9 Audition Tapes from A-List Actors

It is hard to believe that the A-listers we see on cinema screens today were once struggling actors sending off tapes and hoping for the best. Here are nine auditions from some of Hollywood's biggest stars, including screen tests and breakout-role auditions. All of them are easy to find online, and each one is worth a watch before your next audition.

Dacre Montgomery, Stranger Things

When Stranger Things made Billy Hargrove a household name, Dacre Montgomery was among the most searched actors on IMDb for weeks. The self-tape that brought him from obscurity to A-list actor is a lesson in commitment. In an interview with GQ, he described getting the audition brief at 7am and being so excited about the opportunity that he got up and shot the whole thing that day. Watch for the flawless American accent: he is Australian.

Elliot Page, Juno

Juno was not only the breakout role for Elliot Page, credited as Ellen Page at the time, but also earned an Oscar nomination. The audition shows the same dry, quick delivery that made the film.

Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad

Aaron Paul worked on a number of high-profile TV shows in day-player roles for almost ten years before he was invited to audition for a leading role in what many consider the television series of its era.

Even though he fluffs his lines in the middle, he picks it back up like a pro and bags the role.

Rachel McAdams, The Notebook

Actors audition at all stages of their careers.

Rachel McAdams was invited to audition for The Notebook while doing publicity for another film in Los Angeles. The director had previously auditioned almost ten "very well-known actresses" for the part, but after seeing her chemistry with Ryan Gosling he "went with the best person for the job". And what a job she did.

Emma Stone, Easy A

Back in 2010, long before she was accepting an Oscar for La La Land, Emma Stone was sending audition tapes off to casting and hoping for the very best. Her Easy A tape is a creative, vlog-style self-tape, and it is completely natural.

Seth Rogen, Freaks and Geeks

Seth Rogen had the entire room laughing when he auditioned for Freaks and Geeks, booking his first credited role.

Henry Thomas, E.T.

In contrast, Henry Thomas probably had the whole room crying in his spectacular audition for E.T. It is one of the most famous child auditions ever filmed.

Steve Carell, The Office

It is hard to tell whether his performance is improvised or scripted. Either way, Steve Carell's audition for The Office is absolute gold.

Jennifer Garner, Daredevil

For 2003's Daredevil, Garner auditioned for the role of Elektra Natchios. It is obvious she is extremely well prepared and rehearsed, from the beats in her movement right down to her costume: a professional at work.

What these tapes have in common

What ties these actors together is not polish, it is presence. Aaron Paul fluffed a line and picked it straight back up. McAdams built real chemistry with Ryan Gosling in the room. Carell's audition feels alive because he is reacting, not reciting. They prepared, then they listened and adjusted in the moment, and that is what casting directors respond to, whether the tape comes from a star or from someone they have never heard of. But first you need to get the audition, which is where a strong showreel comes in, and once you are in the room, audition etiquette is what lets that presence come through.

Casting directors post their castings on Actorly, and it is free to join and free to apply. Create your free actor profile and start sending tapes of your own.