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Whether it\u2019s shedding their Mouseketeer<\/strong> image for more mature pastures, or pivoting from geek chic to intellectual cool, successful celebrity reinvention in the public eye takes guts, timing, and a little bit of luck.<\/p>\n Men\u2019s Journal<\/em><\/strong><\/a> recently explored the topic, highlighting \u201cfive actors who turned awkward starts into A-list artistry,\u201d and we have to say, yeah, these track.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfac <\/strong>SIGN UP for Parade\u2019s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox<\/strong><\/a> \ud83c\udfac<\/strong><\/p>\n The publication\u2019s list starts with Jesse Plemons<\/strong>, 37, whose awkward phase was captured in several small TV and film roles, including a bit part on Varsity Blues<\/em><\/strong> in 1999. His big break came with Peter Berg<\/strong>\u2019s Friday<\/a> Night Lights<\/em><\/strong>, a sports drama showcasing football as life in the South. Plemons played Landry Clarke<\/strong>, the backup quarterback\u2019s dorky best friend<\/a>. His acting chops, however, were anything but.<\/p>\n Producers took note, and Plemons began landing big-time roles on both TV — Breaking Bad<\/em><\/strong>, Fargo<\/em><\/strong> — and in film — The Irishman<\/em><\/strong>, The Power of the Dog<\/em><\/strong>, Bugonia<\/em><\/strong>. The guy is an Oscar magnet now. Not to mention married to one of the industry\u2019s most talented actresses, Kirsten<\/strong>Dunst<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Fourth on MJ<\/em>\u2019s list is Barry Keoghan<\/strong> (pronounced \u201ckey-O-gin\u201d). Keoghan, 33, got his start by answering a casting call in Dublin<\/strong> for the crime film Between the Canals<\/em><\/strong>, per Britannica<\/strong><\/a>. He gained more recognition on TV for his role in the 2013 season of Ireland<\/strong>\u2019s Love\/Hate<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Incredibly versatile with a chameleonic look to match, the actor scored a breakout role in 2017\u2019s The Killing of a Sacred Deer<\/em><\/strong>, from helmer Yorgos Lanthimos<\/em><\/strong>. After that, Keoghan became a strong supporting actor in films like American Animals<\/em><\/strong>,The Batman<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, and The Banshees of Inisherin<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n In 2023, he took on his first leading role in Emerald Fennell<\/strong>\u2019s Saltburn<\/em><\/strong>, playing Oliver Quick<\/strong>, an Oxford<\/strong> student obsessed with his aristocratic classmate (Jacob Elordi<\/strong>), who by the end of the film is barely<\/em> recognizable. He\u2019s also been tasked with carrying the baton for the Peaky Blinders<\/em><\/strong> universe and tapped to playRingo Starr<\/a><\/strong> in Sam Mendes<\/strong>‘ Beatles<\/a><\/strong> project. So, yeah, the glow-up is glowing.<\/p>\n At Nos. 3 and 2, MJ<\/em> has Chris Pratt<\/a><\/strong>, 46, and Paul Dano<\/strong>, 41, respectively. The former went from goofy guy next door in shows like Everwood<\/em> and Parks and Recreation<\/em>, to perfectly tanned and shredded romantic<\/a> day-saving lead on the big screen with the Jurassic World<\/em><\/strong> franchise and Marvel<\/strong>\u2019s Guardians of the Galaxy<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Dano, on the other hand, made the jump from gangly bookworm \u2013 see: The Girl Next Door<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 and forgettable side piece in the A.J. Soprano<\/strong> social circle, to a commanding presence on every screen he graces. The multi-hyphenate continues to rise as a formidable actor (There Will Be Blood<\/em><\/strong>, Prisoners<\/em><\/strong>, The Fabelmans<\/em><\/strong>) and writer\/director (Wildlife<\/em><\/strong>).<\/p>\n And, finally, at the top, the actor the outlet says has made the most impressive transformation is Will Poulter<\/strong>. An English<\/strong> actor and 2014\u2019s BAFTA Rising Star Award<\/strong> winner, Poulter, 33, began his screen career with Son of Rambow<\/em><\/strong>, a fantastic indie about two kids who love making war movies<\/a>.<\/p>\n Growing up on the big screen, Poulter moved on to The Chronicles of Narnia<\/em><\/strong> and We\u2019re the Millers<\/em><\/strong>, during which he gives one of the most iconic performances as the naive Kenny Rossmore<\/strong>. Around 2023, Poulter stunned fans with his appearance as Adam Warlock<\/strong> in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Fans further lost their minds over Poulter\u2019s Chef Luca<\/strong> in The Bear<\/em><\/strong><\/a>. His physique was seemingly\u00a0swole overnight, his acting abilities as refined as his cheffy tweezer technique, and his confidence<\/a> top-notch on the red carpet. Perhaps it was his Navy SEAL<\/strong> training for Warfare<\/em><\/strong> or the fact that he was (falsely) linked to romancing the amazing Florence Pugh<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 whatever the reason, Poulter has solidified himself a hot Hollywood<\/strong> commodity.<\/p>\n All five are \u201cproof that Hollywood<\/strong> glow ups aren\u2019t about looks \u2014 they\u2019re about evolution.\u201d<\/p>\n Related: 1977 Classic Was a No. 1 Hit 48 Years Ago Today<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n This story was originally published by Parade<\/a> on Mar 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the News<\/a> section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n