It’s now been over 10 years since agents Mulder and Scully last graced our screens in their search for the truth. With a show spanning 202 episodes (that’s 55 discs if you’re lucky enough to have the box set), we were invited to join Mulder’s investigation into his sister’s disappearance and Scully’s journey from sceptic to believer. With episodes covering aliens, vampires, parasites and the occult, we would be introduced to enough conspiracy theories and unbalanced characters to give Fox News a run for their money.
As with many TV shows of our youth, the nostalgic enjoyment that comes with re-experiencing something you grew up with now includes the added spotter’s-badge bonus of a casual, fresh faced appearance by someone who would later hit the big time. You’d be casually following the story as it unfolds . . . then you see Dave Grohl checking his watch in the background:
Strictly speaking, our dearest Dave can’t be included in this run-down due to the fact that he was the drummer for one of the biggest bands in the world at the time, so you wouldn’t really class him as an “unknown”. The same could be said for Bruce Campbell (“Terms of Endearment” 1999) and Peter Boyle (“Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” 1995).
These guys on the other hand . . .
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9 Comments
Cool list, makes me want to dig out my DVDs and watch them for myself.
Genuinely interesting article – nice job Richard!
Thanks to both of you, I’m glad you enjoyed it
I was a fan of the X-Files, and I didn’t remember most of these “before they were stars” moments. I’m tempted to argue, however, that Lucy Liu is best known for Ali MacBeal. Also, why no mention of connection between X-Files and Breaking Bad: Vince Gilligan. P.S.: Amanda Tapping from Stargate: SG1 and Sanctuary played the prostitute Skinner was accused of killing in a second-season episode, and Titus Welliver from Lost played the eco-terrorist in Darkness Falls during season one.
Awesome list! Kurtwood Smith from That 70′s Show was in a season 3 episode I think. Although he had been in a bunch of stuff before (Robocop in particular) you could make and argument he wasn’t famous until That 70s Show. Also Michael Emerson from Lost and Person of Interest was in a season 7 or 8 episode.
Was tempted to mention the Breaking Bad link with Cranston (he and Norris never worked together). Good shout about Lucy Liu, tho Ally MacB never really appealed to me so I’d blanked it from my mind.
There’s a few people from Saw that make appearances (Michael Emerson as mentioned above, then Amanda, Dr Gordon and Jigsaw), so I’d imagine the all had the same (good) agent.
As new programs start to get big, there’s always at least one cast member who’s been part of an X-File. Last night, I spotted a young Laurie Holden (Andrea in The Walking Dead) – she plays Mulder’s informant in quite a few episodes from season 4 onwards
Felicity Huffman – Ice – Season 1
Bradley Whitford – Firewalker – Season 2
Paul McCrane – Leonard Betts – Season 4
Bryan Cranston is a brilliant actor who has genuinely worked his nuts off on his way up the ladder. I’ve seen him in quite a few TV show repeats including SEINFELD, KING OF QUEENS etc. Obviously, first noticed him in MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE.
Luke Wilson’s Sheriff character should’ve arrested himself for those godawful jokey chompers!