Before they were famous, celebrities were kind of just like us – grabbing at any small job they could find just to make money. Oh, and just so they could be spotted on TV. So, maybe not just like us. Still, I know I can’t be the only one who is oddly obsessed with what some of the biggest names in Hollywood were doing back when no one knew who they were or what they wore to the gym (thanks, paparazzi).

As it turns out, most of them were playing very, very small roles in some of our old favorite TV shows and movies. I bet you didn’t know that Lucy Hale and Chris Brown both had roles in a TV show I think we all watched a few years ago (find out what it is by scrolling down!). I bet you also didn’t know that Emma Stone tried her hand at TV before movies… but which show was she in?!

Check out the first tiny roles of these 15 celebrities. Just a warning: your mind might be blown.

Jennifer Lawrence as a mascot in Monk

Blink and you would have missed J-Law as the cuddly and cute mascot in Monk, but this was one of her first roles ever. I can’t even deal with those cute chubby cheeks she has!

Jason Segel as Watermelon Guy in Can’t Hardly Wait

Before he was a “freak” in Freaks and Geeks and before he started starring in some of the funniest movies ever, Jason Segel was just known as “Watermelon Guy” in Can’t Hardly Wait – and he still managed to steal an otherwise small scene.

Michelle Williams as Brad’s Girlfriend in Home Improvement

Appearing as Brad’s girlfriend was one of Michelle’s first roles ever. How cute is she?! Around that same time she also made appearances in Baywatch and Step By Step.

Ryan Gosling as Jamie in Are You Afraid Of The Dark?

After making his adorable debut in The Mickey Mouse Club (please watch this), Ryan starred in this Nickelodeon show. I always used to be afraid of this show, but if I had known Ryan was on it, I totally would have watched it.

Max Greenfield as young Sandy Cohen in The OC

Right now, you know Max as Schmidt, the best character in New Girl, but before he scored that, one of his first roles was playing a young Sandy Cohen. So cute! Bonus: he also made an extremely quick appearance in one of the best shows ever, Gilmore Girls. I didn’t know I could love him any more than I already did.

Leighton Meester on 7th Heaven

You probably don’t remember Leighton on 7th Heaven, but it was one of her first on-screen appearances. Her very first on-screen role was in Law & Order, but this is more interesting.

Lucy Hale as Kaitlin’s friend on The OC

This is basically the opposite of the role Lucy now plays on Pretty Little Liars and I’m obsessed with it. It looks like obvi is her favorite word and tanning was her favorite pastime. I also couldn’t be happier that her voice is so different now.

Ashley Benson in 7th Heaven

Who knew that Ashley Benson was in so many things before she got her role in Pretty Little Liars? Besides this episode of 7th Heaven, you also may have seen her in Zooey 101 (watch it here), 13 Going On 30, CSI: Miami and The OC.

Chris Brown as Will on The OC

I literally gasped out loud when I realized that Chris once had a role on this show. I don’t even remember this at all – but judging from this clip, I’d say it’s a good thing he didn’t stick with acting.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as George on Roseanne

This is one of Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s roles I definitely do not remember – but I literally cannot deal with how cute he is.

Ben Affleck in Buffy The Vampire Slayer

I know this is in another language and I’m sorry if you can’t understand it, but this clip is still worth watching just to see Ben Affleck as an awkward teenage basketball player. Who knew?!

Taylor Lautner on My Wife and Kids

GAHH how cute is Taylor Lautner, even as a mean bully? Look at his scrawny little arms and spiky hair! I love this.

Ryan Reynolds as Seth in Sabrina The Teenage Witch (the movie)

One of Ryan’s first roles ever was playing cool guy Seth in the Showtime movie Sabrina The Teenage Witch, which I honestly forgot even existed at all, much else starred Ryan Reynolds. Look at his hair!

Vanessa Hudgens as Noel in Thirteen

I’ve watched this movie a million times, but it wasn’t until a few months ago that I realized that good girl Noel was played by Vanessa. Mind blown!

Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato in Barney

It’s actually not that hard to pick Selena and Demi out of this pack of kids. I had no idea these two starred in an episode together.

Emma Stone as Diane in Malcolm In The Middle

Oh man, I wish this was better quality. This was one of Emma’s very first roles and I think it’s a good indication of how seriously awesome she was about to become.

Which of these were you most surprised by? Which celebrity first roles did I miss? Do you remember any of these? Tell us in the comments!

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