So, I was just re-watching the first series of Black Adder on DVD, and who should turn up playing a minor peasant character? Oscar-winning, Golden Globe-winning, BAFTA-winning Jim Broadbent, when no-one knew who he was. I'd recognise that nose anywhere.

You know what to do...

Was he the Spanish interpreter?

Ah, you're absolutely right. The amusingly-named Don Speekenglish, in the Queen Of Spain's Beard episode.

The earliest Jim Broadbent role I remember was the quiz show host in Time Bandits. Even by the time he starred in Life Is Sweet (1990), though, I didn't recognise him as a particularly famous actor. Looking through his acting credits on IMDB, I suppose it was his turn in Only Fools And Horses that really made him a household name.

Oh, and Jeremy Irons in Play Away is usually the example that crops up when this subject is raised.

He was the original choice for Derek Trotter.

I first became aware of him when he was in the National Theatre of Brent.

Forest Whitaker in Platoon? Or was he reasonably famous by then?

If we're talking Hollywood films, what's actually surprising is how seldom it happens, and how many big stars just seem to arrive more-or-less fully-formed, without ever playing an irrelevant extra or someone who sells the hero a burger.

I used to think of Minnie Driver's appearance in Knowing Me, Knowing You With Alan Partridge in those terms, but in recent years Minnie Driver's star status has gently settled down to the level where a bit-part on a Steve Coogan show is exactly where you'd expect to see her.

I think Forest Whittaker was reasonably on the map. Now Johnny Depp in Platoon, I reckon fits better here. As does Dr Cox from Scrubs in Platoon...

Does Liam Neeson in The Mission count?

Michael Caine has two lines as an exasperated copper in the superb The Day The Earth Caught Fire from 1961.

Purves Grundy wrote:

QUOTE:
Michael Caine has two lines as an exasperated copper in the superb The Day The Earth Caught Fire from 1961.

Not a lot of people know that.

Patrick Stewart as Sejanus in I, Claudius. He had been in a couple things before then and was an established RSC actor, but seeing him hove into view in a terrible wig was probably the first time he imposed himself on the national conciousness.