The 25 breakout stars of 2011: Michael Fassbender, Scotty McCreery, Melissa McCarthy and more

Which new names in music, movies and TV made the biggest impact?

Prev Photo 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Next Photo

Galleries You Might Also Like

Abc-has-so-much-faith-in-marvels-agents-of-s

From 'S.H.I.E.L.D.' to 'Revolution' - 10 things we learned from Upfronts 2013 and 1 thing we didn't

We also learned about Derbel McDillet, CW genetics and 'Beverly Hills Cop'

Jennifer-lawrence-is-getting-a-little-sassy_home_top_story

Cannes 2013: Jennifer Lawrence leads 'Catching Fire' photocall

Liam Hemsworth and Sam Claflin also hit film festival to talk up sequel

movies

Brad-bird-has-been-thinking-about-incredibles-sequel_home_top_story

10 Stories you might have missed: Brad Bird has 'been thinking about' 'Incredibles' sequel

Also: Scarlett Johansson and Robert Downey Jr. reuniting in Jon Favreau's 'Chef'

movies

Who should judge the next season of 'American Idol'?

Harry

No Donald Glover on this list? He continues to be great on Community, he released his breakout hit 'Freaks and Geeks' and his album Camp as Childish Gambino, and had an hour-long stand up special on Comedy Central. He's definitely broken out in 2011.
November 24, 2011 at 5:54PM EST Reply to Comment
- Chris I have nothing to do with this list, but I would say it's hard to say Donald Glover has "broken" when his show is likely to be cancelled and his album is likely to go largely unheard. I love the guy to death and I think he has the potential to be a megastar one day, but I doubt most people even know who he is.
  November 24, 2011 at 11:15PM EST
- randyDUDE17 agreed
  December 16, 2011 at 12:37PM EST
keith

No Donald Glover? He's not actually related to Danny Glover even though they're both black.
November 24, 2011 at 6:00PM EST Reply to Comment
Sareeta

1. Peter Dinklage - well-deserved Emmy win for his role as Tyrion Lannister
2. Michael Fassbender - I first saw him in Fish Tank and he was amazing. What a juicy role he got to play in X Men first class.
3. Giancarlo Esposito - I had my reservations about his character on Breaking Bad, but by the end of Season 4 I am convinced the show would not have been as amazing without him; he was great in season 3, amazing in season 4.
November 24, 2011 at 8:04PM EST Reply to Comment
Son of Mecha Mummy

I'm really puzzled by people who thought Heather Morris was the highlight of season two and not Naya Rivera.
November 24, 2011 at 8:55PM EST Reply to Comment
- Jax While I like Heather Morris, I thought Rivera did ten times better.
  December 14, 2011 at 10:37PM EST
emmy

all the awards
November 24, 2011 at 9:41PM EST Reply to Comment
Chris

Don't forget Tom Hiddleston's memorable supporting role as F. Scott Fitzgerald in "Midnight in Paris" this year.
November 24, 2011 at 11:12PM EST Reply to Comment
- Joe Wow I somehow didn't even realize that was him. A breakout year indeed.
  November 25, 2011 at 5:24AM EST
RB

Naya is my favorite on Glee, she's a great actress,singer and dancer!
November 25, 2011 at 4:49AM EST Reply to Comment
Joann

Giancarlo Esposito stole season four. His portrayal of Gus Fring deserves an Emmy nomination. I love the seen in the elevator after being question by the DEA about Gail. Gus shows his rage by his fingers moving. It's looks like something Fosse would choreograph.
November 26, 2011 at 9:54PM EST Reply to Comment
Joann

I wish he Wayans did both New Girl and Happy Endings
November 26, 2011 at 9:58PM EST Reply to Comment
K. Bowen

Isn't 25 a little too many? Or perhaps way too many? Are there really 25 stars that break out in any single year? Or does that devalue the term?

November 27, 2011 at 4:34PM EST Reply to Comment
Ted

Is this rag for those who "think" they know cinema? Poor excuse!
November 29, 2011 at 9:54AM EST Reply to Comment
j

Excuse you Lea Michele was the break out star of seasons 1
November 30, 2011 at 4:25AM EST Reply to Comment
Me

no Tom Hardy?
December 1, 2011 at 5:57PM EST Reply to Comment
afroebob

I knew maybe 4 people on this list. Hardly call them 'breakout'.
December 2, 2011 at 8:26PM EST Reply to Comment
Peter

No Ryan Gosling? I know he's done some stuff before, but he just had 3 smash hits and now EVERYONE knows who he is.
December 4, 2011 at 4:28PM EST Reply to Comment
- chort I don't. But then again I don't watch much pop trash.
  December 10, 2011 at 10:03PM EST
Joy

You forgot that Hiddleston was also in Midnight in Paris, possibly the biggest indie film of the year!
January 3, 2012 at 12:04AM EST Reply to Comment

Cannes Film Festival 2013

Galleries You Might Also Like

Comments

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Harry No Donald Glover on this list? He continues to be great on Community, he released his breakout hit 'Freaks and Geeks' and his album Camp as Childish Gambino, and had an hour-long stand up special on Comedy Central. He's definitely broken out in 2011.

randyDUDE17 agreed

keith No Donald Glover? He's not actually related to Danny Glover even though they're both black.

Son of Mecha Mummy I'm really puzzled by people who thought Heather Morris was the highlight of season two and not Naya Rivera.

Jax While I like Heather Morris, I thought Rivera did ten times better.

emmy all the awards

Chris Don't forget Tom Hiddleston's memorable supporting role as F. Scott Fitzgerald in "Midnight in Paris" this year.

Joe Wow I somehow didn't even realize that was him. A breakout year indeed.

RB Naya is my favorite on Glee, she's a great actress,singer and dancer!

Joann Giancarlo Esposito stole season four. His portrayal of Gus Fring deserves an Emmy nomination. I love the seen in the elevator after being question by the DEA about Gail. Gus shows his rage by his fingers moving. It's looks like something Fosse would choreograph.

Joann I wish he Wayans did both New Girl and Happy Endings

K. Bowen Isn't 25 a little too many? Or perhaps way too many? Are there really 25 stars that break out in any single year? Or does that devalue the term?

Ted Is this rag for those who "think" they know cinema? Poor excuse!

j Excuse you Lea Michele was the break out star of seasons 1

Me no Tom Hardy?

afroebob I knew maybe 4 people on this list. Hardly call them 'breakout'.

Peter No Ryan Gosling? I know he's done some stuff before, but he just had 3 smash hits and now EVERYONE knows who he is.

chort I don't. But then again I don't watch much pop trash.

Joy You forgot that Hiddleston was also in Midnight in Paris, possibly the biggest indie film of the year!

About HitFix

Advertise on HitFix

Subscribe to HitFix

Popular Topics

Send to your friends

Direct link: http://tinyurl.com/6ujb75z

The 25 breakout stars of 2011

Share this Gallery on ...

Direct link: http://tinyurl.com/6ujb75z

The 25 breakout stars of 2011

Harry

No Donald Glover on this list? He continues to be great on Community, he released his breakout hit 'Freaks and Geeks' and his album Camp as Childish Gambino, and had an hour-long stand up special on Comedy Central. He's definitely broken out in 2011.

keith

No Donald Glover? He's not actually related to Danny Glover even though they're both black.

Son of Mecha Mummy

I'm really puzzled by people who thought Heather Morris was the highlight of season two and not Naya Rivera.

emmy

all the awards

Chris

Don't forget Tom Hiddleston's memorable supporting role as F. Scott Fitzgerald in "Midnight in Paris" this year.

RB

Naya is my favorite on Glee, she's a great actress,singer and dancer!

Joann

Giancarlo Esposito stole season four. His portrayal of Gus Fring deserves an Emmy nomination. I love the seen in the elevator after being question by the DEA about Gail. Gus shows his rage by his fingers moving. It's looks like something Fosse would choreograph.

Joann

I wish he Wayans did both New Girl and Happy Endings

K. Bowen

Isn't 25 a little too many? Or perhaps way too many? Are there really 25 stars that break out in any single year? Or does that devalue the term?

Ted

Is this rag for those who "think" they know cinema? Poor excuse!

j

Excuse you Lea Michele was the break out star of seasons 1

Me

no Tom Hardy?

afroebob

I knew maybe 4 people on this list. Hardly call them 'breakout'.

Peter

No Ryan Gosling? I know he's done some stuff before, but he just had 3 smash hits and now EVERYONE knows who he is.

Joy

You forgot that Hiddleston was also in Midnight in Paris, possibly the biggest indie film of the year!