6 actors from Once Upon a Time In Hollywood who became famous later

When Once Upon a Time in Hollywood hit theaters in 2019, most people focused on the big names. Leonardo DiCaprio played the washed-up actor. Brad Pitt stole scenes as the loyal stuntman. Margot Robbie charmed as Sharon Tate. Buried beneath the star power, however, were a handful of younger actors who didn’t become prominent immediately.

These actors had small parts, showing up for a few key scenes. Some played members of the Manson Family. Others crossed paths with DiCaprio or Pitt for a moment. At the time, nobody predicted how far they would go.

Fast forward a few years, and the same actors are now everywhere. They lead hit TV shows. They win Oscars. They headline big studio films. Quentin Tarantino has always been known for giving actors career-defining roles, and this film quietly did that for several fresh faces.

It’s easy to forget they got their start here. Back then they weren’t the ones people talked about after leaving the theater. However, for six actors in particular, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood became the stepping stone that helped launch them into the spotlight.

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Actors from Once Upon a Time In Hollywood who became famous later

1) Austin Butler

Austin Butler’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it role as Charles 'Tex' Watson in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood might have seemed minor on paper, but it became a turning point.

Cast as the cool-eyed, gun-wielding Manson Family member, Butler held his own in a cast packed with Hollywood heavyweights. His brief yet razor-sharp screen time, especially in the film’s climactic face-off, hinted at a deeper, more commanding presence beneath the surface.

That hint quickly became fact. Butler exploded onto the awards circuit with Elvis (2022), vanishing into the icon’s swagger, vulnerability, and sheer magnetism. It wasn’t just mimicry — it was total embodiment. The industry took notice. A Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Oscar nominations followed.

He didn’t stop at biopics, though. Butler switched gears in Dune: Part Two (2024), delivering a calculating, unhinged Feyd-Rautha. One small part in Tarantino’s sprawling Hollywood playground opened the door. Now, Butler’s firmly seated at the table.

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2) Maya Hawke

Maya Hawke’s appearance in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is brief but leaves an impression. As Flower Child, one of the Manson Family followers, she is seen nervously backing out of the infamous home invasion. It is a small role, but one that plants her firmly within Tarantino’s sprawling, star-studded world.

That same year, Hawke's breakout arrived with Netflix’s Stranger Things Season 3. As Robin Buckley, the sardonic, sharp-tongued co-worker turned close confidante to Steve Harrington, Hawke became a fast fan favorite. She brought a mix of dry humor and emotional vulnerability that set her apart. Her coming-out scene remains one of the show's most memorable moments.

She hasn’t slowed down since. From Netflix’s Do Revenge to voicing Anxiety in Pixar’s record-breaking Inside Out 2, Hawke’s range keeps expanding. She has carved out her space, not just as legacy Hollywood, but as one of its freshest voices.

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3) Mikey Madison

Mikey Madison played Susan 'Sadie' Atkins in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, one of the Manson Family members who break into Rick Dalton’s house. Madison’s performance in the film’s chaotic climax is unhinged and violent, especially when her character confronts Cliff Booth and ultimately meets a fiery end.

Relatively unknown at the time, Madison’s fierce screen presence stood out. Prior to this film, she was best recognized as Max Fox in Better Things. Her breakout moment came when director Sean Baker noticed her work in Tarantino’s film and cast her in Anora (2024).

In Anora, Madison plays Ani, a sex worker navigating a complex relationship, appearing in nearly every frame of the film. Her performance won widespread acclaim and earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. The performance confirmed her as one of the most exciting young talents today, moving her into leading roles.

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4) Victoria Pedretti

Victoria Pedretti’s appearance as Leslie Van Houten — Lulu — in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood may have been brief, but it marked her first step onto the big screen. Playing one of the Manson Family followers, Pedretti seamlessly blended into Tarantino’s meticulously-detailed depiction of 1969’s most notorious cult. Although a part of the supporting cast, the role foreshadowed her knack for playing characters who linger beneath the surface, waiting to unravel.

Pedretti’s career truly caught fire with Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House, where she delivered a haunting, deeply affecting performance as Nell Crain. The role cemented her as one of the most compelling young actresses in psychological horror.

She followed it up in The Haunting of Bly Manor, this time carrying the emotional weight as Dani Clayton. Then came You, where Pedretti’s portrayal of Love Quinn added unpredictable layers to the show’s dark twists. From cult follower to leading thrillers, Pedretti’s ascent has been unmistakable.

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5) Margaret Qualley

Margaret Qualley played Pussycat, a flirtatious and free-spirited member of the Manson Family in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Her scenes with Brad Pitt’s Cliff Booth provide tension, especially when Pussycat attempts to lure Booth to Spahn Ranch.

Qualley’s portrayal added layers to the film’s depiction of the dangerous allure surrounding the Manson Family. After the film, Qualley’s career accelerated. She led Netflix’s Maid (2021), playing Alex, a young mother fighting poverty and domestic abuse.

The series received critical acclaim, and Qualley’s grounded performance earned her significant praise. She continued taking ambitious roles, starring in Poor Things (2023) and Ethan Coen’s Drive-Away Dolls (2024).

She also appeared in The Substance with Demi Moore, where her performance earned a Golden Globe nomination. Qualley’s post-Tarantino work highlights her range, moving seamlessly between prestige TV dramas and offbeat indie films while establishing herself as a versatile leading actress.

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6) Sydney Sweeney

Sydney Sweeney’s turn as Snake in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was short, but it marked an early glimpse of the range she would later bring to larger roles. As one of the Manson Family members orbiting the film’s climax, her role threaded her into Tarantino’s tapestry of 1969 Los Angeles. It wasn’t long before she outgrew bit parts.

Her breakout came with Euphoria, where she took on the emotionally messy Cassie Howard. Sweeney's ability to balance vulnerability with volatility turned Cassie into one of HBO’s standout characters, earning her two Emmy nominations and a loyal following.

She didn’t stop there. The White Lotus showcased her sharpness as Olivia Mossbacher. She flipped genres effortlessly, leading the romantic comedy Anyone But You and the horror thriller Immaculate. Offscreen, she founded her production company, Fifty-Fifty Films, ensuring she had a hand in shaping the next chapter of her career.

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