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Celebs Who Got Their Start in Horror Movies

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Oct 29, 2014 5:38 PM
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George Clooney, Return to Horror High, Celebs Who Started In Horror
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Image Entertainment

George Clooney in Return to Horror High (1987)

He might be one of the biggest A-listers on the planet, but back in 1987 Clooney was getting his start playing a cop in movie about a string of high school murders. Spoiler alert: he doesn't make it.

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CFP

Renée Zellweger in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994)

The future Bridget Jones appeared alongside a very creepy Matthew McConaughey in yet another sequel to the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

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3/29
Paramount Pictures

Kevin Bacon in Friday the 13th (1980)

What better way to start off your career than by getting an arrow through the neck, courtesy of Jason Voorhees' mother?!

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Samuel Goldwyn Company

Jim Carrey in Once Bitten (1985)

This vampire horror-comedy was one of the very first roles for the man who would eventually go on to make a comedic dynasty. He was only 23 years old in this film where he played a virgin high school student.

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5/29
Trimark Pictures

Jennifer Aniston in Leprechaun (1993)

Before she became the beautiful and lovable Rachel on Friends, never forget that Jen Aniston had her face licked through a telephone during this movie.

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Bradley Cooper in My Little Eye (2002)

The Oscar-nominee plays a very suspicious guy in this British horror movie that follows five strangers who are being filmed while isolated in a mansion together.

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7/29
WIN

Ryan Phillippe in Deadly Invasion (1995)

This made-for-TV flick is about an attack of Killer Bees, which means it's basically Birds but with bees, and not as good. Now if only someone could make a horror mashup of the two called The Birds and the Bees...

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8/29

Naomi Watts in The Shaft (2001)

It's hard to believe that this future Oscar-nominated actress starred in this movie (also known as Down) as a reporter investigating the happenings surrounding an evil elevator.

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9/29

Johnny Depp in Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

The world was introduced to the one and only Johnny Depp for the very first time in the original Freddy film. It's too bad his character meets a very, very bloody end.

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10/29
Republic Pictures Home Video

Brad Pitt in Cutting Class (1989)

The future hubby of Angelina Jolie played a local basketball star in this slasher film that marked his first major movie role.

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11/29
Warner Home

Jaimie Alexander in Rest Stop (2006)

Before she was badass warrior in Thor, Jaimie was running around half-naked and bloody in a film about a scary rest stop. Although, even without crazy murderers, rest stops are scary enough.

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12/29
Columbia

Eva Mendes in Urban Legends: Final Cut (2000)

Ryan Gosling's baby mama had a supporting role in this sequel to the 1998 hit horror film, which also starred Once Upon a Time's Jennifer Morrison. Mendes first role ever was also in a scary movie sequel: Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror.

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MGM

Tom Hanks in He Knows You're Alone (1980)

America's favorite living actor made his debut with a small part in this low-budget slasher film.

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20th Century Fox

Ben Affleck in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

The current Batman had a bit role as a basketball player who plays against a vampire in this horror-comedy film written by Joss Whedon. 

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Touchtone Pictures

Abigail Breslin in Signs (2002)

Abigail was only six years old when she appeared alongside Mel Gibson in the M. Night Shyamalan alien thriller.

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Animal Planet

Ellen Page in Ghost Cat (2003)

So this made-for-TV movie starring the X-Men alum is basically if Pet Cemetery was only about the evil cat.

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Embassy

Demi Moore in Parasite (1982)

This science fiction movie was only Demi's second acting gig ever..and it was in 3D!

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INFphoto.com

Zach Galifianakis in Below (2002)

Blink and you might miss the Hangover star's appearance as "Weird" Wally in this haunted submarine film. 

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New Line

Leonardo DiCaprio in Critters 3 (1991)

Oscar's favorite bridesmaid-never-a-bride cut his acting teeth on this cult classic.

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New Line

Viggo Mortensen in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990)

The full title of this film starring the Lord of the Rings hunk is actually Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, not to be confused with the countless other Texas Chainsaw spinoffs, sequels and prequels. And yes, Viggo plays a real creep.

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Compass International Pictures

Jamie Lee Curtis in Halloween (1978)

The "scream queen" started her legacy by facing off against one of the most iconic killers of all time: Michael Myers.

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Miramax Films

Henry Cavill in Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005)

Before he was Superman, Henry Cavill battled (and lost) to Pinhead in the eighth film in the Hellraiser franchise.

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Kevin Winter/Getty Images

John Travolta in The Devil's Rain (1975)

Just like Grease, Travolta played a guy named Danny. But very unlike Grease, he was dealing with Satan worshipers. Unless we totally misunderstood Grease.

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24/29
Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images

Gerard Butler in Tale of the Mummy (1998)

This movie was not only scarier (and more terrible) than Brendan Frasier's Mummy trilogy, but it was also Gerard Butler's third movie role ever.

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