Hollywood A-Listers Who Got Their Big Break in Horror Films

Mariska Hargitay

Detective Olivia Benson wasn't always prowling the streets of New York City in search of bad guys. In 1985, Hargitay made her film debut as Donna in the cult classic Ghoulies. The film was dismissed as "a cut-rate 'Gremlins'" with "unexceptional performances" and "a lot of badly simulated gore," but that didn't stop Mariska from earning a well-deserved spot among Hollywood's elite.

Jessica Lange

She may have reentered the modern mainstream with her iconic roles in American Horror Story, but Jessica Lange first rose to popularity when she debuted in 1976's King Kong. Lange earned a Golden Globe Award for her performance as Dwan. Although the monster flick did effectively launch her career, she reportedly received enough negative publicity that it "almost destroyed her career."

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The More You Know

  • Quentin Tarantino wants to stop making movies after his 10th film. The Hateful Eight was his 8th film.
  • Disney turned down the chance to make Back to the Future claiming the mother/son relationship was too risqué.
  • While filming ‘The Machinist,’ Christian Bale only ate an apple and a can of tuna each day. His goal was to weigh 100 pounds before producers stopped him.
  • To thank Robin Williams for his work on Aladdin, Disney sent him a late Pablo Picasso painting.
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Post originally appeared on Upbeat News.