Before They Were Stars is a 1996 30-minute American ABC television show which was hosted by Scott Baio, with John Cramer as announcer and narrator; it was preceded by four specials, each an hour long. The term "Before They Were Stars" has since become widely used by television shows and magazines when featuring segments and articles on famous actors in their lesser-known performances.
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OLDIES BUT GOODIES COUNTDOWN -- Actor Sean Connery singing in a 1959 film appearance, young David Letterman and Michael Keaton together and Gregory Hines singing on The Tonight Show. JOKE OF THE WEEK -- Comedian Jerry Seinfeld gives his take on pajamas. STARS BEHIND BARS -- Academy Award winner Kathy Bates appears as an inmate on All My Children. STAR ANECDOTE -- Alan Thicke looks back at his first TV show, while singer Kenny Rogers sees footage of an early TV appearance. GUESS WHO? -- Audience members identify the early work of Janine Turner and Rob Reiner SITCOM SURPRISES -- Regis Philbin in a 1968 appearance on Get Smart. BEFORE THEY WERE CHAMPIONS -- Early home movies of a young Andre Agassi. HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK -- Featuring Jack Nicholson, Kim Bassinger and David Hasselhoff. AS THE STAR TURNS -- The As The World Turns roles of Steven Weber and Julianne Moore. ANIMAL MAGNETISM -- Along with Jessica Lange in King Kong, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ann Jillian and Elijah Wood in some ea
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STARS IN CARS -- Work on wheels by TV legend Johnny Carson, Florence Henderson and John Goodman. SONG THE WEEK -- Comedian Jim Carrey impersonates singer Tom Jones. STAR ANECDOTE -- Star Tony Danza's 1978 film Fast Lane Blues and Reginald Vel Johnson looks back at his portrayal of Santa Claus. GUESS WHO? -- Audience members identify early appearances by Ed O'Neill and Lucille Ball. JOKE OF THE WEEK -- Bill Cosby's 1963 comedy act on The Jack Paar Show. BEHIND THE SCENES -- Features the 1985 screen test of actress Meg Ryan. FUN & GAMES -- Actress Kirstie Alley as a contestant on The Match Game. AS THE STAR TURNS -- The early As The World Turns roles of Marisa Tomei and Courtney Cox. SWEET SUCCESS -- Featuring commercial appearances of Nancy Travis, Charles Kimbrough, Lea Thompson and Drew Barrymore. MAILBAG -- Scott Baio answers inquiries about Hector Elizondo and Michelle Pfeiffer.
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SERVICE WITH A STAR -- Actor Jim Belushi's 1983 Sugar or Plain? SONG THE WEEK -- A look at a little known singing performance by actor Val Kilmer. MAGICAL PERFORMANCES -- Funnyman Steve Martin's magic act on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. GUESS WHO? -- Audience members are challenged to identify clips with Suzanne Somers and Lorenzo Lamas. AS THE STAR TURNS -- Actor Wesley Snipes on a 1984 episode of All My Children. JOKE OF THE WEEK -- A peek at Rosie O'Donnell's 1979 stand-up comedy act. BEFORE THEY WERE STARS YEARBOOK -- A look back at the high school yearbook photos of Bette Midler, Sylvester Stallone and Richard Gere. STAR ANECDOTE -- Actor John Ritter reflects on an early TV role. FIRST FILMS -- Superstar Kevin Costner's 1974 appearance in Sizzle Beach. HAIR -- A look at hair commercials by Shelley Long, Laura Leighton, Jaclyn Smith and Jeff Daniels. ROLE MODELS -- Actress Jennifer Aniston's shows up in the 1992 sketch comedy series, The Edge. MAILBAG -- Scott Baio answers qu
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DATE WITH A STAR -- This segment highlights Dating Game appearances of stars Jeff Bridges, Teri Garr, James Caan and Sally Field. JOKE THE WEEK -- A look at an early stand-up comedy performance of Mad About You's Paul Reiser. STAR ANECDOTES -- Baywatch star Yasmine Bleeth recalls a childhood film performance, while a pair of Indianapolis broadcasters reflect on the early career of David Letterman. GUESS WHO? -- Audience members are asked to identify Rosie Perez and Faye Dunaway. AS THE STAR TURNS -- Featuring actor Kelsey Grammar's 1984 appearance on Another World. SONG OF THE WEEK -- A surprising clip of a young Jeremy Irons in 1970. BEFORE THEY WERE STARS BULLETIN -- Beau Bridges in 1965's Valley of the Giants. BEFORE THEY WERE STARS YEARBOOK -- The high school yearbook photos of Sharon Stone, Michael Douglas and Oprah Winfrey. BAD BOYS -- Featuring actors Bill Paxton, Peter Falk and Kurt Russell as tough guys. BEFORE THEY WERE STARS EXCLUSIVE -- A 1963 clip of The Dinah Shore Specia
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NATIONAL ANTHEM -- A segment featuring country music star Reba McIntire singing The Star Spangled Banner in 1978. JUST KIDDING -- A look at some very early performances from Joey Lawrence, Candice Bergen, Corey Feldman and Tori Spelling. STAR ANECDOTES -- Lois and Clark star Teri Hatcher recalls her years as a San Francisco 49er cheerleader, actress Loni Anderson in an early commercial audition and Naomi Judd's 1973 game show appearance. BEFORE THEY WERE STARS CLASSIC -- A 1950 commercial with the legendary Marilyn Monroe. GUESS WHO? -- Audience members are challenged with clips of Christian Slater and Mary Lou Henner. JOKE OF THE WEEK -- Actor Arsenio Hall performing his stand up comedy routine. BEFORE THEY WERE STARS YEARBOOK -- Revealing high school yearbook photos of Tom Hanks, Jessica Lange and Patrick Swayze. SONG OF THE WEEK -- A look back to the early days of singer Garth Brooks' career. AS THE STAR TURNS -- Featuring actor Larry Hagman in his 1960 appearance on Search for Tomo
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WHEN THEY WERE SQUARES -- This opening segment features Brett Butler, Ellen DeGeneres, Brad Pitt and Jerry Seinfeld as they appeared on the game show Hollywood Squares. JOKE OF THE WEEK -- A look back at an early stand-up comedy performance by Wayne's World and Saturday Night Live star Dana Carvey. STAR ANECDOTES -- Jeopardy's Alex Trebek looks back at an early TV appearance while a neighbor reminisces about singer/actress Dolly Parton. GUESS WHO? -- Audience members are challenged to recognize Suzanne Pleshette and Shannon Doherty. AS THE STAR TURNS -- Featuring Kevin Bacon's early appearance on The Guiding Light. BEFORE THEY WERE STARS YEARBOOK -- Old high school yearbook photos of Woody Harrelson, Luke Perry and Susan Sarandon. SONG OF THE WEEK -- A look back at actor Lou Gossett, Jr. performing a song in 1970. WHAT'S COOKIN' -- These early performances featuring food and stars include Emma Thompson, David Letterman and Jeff Daniels. YESTERDAY'S NEWS -- Comedian George Carlin in a 1
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FUN & GAMES -- Game show appearances by Kathy Najimy, Burt Reynolds and Rosanne. SONG OF THE WEEK -- This 1976 clip features John Travolta singing on Dinah. GUILTY -- Actor Robert Redford in seen during his 1960 role on Perry Mason. GUESS WHO? -- Audience members try to identify ER's Anthony Edwards and LA Law's Corbin Bernsen. SITCOM SURPRISES -- Featuring a young Kurt Russell's 1965 Gilligan's Island appearance. JOKE OF THE WEEK -- Actor Michael Keaton trying out his stand-up routine in 1977. STAR ANECDOTES -- Hangin' With Mr. Cooper star Mark Curry revisits his childhood neighborhood, while host Scott Baio takes a look at his own big screen debut in Bugsy Malone. MAGICAL PERFORMANCES -- Magician David Copperfield is shown on The Mike Douglas Show. AS THE STAR TURNS -- Grant Show and Yasmine Bleeth together on Ryan's Hope. BEFORE THEY WERE STARS PLAYHOUSE -- Featuring performances by Jerry Orbach, Mayim Bialik, Edward Asner and Sharon Gless. MAILBAG -- Scott Baio answers an inquiry a
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OLDIES BUT GOODIES COUNTDOWN -- A look at early musical performances by David Hasslhoff, Sarah Jessica Parker and Tony Bennett. MAN IN A BATTLE...WITH HIMSELF! -- Actor Robert DeNiro in his 1971 movie, The Swap. STAR ANECDOTES -- A New Jersey actress recalls the young Jason Alexander and The Larry Sanders Show star Jeffrey Tambor recalls his many hairy roles. GUESS WHO? -- Audience members identify Hugh Grant and Josie Bisset. AS THE STAR TURNS -- Lauren Holly is shown in a 1987 episode of All My Children. ANIMAL MAGNETISM -- This segment features stars Matt LeBlanc, Jeff Bridges and Farrah Fawcett in their early work with animals. BEFORE THEY WERE STARS YEARBOOK -- Featuring high school photos of John Goodman, Meg Ryan and Robin Williams. JOKE OF THE WEEK -- Comedian Richard Lewis is shown during a 1975 performance on The Mike Douglas Show. BEHIND THE SCENES -- A very early look at film star Bruce Willis. MAILBAG -- Scott Baio answers an inquiry about early commercials by Danny Aiello
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BAD TO THE BONE -- Some early tough guy and tough gal performances from Harvey Keitel, Debra Winger and Leonard Nimoy. YESTERDAY'S NEWS -- TV star David Letterman is shown as a newscaster on Mary. STAR ANECDOTES -- After Betty White and Marie Osmond recall their first television appearances, comedian Drew Carey takes a look back at his 1988 debut on Star Search. GUESS WHO? -- Audience members are asked to identify Loni Anderson and a young Dennis Hopper. AS THE STAR TURNS -- Meg Ryan's 1982 appearance on As The World Turns. SONG & DANCE -- This segment features a look at Academy Award winner Woody Allen on The Kraft Summer Music Hall in 1965. BEFORE THEY WERE STARS YEARBOOK -- Featuring high school photos of Michael Keaton, Rosie O'Donnell and singer Garth Brooks. SONG OF THE WEEK -- Actress Mare Winningham is shown in 1977 on The Gong Show. BEFORE THEY WERE STARS COMEDY CLUB -- A trio of clips looking at the early stand-up careers of comics Tim Allen, Billy Crystal and Kevin Nealon. A
