Before They Were Famous: Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Olsen & James Marsden

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.

 Elizabeth Olsen (AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON)

Elizabeth Olsen has made a fantastic career for herself, out of the shadow of her famous twin sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley. But before she was fleeing cults in MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE, and kicking robot ass in AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, “Lizzie” was just another kid sister, wanting to be included in her older siblings’ adventures.

I don’t know about you, but The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley movie series was my life’s blood as a kid. I had them all on VHS, proudly displayed in my bedroom. In “The Case of Thorn Mansion” (1994), little Lizzie Olsen wants to accompany her sisters on their quest to solve a mystery. But, as only the Olsen twins could do, they tell her a firm “no”… through a borderline creepy rap song titled “B-U-T-T Out”. It’s honestly amazing how many odd phrases the lyricists (if you can call them that) found to rhyme with each other. “Hasta la vista baby seestah”… really?

Don’t worry, Lizzie… you aren’t “chopped livuh” and one day you will be able to say your r’s! B-U-T-T will I ever get this song out of my head? The jury’s out.

Russell Crowe (THE WATER DIVINER)

I don't know what I enjoy more, baby Russell Crowe on an Australian soap opera called THE YOUNG DOCTORS (1976), or big '80s hair Russell Crowe in a bank commercial (1989). That's why I decided to include both. Are you not entertained?!

In the first clip, a 12-year-old “Russell” (guess they didn’t bother to change his name) is hospitalized after complaining of pains in his abdomen. Only, he can't seem to remember where exactly it hurts; he keeps pointing to a different place on his belly each time. After some diagnostic testing, the nurse figures out that Russell was faking his illness. He was lonely because his parents were constantly at the local pub, so he was reaching out for attention; the nurse gives him a placebo, or sugar pill, as treatment. Poor thing.

The next clip is a bit more upbeat, with now 25-year-old Crowe rocking big hair and chasing after girls outside of a club. While the hot girls get in free, the club charges a cover for men. Of course, Crowe and another man don’t have any cash. But while the other man is trying to remember his tricky pin number, Crowe uses his trusty new debit card from State Bank, which allows you to use a password instead. With his money in hand, Crowe is free to enter the club.

James Marsden (THE D TRAIN)

I wish I were here to show a really awkward, dorky-looking time in James Marsden’s life, but who am I kidding? He’s always been that handsome. Well, there were those awkward, nerdy headshots, but let's be real: he was obviously just showing his :ahem: acting range.

In one of his first televised acting gigs, Marsden’s “Eddie” charmed the eldest Sheffield daughter, Maggie, on the pilot episode of the hit series THE NANNY (1993)! His first appearance was a quick one, after he was caught making out with Maggie on the balcony during one of her dad’s parties; he was a waiter at the party. But in the fourth episode of the series, he was given a bigger scene, including a movie date with Maggie! Unfortunately, the date doesn’t go so well after Fran, who was acting as a chaperone, upstages her. When Eddie starts to show more interest in Fran, drama ensues. Only, as it turns out, Eddie really liked Maggie but wanted to use Fran to get his headshot to Mr. Sheffield, a big Broadway producer. He was scared going through Maggie would make it look like he was using her.

I don’t think Eddie was ever seen on the show again, but I’d like to think he’s out there, somewhere, dancing his little heart out in JERSEY BOYS!

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