Before They Were Famous: Matthew McConaughey, Jake Gyllenhaal & Grant Gustin

November 6th 2014, 11:48pm

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

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.

Matthew McConaughey (INTERSTELLAR)

Matthew McConaughey has had a huge year. First, he starred in the hit HBO show TRUE DETECTIVE, then he secured a Best Actor win at the Oscars for his performance in DALLAS BUYER’S CLUB. Now, he is starring in one of the biggest projects of the year, ~~a Lincoln commercial~~ INTERSTELLAR. However, before all of the rom-coms and the McConaissance, McConaughey was a music video hunk. Yep, that is 23-year-old Matthew playing the bad news boyfriend in Trisha Yearwood’s video for “Walkaway Joe” (1993).

In this depressing video, McConaughey’s character ruins a young girl’s life when he takes her away from home, robs some stores, and then inevitably leaves her, just like her dad left her mom. Phew, if that isn’t the epitome of a country song, I don’t know what is! Can you blame the girl for going with him, though? Just look how he leans against that car!

At the Washington, DC premiere of INTERSTELLAR, I asked McConaughey about "Walkaway Joe". He explained, "I had kinda forgotten about ['Walkaway Joe'] until I had the Cinematheque Awards the other night, which was a compilation of 51 films I've done over 22 years, and that was the first thing that came up! That, and [a clip from] of Unsolved Mysteries. I was like, 'I remember that!' My wife hadn't seen it and she asked, 'What are you doing?' I said, 'That's 'Walkaway Joe.'"

Grant Gustin (THE FLASH)

THE FLASH is one of the best-reviewed new shows of 2014 and is also the CW’s most-watched TV show in network history. But, before Grant Gustin became Barry Allen (aka “The Flash”), he starred in videos for NASA’s Kids Science News Network (KSNN) in 2004. Looks like Barry isn’t the only one with a love for science!

KSNN was produced by NASA Langley's Center for Distance Learning in Hampton, Va., and being that Grant is from Norfolk, Va, this must have been one of his first gigs. KSNN was a video and web-based series geared towards kids in grades 3-5 for the purpose of explaining various concepts from the fields of science, mathematics, and technology. In the 60-second video above, 14-year-old Grant is schooled by the sassy “Julieth” about the process of going on a manned mission to Mars. Who knows what superhero Grant would turn into thanks to all of that space radiation! Also, do you think I can get KSNN to help explain parts of INTERSTELLAR?

Jake Gyllenhaal (NIGHTCRAWLER)

The only thing cuter than Jake Gyllenhaal is baby Jake Gyllenhaal. Especially after his creepy role in NIGHTCRAWLER, we need a little Jake palate cleanser.

10-year-old Gyllenhaal had a small part playing Mitch Robbin’s (Billy Crystal) son, Danny, in CITY SLICKERS (1991). In this hilarious scene, Mitch comes to his son’s school during career day to tell the children about his occupation. An embarrassed Danny initially lies to his classmates and tells them his father is a submarine commander to make his job seem more interesting. In reality, Mitch sells ad space for a radio station. As Mitch begins to tell the children about his boring job, he starts to unravel, showing just how disappointed he is by his current situation. Danny’s obvious disappointment is a major catalyst that encourages Mitch to later go on the midlife crisis trip to New Mexico.

If the above movie clip wasn’t cute enough, there is even more footage of Jake being interviewed about CITY SLICKERS in 1991! Here, he talks about Billy Crystal, riding horses, and his double-jointedness (?). What an adorable show off!