Actors make magic on screen and on red carpets. However, it’s essential to recognize the talent and hard work that goes into these careers.
Here are some fascinating truths and fun facts about the most famous movie stars.
1. Cynthia Erivo Is on the EGOT Path
Cynthia Erivo is making waves, especially with the rising popularity of “Wicked.” Before that, she made a name for herself on Broadway. The British-Nigerian actress has been open about the importance of representation for the younger generation.
Erivo is also on the path to becoming an EGOT winner — at only 38 years old, she has been awarded an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award and a Tony Award. All that’s left is the coveted Academy Award! Will “Wicked” be the film to solidify her status?
2. ‘The Princess Diaries 2’ Got Julie Andrews to Sing Again
Julie Andrews, famous for her four-octave range, is best known for her roles in “Mary Poppins” and “The Sound of Music.” However, vocal chord surgery in 1997 limited her ability to sing. She finally sang again on screen in 2004 in “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” — a moment which reportedly brought crew members to tears.
3. Rowan Atkinson has a Master’s Degree
Whether you’re a film enthusiast or not, you must know Rowan Atkinson’s iconic voice from “Mr. Bean.” In addition to the sitcom, he starred in two Mr. Bean movies and other excellent films like “Johnny English.” The idea that funny people are incredibly intelligent is true in Atkinson’s case — he has a master’s degree in electrical engineering.
4. Ke Huy Quan Took a Break From Acting
Ke Huy Quan won an Academy Award for his supporting role in “Everything Everywhere All At Once” in 2023. In his winning speech, he recalls how he was once a refugee on a boat before entering Hollywood. Quan briefly had an acting career in the 1980s, featuring in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and “The Goonies” before he called it quits. Thankfully, he returned to the scene after getting inspired by “Crazy Rich Asians.”
5. Harrison Ford Can Fly a Plane
The main man behind the Indiana Jones franchise also has a fascinating background. Harrison Ford can fly his own aircraft thanks to his piloting skills. He owns numerous private jets, cars, bikes and vans.
6. Steve McQueen Owns a Rare Car
Steve McQueen has quite the filmography, appearing in films such as “The Magnificent Seven” and “The Great Escape.” His rise to fame made him reputable and wealthy, to the point of even owning a 1957 Jaguar XKSS, one of the rarest cars in the world. He came from humble beginnings, though, simply racing engines and managing a Missouri farm out in the country.
7. Ryan Reynolds Saved ‘Deadpool’
Ryan Reynolds is the beloved Canadian actor behind films like “The Proposal.” But did you know the 2016 hit “Deadpool” — and its subsequent sequels — wouldn’t have happened without him? Legend has it that Reynolds himself was behind the famous “Deadpool” demo footage leak in 2014. The studio doubted whether he could make the comic-book anti-hero funny and lovable, but the public’s response to the demo proved otherwise.
8. Robert Pattinson Lived With Stars Before They Were Famous
Robert Pattinson has shown his range, starring in science fiction movies like “Tenet” and action films like “The Batman.” Before he rose to fame, he used to share a home with other superstars, such as Jamie Dornan, Andrew Garfield, Eddie Redmayne and Charlie Cox. The group of superstars didn’t know what their future in the film industry had in store!
9. Tom Hardy Used to Be a Rapper
You would recognize Tom Hardy as one of Hollywood’s best, but you may not know that he used to be more of a rapper. He even got a recording deal. While he chose to pursue his acting career instead, it goes to show how multifaceted these stars are.
10. Emma Stone Used PowerPoint to Become an Actor
Emma Stone has won two Academy Awards in the last decade — one for “La La Land” in 2017 and one for “Poor Things” in 2024. It’s lucky for us that her parents allowed her to move to California! She used a witty PowerPoint presentation to convince her parents to pursue her acting career.
11. Jennifer Lawrence Did Not Graduate From High School
Jennifer Lawrence has gained almost everyone’s adoration. She is applauded as one of the best movie actors, especially for her performance as Katniss Everdeen in “The Hunger Games” and its subsequent sequels. She has opened up about her decision to drop out of school at an early age, focusing instead on furthering her acting career.
12. Angelina Jolie Is an Avid Humanitarian
Angelina Jolie knows how to command a room. One underrated fact about her is that she tirelessly carries out humanitarian work. Jolie has gone on more than 60 field missions over the past decades as a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Special Envoy. She holds so much love and passion for finding solutions for people who have had to leave their homes.
Shine the Spotlight
If there’s anything you should take away from this list, it’s that talent comes from the unlikeliest places and people. Each person has a story, no matter how silly it may seem. Perhaps take a chance on people by shining the spotlight on them and seeing what happens!
