Sure, we know and love all of the 2014 MTV Movie Awards nominees now, but what about back in the day? Everyone has to start somewhere, even if that “somewhere” is a short-lived TV series or under-seen movie. This Throwback Thursday, join us in looking at pictures and videos of this year’s nominees when they were basically infants — or, at least, before they were famous.
Best Male Performance
Bradley Cooper, age 24, “Sex And The City”
Before he was the Sexiest Man Alive, Cooper started with a small role on “Sex And The City.”
Chiwetel Ejiofor, age 20, “Amistad”
Starring in a Steven Spielberg movie isn’t the worst way to introduce yourself to audiences across America, and the Oscar nominee made quite the impression.
Josh Hutcherson, age 10, “Becoming Glen”
The “Hunger Games” star first endeared himself to audiences in this TV movie, playing a young version of Johnny Galecki, a.k.a. Leonard from “The Big Bang Theory.”
Leonardo Dicaprio, age 15, “The New Lassie”
“What’s that, Lassie? I’m going to become the biggest star in the world?”
Matthew McConaughey, age 23, “Unsolved Mysteries”
McConaughey started his career getting murdered on an episode of “Unsolved Mysteries,” and yes, of course he was shirtless.
Best Female Performance
Amy Adams, age 25, “Drop Dead Gorgeous”
The future acclaimed actress started her career in this dark comedy, playing a bubbly, well-meaning beauty pageant contestant.
Jennifer Aniston, age 21, “Malloy and Me”
The “We’re the Millers” star began her career as Courtney Walker on this short-lived show, and she couldn’t have known that in just four years she would be one of America’s best “Friends.”
Jennifer Lawrence, age 16, “Monk”
The Oscar-winning star’s career didn’t start too auspiciously, as she played a mascot in an episode of “Monk.” Yes, it’s as amazing as it sounds.
Lupita Nyong’o, age 26, “Shuga”
The breakout star of “12 Years A Slave” first became known in the MTV drama series “Shuga.”
Sandra Bullock, age 23, “Hangmen”
Bullock’s first role was as Lisa Edwards in this long-forgotten spy thriller. Fun fact: The movie starred the real-life Jake Lamotta, the basis of Robert De Niro’s character in “Raging Bull.” #themoreyouknow
Best Scared As S— Performance
Brad Pitt, age 23, “Another World”
One of the biggest stars of them all came from small beginnings, playing “Chris” in an episode of the long-running series “Another World.”
Ethan Hawke, age 15, “Explorers”
Hawke’s first role was a doozy, playing young hero Ben Crandall in the Spielberg-produced adventure film “Explorers.” His co-star, River Phoenix, wasn’t too shabby either.
Jessica Chastain, age 27, “E.R.”
The acclaimed actress got a late break in the hit TV show, playing Dahlia Taslitz in the episode “Forgive and Forget,” two things her character would not do in “Zero Dark Thirty.”
Rose Byrne, age 15, “Dallas Doll”
Though she was only 15, Byrne got the fifth lead in this dark golf comedy (a genre that does not have many entries), playing Rastus Sommers.
Vera Farmiga, age 24, “Roar”
Farmiga started her career playing opposite Heath Ledger in the 1997 series “Roar,” a fantasy/adventure story in the vein of “Hercules” and “Xena: Warrior Princess,” and yeah, she looks pretty badass with a bow and arrow.
Best Breakthrough Performance
Liam James, age 11, “Good Luck Chuck”
James played the adorable and aptly named “Boy In Penguin Habitat” in the 2006 Dane Cooke comedy.
Margot Robbie, age 18, “City Homicide”
Before her stunning turn in “Wolf of Wall Street,” Robbie was in an episode of the still-running Australian TV series “City Homicide.”
Michael B. Jordan, age 12, “Cosby”
Jordan, who starred in two of the most popular TV series of the last decade (“Friday Night Lights” and “The Wire”) started his acting career in an episode with TV legend Bill Cosby. Not a bad person to break in with.
Miles Teller, age 17, “Moonlighters”
The future Mr. Fantastic was first seen in this low budget short film when he was only 17.
Will Poulter, age 14, “Son of Rambow”
If you didn’t see Poulter as one of the stars of this indie darling in 2006, you should: He and the movie are both wonderful.
Best On-Screen Duo
Christian Bale, age 12, “Anastasia: The Mystery Of Anna”
Bale had one of the most illustrious careers of any child actor, working with Spielberg and starring in “Newsies” all before he was out of his teens. But his first role was a small one in this TV movie about the last Czar of Russia.
Ice Cube, age 21, “Boyz N the Hood”
Ice Cube was already an accomplished rapper before his “Boyz N the Hood” role of Doughboy propelled him into mainstream movie stardom.
Kevin Hart, age 22, “Paper Soldiers”
The now-blockbuster comedy star’s first role was “Shawn” in “Paper Soldiers,” which was, appropriately enough for the “Ride Along” star, an action/crime/comedy caper. This time, though, Hart is on the other side of the law, playing a likeable burglar.
Jonah Hill, age 21, “I Heart Huckabees”
The one-two punch of Hill’s part as Bret in “Huckabees” and his scene-stealing role the following year in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” helped pave the way for Hill to become not only a comedy superstar, but a two-time Oscar nominee.
Jared Leto, age 21, “Camp Wilder”
Like his “Dallas Buyers Club” co-star McConaughey, Leto started on TV in this early ’90s series, and started with his shirt off.
Vin Diesel, age 23, “Awakenings”
Diesel wasn’t even credited for his role as a hospital orderly in this TV series, but you just have to take one look to know it’s Vin.
Paul Walker, age 13, “Monster In The Closet”
An adorable 13-year-old Walker played “Professor” Bennett in this ’80s horror movie spoof.
Best Cameo
Amy Poehler, age 26, “Apt. 2F”
The multi-talented comedian starred in this TV series with some of her Second City co-stars. Also pictured: A young, and beardless, Zach Galifianakis. Consider your mind blown.
Tina Fey, age 29, “Upright Citizens Brigade”
While Fey had already started out as a writer, her first appearance on screen was in the episode “Mogomra vs. The Fart Monster,” which we’re sure is how she wants to be remembered.
Joan Rivers, age 35, “The Swimmer”
This trailblazer of women’s comedy first started in film in this drama starring Burt Lancaster. We wonder how she’d rate her outfit.
Kanye West, age 30, “Entourage”
The iconic rapper first tried his hand at acting with a small role as himself in the 2007 “Entourage” episode “No Cannes Do.”
Rihanna, age 24, “Battleship”
The star recording artist got a juicy role for her first-ever part, as Petty Officer Waikes in “Battleship,” then went on to play herself in last year’s “This Is The End.”
Robert De Niro, age 22, “Three Rooms In Manhattan”
Even in his uncredited first-ever role, De Niro dominates the frame.
Best Transformation
Elizabeth Banks, age 24, “Surrender Dorothy”
Even in black and white, Banks shines through. She’s impossible to miss at the 15 second mark of the trailer for this indie ’90s movie.
Orlando Bloom, age 19, “Casualty”
Like so many stars, the future Legolas started in a soap opera, this one a BBC hospital drama, where he had a recurring role as Noel Harrison.
Best Shirtless Performance
Sam Claflin, age 24, “Pillars of the Earth”
Before he wore very little as Finnick in “Catching Fire,” Sam Claflin wore armor in the TV mini-series “Pillars of the Earth.”
Zac Efron, age 15, “Firefly”
Little-known fact: Before Zac Efron was a shirtless legend, he was a 15-year-old in space. Well, we’re not sure he actually went to space, but he played someone who did, which is close enough.
Chris Hemsworth, age 19, “Guinevere Jones”
Even gods of thunder have to start somewhere, and Chris Hemsworth started as King Arthur on the TV series “Guinevere Jones.” And, yes, he rocked a nice, long, curly ‘do.
Best Comedic Performance
Johnny Knoxville, age 21, “The Ben Stiller Show”
Take a good look at the kid on the left. What a jackass, right? Yes, our favorite daredevil’s first role was an uncredited bit as a bummed-out Cure fan on “The Ben Stiller Show.”
Melissa McCarthy, age 27, “The Jenny McCarthy Show”
It’s almost too weird to be true: Did you know that Melissa McCarthy and Jenny McCarthy are cousins? Now you do! And it was this connection that snagged the “The Heat” star her first gig, playing herself.
Jason Sudeikis, age 23, “Alien Avengers II”
Before he was doing dead-on impressions of Mitt Romney and killing his bosses, Jason Sudeikis had a bit part (“Chester”) in a TV movie. Not only was it a TV movie, it was a TV movie sequel. Harsh, man.
Best Hero
Henry Cavill, age 18, “Laguna”
Even as a teen in “Laguna,” Henry Cavill had good looks that traveled faster than the speed of light.
Robert Downey Jr., age 5, “Pound”
Yes, that is a 5-year-old RDJ and, yes, his role is “Puppy.” On top of all that, he went by “Bob” back then. Thud.
Martin Freeman, age 26, “The Bill”
Yes, even as a young man, we knew that Freeman was destined for a round trip to the Lonely Mountain.
Channing Tatum, age 24, “CSI: Miami”
If anyone can make bad look good, it’s Channing Tatum.
Best Villain
Barkhad Abdi, age 28, “Captain Phillips”
Surprise! Abdi’s turn as the Somali pirate Muse was not only his big break, it was his first break. He’s still the captain now.
Benedict Cumberbatch, age 26, “Fields of Gold”
Hey, you’ve gotta walk before you can be an intergalactic space villain. Benedict Cumberbatch knows that.
Michael Fassbender, age 24, “Hearts and Bones”
As if we needed to crush on Fassbender even more, he got his start on a soapish mini-series. As a dude named Hermann. D’awwww.
Mila Kunis, age 12, “The John Larroquette Show”
Kunis has been bewitching us since she was a tiny little boo on “The John Larroquette Show.”
Donald Sutherland, age 27, “Studio 4”
The legendary Donald Sutherland’s first role, as a switchboard operator on “Studio 4,” is so far back that we can’t even find a pic of it. Do you think he knew even then that he’d one day be an evil, possibly cannibalistic president?
Start the summer movie season with the 2014 MTV Movie Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, Sunday, April 13 @ 9/8c! Get ready for the show with exclusive MTV Movie Awards Takeover movie previews. Then, during the 2014 Movie Awards show, watch our All-Access MTV Movie Awards Live Stream on MTV.com.
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