15 Celebrities Who Auditioned Multiple Times Before Landing Their Breakout Role

15 Celebrities Who Auditioned Multiple Times Before Landing Their Breakout Role

Most of us have faced rejection at some point—whether it’s a job interview, a college application, or even asking someone out. Celebrities, despite their glamorous careers, are no strangers to hearing “no” over and over again. What sets them apart, though, is how they turned those rejections into stepping stones toward the roles that defined their careers.

1. Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games

Long before becoming Katniss Everdeen, Jennifer Lawrence had to convince producers she was the right fit. She didn’t walk into the room and instantly win them over.

Instead, she endured multiple auditions, each one requiring her to showcase new levels of grit and determination. What set her apart was her ability to embody Katniss’s strength and vulnerability.

Producers needed to believe she could carry a billion-dollar franchise, and Lawrence eventually proved she was the only one who could. Looking back, it’s almost impossible to imagine anyone else in the role.

2. Emma Watson – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Before she became the face of Hermione Granger, Emma Watson was just a schoolgirl with a big dream. She went through eight separate auditions, reading lines, performing scenes, and competing against thousands of other hopefuls.

The casting team needed someone who could bring intelligence, warmth, and a little bossiness to the role. Watson kept returning, audition after audition, refusing to give up. In the end, her determination—and her unmistakable talent—won over J.K. Rowling herself.

That persistence not only gave us the Hermione we all grew up with but also kick-started Watson’s long career as an actress, activist, and role model.

3. Denzel Washington – St. Elsewhere

Denzel Washington wasn’t handed success on a silver platter. Before landing his breakout role on the medical drama St. Elsewhere, he auditioned several times, often being told “not quite.”

Producers were hesitant about whether he fit the part, but Washington’s commitment to refining his performance made all the difference. He returned with more depth and nuance each time, eventually winning them over. His role on the show didn’t just make him a household name—it paved the way for an Oscar-winning career.

It’s hard to believe anyone ever doubted him, but his story proves that resilience is sometimes the most powerful talent of all.

4. Scarlett Johansson – The Horse Whisperer

At just 13, Scarlett Johansson auditioned for The Horse Whisperer more than once before finally winning the role. Casting directors weren’t sure if she could handle such an emotionally demanding part at such a young age.

Johansson returned again and again, each time showing more maturity and raw talent. Her persistence paid off when she landed the role, delivering a performance that caught Hollywood’s attention. It became the stepping stone to the powerhouse career she has today, from indie films to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Her journey shows that even young actors have to fight hard for their shot—and that a single role can change everything.

5. Chris Hemsworth – Thor

Landing the role of Thor wasn’t easy for Chris Hemsworth. In fact, he was initially rejected. Producers even considered his younger brother, Liam, before giving Chris another look.

Determined not to lose out, Hemsworth auditioned multiple times, polishing his performance and proving he had the charisma, presence, and humor to embody the God of Thunder.

Eventually, Marvel realized he was their guy, and the rest is superhero history. It’s wild to imagine the MCU without him. His persistence didn’t just give him the role—it reshaped his career and made him one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars.

6. Rachel McAdams – The Notebook

Romantic dramas live or die by chemistry, and Rachel McAdams had to work hard to convince casting directors she could bring Allie to life. She auditioned multiple times, each round putting her through emotional and demanding scenes.

Her biggest challenge was proving she could connect with Ryan Gosling, who was already cast. Producers wanted undeniable sparks, and McAdams returned to audition until she made it happen.

When the film finally debuted, her performance became iconic. The Notebook solidified her place in Hollywood and gave us one of the most memorable love stories in cinema history—all thanks to her persistence in the audition room.

7. Sylvester Stallone – Rocky

The story of Sylvester Stallone and Rocky is practically Hollywood legend. Not only did he write the screenplay, but he also fought tooth and nail to play the lead role.

Producers wanted bigger names for the part and rejected Stallone’s auditions multiple times. But he refused to sell the script unless he was cast as Rocky Balboa. Eventually, they relented.

The film became a massive success, earning Oscar nominations and launching Stallone’s career. His relentless fight to play the role mirrors Rocky’s underdog story, making his journey one of the most inspiring examples of persistence in film history.

8. Meryl Streep – Kramer vs. Kramer

Even Meryl Streep, often hailed as the greatest actress of her generation, had to fight for her big break. When she auditioned for Kramer vs. Kramer, producers weren’t entirely convinced she was the right choice.

She returned to audition multiple times, bringing more nuance and emotional depth with each attempt. Eventually, her determination and undeniable talent won them over.

The role earned her an Academy Award and cemented her reputation as a powerhouse performer. Streep’s journey proves that even legends sometimes have to push through rejection before the world realizes their brilliance.

9. Tom Holland – Spider-Man

For Tom Holland, the road to becoming Spider-Man was long and grueling. He auditioned for nearly a year, sending in countless self-tapes, doing stunts, and participating in endless screen tests.

At one point, he thought he’d lost the role, but Marvel kept bringing him back. What won them over was his mix of athletic ability, boyish charm, and genuine awkwardness—qualities that perfectly captured Peter Parker.

When he finally got the call, Holland became the youngest actor to ever play the role. His persistence not only gave fans a beloved new Spider-Man but also skyrocketed his career.

10. Viola Davis – Doubt

Long before becoming a household name, Viola Davis had to prove she could hold her own against Meryl Streep in Doubt. Casting directors weren’t sure she was the right fit, and she went through multiple auditions to convince them.

Davis pushed through the process, showing her unmatched ability to convey raw emotion. Her eventual performance was so powerful that she earned an Oscar nomination—despite having only one major scene.

Her story is a perfect example of why never giving up matters. Davis turned a short role into a career-defining moment, setting the stage for her later success in The Help and How to Get Away With Murder.

11. Henry Cavill – Superman

Henry Cavill’s road to becoming Superman was anything but easy. He auditioned for the role more than once, even being passed over in favor of other actors for Superman Returns.

Years later, he tried again for Man of Steel. This time, his persistence and growth as an actor finally paid off. He brought the perfect mix of strength and humanity to the role.

While the franchise itself has seen ups and downs, Cavill’s performance remains a fan favorite. His story proves that sometimes the role you’re meant for just takes a little longer to come around.

12. Gal Gadot – Wonder Woman

Before she became Diana Prince, Gal Gadot auditioned for several roles within the DC universe and came up short. Each rejection was a blow, but she kept coming back.

When the chance to play Wonder Woman came along, she gave it everything she had. After multiple auditions and screen tests, she finally secured the part that would change her life.

Her portrayal redefined what a female superhero could be, inspiring millions around the world. Gadot’s journey shows that sometimes the right role requires patience and a lot of persistence.

13. Millie Bobby Brown – Stranger Things

At just 11 years old, Millie Bobby Brown faced rejection after rejection in Hollywood. By the time Stranger Things came around, she was close to giving up acting altogether.

The role of Eleven required multiple auditions, and Brown kept returning until she finally won over the Duffer Brothers. Her performance became the heart of the show, turning her into one of the youngest breakout stars in TV history.

Her story is a reminder that even kids aren’t immune to rejection—but perseverance can lead to life-changing success.

14. Robert Pattinson – Twilight

At just 11 years old, Millie Bobby Brown faced rejection after rejection in Hollywood. By the time Stranger Things came around, she was close to giving up acting altogether.

The role of Eleven required multiple auditions, and Brown kept returning until she finally won over the Duffer Brothers. Her performance became the heart of the show, turning her into one of the youngest breakout stars in TV history.

Her story is a reminder that even kids aren’t immune to rejection—but perseverance can lead to life-changing success.

15. Matthew McConaughey – Dazed and Confused

“Alright, alright, alright” almost never happened. Matthew McConaughey wasn’t the obvious pick for Dazed and Confused. He had to audition several times before Richard Linklater was convinced he was the perfect Wooderson.

McConaughey kept showing up, bringing charisma and charm to every audition. Eventually, his persistence paid off, and he delivered one of the most memorable breakout performances of the ’90s.

That role gave him a career launchpad, leading to rom-com stardom and eventually an Oscar. His story proves that sometimes persistence doesn’t just win you a role—it sets the tone for an entire career.