Mikey Madison won an Oscar for her тιтular role in Anora, and she is one of many actors who appeared in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood before breaking big in the industry. Madison was one of the actors who cameoed in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as a member of the Manson cult and 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 Hollywood had a large ensemble cast, led by established stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot 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 in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood but are now winning Oscars and leading hit TV shows, succeeding outside the distinct style of Tarantino’s period piece.

6

Austin Butler

Notable Roles: Elvis Presley in Elvis, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in Dune: Part 2

Austin Butler’s role as Charles “Tex” Watson in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood marked a significant turning point in Butler’s career. Before this, Butler built his portfolio as a teen heartthrob in series like Zoey 101 and The Carrie Diaries. In Once 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’s Elvis, 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.

Butler was later cast to play Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in Dune: 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 film Eddington and Darren Aronofsky’s crime thriller Caught Stealing.

5

Maya Hawke

Notable Roles: Robin Buckley in Stranger Things, Anxiety in Inside Out 2

Maya Hawke played Flower Child in Once 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’s Stranger Things season 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 of Stranger Things season 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 for Stranger Things, she has taken on diverse roles. She co-starred in Netflix’s dark comedy Do Revenge with Camila Mendes, further demonstrating her versatility. Also, she voiced the character Anxiety in Pixar’s Inside 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.

4

Mikey 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, in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Madison even wrote a poem to Manson for 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 series Better Things. Madison’s role of a teenager navigating the complexities of adolescence earned her critical acclaim. She also expanded her repertoire with the horror film Scream (2022), where she played Amber Freeman.

Madison’s career reached a new pinnacle with her lead role in Anora, directed by Sean Baker. In the movie, Madison plays Ani, a Sєx worker experiencing a complicated modern-day Cinderella story. Anora won 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.

3

Victoria 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 in Once 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’s The Haunting of Hill House. She continued to collaborate with director Mike Flanagan in The Haunting of Bly Manor, playing Dani Clayton, further establishing her presence in the horror genre.

Pedretti joined Netflix’s thriller series You seasons 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.

2

Margaret Qualley

Notable Roles: Sue in The Substance, Alexandra “Alex” Russell in Maid, Jamie Dobbs in Drive-Away Dolls

Margaret Qualley portrayed Pussycat in Once 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 series Maid, 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’s Poor 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 movie Drive-Away Dolls. However, her biggest gamble became her biggest success when Qualley played Sue in The 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 comedy Honey Don’t! alongside Chris Evans and Aubrey Plaza, as well as Happy Gilmore 2, a sequel to the 1996 Adam Sandler comedy. She is also set to appear in the revenge thriller Huntington with Glen Powell and Ed Harris.

1

Sydney Sweeney

Notable Roles: Cᴀssie 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, in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Although her role was minor, her commitment was evident, with Sweeney also writing a letter in character during auditions to win the part. Sweeney next turned to television, with standout performances as Cᴀssie Howard in HBO’s Euphoria and Olivia Mossbacher in The 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-thriller Immaculate as well as in the charming rom-com Anyone But You. Sweeney is attached to several upcoming movies, including the psychological thriller The Housemaid, the thriller Echo Valley, and an unтιтled Christy Martin sports biopic, confirming how far she has come since Once Upon A Time in Hollywood. She is also returning as Cᴀssie in Euphoria season 3,