Mikey Madison won an Oscar for her titular role inAnora, and she is one of many actors who appeared inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodbefore breaking big in the industry. Madison was one of the actors whocameoed inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodas a member of the Manson cultand eventually rose up the call sheet and became one of the biggest names in Hollywood, highlighting casting as one of Quentin Tarantino’s underrated strengths.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywoodhad a large ensemble cast, led by established stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, andMargot Robbie as a controversial Sharon Tate. However, many of the smaller roles were filled by actors who were relatively unknown in 2019 but have since become major players in film and television. These six actors had small parts inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodbut are now winning Oscars and leading hit TV shows, succeeding outside the distinct style of Tarantino’s period piece.
6Austin Butler
Notable Roles: Elvis Presley in Elvis, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in Dune: Part 2
Austin Butler’s role asCharles “Tex” Watson inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodmarked a significant turning point in Butler’s career. Before this, Butler built his portfolio as a teen heartthrob in series likeZoey 101andThe Carrie Diaries. InOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood, Butler’s Tex was a fictionalized version of Watson, a member of the Manson Family involved in the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders. Although Butler’s screen time was limited, his performance was noted for its intensity.
Known for his deep commitment to his roles, Butler fully immerses himself in every character he plays. His career reached new heights with his portrayal of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’sElvis, where he meticulously adopted the singer’s voice and mannerisms, maintaining them even after filming concluded. His dedication earned him critical acclaim and several accolades, including a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for Best Actor, as well as an Academy Award nomination.
Austin Butler’s Quentin Tarantino Casting Transformed His Career (& He Hasn’t Had A Miss Since)
Austin Butler being cast as Tex Watson in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood began an incredible success streak for the actor.
Butler was later cast to play Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen inDune: Part Two, a part previously played by Sting in David Lynch’s 1984 film. His physical transformation and complex character and voice work garnered a lot of praise. Butler is a rising star who is drawn to working with auteurs. He is currently set to star in Ari Aster’s Western filmEddingtonand Darren Aronofsky’s crime thrillerCaught Stealing.
5Maya Hawke
Notable Roles: Robin Buckley in Stranger Things, Anxiety in Inside Out 2
Maya Hawke played Flower Child inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood, a member of the Manson Family. Although her role was brief, it contributed to the movie’s rich tapestry of characters. Hawke’s breakout role came as Robin Buckley in Netflix’sStranger Thingsseason 3, quickly becoming a fan favorite. Witty and sarcastic, Robin quickly becomes an integral part of the show’s core group, using her intelligence and linguistic skills to help crack a secret Russian code.
One of the standout moments ofStranger Thingsseason 3 is Robin’s emotional coming-out scene, where she reveals to Steve Harrington that she is gay. This heartfelt moment added depth to her character and was widely praised for its authenticity. Robin’s mix of vulnerability, humor, and bravery has made her one of the show’s most beloved characters, showcasing Hawke’s ability to bring nuance and relatability to her performances.
While Hawke is best known forStranger Things, she has taken on diverse roles. She co-starred in Netflix’s dark comedyDo Revengewith Camila Mendes, further demonstrating her versatility. Also, she voiced the character Anxiety in Pixar’sInside Out 2, the highest-grossing animated film to date.Hawke is the daughter of two actors, Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, but she has carved out her own path, earning recognition for her grounded performances and unique blend of vulnerability and strength.
4Mikey Madison
Notable Roles: Amber Freeman in Scream (2022), Anora “Ani” Mikheeva in Anora
Mikey Madison portrayed Susan “Sadie” Atkins, a member of the Manson Family, inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood.Madison even wrote a poem to Mansonfor her audition. Her intense performance, particularly in the film’s climactic confrontation, left a lasting impression on audiences. Before Tarantino’s film, Madison was best known for playing Max Fox, the eldest daughter of Pamela Adlon’s character, in the television seriesBetter Things. Madison’s role of a teenager navigating the complexities of adolescence earned her critical acclaim. She also expanded her repertoire with the horror filmScream(2022), where she played Amber Freeman.
Oscars 2025 Upset: How Mikey Madison Beat Demi Moore For Best Actress Despite Losing 3 Major Awards
The 25-year-old actress pulled a massive upset at the biggest awards show of the year despite missing out on 3 other key awards earlier in the year.
Madison’s career reached a new pinnacle with her lead role inAnora, directed by Sean Baker. In the movie, Madison plays Ani, a sex worker experiencing a complicated modern-day Cinderella story.Anorawon five Oscars, including Best Picture, and Madison is in nearly every frame. Her authentic, transformative performance earned widespread acclaim and culminated in her winning the Academy Award for Best Actress.
3Victoria Pedretti
Notable Roles: Love Quinn in You, Danielle “Dani” Clayton in The Haunting of Bly Manor
Victoria Pedretti played Leslie Van Houten, a member of the Manson Family inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood. The role marked her feature film debut, where she contributed to the ensemble cast with a compelling performance. Prior to the movie, Pedretti gained recognition for her portrayal of Eleanor “Nell” Crain Vance in Netflix’sThe Haunting of Hill House. She continued to collaborate with director Mike Flanagan inThe Haunting of Bly Manor, playing Dani Clayton, further establishing her presence in the horror genre.
Pedretti joined Netflix’s thriller seriesYouseasons 2 and 3 as Love Quinn.Love was a perfect match for Joe Goldberg, flipping the dynamic of who was the obsessive and unpredictable psychopath. She truly understands and matches his darkness, solidifying Pedretti’s status as a compelling actress.
Pedretti is known for her ability to embody emotionally intense and multifaceted characters, particularly within the horror and thriller genres. Her performances are characterized by a deep emotional resonance and a willingness to tackle challenging roles.
2Margaret Qualley
Notable Roles: Sue in The Substance, Alexandra “Alex” Russell in Maid, Jamie Dobbs in Drive-Away Dolls
Margaret Qualley portrayed Pussycat inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood, a free-spirited member of the Manson Family who captures the attention of Cliff Booth. Her performance added even more depth to the film’s depiction of 1969 Los Angeles. Following her role in Tarantino’s film, Qualley starred in the Netflix seriesMaid, playing Alex, a young mother navigating poverty and domestic abuse, a performance that garnered significant praise.
Qualley seems drawn to auteurs, willing to take even smaller roles in riskier films to work with specific directors. She appeared in Yorgos Lanthimos’sPoor Things, playing Felicity, a character in a darkly comedic narrative about a woman’s resurrection. Qualley also starred in Ethan Coen’s zany comedy road trip movieDrive-Away Dolls. However, her biggest gamble became her biggest success whenQualley played Sue inThe Substance, the “better” version of Demi Moore’s Elisabeth - and both the movie and Qualley’s performance received much acclaim.
Qualley has continued to attach herself to several diverse projects. In 2025, she is collaborating again with Ethan Coen in the dark comedyHoney Don’t!alongside Chris Evans and Aubrey Plaza, as well asHappy Gilmore 2, a sequel to the 1996 Adam Sandler comedy. She is also set to appear in the revenge thrillerHuntingtonwith Glen Powell and Ed Harris.
1Sydney Sweeney
Notable Roles: Cassie Howard in Euphoria, Olivia Mossbacher in The White Lotus, Bea Messina in Anyone But You
Sydney Sweeney portrayed Snake, a member of the Manson Family, inOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood. Although her role was minor, her commitment was evident, withSweeney also writing a letter in character during auditionsto win the part. Sweeney next turned to television, with standout performances as Cassie Howard in HBO’sEuphoriaand Olivia Mossbacher inThe White Lotus. Both shows became wildly successful, and both roles earned Sweeney critical acclaim and Primetime Emmy nominations.
Sweeney used this success to venture launch her production company, Fifty-Fifty Films. She has recently starred in the horror-thrillerImmaculateas well as in the charming rom-comAnyone But You. Sweeney is attached to several upcoming movies, including the psychological thrillerThe Housemaid, the thrillerEcho Valley, and an untitled Christy Martin sports biopic, confirming how far she has come sinceOnce Upon A Time in Hollywood.She is also returning as Cassie inEuphoriaseason 3,
