MTV Reality TV Celebrities Who Became Movie Stars

It’s no secret that reality TV can lead to real celebrity. Stars like Cardi B and Harry Styles have become supernovas after getting their start on reality shows. However, MTV produces a particular pocket of reality TV, one which doesn’t always likely garner the following of some other areas like The Bachelor franchise.

Some fans may forget MTV created one of the first-ever reality TV shows. The network has yielded several stars from shows like The Real World and The Challenge. However, it isn’t common for the cast members of these types of reality shows to make the jump to the big screen. People like Jamie Chung allow others to realize the transition is possible.

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Jamie Chung

Jamie Chung came to MTV on The Real World: San Diego, before coming back for subsequent spinoff seasons. She is one of the most successful MTV reality alums. After her time on the network, she moved on to small acting roles in TV and film. However, where so many amateur actors’ careers end, hers flourished.

Chung is one of the only MTV reality celebrities who can call herself a full-fledged movie star. She’s appeared in straight-to-video releases as well as acted in several blockbusters with big names. Grown Ups with Adam Sandler and Premium Rush with Joseph Gordon-Levitt are among the big movies on her resume.

Dax Shepard

Some fans may not realize Dax Shepard found his start on MTV. The funnyman used to show up on audiences’ screens for the hidden camera prank show Punk’d.  He would perform a different kind of acting, tricking celebrities with various stunts, often playing the “straight man.” The show turned out to be a good foundation for Shepard’s career.

Shepard is now a notable actor. He’s appeared in several pictures since his MTV debut. Mike Judge’s cult-favorite Ideocracy and the Oscar-nominated The Judge are some of Dax Shepard’s most highly-rated films. Most recently, he lent his voice acting to PAW Patrol: The Movie in 2021.

Chris ‘C.T.’ Tamburello

Anyone who has been watching MTV’s The Challenge over the past decade knows C.T. Tamburello. He made his MTV debut in The Real World but became a legend through his work on the competition show The Challenge. He’s one of the highest-earning champions of The Challenge but has expanded his repertoire into acting.

C.T. has appeared in a few small projects for acting, sometimes playing himself like in Comedy Central’s Kroll Show. However, Screen Rant reported he will finally make the jump to the big screen. Tamburello will star in the remake of the 1932 film The Most Dangerous Game set to release in 2022.

Jacinda Barrett came to fans on MTV through The Real World. She first appeared in the London season. Unlike some of her movie star peers, she never returned for any spinoffs like The Challenge. In fact, fans didn’t see Barrett dabble with reality TV at all after her season of The Real World.

However, she began acting a few years after her MTV debut. Barrett has earned recurring TV roles on shows like Bull. However, Barrett’s performances in big-budget movies like Ladder 49 helped make her a movie star. Some fans consider Ladder 49 one of the best ever firefighter movies. She’s also appeared alongside notable stars like Casey Affleck and Zach Braff in The Last Kiss.

David Giuntoli first came to fans via Road Rules on MTV during its South Pacific season. He returned to the MTV family for the spinoff series fans now know as The Challenge. After his stint with the network, he went on to act on other projects.

He has mostly appeared in TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Nip/Tuck. However, Giuntoli has also appeared in several films. Buddymoon and Caroline and Jackie are among his starring roles. He has most recently lent his voice to the cast of Batman: Soul of the Dragon.

Johnny Knoxville

Fans know Johnny Knoxville from his wild antics in MTV’s Jackass. The stuntman shocked audiences with his fearlessness and charmed viewers as the star of the series. Fans got a glimpse of Knoxville’s acting prowess in sequences where he would trick people in “on-the-street” segments.

However, while Jackass got its own movie (and three sequels) Knoxville continued to act in big-budget movies. He has worked on several films since the debut of Jackass. He has acted in Hollywood blockbusters like The Dukes Of Hazzard. Knoxville also works behind the camera, having written and produced movies like Bad Grampa and Action Point, which he also starred in.

Teck Holmes

Teck Holmes made his MTV debut via one of its most notorious reality shows. The Real World birthed another star when Teck first appeared on its Hawaii season. His energetic behavior, remembered by some fans with his skinning dipping during his debut episode, made some fans see him as a favorite roommate in the house.

Teck began acting not long after his stint with MTV. He has worked in several films since appearing on the network. One of Teck’s earliest and perhaps most memorable appearances came with Van Wilder with Ryan Reynolds. Teck continues to act, as well as compete on MTV’s The Challenge: All Stars, a spinoff of his debut reality show.

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