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Clint Eastwood -

Clint Eastwood played cowhand Rowdy Yates in 'Rawhide' (1959–1965) before pulling on a poncho as the "Man with No Name" and becoming one of cinema's biggest names.

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Roger Moore -

Suave, smooth-talking Roger Moore would have become James Bond in 1969 had he not been starring in 'The Saint' (1962–1969). He was offered the part of 007 in 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service,' but had to fulfill his TV commitments before taking on the role of 007 (and only after leaving another TV series, 'The Persuaders,' to do so).

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Bruce Lee -

Bruce Lee sharpened his martial arts skills in 'The Green Hornet' (1966–1967) before his first big screen appearance in 'The Big Boss' (1971). But is was 'Enter the Dragon' (1973), one of the most profitable martial arts films ever made, that launched Lee's spectacular but sadly brief Hollywood career.

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Steve McQueen -

Steve McQueen became a familiar figure on the small screen as bounty hunter Josh Randall in the popular television Western series 'Wanted Dead or Alive' (1958–1961). But the "King of Cool" had already appeared in 'The Magnificent Seven' (1960) and by 'The Great Escape' (1963) had broken out of TV for good.

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James Garner -

James Garner was already making a name for himself in episodes of various TV Westerns and the odd supporting role in movies. But it was as card shark and gunslinger Bret Maverick in 'Maverick' (1957–1962) that the actor rose to prominence. In 1963, he too was among the cast in 'The Great Escape.'

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Michael Douglas -

In the early 1970s, a young, fresh-faced Michael Douglas teamed up with veteran actor Karl Malden for popular cop show 'The Streets of San Francisco' (1972–1977). Douglas left the series at the start of the final season after having produced 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' (1975) to embark on a highly successful film career.

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John Travolta -

Back in the mid-1970s, John Travolta was wooing TV audiences with his cocky heartthrob character Vincent "Vinnie" Barbarino in 'Welcome Back, Kotter' (1975–1979). The show's first two seasons were an enormous success. However, ratings slumped during the third season, by which time Travolta had starred in 'Saturday Night Fever' (1977). By the time the fourth season had aired, Travolta had made 'Grease' (1978), and the word from then on was "cinema."

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Kurt Russell -

'The Quest' (1976) costarred Kurt Russell as one of two brothers searching for their sister held captive by the Cheyenne in this short-lived Western series. But Russell was on the cusp of finding screen stardom, with 'Escape from New York' (1981) just on the horizon.

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Danny DeVito -

Danny DeVito's Louie De Palma character in 'Taxi' (1978–1982) was the main antagonist in this cult sitcom. DeVito subsequently garnered further fame as a film actor, director, and producer.

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Robin Williams -

Robin Williams' Mork, an extraterrestrial who comes to Earth, helped define the comedian's subsequent film career. Before 'Mork and Mindy' (1978–1982), Williams was practically unknown. By the time the show was canceled, he'd starred in 'Popeye' (1980) and 'The World According to Garp' (1982).

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Tom Hanks -

Before his breakthrough roles in the comedies 'Splash' (1984) and 'Big' (1988), Tom Hanks was making them laugh in the sitcom 'Bosom Buddies' (1980–1982).

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Michael J. Fox -

Michael J. Fox spent the 1980s juggling his role as Alex P. Keaton in the sitcom 'Family Ties' (1982–1989) with appearances in films, including 'Back to the Future' (1985) and 'Casualties of War' (1989). But it was the positive reaction to his performance in 'Family Ties' that Fox credits as helping him progress to the big screen.

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Woody Harrelson and Ted Danson -

Two Hollywood A-listers emerged from the critically acclaimed sitcom 'Cheers' (1982–1993)—Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson. Danson has since returned to TV on several occasions, while Harrelson, who joined the cast in 1985, is mostly seen in film.

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Pierce Brosnan -

Before Bond there was 'Remington Steele' (1982–1987). In fact, Pierce Brosnan had been offered the role of 007 in 'The Living Daylights' while still with the show. The deal fell through, however, with Brosnan eventually shaking and stirring cinema audiences in 'GoldenEye' (1995).

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Denzel Washington -

Denzel Washington is another A-list actor who first found fame in a medical drama, in this case 'St. Elsewhere' (1982–1988). But after starring in 'Cry Freedom' (1987), and then 'Glory' (1989), Washington was clearly destined for other places.

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Bruce Willis -

'Moonlighting' (1985–1989) made a star out of Bruce Willis and helped relaunch co-star Cybill Shepherd's flagging career. Willis, er, moonlighted, during the series' final year to make 'Die Hard,' and overnight became a leading man. "Yippee-ki-yay!"

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John Goodmam -

John Goodman played Dan Conner, the onscreen husband of Roseann Conner, in 'Roseanne' (1988–1997). His TV work helped raise his profile, though Goodman was already working regularly with the Coen brothers throughout the 1990s on films that include 'Barton Fink' (1991) and 'The Big Lebowski' (1998).

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Will Smith -

A rapper in his earlier life, Will Smith found the perfect television entertainment platform with 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' (1990–1996). The show was an enormous hit and propelled Smith to movie blockbuster status.

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Helen Hunt -

Helen Hunt starred alongside Paul Reiser in 'Mad About You' (1992–1999), a sitcom that centered around a married couple in New York City. Hunt had already gained big screen recognition with 'As Good as It Gets' (1997) before the series ended, and went on to make several other acclaimed films. Reiser's film career has been less celebrated.

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George Clooney -

George Clooney got pulses racing as Dr. Doug Ross in the groundbreaking medical drama 'ER' (1994–2009). He left the series in 1999 to pursue a full-time film career, and the following year was starring in 'The Perfect Storm' and 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?'

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Michelle Williams -

Michelle Williams portrayed Jen Lindley in 'Dawson's Creek' (1998–2003). Two years after leaving the show, she appeared in 'Brokeback Mountain.' More high-profile movies followed, including 'Manchester by the Sea' (2016).

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Jennifer Aniston -

They all remained buddies long after 'Friends' (1994–2004) ended, but it was cast member Jennifer Aniston who went on to successfully make new pals in the world of cinema. Some of her biggest movies post-'Friends' include 'The Break Up' (2006) and 'Marley & Me' (2008).

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Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis -

'That '70s Show' (1998–2006) starred among others, two young actors by the names of Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. Both found wider fame in cinema, and the pair married in 2015.

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James Franco and Seth Rogen -

Teen comedy-drama 'Freaks and Geeks' (1999–2000) launched the careers of James Franco and Seth Rogen. In fact, the two actors have since collaborated on a number of film projects, among them 'This is the End' (2013) and 'The Disaster Artist' (2017).

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Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Garner -

Bradley Cooper appeared as Will Tippin in seasons one and two of the science fiction thriller 'Alias' (2001–2006) before achieving movie stardom with 'The Hangover' (2009). 'Alias' star Jennifer Garner has also enjoyed subsequent success in cinema.

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Steve Carell -

The US rendition of mockumentary sitcom 'The Office' saw Steve Carell portray office manager Michael Scott until his departure in season seven. Thereafter, the actor promoted himself to more dramatic big screen roles in films such as 'Foxcatcher' (2014).

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Jennifer Lawrence -

Jennifer Lawrence portrayed teenager Lauren Pearson in the sitcom 'The Bill Engvall Show' (2007–2009). Two years after the show was canceled, she was starring as Mystique in the 'X-Men' film series, and as Katniss Everdeen in the 'Hunger Games' franchise. Boy, did she grow up fast!

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Elisabeth Moss and Jon Hamm -

Jon Hamm was making occasional appearances in film and television before landing the role of Don Draper in 'Mad Men' (2007–2015). Movie stardom subsequently beckoned in films such as 'Beirut' (2018) and 'Tag' (2018). Hamm's co-star Elisabeth Moss also went on to bigger things, notably starring roles in 'The Square' (2017), 'Her Smell' (2018), and 'The Invisible Man' (2020).

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Chris Pratt -

Chris Pratt eventually did very well as Andy Dyer in 'Parks and Recreation' (2009–2015)—his was somewhat of a minor character in the sitcom's first season. But in the same year he left the series, Pratt became a big screen Star- Lord in the superhero mega hit 'Guardians of the Galaxy.'

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Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman -

English actor Benedict Cumberbatch has worked extensively in television, notably as Sherlock Holmes in the British TV series 'Sherlock Holmes' (2010–2017). He's better known these days for his cinematic roles. Meanwhile his 'Sherlock Holmes' co-star, Martin Freeman, has graced the big screen as Bilbo Baggins in 'The Hobbit' film trilogy.

Sources: (Screen Rant)

See also: The actors who turned down roles in successful movies

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