.

Gal Gadot – Gisele in ‘Fast & Furious’ (2009)

Gal Gadot, exhausted by countless rejections after competing in beauty pageants and serving in the Israeli Defense Forces, told her husband she was done with acting. Then, a call from Zack Snyder for a “secret” audition led to her role as Gisele in ‘Fast & Furious’, which grossed $363 million.

This paved the way for her iconic Wonder Woman in ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ (2016), earning $821 million. Her salaries grew to $10 million per film, building a $30 million net worth.

Mark Ruffalo – Brian in ‘You Can Count on Me’ (2000)

Mark Ruffalo endured over 600 rejections and was ready to quit, pushed by his mother to keep going. His role in the indie drama ‘You Can Count on Me’, made for $1.2 million and grossing $11 million, earned him critical praise and kept him in the game.

This led to his Hulk role in ‘The Avengers’ (2012), which grossed $1.5 billion. Ruffalo’s MCU earnings reached $15 million per film, and his net worth now stands at $35 million, thanks to that indie lifeline.

Kristen Stewart – Jodie in ‘Panic Room’ (2002)

Kristen Stewart, frustrated by a year of failed auditions, nearly quit as a child actor. Her mother urged her to try one last audition, landing her the role of Jodie in ‘Panic Room’, which grossed $196 million and showcased her alongside Jodie Foster.

This role opened doors to ‘Twilight’ (2008-2012), a $3.3 billion franchise where she earned $25 million for the final films. Stewart’s indie and blockbuster work has built her a $70 million net worth.

Robert Pattinson – Edward Cullen in ‘Twilight’ (2008-2012)

Robert Pattinson called his parents to say he was done with acting after a disastrous audition, feeling tortured by the process. The next day, he landed Edward Cullen in ‘Twilight’, a franchise that grossed $3.3 billion and made him a global star.

His $25 million salaries for the later ‘Twilight’ films and roles like ‘The Batman’ (2022) have driven his net worth to $100 million. That one callback saved his career from collapse.

Jon Hamm – Don Draper in ‘Mad Men’ (2007-2015)

Jon Hamm, nearing 36, was waiting tables and ready to abandon acting after years of small roles. His role as Don Draper in ‘Mad Men’ came just in time, turning himTher series, a critical hit with 59 Emmy nominations, transformed his career.

His $1 million salary for ‘Mad Men’ grew to $10 million for later projects like ‘Baby Driver’ (2017), which grossed $226 million. Hamm’s persistence paid off, building a $30 million net worth.

Which actor’s near-quit story inspired you the most, or did I miss a star who almost left before their big break? Share your thoughts in the comments!