Even big-shot movie stars endured humility of first jobs

In every career there is that first job, a first step into the work force that teaches fiscal and personal responsibility, a first lesson on the value of a job well done. First jobs instill lessons that will remain part of our character for life.

My first job, for instance, was at the McDonald's on Walton Way in 1984.

As I recall, I lasted about three weeks.

Sometimes, it seems, you need to wait for that second job for those life lessons.

Still, even in Hollywood, there are first gigs. And while some performers make a big break with the spotlight firmly in their face, others take a more gradual route. Here is a list of some of Hollywood's heaviest hitters' first movies and the blink-and-you'll-miss-'em roles they played:

NIGHT SHIFT (1982): Widely remembered as the movie that made Michael Keaton a star, this comedy about a prostitution ring run out of a morgue also featured another future A-lister. Playing the coveted role of Frat Boy No. 1 was an almost unrecognizable Kevin Costner. The next year he would zoom to fame as the guy completely cut out of The Big Chill.

FIREHOUSE (1987): Julia Roberts actually had a name in her first movie - Babs. Just Babs. Now fans of this Police Academy rip-off, er, homage, will have to look hard to find Ms. Robert's amongst the crop of up-and-comers that populated this movie. It's amazing that none of her co-stars - the guy who played the wacky firefighter, the woman who got her top wet, the two-dimensional villain - experienced the kind of success Ms. Roberts did.

REVENGE OF THE CREATURE (1955): Clint Eastwood has had one of the most successful and enduring careers in Hollywood history. It's hard to imagine a time when he wasn't a star, the guy with the almost magic command of the screen. Still, he had to start somewhere. The future Man with No Name's first movie role was a Character with No Name. Billed simply as Lab Technician, Mr. Eastwood began his illustrious film career in the sequel to Creature from the Black Lagoon.

DEAD HEAT ON A MERRY-GO-ROUND (1966): Beginning his career at the tail end of the studio system, Harrison Ford began acting under contract to Columbia and then Universal, performing when and where he was told to. His first film role was playing a bellboy in this James Coburn crime drama, when the now-famous galaxy far, far away was still far, far away.

Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.