Here are 11 famous actors who started out as extras
An extra is usually a person with no lines in a TV show or movie. If they do have a few lines, the person is often called a “bit player” or a “day player” instead of an extra. If a major known actor is an extra in a movie, their non-speaking appearance will then be called a “cameo.” But, not all celebrities started as big names in movies and television shows. Many began their work as an extra. The famous people below all made one or more appearances as movie extras before they made it big in Hollywood. 
LOS ANGELES, CA – November 19, 2015: Actors Sylvester Stallone & Michael B. Jordan with Carl Weathers (left) at the Los Angeles World premiere of “Creed” at the Regency Village Theatre, Westwood. (Jaguar PS / Shutterstock.com)
1. SYLVESTER STALLONE
Sylvester Stallone was an extra in Woody Allen’s 1971 film Bananas as a subway mugger. He was also a plus in Jane Fonda’s 1971 psychological thriller, Klute, as a disco patron (uncredited).
2. BRAD PITT
(Photo Above) In 1987’s Less Than Zero, Brad Pitt was an extra billed as “Partygoer / Preppie Guy at Fight.” He was paid 38 dollars for the role as an extra.
3. CLINT EASTWOOD
In the 1950s, Clint Eastwood was an eager member of Central Casting. He was an uncredited extra in several films before breaking into leading man roles.
4. RENÉE ZELLWEGER
Renée Zellweger was extra, playing one of the hazed freshman girls, in 1993’s Dazed and Confused.
5. JOHN WAYNE
In the 1920s, John Wayne was an extra in several silent films before his first starring role in 1930s The Big Trail.
6. MEGAN FOX
Megan Fox was an extra in Bad Boys 2 (2003) as a dancer in a club scene. Michael Bay would later cast her in several of his other projects in the future.
7. JAMES DEAN
In Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis comedy Sailor Beware (1951), James Dean was an extra with one line: “The guy’s a professional.”
8. BEN AFFLECK & MATT DAMON
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon (not pictured) were extras for the Fenway Park scenes in Field of Dreams (1989).
9. JACKIE CHAN
As a teenager, Jackie Chan was an extra in two Bruce Lee films: Fists of Fury (1971) and Enter the Dragon (1973).
10. BRUCE WILLIS
Bruce Willis was an extra in the courtroom scene of Paul Newman’s 1981 film, The Verdict.
11. MARILYN MONROE
Marilyn Monroe is often referred to as an extra in her first-ever screen appearance, 1948’s Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay! Marilyn Monroe has one line (“Hi Rad”) in the movie and can also be briefly glimpsed sitting in a canoe with another actress.
