To embark on a career in acting with the goal of becoming a famous movie star, it’s widely known that there are two main paths to take. The first option is to study the craft in specialized academies and participate in numerous workshops to hone your skills. The second is having a natural talent for acting, where your main task is to convince someone in the film industry to give you a chance to showcase it. Regardless of the path you choose, hard work is essential to prove yourself, as breaking into the acting world is no easy feat. This is particularly true for aspiring actors in competitive environments like Hollywood. Many struggling actors may find it hard to believe that a star like Carole Lombard was discovered purely by chance at the age of 12 while playing baseball in her backyard, completely unrelated to the film industry. She became a star because a director happened to see her and thought she had “the look.”

While luck might play a role in the film industry, it also has other unconventional and surprising ways of turning people into movie stars. This article will explore some of these lesser-known routes, and who knows—one might be your ticket to stardom.

Get a Job Within the Industry

A well-known piece of career advice is: “Get into the industry first, then aim for the job you want.” In acting, this means it’s not always necessary to have acting talent to become an actor. Simply being part of the industry can open doors. For instance, actor Gary Cooper started as a stuntman, while actress Telly Savalas worked as a top executive at ABC before landing an acting role when no one else was available. Likewise, Boris Karloff, known for his portrayal of Frankenstein, originally worked as a children’s radio storyteller, and John Wayne, who worked in a studio, was so good-looking that actress Marlene Dietrich decided he should be cast in her next film simply after seeing him pass by.

Replacing Someone to Avoid Legal Trouble

In 1922, Richard Arlen was working a backstage job at Paramount Pictures when he was hit by one of the company’s cars and hospitalized with a broken leg. To avoid legal complications, the studio offered him a film contract as compensation. This chance encounter led to his rise as a prominent actor.

Winning a Beauty Contest

In Hollywood, beauty pageants have long been a gateway to stardom for those aspiring to be actors. For instance, Clara Bow won a national beauty contest in 1921, with one of the prizes being a role in a film. Within a few years, she became one of the most famous actresses. A similar case was Ann Sheridan, a star of the 1940s, who secretly entered a beauty contest via her sister, only to end up winning a film contract.

Waiting for the Right Role

Sometimes, patience is the key to success. Leo Ayres, a former medical student, became famous for his role as Dr. Kildare, which perfectly suited him due to his medical background. Likewise, famed director Federico Fellini cast Marcello Mastroianni in La Dolce Vita because of his almost expressionless face, which matched Fellini’s vision for the role.

Appearing on a Magazine Cover

Sometimes, just being on the cover of a magazine can land you a Hollywood contract. This was the case for models-turned-actresses like Lauren Bacall, Brigitte Bardot, Raquel Welch, and Ali MacGraw. Their magazine appearances led to roles in blockbuster films, catapulting them to global fame.

Accepting Any Role Available

For unknown actors, accepting any role that comes along might seem risky. Picking the wrong role early in your career can ruin your future prospects. However, if you are relatively unknown, this risk is reduced, as a flop may go unnoticed. But if the film is a hit, it could bring sudden attention and fame. Carole Landis, for instance, appeared in at least 25 minor roles before starring in One Million BC (1940), where she played a cavewoman without a single line of dialogue. The film wasn’t a great success, but it made her a B-movie star.

Taking Over a Role from Another Actor

There’s a well-known story in Hollywood about a famous actress breaking her ankle, allowing an unknown actress to step in and become a star. This plot was famously portrayed in the 1933 movie 42nd Street. While this is fiction, similar stories have happened in reality. Shirley MacLaine was an understudy for Broadway star Carol Haney when Haney fell ill. MacLaine took over and became one of the most famous actresses in history. The same thing happened when Betty Hutton fell sick during a Broadway production, and Joan Allison replaced her, launching her acting career.

Being “Discovered” by Chance

In some rare cases, being spotted by a determined director can lead to stardom. Gina Lollobrigida, for instance, was a young art student in Rome when director Mario Costa noticed her and pursued her for a role. Though she initially resisted, Costa’s persistence eventually convinced her to try acting, leading her to become one of Italy’s most beloved stars.

Being a Talented Athlete

Athletic prowess can also serve as a springboard to fame. This method has worked well for athletes like Johnny Weissmuller, who became famous as Tarzan in the 1930s, and Buster Crabbe, who played Flash Gordon around the same time. More recently, bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger used his success in sports as a stepping stone to a highly successful acting career. However, this transition isn’t guaranteed. Carl Lewis, an Olympic sprinter with nine gold medals, took acting lessons after retiring from sports but failed to impress in his debut film Alien Attack, which was poorly received.

Becoming a Singer First

Many musicians have transitioned to acting, leveraging their existing fame to find success in film. Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, starred in 33 movies, many of which were box office hits despite their lack of critical acclaim. Other musicians who successfully crossed over into acting include Cher and Mark Wahlberg, both of whom took more selective roles in their film careers. If your goal is to become a movie star, starting as a musician might not be a bad idea.