From Manson Family to A-List: How 5 Unknown Actors in Tarantino’s Hollywood Became Superstars

Quentin Tarantino has always had an uncanny ability to spot talent, but his 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood might be his most impressive casting achievement yet.

The film not only featured established stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie, but it also introduced audiences to a group of relatively unknown actors who portrayed members of the Manson Family.

Five years later, these performers have become some of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents.

Is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood based on a true story? Tarantino’s blend of fact and fiction

Tarantino’s film blends fact and fiction in his signature style. Set in 1969 Los Angeles, it follows Rick Dalton (DiCaprio), a fading TV star, and his stunt double Cliff Booth (Pitt) as they navigate a changing film industry.

Alongside this fictional narrative runs the very real story of Sharon Tate (played by Robbie), the actress who was murdered by members of Charles Manson’s cult.

However, Tarantino takes historical liberties with the ending, creating an alternate reality where the tragic events play out differently.

The film received critical acclaim, with Pitt winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

However, perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the production was how it served as a launching pad for several actors now dominating Hollywood.

The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Manson Family cast now: From cult followers to A-listers

Mikey Madison: From Manson Family member to Oscar winner

Who did Mikey Madison play in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood?

Mikey Madison took on the role of Susan “Sadie” Atkins, one of the real-life Manson Family members involved in the Tate murders.

Her chilling performance left a lasting impression, catching the attention of both horror fans and filmmakers.

Since then, Madison has carved out a niche as a modern scream queen, most notably in the 2022 Scream reboot.

However, her greatest triumph came recently with the lead role in Sean Baker’s Anora, a film that received widespread acclaim at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

This weekend, she cemented her place among Hollywood’s elite, winning the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her most prestigious accolade yet.

Madison’s trajectory proves that even a supporting role in a Tarantino film can be the launching pad for a stellar career.

Margaret Qualley: From Tarantino’s hippie to Hollywood royalty

Margaret Qualley played Pussycat, a fictional member of the Manson Family who encounters Cliff Booth and attempts to lure him to Spahn Ranch.

Her character was based on several real-life Manson followers, particularly Catherine “Gypsy” Share.

Qualley, daughter of actress Andie MacDowell, had a handful of roles before her breakout in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, including The Nice Guys and Death Note.

Her captivating turn as the free-spirited, barefoot hitchhiker catapulted her into the spotlight, cementing her status as one of Hollywood’s most exciting talents.

Since then, she has delivered standout performances in critically acclaimed films like Poor Things, Drive-Away Dolls, and The Substance.

The latter earning significant buzz at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and throughout awards season, where she received Best Supporting Actress nominations at the Critics Choice Awards and the Golden Globes.

While having famous parents certainly helped open doors, Qualley’s remarkable talent has kept them open.

Her versatility in choosing diverse roles from horror to comedy has demonstrated her range beyond her famous lineage.

Sydney Sweeney: Small Manson role, massive Hollywood career

Sweeney had a minor role as “Snake,” another Manson Family member, but her career has exploded since the film’s release.

Her performances in the HBO series Euphoria and The White Lotus turned her into a household name, and her recent work in films like Reality and Immaculate has proven her as one of the industry’s most versatile young actresses.

Maya Hawke: Tarantino’s connection comes full circle

In a bit of Hollywood serendipity, Maya Hawke (daughter of Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke) appeared in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as a Manson Family member named Flower Child.

This role was particularly notable as Thurman had famously collaborated with Tarantino on Pulp Fiction and the Kill Bill films.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was just Hawke’s second film role, yet she’s since appeared in Stranger Things, Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City and Bradley Cooper’s Maestro, establishing herself as more than just Hollywood nepotism.

Her performances have shown a depth and talent that transcends her famous surname.

Austin Butler: From Tarantino’s Tex Watson to Oscar nominee

Butler played Tex Watson, a key member of the Manson Family who participated in the Tate-LaBianca murders.

Though already known from Disney and Nickelodeon productions, Butler’s role in Tarantino’s film helped establish him as a serious actor.

The career boost from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood likely contributed to Butler landing the lead in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, which earned him an Academy Award nomination.

He further cemented his status with a scene-stealing performance in Dune: Part Two, holding his own alongside established stars like Josh Brolin and Florence Pugh.

The Tarantino touch: A history of launching Hollywood careers

Tarantino has a long history of either launching careers or revitalising them.

John Travolta’s career was famously revived by Pulp Fiction, while the same film helped establish Samuel L. Jackson as a major star.

Christoph Waltz was relatively unknown to American audiences before his Oscar-winning performance in Inglourious Basterds in 2009.

Like these earlier examples, the Manson Family cast from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood benefited from Tarantino’s keen eye for talent and his ability to showcase performers in roles that highlight their abilities.

Beyond Tarantino: How Does Once Upon a Time Compare?

While Tarantino’s eye for talent is remarkable, it’s worth comparing Once Upon a Time in Hollywood‘s casting success with other notable ensemble films.

The Coen Brothers’ True Grit introduced Hailee Steinfeld, who went on to significant success.

The Outsiders famously launched several careers including Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, and Patrick Swayze.

However, what makes the Once Upon a Time phenomenon particularly striking is the concentration of success.

Five performers from a single subplot have all achieved remarkable career trajectories.

This “hit rate” far exceeds even successful ensemble films like Harry Potter, where only some of the supporting cast went on to major careers.

The complete Once Upon a Time in Hollywood cast: Stars working with stars

While the film served as a launching pad for its younger performers, it also showcased established talents.

DiCaprio and Pitt delivered some of their finest performances, with Pitt particularly praised for his laid-back but layered portrayal of Cliff Booth.

Margot Robbie’s sympathetic portrayal of Sharon Tate added emotional depth to the film.

The supporting cast featured an impressive roster of talent, including Al Pacino, Kurt Russell, Timothy Olyphant, Damian Lewis, Dakota Fanning, Lena Dunham, Victoria Pedretti and Bruce Dern, creating a rich tapestry of characters that made 1969 Hollywood feel authentic and lived-in.

Why the Manson Family still fascinates: The cultural impact of the Tate murders

The enduring cultural fascination with the Manson Family isn’t surprising. The brutal murders shocked America at the end of the 1960s, representing a symbolic end to the hippie era and the decade’s idealism.

The case continues to capture the public imagination because it sits at the intersection of celebrity, counterculture, and true crime.

Tarantino’s film approached this subject matter with his characteristic blend of reverence and irreverence, creating a world where Hollywood glamour and darkness coexist.

By casting young, talented actors as members of the cult, he added another layer to the ongoing cultural conversation about this chapter in American history.

What Makes Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood stars so successful?

When examining the remarkable success of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’s Manson Family cast, a fascinating question emerges: what exactly did Tarantino see in these performers that the rest of Hollywood would soon discover?

The massive success of Tarantino’s Manson Family cast members isn’t happening in a vacuum.

Their rise coincides with a cultural shift in what audiences want from performers.

In an era of social media where polished perfection has become tiresome, these actors bring something refreshingly authentic to the screen.

Take Sydney Sweeney’s work in Euphoria—raw, emotionally challenging, and devoid of the glamour that once defined stardom.

Or Margaret Qualley’s willingness to embrace the uncomfortable and strange in films like The Substance.

These performers reflect a post-pandemic appetite for authenticity over airbrushed perfection.

The success of these actors suggests a market correction in an industry that had perhaps become too sanitised.

Their willingness to be vulnerable, complicated, and even unlikeable at times marks a significant departure from previous generations of stars who maintained more carefully controlled personas.

The X-Factor: Beyond Traditional Star Quality

Tarantino has consistently shown a preference for actors who possess something difficult to define but instantly recognisable on screen.

For Margaret Qualley, it’s her peculiar blend of vulnerability and intensity. Her performance as Pussycat showcased physical expressiveness – her bare feet dancing across the hot pavement and her enigmatic smile conveying both innocence and danger.

Tarantino recognized Qualley’s ability to communicate volumes without dialogue, a skill she’s brilliantly deployed in films like Poor Things.

Sydney Sweeney brings raw emotional authenticity that feels almost uncomfortable in its intimacy.

Though her role in Tarantino’s film was small, her ability to inhabit a character’s psychological space completely – something she’s masterfully demonstrated in Euphoria – was already evident.

Tarantino spotted her capacity for portraying complicated women who defy easy categorisation.

For Maya Hawke, Tarantino likely saw beyond her famous lineage to her natural charisma and thoughtful approach to character work.

Her subsequent performances in Stranger Things and Asteroid City reveal an actor with remarkable emotional intelligence and subtlety – qualities apparent even in her brief screen time in Once Upon a Time.

Are They Actually Good, Or Just Well-Connected?

The cynical view might dismiss these rising stars as beneficiaries of nepotism or Tarantino’s star-making machine, but a closer examination of their work reveals genuine talent.

Austin Butler’s transformation from teen heartthrob to serious actor has been particularly impressive.

His immersive approach to roles – most notably his commitment to becoming Elvis Presley – demonstrates a dedication to craft that goes beyond mere opportunism.

His ability to steal scenes in Dune: Part Two alongside established veterans speaks to authentic skill rather than calculated career management.

Mikey Madison perhaps best exemplifies the genuine talent within this group.

Without famous parents or industry connections, her rise has been based purely on performance.

Her work in Anora has been described by critics as revelatory, showing emotional depths and comic timing that confirm Tarantino’s instincts about her potential were spot-on.

The Tarantino Masterclass

What’s often overlooked is how working with Tarantino serves as an accelerated education in film acting.

His sets are famously collaborative yet demanding, requiring performers to deliver long, complex dialogue while understanding the cinematic references layered throughout.

Victoria Pedretti, who played Leslie Van Houten, has spoken about how Tarantino’s directorial approach pushed her to make bold choices and trust her instincts – lessons she’s carried into her subsequent work in Mike Flanagan’s Netflix series The Haunting of Bly Manor and You.

The confidence gained from surviving a Tarantino set seems to give actors the courage to take greater risks in later roles.

Beyond Traditional Beauty

Tarantino has always shown an interest in casting actors who don’t necessarily fit Hollywood’s conventional attractiveness standards.

His Manson Family cast members certainly possess screen presence, but what makes them compelling is their distinctive qualities rather than generic good looks.

Margaret Qualley’s lanky physicality and expressive features, Sydney Sweeney’s emotional transparency, and Maya Hawke’s thoughtful intensity all represent a kind of authenticity that resonates with contemporary audiences tired of perfection.

Similarly, Austin Butler’s committed character work and Mikey Madison’s fearlessness suggest that Tarantino values actorly courage over conventional appeal.

The Generational Shift

Perhaps most significantly, these young performers represent a new generation of actors whose approach to their craft differs from their predecessors.

They’ve grown up in a post-Tarantino cinematic landscape, aware of the irony and self-referentiality that he helped popularise.

This makes them particularly well-suited to contemporary filmmaking that frequently blends genres and tones.

Their success suggests not just Tarantino’s eye for talent, but his understanding of how acting itself is evolving.

The naturalistic intensity of Sydney Sweeney, the shape-shifting versatility of Margaret Qualley, and the thoughtful presence of Maya Hawke all point to a new kind of screen performer who can seamlessly navigate between character-driven drama and more stylised, heightened material.

As these actors continue their ascent, their work increasingly confirms what Tarantino saw: not just star potential, but a new approach to screen acting that would define the next generation of Hollywood talent.