In the wonderful vacation I just finished I enjoyed watching Band of Brothers during two typhoon days. It was Clair’s first time seeing it and perhaps my fifth. In this most recent viewing I was amazed how much of the cast has gone on to great success after that show. I made mental notes during that viewing and snapped screenshots yesterday. I’ve been having fun sharing these with people so might as well put them here for posterity. Below are 15 great actors you may not have known were in Band of Brothers.
Jamie Bamber
Shortly after Band of Brothers, Bamber played Lee Adama in Battlestar Gallactica.
Michael Cudlitz
Cudlitz starred in TNT’s Southland and currently appears in The Walking Dead.
Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon was a comedian on Saturday Night Live at the time Band of Brothers was filmed. Now he is instantly recognizable as the host of a late night talk show.
Michael Fassbender
Fassbender (to the right of Damian Lewis) has had incredible success as a movie star. He appeared in 300, Prometheus, Inglorious Basterds, the X-men series, and 12 Years a Slave.
Stephen Graham
Stephen Graham is perhaps not as well known as the other actors are now. But I recognized him in Snatch and more recently as Al Capone in Boardwalk Empire.
Colin Hanks
Colin Hanks possibly got the role for being the son of Band of Brothers producer Tom Hanks. But he’s gone on to success in his own right as was recently nominated for an Emmy for his work in Fargo.
Tom Hardy
Tom Hardy’s career is on fire of late. I loved him in Bronson years ago. But he had roles in two Christopher Nolan films that earned over $200 million in the US market alone: Inception and Dark Knight Rises. He’s about ready to bring Mad Max Rockatansky back to the screen.
Damian Lewis
Damian Lewis is probably more recognizable to most for the other role in which he played an American soldier: Homeland.
Ron Livingston
Many saw Livingston in Office Space and Swingers. He pops up every now and again in pleasant supporting roles.
James McAvoy
James McAvoy was briefly in Band of Brothers. He’s starring in the X-men series (with other Band of Brothers alum Michael Fassbender).
Neal McDonough
Neal McDonough followed Band of Brothers with roles in Minority Report and Captain America. As a friend on Facebook pointed out, he’s also “that guy in the Cadillac commercials.”
Simon Pegg
Most people met Simon Pegg in Shaun of the Dead, a hilarious zombie film he co-wrote. But now he’s banking big checks with recurring roles in the Star Trek and Mission Impossible series.
David Schwimmer
David Schwimmer was the most recognizable actor in the series at the time it aired. Since Band of Brothers aired around the end of the Friends run one could say his career peaked with Band of Brothers. But, then again, no one ever called him “that guy from Band of Brothers.”
Andrew Scott
Andrew Scott is perhaps not terribly well-known today. But he is starring as Jim Moriarty in Sherlock, one of the best shows currently airing.
Donnie Wahlberg
At the time Donnie was probably thought of as “Mark Wahlberg’s big brother.” But he’s since appeared in the Saw series and is currently in Blue Bloods.