Fame has never been a linear path. It comes for some after decades of casting calls and rejection letters galore. For others, it is a peculiar turn of events, a TikTok going viral, or simply being in the right spot at the oddest moment. Below are ten of the most unexpected, funniest, and plain bizarre methods people were catapulted into the limelight—be it on television, the big screen, or the web.
10. Yasmine Sahid — TikTok to TV
Yasmine Sahid’s success shows that the casting agent of today’s Hollywood may be your For You Page. With a theater degree and years of auditions under her belt, the pandemic brought her career to a halt—so she reached for her phone. Her comedic skits and pop culture commentary went viral on TikTok, amassing her a huge following of millions. That online fame resulted in hosting opportunities at big awards shows and, ultimately, her breakout on Prime Video’s Overcompensating. Sahid has since embraced being a multi-hyphenate—acting, writing, and composing music—proving sometimes the best career decision is simply to hit “post.”
9. Marla Pennington — From Mattresses to Small Wonder
Marla Pennington was ready to take over her family’s mattress business—until one drama class in high school turned everything around. She quit shorthand for acting, landed a few jobs, and wound up on the satirical sitcom SOAP, where her outre comedy made her a standout. But her cult following came from playing Joan Lawson, the mother on Small Wonder (yes, the one with the robot daughter), which led to cult adoration. “The family business,” as she called it, blossomed into decades of television memories.
8. Kristoffer Polaha — Hallmark’s Top Gun (Accidentally)
Kristoffer Polaha had it all convinced that he was going to be a movie star—his TV movie on JFK Jr. attracted tens of millions of viewers and featured his face on billboards. His early programming tanked, however, and rather than getting A-list parts, he found himself unexpectedly based on the Hallmark Channel. Much to his surprise, he created a loyal fan base and consistent career producing feel-good romcoms. He even wrote a romance book series. Confirmation that sometimes the part you never imagined playing is the one that fans adore you most for.
7. Viral Nobodies — When the Internet Decides
Each year, the internet anoints its own stars, and 2022 was no exception. There was Tariq, the boy who became “the Corn Kid” after dishing about his go-to snack during an interview. The Miami Boys Choir, whose video was decades old and all of a sudden became popular, making their teenage soloists internet stars on TikTok. Even strangers stuck in an airport found themselves famous after live-streaming their random road trip adventure together. Fame is not always that red carpet—sometimes it is just a meme.
6. Jeremy Suarez — Voice Star, Formerly a Child Star
Jeremy Suarez initially won hearts as Jordan on The Bernie Mac Show, stealing scenes with his comic timing. But rather than burning out after youth, he transitioned to voice acting—securing spots on The Proud Family, The Wild Thornberrys Movie, and Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2. By constantly switching between live-action and animation, Suarez built a career with staying power that most child stars can merely aspire to.
5. Old-School Serendipity — Found in the Most Unlikely Places
Vintage Hollywood is riddled with tales that read like urban myths. Charlize Theron landed her first job after refusing to back down from a bank teller—her soon-to-be manager overheard the exchange. Harrison Ford was actually working as a carpenter before being nudged into performing jobs that made him a legend. Alden Ehrenreich caught Spielberg’s attention due to a Bat Mitzvah video. And Vin Diesel? He began his career by breaking into a theater. It seems anarchy does indeed pay.
4. Danny Trejo — From Prison Counselor to Movie Badass
Danny Trejo’s life before fame was rough—he battled addiction, spent time in prison, and later dedicated himself to helping others in recovery. One day, a friend asked if he wanted to be an extra in a film. When asked if he could play a convict, Trejo laughed: “I’m a professional.” That real-life authenticity launched his career as Hollywood’s go-to tough guy.
3. Rosario Dawson — Spotted on Her Stoop
Rosario Dawson’s first major break didn’t come about through an audition—it came from lounging on her front steps. Director Harmony Korine spotted her on her New York stoop and immediately knew she was ideal for Kids. That serendipitous run-in snowballed into a career involving blockbusters, indies, and even the Star Wars franchise. Occasionally, all you need to do is… remain at home.
2. Alden Ehrenreich — A Bat Mitzvah Break
Before he became Han Solo, Alden Ehrenreich was just another aspiring actor. But his performance in a random Bat Mitzvah video caught Steven Spielberg’s attention, and soon DreamWorks came calling. Ehrenreich went from a party cameo to a career that landed him one of the most iconic roles in cinema history—all because the right person happened to be watching.
1. The Miami Boys Choir — A Viral Resurrection
Miami Boys Choir has existed since the ’70s, being known primarily in Jewish circles. Then, one of them did a 2007 video of themselves singing “Yerushalayim” and posted it on TikTok—and it went viral. Overnight, the choir’s retired soloists from years ago were being interviewed, fan accounts emerged, and remixes were trending. It’s the best proof that fame never dies; it just awaits the right algorithm.
Ultimately, fame is capricious. You can train for years, apply for hundreds of jobs, or simply yell at a bank, go viral for consuming corn, or just hang out on your stoop. Lightning doesn’t strike the same place twice, but when it does, it has the power to remake everything.