Have you ever heard of the saying “overnight success takes a decade”? It’s a phrase that’s often used in the entertainment industry, and it couldn’t be more true. Many actors have toiled away for years, facing rejection after rejection, before finally getting their big break. But what about those moments when they were ready to throw in the towel? When they were convinced that they’d never make it as an actor and that it was time to move on to something else?

Well, we’ve scoured the internet and dug up some fascinating stories of actors who nearly gave up before they hit the big time. These are people who were on the verge of quitting, only to have something unexpected happen that changed their careers forever. Whether it was a chance encounter with a casting director, a fortuitous audition, or simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time, these actors managed to turn their dreams into a reality.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

13 Henry Cavill

     Warner Bros.

Henry Cavill’s journey to stardom was a long and winding one. He started out as a struggling actor, working odd jobs and struggling to get noticed in the competitive world of Hollywood. But he never gave up, and eventually landed a role on the hit show The Tudors. From there, he went on to play Superman in the blockbuster film Man of Steel, making him a household name overnight.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

12 Melissa McCarthy

     Via: Chernin Productions

Melissa McCarthy’s road to fame was a bit of a bumpy one. After years of working in the comedy circuit, she finally landed a regular spot on Gilmore Girls. But it wasn’t until she starred in the hit film Bridesmaids that she really broke through. Since then, she’s become one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood, known for her roles in films like The Heat and Spy.

11 Jenna Fischer

     Netflix

Jenna Fischer is perhaps best known for her role as Pam Beesly on the hit show The Office. But before she landed that gig, Fischer was just another struggling actress trying to make it in Hollywood. She auditioned for countless roles, and even worked as a receptionist to make ends meet. But her persistence paid off, and she eventually landed the role that would make her a star.

10 Viola Davis

     Disney - ABC Domestic Television

Viola Davis has had an incredible career, but it wasn’t always easy for her. She started out in theater, working her way up from small roles to larger ones. But it wasn’t until she landed the lead in the hit show How to Get Away with Murder that she really broke through. Since then, she’s become one of the most respected actresses in the industry, winning numerous awards for her performances.

9 Sandra Bullock

     Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Sandra Bullock has been a Hollywood mainstay for decades, but it wasn’t always smooth sailing for her. She started out as a struggling actress, working a series of odd jobs and trying to get noticed in the competitive world of Hollywood. But she never gave up, and eventually landed a series of successful films that made her a household name.

8 Noah Centineo

Noah Centineo’s rise to fame has been nothing short of meteoric. He started out as a relatively unknown actor, working on small projects and trying to make a name for himself. But it wasn’t until he starred in the hit Netflix film To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before that he really broke through. Since then, he’s become one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood, with a string of successful projects under his belt.

7 Max Greenfield

     20th Century Fox Television

Max Greenfield’s career has been on the rise for quite some time, but it wasn’t always easy for him. He started out as a struggling actor, working a series of odd jobs and trying to get noticed in Hollywood. But he never gave up, and eventually landed a series of successful roles that have made him a household name. Today, he’s known for his work on shows like New Girl and The Neighborhood.

6 Milo Ventimiglia

Milo Ventimiglia is another actor who nearly gave up before his big break. After struggling to find work in Hollywood, Milo was on the verge of quitting and moving back home to California. But just when he was about to throw in the towel, he landed a role on the hit TV show Gilmore Girls. It was his role as the charming and beloved character Jess Mariano that really put him on the map, and he’s been steadily working in the industry ever since.

5 Kristen Stewart

     Summit

Kristen Stewart is probably known as the outbreak star of the late 2000s. But behind the popularity is yet another actor who almost gave up before making it big. After starting her career as a child actor, Kristen hit a rough patch in her teenage years and struggled to find roles that really challenged her as an actress. But it was her portrayal of the iconic character Bella Swan in the Twilight series that really launched her into the spotlight. She’s since gone on to prove her versatility as an actress with a wide range of roles in both independent and blockbuster films.

4 Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown is young, but the actor has already made a huge impact in the industry. But it wasn’t always easy for her. Millie moved to the United States from England when she was just eight years old, and it took her a while to get her footing in Hollywood. However, it was her appearance of the telekinetic and telepathic Eleven in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things that really put her on the map. Millie’s talent and dedication to her craft have made her one of the most promising young actors in the industry.

Related : Every Upcoming Millie Bobby Brown Movie & TV Show We’re Excited to See

3 Chris Hemsworth

     Marvel Studios

Chris Hemsworth, however much famous, almost decided to quit his acting career before finding his big break. Hemsworth started his career in Australia, where he appeared in a number of television shows and films. Despite his hard work, Hemsworth struggled to find steady work and even considered leaving acting behind. It wasn’t until he landed the role of Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that his career really took off. From there, Hemsworth went on to become one of the biggest names in Hollywood, starring in a number of blockbuster movies and TV shows.

2 Gal Gadot

     Warner Bros. Pictures

Gal Gadot is another actor who found success in the superhero genre. She’s best known for her role as Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe, but before she was fighting crime on the big screen, she was just another actress trying to make it in Hollywood. Gadot got her start in the industry as a model and took on small roles in film and television. But it wasn’t until she landed the lead in Wonder Woman that she really made a name for herself. Her portrayal of the iconic superheroine made her a fan favorite, and she’s gone on to have a successful career in both film and television.

1 John Krasinski

     NBCUniversal Television Distribution

John Krasinski came close to giving up on his dreams before finally finding success. Krasinski started his career in the early 2000s, appearing in small roles on television and in films. Despite his hard work and talent, Krasinski struggled to find steady work and even considered quitting acting altogether. It wasn’t until he landed the role of Jim Halpert on the hit show The Office that his career shot to new heights. From there, Krasinski went on to star in a number of other successful TV shows and movies, and he has even turned to directing and producing.