7 hours ago
Ever wonder where A-list actors get their start? Often, it's not under the spotlight but behind the scenes, blending into crowds and delivering silent performances. These now-household names paid their dues in the background before nabbing leading roles and Oscar gold. From iconic action heroes to beloved comedic stars, here are the familiar faces who once started out as background actors and how each made their way to center stage.
ZUMA Press / MEGA
Before he was an action icon, Bruce Willis appeared in countless film and TV projects as an uncredited extra, including a background role as a courtroom observer in the Oscar-nominated legal drama The Verdict, as reported by Backstage. These early experiences paved the way for his breakthrough television role as wisecracking detective David Addison on Moonlighting, the series that first turned him into a household name, according to Britannica.
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Evangeline Lilly's path to fame started quietly, as she took on small, non-speaking parts on shows like Smallville and Kingdom Hospital before ever landing a credited role, as reported by TVOvermind. It was her role as Kate Austen on the ABC drama Lost that catapulted her to fame, with producers casting the relative newcomer over dozens of more experienced actresses who read for the part, according to CBR. Today, she's a leading action star with a loyal fanbase.
#actors
ZUMA Press / MEGA
Before he was an action icon, Bruce Willis appeared in countless film and TV projects as an uncredited extra, including a background role as a courtroom observer in the Oscar-nominated legal drama The Verdict, as reported by Backstage. These early experiences paved the way for his breakthrough television role as wisecracking detective David Addison on Moonlighting, the series that first turned him into a household name, according to Britannica.
MEGA
Evangeline Lilly's path to fame started quietly, as she took on small, non-speaking parts on shows like Smallville and Kingdom Hospital before ever landing a credited role, as reported by TVOvermind. It was her role as Kate Austen on the ABC drama Lost that catapulted her to fame, with producers casting the relative newcomer over dozens of more experienced actresses who read for the part, according to CBR. Today, she's a leading action star with a loyal fanbase.
#actors
12 days ago
Morale couldn't be lower amongst those lucky enough to survive the layoffs at The Howard Stern Show, reveals a source.
As Globe previously reported, Howard Stern said goodbye to roughly a dozen employees in the wake of plans to cut his Sirius XM radio down from two new episodes a week to just one.
"He feels badly for these people. He's not heartless and he says he did everything in his power to save as many jobs as he could," says the source. "But the fact is he needs to scale back. He's 72 years old now and wants to enjoy this stage of his life more and that means working less."
The legendary shock jock is "enjoying his summer break in the lap of luxury surrounded by other mega-rich people," the source notes. "The contrast couldn't be any more depressing for the people who are out of a job and wondering how they're going to support their families and here he is, living like a lord."
Stern recently finished a five-year, $500 million deal with Sirius XM late last year and while the terms of his new contract have not been revealed, Page Six estimates that the radio **** an will be earning about $8,000 per minute on the air based on his previously $100 million a year salary.
As Globe previously reported, Howard Stern said goodbye to roughly a dozen employees in the wake of plans to cut his Sirius XM radio down from two new episodes a week to just one.
"He feels badly for these people. He's not heartless and he says he did everything in his power to save as many jobs as he could," says the source. "But the fact is he needs to scale back. He's 72 years old now and wants to enjoy this stage of his life more and that means working less."
The legendary shock jock is "enjoying his summer break in the lap of luxury surrounded by other mega-rich people," the source notes. "The contrast couldn't be any more depressing for the people who are out of a job and wondering how they're going to support their families and here he is, living like a lord."
Stern recently finished a five-year, $500 million deal with Sirius XM late last year and while the terms of his new contract have not been revealed, Page Six estimates that the radio **** an will be earning about $8,000 per minute on the air based on his previously $100 million a year salary.
22 days ago
Wirh Wimbledon behind them, we are in wedding watch mode for the upcoming weddings of professional tennis players Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur and Tommy Paul with influencer Paige Lorenze.
De Minaur suffered a disappointing Wimbledon loss on Monday to Flavio Cobolli. He was dejected afterward and admitted that this was the last tournament he would play for a while.
MORE: At Wimbledon, Tommy Paul is mum about upcoming wedding to Paige Lorenze
He is next expected on court in Washington, DC at the Mubadala Citi Open, beginning July 25, to defend his ***** le earned last year in the emotional final over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
British Boutler and Aussie de Minaur are believed to be hosting a destination wedding in Italy.
De Minaur suffered a disappointing Wimbledon loss on Monday to Flavio Cobolli. He was dejected afterward and admitted that this was the last tournament he would play for a while.
MORE: At Wimbledon, Tommy Paul is mum about upcoming wedding to Paige Lorenze
He is next expected on court in Washington, DC at the Mubadala Citi Open, beginning July 25, to defend his ***** le earned last year in the emotional final over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
British Boutler and Aussie de Minaur are believed to be hosting a destination wedding in Italy.
23 days ago
Taylor Swift's upcoming wedding to Travis Kelce is already one of the biggest celebrity moments of 2026. But for some fans who say that Swift's influence loomed large over their own big days, it's also a sweet full-circle moment.
That includes Los Angeles-based Alex Goldschmidt, who, in 2019, went viral when Swift herself performed at his engagement party after he popped the question to his now-husband Ross.
Goldschmidt, who works in social media, met Swift backstage at an Ed Sheeran concert. He said the two hit it off so well that she later asked him to be in her music video for her 2014 single "Shake It Off." They stayed in touch — but Goldschmidt tells Yahoo that he first felt a connection with the pop star just from listening to her music.
"Growing up gay in a time when it was just becoming more normalized was hard," he says. "But her music is like listening to a diary and having a reflective moment to sit with your thoughts and feelings."
In 2019, Goldschmidt listened to her song "King of My Heart," from her 2017 album Reputation — and decided to propose. He emailed Swift to tell her how her song inspired him to take the plunge. So, Swift showed up at their engagement party with a guitar in hand. She performed an acoustic version of "King of My Heart" and snapped photos with Goldschmidt's family and friends. She even gifted the couple a Le Labo candle and "sweet note."
That includes Los Angeles-based Alex Goldschmidt, who, in 2019, went viral when Swift herself performed at his engagement party after he popped the question to his now-husband Ross.
Goldschmidt, who works in social media, met Swift backstage at an Ed Sheeran concert. He said the two hit it off so well that she later asked him to be in her music video for her 2014 single "Shake It Off." They stayed in touch — but Goldschmidt tells Yahoo that he first felt a connection with the pop star just from listening to her music.
"Growing up gay in a time when it was just becoming more normalized was hard," he says. "But her music is like listening to a diary and having a reflective moment to sit with your thoughts and feelings."
In 2019, Goldschmidt listened to her song "King of My Heart," from her 2017 album Reputation — and decided to propose. He emailed Swift to tell her how her song inspired him to take the plunge. So, Swift showed up at their engagement party with a guitar in hand. She performed an acoustic version of "King of My Heart" and snapped photos with Goldschmidt's family and friends. She even gifted the couple a Le Labo candle and "sweet note."
