Memorable acting debuts.

gigantic09 · 08-12-2021 07:22PM #1

Recently watched an old movie, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers. It starred Barbara Stanwyck, Lisbeth Scott and Kirk Douglas who gave a powerful performance in his first film role. What are your stand out acting debuts?.

StevenToast · 08-12-2021 07:30PM

Edward Norton in Primal Fear

Steveimitation · 09-12-2021 05:19AM

Sharlto Copley was great in District 9.

FullBack Jam · 09-12-2021 08:02AM

The young lad in The Sixth Sense stands out for me.

coolisin · 09-12-2021 08:17AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118294082#Comment_118294082

With my nerd hat on that wasn't really is debut! First major role I guess.

He had that odd movie with Whoopi Goldberg and an imaginary Gerard Depardieu.

But more importantly being a Young head tilting Forrest Gump Jr

09-12-2021 08:30AM

Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins.

bigar · 09-12-2021 08:33AM

Die Hard was the feature film debut for Alan Rickman. He did do some television before,

event · 09-12-2021 08:38AM

Anna Paquin - The Piano

Cameron Diaz - The Mask

ohnonotgmail · 09-12-2021 08:43AM

John Cazale in The Godfather.

10-12-2021 01:44AM

Colin Farrell in Tigerland (2000)

I don't think that he has ever bettered that performance tbh and it made him a star

He was off to Hollywood and next thing he was hanging out the back of Britney

JP Liz V1 · 10-12-2021 02:34AM

Natalie Portman in Leon

Shred · 11-12-2021 10:18PM

Christian Bale in Empire of the Sun.

Agent Coulson · 11-12-2021 10:31PM

Jamie Bell in Billy Elliott

miss flutter ups · 11-12-2021 11:49PM

Angelina in girl interrupted

bigtimecharlie · 12-12-2021 12:03AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118299138#Comment_118299138

Totally agree.

vriesmays · 12-12-2021 01:09PM

Brian Glover in Kes.

The White Wolf · 12-12-2021 04:05PM

The day that's in it Kirsten Dunst in Interview With A Vampire.

Don't think it was her first film but Hailee Steinfeld in True Grit was striking as well.

Igotadose · 12-12-2021 04:10PM

Jodi Foster in Taxi Driver

Agent Coulson · 12-12-2021 04:10PM

I want to say R. Lee Ermey in Full Metal Jacket.

I know he had a non speaking bit part in Apocalypse Now and one other film before he got Full Metal Jacket.

The White Wolf · 12-12-2021 04:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118310307#Comment_118310307

Ermey is a great shout. His performance in that film could only come from one place and that was reality.

Thecageyone · 12-12-2021 06:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118299112#Comment_118299112

He was in a couple of Movies prior to that, he appeared in Ordinary decent criminal and The warzone in 98/99

12-12-2021 06:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118310923#Comment_118310923

first significant film role I think is the spirit of the thread, as already outlined by the poster in post #5 - not less significant supporting parts.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118294113#Comment_118294113

Tony EH · 13-12-2021 01:56AM

Julie Walters in 'Educating Rita'

Jamie Lee Curtis in 'Halloween'

Thecageyone · 13-12-2021 06:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118311258#Comment_118311258

I guess, but you could say his earlier roles were significant in that he was chosen for Tigerland because of those smaller roles

13-12-2021 10:30PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118316653#Comment_118316653

Kevin Spacey got Farrell the audition with Joel Schumacher for the role in Tigerland.

Spacey had apparently seen Farrell on stage and also got him the small part in "Ordinary Decent Criminal"

The Farreller may have had to blow Spacey for the benefits - who knows... it was Spacey's modus operandi in these matters as we now know to take advantage of young men when he was in a position of power vis-a-vis them.

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0160611/trivia/?ref_=tt_ql_trv

Kevin Spacey would later recommend Colin Farrell to director Joel Schumacher, with whom he had made " A Time to Kill". Schumacher would give Farrell his first Hollywood break in the critically acclaimed " Tigerland".

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-oct-01-ca-29476-story.html

was cast as a criminal in “Ordinary Decent Criminals” after the film’s star, Kevin Spacey, saw him on stage. Then he was called in for a chat with Schumacher in London.