Have you ever watched an old re-run episode or a really old film and had a sudden "Hey, that's the guy from the thing!" moment.

Yes, it's hard to believe it but some of the most well-known and recognisable actors and actresses working today were once obscure extras in a background scene.

Here's just a small selection and video evidence to back it up too.

 

7. BRYAN CRANSTON was in Seinfeld, The Power Rangers and... Baywatch?!

Yup, the One Who Knocks was on such 90's classics as Seinfeld, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Baywatch. Cranston's career only took off with Malcolm In The Middle and, subsequently, Breaking Bad. He had a recurring role in Seinfeld as Tim Whatley, Dentist to the Stars and was the voice of Snizard and Twin Man on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

 

6. TOM HARDY & MICHAEL FASSBENDER were in Band of Brothers

Band of Brothers had a huge cast and drew from the UK casting pool when it was filmed all the way back in 2001 and included many young actors. Two of note were Tom Hardy and our own Michael Fassbender, who both had blink-and-you'll-miss-them parts. Poor 'oul Tom died in his role, though. Not only that, the guy who played the Dentist from Love / Hate and the guy who played Brian Lenihan in Charlie had a role as Lt. Dike.

 

5. EMMA STONE was in Medium and Malcolm In The Middle

Emma Stone's pretty much everywhere now, but she crept up in a couple of bit parts. Most notable of these was Malcolm In The Middle and an episode of Medium with Patricia Arquette. Who knew, eh?

 

4. KEIRA KNIGHTLEY was in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace as a double for Natalie Portman

At just 12 years of age, Knightley played Sabe, Princess Amidala's double. But not only that, she played Portman's screen double for the wide-angle shots when she was off in classes. Here's Knightley explaining it all on Graham Norton from a few months ago.

 

3. BRADLEY COOPER was in Sex & The City and it was his first on-screen credit

As first jobs go, wearing the face off Sarah Jessica Parker and starring in one of the most well-known TV shows isn't bad going. Cooper was just out of acting school when he landed this bit-part on Sex & The City.

 

2. SIGOURNEY WEAVER was in Annie Hall and you don't even see her face

Again, another first screen credit. The woman who'd go on to play Lt. Ellen Ripley was in the final scene of Woody Allen's classic, Annie Hall, where she played Allen's girlfriend. It was a wide shot and you can barely see her face. Not only that, Weaver didn't even have a line.

 

1. RENEE ZELWEGGER was in Dazed & Confused for a split-second

You know the scene when Matthew McConaughey's talking about high-school girls staying the same age, and then miraculously, one walks by? That's Renee Zellwegger. You see her again when she's giving Parker Posey a hand with the beer funnel thing. Watch the video below. She's the one with the red-and-blue top.