For the longest time, movie stars didn’t set foot into TV series, given how different they are in storytelling. And while audiences would see a familiar TV personality in a movie occasionally, it was rare for movie stars to appear on the small screen. But that’s no longer the case. Some actors have made a name for themselves on the big and small screen—so much so that they are known for their iconic TV personas.
Benedict Cumberbatch
The actor has an expansive and successful career not only in films and TV but also on Broadway. Cumberbatch is widely recognized for his role as fictional brainiac detective Sherlock Holmes. The show, which ran from 2010 to 2017, catapulted his reputation and won him an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries. On the big screen, Cumberbatch is known for his role as Marvel’s Doctor Strange. He also starred in critically acclaimed movies like 12 Years A Slave and War Horse. Before becoming an internationally recognized star, Cumberbatch was a local British TV actor who appeared in the series Fortysomething as Rory Slippery.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis’ acting prowess is a force to be reckoned with. The star has won several awards for her movie performances, including an Oscar for her role in Fences. Davis has also been successful on the small screen, appearing in shows like The Practice and CSI: Crime Investigation. Her big break came when she played a law professor, Annalise Keating, on How to Get Away With Murder, one of the most popular legal drama thriller series. Davis’ depiction of Annalise Keating was praised by critics and audiences alike.
Julia Roberts
Roberts has amassed a huge fan base working in different genres. Movies like Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride, Erin Brockovich, Ocean’s Eleven, and Hook prove just how versatile an actor she is. Roberts has also appeared in several successful TV shows. In her 2018 TV series Homecoming, she played the character of Heidi Bergman, a social worker who helps soldiers transition to civilian life. The show has been nominated for an Emmy twice so far.
Michael J. Fox
Before becoming the movie star he is today, Fox was known for his role as Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties. Between 1986 and 1988, the actor brought home three consecutive Emmys for Best Comedy Actor for his work in this TV series. In 1985, Fox starred in Back to the Future and Teen Wolf. Most recently, the actor was seen in a documentary called Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, which showed how the star maintained a stellar showbiz career while overcoming his struggles.
Will Smith
Smith has had quite an interesting career progression in the entertainment industry. He started as a singer of a two-person band named DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, which he formed with a high school friend. Although the band was quite successful, winning the duo a Grammy, Smith switched to acting. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was the first project he worked on, a sitcom loosely based on his real life. The show ran from 1990 to 1996 and was quite successful. Bad Boys, Independence Day, I Am Legend, Men in Black, The Pursuit of Happyness, and Ali are a few fan-favorite movies Smith has featured in.
George Clooney
Before becoming famous on the big screen, Clooney started as a TV actor. He got his first major break in the CBS sitcom E/R and later appeared in shows like Sisters and Facts of Life. A few years later, he was seen in movies like The Thin Red Line and From Dusk Till Dawn. The actor has a long list of accolades and awards to his name, including Academy Award nominations in numerous categories. Clooney has acted in movies from different genres and has also directed many box office hits.
Tom Hanks
Hanks had a stable career in the TV world before making a name for himself on the big screen. He played the lead role in Bosom Buddies while guest-starring in Family Ties, Happy Days, and The Love Boat. His talent in the comedy genre won him an Oscar for Big. Later, when Hanks started taking up dramatic roles in movies, he won an Oscar for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump and was nominated for Best Actor award for Cast Away and Saving Private Ryan.
Steve Carell
In the American sitcom The Office, Steve Carell perfectly embodied the role of Michael Scott, an ineffectual manager of the office supplies company Dunder Mifflin. The show earned Carell a Golden Globe and wide recognition. Before starring in The Office, Carell was seen on The Dana Carvey Show and The Daily Show. He has also been a key part of commercially successful movies like Foxcatcher and The Big Short.
Zendaya
Style icon Zendaya started her career as a child actor in shows like Shake It Up and K.C Undercover. Her biggest success on the small screen is attributed to her role in the HBO series Euphoria, which won her two Emmys. Her movie appearances include Spider-Man: Homecoming, The Greatest Showman, and Dune. Recently, she was also seen in the movie Challengers.