Welcome to “Before They Were Famous“, where we take a look at some of the past exploits of today's biggest stars, be it from movies, television, Broadway, competitions, etc.! The more embarrassing, the better. Our memories are long, but the internet's memory is forever, so jump back in time with us to witness some of our favorite stars before they were marquee names.
Bradley Cooper (AMERICAN SNIPER)
Along with Aaron Paul’s appearance on THE PRICE IS RIGHT, this clip of Bradley Cooper asking questions to Sean Penn and Robert De Niro on INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO (1999) is in the pantheon of best “Before They Were Famous” clips. Cooper is currently receiving critical praise and award nominations for his masterful portrayal of U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle in the new Clint Eastwood-directed film AMERICAN SNIPER. And based on his detailed question to De Niro about his character’s mannerisms in AWAKENINGS, it’s easy to see how observant an actor Cooper was even then. Not to mention, he must have been a respected and gifted student to get to ask two acting legends about their craft!
In 2011, Cooper appeared on an episode of INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO himself, marking the first time a student from the drama school went on to be a guest on the show. In this incredibly emotional, heartwarming appearance, Cooper gave thanks to the people who got him to where he is today, including his Basic Technique teacher, Elizabeth Kemp.
How awesome is it that Bradley Cooper went from asking Robert De Niro a question, as an acting student, to working with him in three films! The two will next collaborate on the David O. Russell film JOY, starring Jennifer Lawrence.
Liam Neeson (TAKEN 3)
It appears that one of Liam Neeson’s particular sets of skills, skills acquired over a very long career, includes wearing a majestic patterned blazer on MIAMI VICE (1986). Playing an IRA terrorist named Sean Caroon, Neeson’s character romances Detective Gina Calabrese (Saundra Santiago). However, the relationship soon crumbles after it’s discovered that Caroon was plotting to take down a Concorde airliner using a stinger, or a surface-to-air missile (SAM). An inevitable showdown takes place on the roof of a parking garage (seen above), which Caroon was using to stage the attack. With that incredibly sad soundtrack, it is obvious Caroon isn’t making it out alive, and Calabrese, along with Detective Sonny Crockett (Don Johnson), is forced to shoot him. Caroon then falls off of the parking garage, dramatically landing on top of a “stop” symbol etched into the concrete.
I wonder what happened to that suit. Maybe it’s still hanging in Liam’s closet, awaiting its resurgence in TAKEN 3?!
Julianne Moore (STILL ALICE)
Five-time Oscar nominee Julianne Moore got her first big break on the soap opera AS THE WORLD TURNS (1985). During her three-year run, Julianne played two characters, half-sisters Frannie and Sabrina Hughes. This gave the show an excuse to use the incredible, awe-inducing special effect of split-screen! As seen in the clip above, Frannie discovered her look-alike while she was studying abroad in England. In typical soap opera fashion, a sibling rivalry quickly developed, especially after Sabrina slept with Frannie’s boyfriend while impersonating her sister! Thankfully, no one was pushed down an elevator shaft and the two sisters eventually reconciled. Moore went on to win a Daytime Emmy (1988) for her role(s) and the characters were recast after she departed that same year.
Never too big for her britches, Moore returned to AS THE WORLD TURNS in 2010 to bid the show, and her character, farewell in its final season. It’s always so nice to see a famous actor/actress pay their respects to a show that helped build their career.
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