20 Celebrities Who Were Friends Before the Fame

In the glittering world of Hollywood and entertainment, it’s easy to assume that the connections and friendships we see are forged after celebrities become famous. However, as the saying goes, “it’s not what you know; it’s who you know,” and these 20 celebrity pairs exemplify friendships that began long before their rise to stardom. Join us as we dive into the world of pre-fame friendships that have stood the test of time.

B.J. Novak and John Krasinski

B.J. Novak and John Krasinski, renowned for their roles on The Office, share more than just on-screen chemistry. The two actors grew up together, attending the same little league and high school, solidifying their friendship long before the cameras started rolling.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have been inseparable since their childhood days in Boston. Their enduring friendship, highlighted by their joint Oscar win for Good Will Hunting, is a testament to their deep bond and collaborative spirit.

The Lonely Island

Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, and Akiva Schaffer of The Lonely Island fame met during their formative years in Berkeley, California. Their comedic collaboration on Saturday Night Live revolutionized the show’s format and showcased their innate chemistry.

Andy Samberg and Chelsea Peretti

Beyond his Lonely Island colleagues, Andy Samberg also shares a long-standing friendship with Chelsea Peretti, his Brooklyn Nine-Nine co-star. The duo’s Bay Area connection added depth to their characters’ backstories on the show.

Ben Platt and Beanie Feldstein

Broadway sensations Ben Platt and Beanie Feldstein became friends before hitting the spotlight. Their friendship, rooted in a Los Angeles school, has stood the test of time, with both achieving significant success in theater.

Jonah Hill and Adam Levine

Actor Jonah Hill and singer Adam Levine are another duo who found fame side by side. Growing up together in Los Angeles, their friendship has remained strong, with Hill even officiating Levine’s wedding.

Laura Linney and Brooke Shields

Laura Linney and Brooke Shields, both iconic figures in entertainment, hail from Manhattan where their childhood friendship blossomed, underscoring their shared talent and trajectory to stardom.

Jessie J and Adele

The vocal powerhouses Jessie J and Adele shared a musical connection early on at school in London. Despite their shared history, fans still await a musical collaboration from these two British icons.

Lauryn Hill and Zach Braff

Lauryn Hill and Zach Braff may come from different entertainment sectors, but their high school days in Maplewood, New Jersey, mark the beginning of their friendship, sprinkled with memorable Bat Mitzvah anecdotes.

Cameron Diaz and Snoop Dogg

High school alumni Cameron Diaz and Snoop Dogg from Long Beach, California, may have ventured into distinct careers, but their memorable school days, including Diaz’s claims of buying marijuana from Snoop, remain iconic.

Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance

The love story between Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance began at the Yale School of Drama. Although romance didn’t bloom immediately, their reconnection in Los Angeles led to a partnership both on and off-screen.

Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford

Friends since their church camp days, Carey Mulligan and Marcus Mumford rekindled their childhood bond as adults, culminating in a love story that led to marriage, combining elements of Hollywood and the music industry.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire

Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire might be superstars now, but their camaraderie dates back to their days as aspiring child actors. Their friendship has only grown stronger with time and shared success in Hollywood.

Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts

Long before they starred alongside each other, Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts attended the same high school in Australia. Their friendship ignited on the set of Flirting, paving the way for their enduring connection.

Maya Rudolph and Gwyneth Paltrow

The friendship shared by Maya Rudolph and Gwyneth Paltrow traces back to their fathers’ college days. Meeting at age seven, these two have crafted significant realms in comedy, film, and lifestyle branding.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler

Before becoming comedy trailblazers, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler met while honing their craft in improv classes in Chicago. Their friendship has flourished through multiple successful projects in television and film.

Lisa Kudrow and Conan O’Brien

Lisa Kudrow and Conan O’Brien epitomize the supportive roles that friendships often play. Prior to enjoying immense television success, their friendship and brief romantic involvement underscored their mutual creative support.

Judd Apatow and Adam Sandler

Roommates before earning acclaim, Judd Apatow and Adam Sandler navigated their early comedic careers together, leading to a prolific period where both became iconic figures in film and comedy.

Jamie Dornan and Andrew Garfield

Jamie Dornan and Andrew Garfield found support and camaraderie as roommates, which fueled their subsequent endeavors: Dornan in the Fifty Shades series and Garfield assuming the mantle of Spider-Man.

Nick Kroll and John Mulaney

The friendship between Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, forged during their time in an improv group at Georgetown University, has led to lasting professional alliances in projects like Big Mouth and stand-up comedy.

From shared beginnings to stardom, these pre-fame friendships prove that connections formed in youth can be instrumental and enduring, weaving unforgettable stories within the fabric of Hollywood and beyond.

Source: https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/20_sets_of_celebrities_who_knew_each_other_before_they_were_famous/s1__40616677