21 "Barbie" Actors In Their First Big Movie Or TV Role Vs. What They Look Like In 2023

Okay, but little Michael Cera in his first TV show in 1999 is the cutest thing ever.

1. Margot Robbie's first role in City Homicide in 2008 vs. as Barbie in Barbie in 2023:

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Margot's first acting role was in an episode of City Homicide. From there, she appeared in episodes of the Australian soap opera Neighbours. Her first big US TV show was Pan Am and she appeared in the movie About Time. Of course, she's gone on to star in some of the biggest movies, like The Wolf of Wall Street; I, Tonya; Babylon; and more, as well as starring as Harley Quinn in several DC Comics films. She's been nominated for two Academy Awards.

2. Ryan Gosling's first role in The Mickey Mouse Club in 1993 vs. as Ken in Barbie in 2023:

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Ryan began his career in The Mickey Mouse Club in 1993, where he went on to appear in a few episodes through 1995. From there, he appeared in numerous TV shows, like Breaker High and Young Hercules, before landing his first major movie role in Remember the Titans in 2000. Of course, he's gone on to star in countless big movies, like The Notebook; Blue Valentine; Crazy, Stupid, Love; The Big Short; The Nice Guys; La La Land; and many more. He's been nominated for two Academy Awards.

3. America Ferrera's first acting role in Real Women Have Curves in 2002 vs. as Gloria in Barbie in 2023:

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America's first role was in the critically acclaimed movie Real Women Have Curves as Ana García. From there, she went on to star in Gotta Kick It Up!, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and more before landing her notable role as Betty Suarez in Ugly Betty. She's gone on to appear in other big TV shows and movies, like Superstore and the How to Train Your Dragon movies.

4. Issa Rae's first role in The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl in 2011 vs. as President Barbie in Barbie in 2023:

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Issa's breakout role came from her YouTube web series Awkward Black Girl. She then created, wrote, and starred in Insecure from 2016 through 2021. Alongside starring in Insecure, Issa is also known for her roles in movies like Little, The Hate U Give, The Photograph, and The Lovebirds. In 2023, she also starred in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse as Jess Drew/Spider-Woman.

5. Kate McKinnon in The Big Gay Sketch Show in 2006 vs. as a Barbie in Barbie in 2023:

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Kate's first role was when she appeared in over 20 episodes of The Big Gay Sketch Show from 2006 through 2010. Then, she notably joined Saturday Night Live in 2012, where she went on to win two Emmy Awards for her work. Alongside her work on SNL, she's starred in movies like Ghostbusters, Rough Night, The Spy Who Dumped Me, Bombshell, Yesterday, and more.

6. Will Ferrell's first notable role on Saturday Night Live in 1995 vs. as the Mattel CEO in Barbie in 2023:

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After guest-starring on a few TV episodes the same year, Will joined the cast of SNL in 1995. He appeared as a cast member from 1995 through 2002 and has returned to host five times since. Of course, he went on to star in countless iconic movies, like Zoolander, Elf, Anchorman, Talladega Nights, Blades of Glory, Step Brothers, and many more.

7. Michael Cera's first big role in I Was a Sixth Grade Alien in 1999 vs. as Allan in Barbie in 2023:

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After appearing in a few episodes of various TV shows, Michael's first big role came when he starred on the TV show I Was a Sixth Grade Alien from 1999 to 2000. Then, he landed his breakout roles in Arrested Development, Superbad, and Juno in 2003 and 2007, respectively. He then went on to star in movies like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, This Is the End, Sausage Party, and more.

8. Simu Liu's first role in Nikita in 2012 vs. as a Ken in Barbie in 2023:

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Simu's very first professional acting credit was when he appeared in an episode of Nikita. He then went on to appear in several TV shows before landing a starring role in Kim's Convenience in 2016. His breakout role came in 2021, when he starred as Shang-Chi in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

9. Helen Mirren's first notable role in Herostratus in 1967 vs. in 2023 (Helen provides the voice of the narrator for Barbie):

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After an uncredited role in Press for Time, Helen's first notable onscreen credit was in the movie Herostratus, where she played "Advert Woman." Of course, Helen has gone on to have a critically acclaimed career with movies like The Queen, The Long Good Friday, and more. She won an Academy Award in 2007 for The Queen. Alongside Barbie, Helen also starred in Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Fast X in 2023.

10. Emma Mackey's first role in Sex Education in 2019 vs. as a Barbie in Barbie in 2023:

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Emma's breakout role came in 2019, when she was cast as Maeve Wiley in Sex Education. While still starring on the Netflix series, she's also appeared in movies like Death on the Nile and Emily. In 2023, she was honored with the BAFTA Rising Star Award, which was previously won by actors like James McAvoy, Kristen Stewart, Juno Temple, Tom Holland, Daniel Kaluuya, and more.

11. Ncuti Gatwa's first notable role in Sex Education in 2019 vs. as a Ken in Barbie in 2023:

Netflix / Warner Bros

After appearing in a few TV episodes and quite an impressive list of stage productions, Ncuti's breakout onscreen role came in 2019, when he was cast as Eric Effiong in Sex Education. He also appeared in the movie The Last Letter from Your Lover. Alongside Barbie, Ncuti will be starring as The Doctor in the upcoming season of Doctor Who.

12. Ariana Greenblatt's first role in Liv and Maddie in 2015 vs. as Sasha in Barbie in 2023:

Disney Channel / Warner Bros / Via youtu.be

Ariana's first ever acting credit was in an episode of Liv and Maddie. Then, she went on to appear as Daphne Diaz in Disney Channel's Stuck in the Middle from 2016 to 2018. Ariana has also appeared in movies like A Bad Moms Christmas, Avengers: Infinity War, In the Heights, 65, and more.

13. Kingsley Ben-Adir's first notable role in Vera in 2014 vs. as a Ken in Barbie in 2023:

ITV / Warner Bros

After a few small roles in movies and TV shows, Kingsley's first big role came when he starred as Dr. Marcus Summer in Vera. His breakout roles came when he starred in Peaky Blinders and One Night in Miami... in 2017 and 2020, respectively. Kingsley also appeared in Noelle, Love Life, High Fidelity, The OA, and more. Alongside Barbie, he's currently starring in Marvel's Secret Invasion as Gravik.

14. Alexandra Shipp's first role in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel in 2009 vs. as a Barbie in Barbie in 2023:

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After making her onscreen debut in the Alvin and the Chipmunks sequel in 2009, Alexandra notably starred on House of Anubis as KT Rush in 2013. From there, she appeared in X-Men: Apocalypse; Love, Simon; X-Men: Dark Phoenix; All the Bright Places; and more. In 2021, she starred in Tick, Tick...Boom! opposite Andrew Garfield.

15. Hari Nef's first role in Transparent in 2015 vs. as a Barbie in Barbie in 2023:

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Hari's breakout role came in 2015 when she was cast as Gittel in Transparent. Then, she went on to appear in TV shows like You, And Just Like That..., and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Alongside Barbie in 2023, Hari also appeared in The Idol.

16. Sharon Rooney's first notable role in My Mad Fat Diary in 2013 vs. as a Barbie in Barbie in 2023:

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Sharon's breakout role also happens to be her first. She's probably best known for playing Rae Earl on My Mad Fat Diary from 2013 to 2015. Sharon has also appeared in shows like Sherlock, Two Doors Down, Finding Alice, Jerk, The Teacher, and more.

17. Nicola Coughlan's first role in the short film The Phantom Cnut in 2004 vs. as a Barbie in Barbie in 2023:

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After starring in the short film The Phantom Cnut, Nicola had various voice acting roles before she landed her breakout role as Clare in Derry Girls. In 2020, she was cast as Penelope Featherington in Netflix's Bridgerton, with the upcoming third season focusing on her character.

18. Scott Evans' first role in One Life to Live in 2008 vs. as a Ken in Barbie in 2023:

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Scott's breakout role came when he was cast as Oliver Fish on One Life to Live. He went on to appear in 137 episodes. Scott's role was memorable, as he was part of the first love scene between LGBTQ+ characters on a daytime soap opera. Later, Scott appeared in other TV shows, like Grace and Frankie, White Collar, and more.

19. Ana Cruz Kayne's first role in Law & Order in 2009 vs. as a Barbie in Barbie in 2023:

NBC / Warner Bros / Via youtu.be

Ana's first onscreen credits include appearances on Law & Order, Rescue Me, The Bold Type, and more. She also appeared in Greta Gerwig's Little Women and a few episodes of Netflix's Partner Track before appearing in Barbie in 2023.

20. Emerald Fennell's first role in Trial & Retribution in 2007 vs. as Midge in Barbie in 2023:

ITV / Warner Bros / Via youtu.be

Emerald appeared in several TV shows and movies, like Trial & Retribution, Anna Karenina, The Danish Girl, and more. In 2013, she earned her breakout acting role in Call the Midwife and went on to star as Camilla Parker Bowles in The Crown. Emerald is also a well-known director and writer for projects like Killing Eve and Promising Young Woman. She won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Promising Young Woman.

21. And finally, Greta Gerwig's first notable role in Hannah Takes the Stairs in 2007 vs. behind the scenes while directing Barbie (2023):

IFC / Architectural Digest / Warner Bros / Via youtu.be

Greta's first notable onscreen role came in Hannah Takes the Stairs, which she also wrote. Then, she went on to star in Greenberg, No Strings Attached, Frances Ha (which she also wrote), 20th Century Women, and more, often collaborating with Noah Baumbach, her partner who also cowrote the Barbie script with her. Greta earned widespread acclaim for writing and directing Lady Bird and Little Women, with both movies earning her Academy Award nominations for writing and directing.

Barbie hits theaters on July 21!

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