Guess who! Hollywood star featured in 1990s ad before she was famous – as the quirky commercial goes viral

By ALI DAHER FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 16:19 BST, 18 June 2025 | Updated: 16:22 BST, 18 June 2025

Before red carpets, Oscar nominations and critically acclaimed roles, one of Australia’s biggest Hollywood stars was just another young actor trying to make a buck.

And one newly unearthed ad from the early 1990s proves exactly that.

The now-famous performer was barely recognisable in this quirky commercial for Continental’s ‘MicroChef Pasta for One’ range, which first aired in 1992.

Wearing a hot pink blazer over a red turtleneck, the fresh-faced actress appears bored senseless in a geography classroom surrounded by globes and maps, before reluctantly presenting a sad-looking sandwich to the camera.

In the next shot, she perks up while holding up the microwave-ready pasta packet with delight, as a narrator sings the praises of the new solo-friendly snack.

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Before red carpets, Oscar nominations and critically acclaimed roles, one of Australia’s biggest Hollywood stars was just another young actor trying to make a buck

The now-famous performer was barely recognisable in this quirky commercial for Continental’s ‘MicroChef Pasta for One’ range, which first aired in 1992 

The brief ad served up a healthy dose of ’90s nostalgia with its punchy colours, cheesy music and classic Australian humour. 

But it’s the then-unknown actress who steals the show with her expressive performance.

The star would go on to have a stellar career in film and television, earning international acclaim for her standout roles in both indie hits and Hollywood blockbusters.

These days, she’s better known for walking red carpets than holding up frozen pasta – but this delightful throwback proves even A-listers have to start somewhere.

Can you guess who it is? It’s none other than Toni Collette.

Fans were stunned by the throwback, which recently resurfaced online, with many taking to social media to share their surprise over the actress’ early work.

‘She’s such a good actress she could almost anything hehe,’ one fan wrote.

‘I remember the ad – but didn’t realise who it was,’ another user commented.

It’s none other than Toni Collette (pictured) 

She famously got her big break in 1994’s Muriel’s Wedding (pictured), which recently made it’s way back into cinemas for the Sydney Film Festival earlier this month

A third added: ‘That’s good acting because it looks disgusting!’ 

The ad has since become a viral sensation, with many praising Collette’s natural screen presence even in a 30-second commercial.

It’s not the first time Collette’s early career has resurfaced in unexpected ways.

She famously got her big break in 1994’s Muriel’s Wedding, which recently made it’s way back into cinemas for the Sydney Film Festival earlier this month. 

A genuine A-lister, Collette made her name starring in The Sixth Sense, which won her an Oscar nomination. 

She has also had starring turns in About a Boy and Little Miss Sunshine, to Knives Out.

Collette’s latest role is in Mickey 17, directed by Bong Joon Ho, whose black-comedy thriller Parasite swept the 2020 Oscars.

In March, she was in London to start filming a top-secret project. 

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Guess who! Hollywood star featured in 1990s ad before she was famous – as the quirky commercial goes viral

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