Author Archives: robin
Before They Were Stars: Toni Collette in a Microwave Pasta Commercial
It’s amusing to watch renowned Academy Award-nominated actors appearing in commercials where they have no dialogue and are required to mug like an idiot over the sight of mediocre food. Here’s an Australian ad from 1992 where Toni Collette expresses … Continue reading
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Before They Were Stars: Andy Serkis in a Stage Production of “Faust”
In 1988, the Lyric Hammersmith Theater in London put on an epic 7 1/2-hour production of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s Faust and an unknown Andy Serkis had a supporting role. You can catch glimpses of him in this behind-the-scenes footage … Continue reading
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Before They Were Stars: Michael Chiklis on “Seinfeld”
You know I never pass up the chance to post early roles from famous actors who appeared on Seinfeld. Hell, that’s when Bryan Cranston started to get noticed. However, I’d completely forgotten that Michael Chiklis had a guest appearance on … Continue reading
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Before They Were Stars: Bryan Cranston in a Cotton-Ease Shirt Commercial
Since Bryan Cranston is currently fighting Godzilla in theaters right now, I thought I’d post another “Before They Were Stars” commercial featuring him (and believe me, there are a LOT to choose from). However, this may be the earliest Cranston … Continue reading
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Before They Were Stars: Joe Pesci Sings with the Du Barrys
Yesterday, I posted an ultra-bizarre recording of a Christmas song where Joe Pesci impersonated Porky Pig. This may not be as wacky, but I’ve found another rare recording of Joe Pesci’s early musical career. For a brief time during the 1960s, he … Continue reading
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Robin’s Underrated Gems: Suddenly (1954)
In 1962, Frank Sinatra starred in The Manchurian Candidate, portraying a character who tries to prevent the assassination of a presidential candidate. The film regarded is as an all-time classic and one of the greatest thrillers ever made, but it wound … Continue reading
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Before They Were Stars: Joe Pesci Impersonates Porky Pig on a Christmas Album
The above title might be the single greatest sentence I’ve ever written at The Back Row! You may have heard that Joe Pesci released an infamous album in the 1990s where he sang a bunch of terrible songs as his … Continue reading
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Before They Were Stars: 12-Year Old Alanis Morrisette on “You Can’t Do That on Television”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1Q55CLrTkg Yes, considering that The Back Row originates in the capital of Canada, it’s probably a disgrace that it took this long for us to post this footage, but here you go. Throughout the 1980s, You Can’t Do That on Television, a … Continue reading
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Before They Were Stars: Mark Hamill on “The Bill Cosby Show”
When Lando Calrissian rescued Luke Skywalker at the end of The Empire Strikes Back, it was not the first time a black guy had to bail Mark Hamill’s ass out of trouble. Long before his more famous sitcom from the … Continue reading
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Before They Were Stars: Dave Franco as “Greg the Soccer Player” in “Superbad”
James Franco’s young brother, Dave Franco, has seen his star rise these past few years, with prominent roles in such films as 21 Jump Street, Now You See Me and Neighbors. However, the dude started small, as his first film role … Continue reading
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