15 Celebrity Audition Tapes

By Madeline Boardman
Updated April 14, 2016 at 04:07 PM EDT

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Daisy Ridley

Credit: Star Wars via YouTube

Then a relative unknown, Daisy Ridley won over Star Wars: The Force Awakens director J. J. Abrams with her incredible audition for the part of Rey.

 

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Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens

There was immediate chemistry for High School Musical stars Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, whose audition tape was unearthed in honor of the TV movie's 10th anniversary.

 

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Ellen Page

Credit: TBS

Ellen Page stopped by Conan and took the chance to dust off an audition tape she sent Conan O'Brien when she was 23, trying out to be a stand-up comedian on his show.

 

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Miley Cyrus

Though she's now synonymous with the role, Miley Cyrus once auditioned for her part in Hannah Montana.

 

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Matthew McConaughey

Credit: criterioncollection via YouTube

Early in his career, Matthew McConaughey auditioned for the role of David Wooderson in Dazed and Confused.

 

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Jennifer Connelly

Credit: The Jim Henson Company via YouTube

Jennifer Connelly picked up one of her first major roles after successfully auditioning for Labyrinth.

 

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Christian Bale

With Amy Adams by his side, Christian Bale tried out for the lead role in Batman Begins.

https://dailymotion.com/video/x150lja

 

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Henry Thomas

One of the most famous auditions, Henry Thomas landed his role in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial almost immediately after his impressive audition.

 

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Steve Carell and Rainn Wilson

Video surfaced of Steve Carell and Rainn Wilson, as well as a few other famous faces, auditioning for The Office.

 

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Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint

Before they became household names, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint auditioned for the roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, respectively, in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

 

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Tom Hanks

Accompanied by Robin Wright, Tom Hanks auditioned for the title role in Forrest Gump, and famously landed it.

 

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Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams landed one of her most famous roles thanks to a successful audition for The Notebook.

 

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Jimmy Fallon

Years before he was headlining The Tonight Show, Jimmy Fallon was showing up for a hilarious Saturday Night Live audition.

 

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Ed Westwick

Ed Westwick busted out an American accent to audition for the role of Chuck Bass on Gossip Girl.

 

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Chris Pratt

After appearing in Everwood, Chris Pratt auditioned for the role of Andy Dwyer in Parks and Recreation.

 

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By Madeline Boardman