10 Major Stars Who Got Their Start On 24

I was totally hooked on 24 when it first came out! It wasn’t just a thrilling show, it really launched the careers of some actors we know and love now. What I found so unique was how each season played out in real-time – every episode covered just one hour of a single day. Seriously, no other show had ever really tried that before, and it gave 24 this incredible, constant sense of urgency. It felt like the clock was always ticking!

The show 24 was well-known for its surprising character deaths and plot twists. Kiefer Sutherland’s character, Jack Bauer, seemed to be the only one consistently safe. It’s been over ten years since Sutherland last played Bauer, but there’s currently discussion about him reprising the role in a possible 24 movie.

10. John Boyega (Season 9)

The show 24 was great for launching the careers of up-and-coming actors, with many future stars appearing in various roles. For example, John Boyega had a significant supporting role in the 24: Live Another Day miniseries. Set in London, he played an American drone pilot named Tanner in that season.

Boyega’s character is falsely accused of terrorism when his drone is hacked and used to attack a convoy. Bauer later proves he was framed by uncovering evidence of the hack. A year after the events of Live Another Day, Boyega gained widespread recognition with his role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

9. Rami Malek (Season 8)

Rami Malek started his career with smaller roles in shows and movies like Night at the Museum and The War at Home. However, it was his role in Mr. Robot that truly launched his career. He also gained attention for his compelling performance in season 8 of 24, where he played Marcos Al-Zacar, a young man manipulated by terrorists and unknowingly set up to be a suicide bomber.

A significant part of the storyline focuses on Malek hiding in a hospital’s hyperbaric chamber to evade being caught, as Sutherland’s character attempts to convince him to surrender. Marcos only reveals the information he has when Bauer threatens to harm his mother with the planned “dirty bomb” explosion.

8. Kate Mara (Season 5)

Kate Mara, who later starred in shows like House of Cards and the movie The Martian, got one of her first acting jobs on season 5 of 24. She joined the show after a major event – a nerve gas attack at CTU L.A. – eliminated many characters, including the popular Edgar (played by Louis Lombardi). This happened around the middle of what many fans consider the show’s best season.

I always enjoyed seeing Sarah Mara as Shari on 24. She played this really anxious analyst who stepped in after Edgar left, and her scenes with Chloe (Mary Lynn Rajskub) were surprisingly funny – they had great chemistry! While she went on to do bigger things in films like Shooter, I thought she was fantastic during her time at CTU, even if it wasn’t for very long.

7. Nick Offerman (Season 2)

I’ve always been a fan of Nick Offerman – he’s so versatile! From making me laugh with his dry wit in Parks and Recreation to completely breaking my heart in The Last of Us, he’s a really impressive actor. It’s easy to forget now, seeing how successful he is, but I recently remembered he was still building his career back in 2002 and 2003 when 24‘s second season was on TV. He was a working actor, just like so many others, trying to make his mark.

In the show’s second season, Offerman played Marcus, a man living in Los Angeles who, following a nuclear blast, attacks Yusuf, a friend of Jack’s, solely because of his background. Marcus and his group then kidnap another one of Jack’s allies, forcing Jack to come to the rescue. Fortunately for Marcus, Jack spares his life.

6. Brady Corbet (Season 5)

Though Brady Corbet is now celebrated as the director of the award-winning film The Brutalist, he first spent around fifteen years working as an actor. He starred in movies like Thunderbirds and the remake of Funny Games, and also appeared as a guest star on the fifth season of 24.

Derek Corber is a troubled teen whose mother is someone Jack is dating – a year and a half after he pretended to die in a previous season. Jack’s complicated history creates problems for Derek, including a kidnapping and hostage situation at an airport. After being rescued, Derek and his mother, Diane (Connie Britton), decide to distance themselves from Jack’s drama.

5. Zachary Quinto (Season 3)

Before becoming famous for his roles as Spock in the new Star Trek films and as a lead in Heroes, Zachary Quinto had a role on 24. He played Adam Kaufman, an analyst at CTU, during the show’s third season. Although Adam wasn’t a main character, he remarkably made it through the entire day depicted in the series and appeared in almost every episode.

Although Adam survived the events of the show, he wasn’t in season four, and there was no explanation given for why. Season four essentially started the show over with a new direction, and several main characters, including David Palmer (played by Dennis Haysbert), were written out. Adam was likely seen as an expendable character in this reset.

4. Logan Marshall-Green (Season 4)

Logan Marshall-Green, known for his roles in films like Upgrade and The Invitation, got one of his first television jobs on the show 24. He played Richard Heller, the somewhat spoiled son of Defense Secretary James Heller (William Devane) and brother to Audrey Heller, who was Jack Bauer’s romantic interest that season.

After James and Audrey are kidnapped following a visit with Richard, suspicion falls on him, leading people to believe he’s connected to terrorists. Though Richard is keeping something from his family, he isn’t actually working with the season’s villains. James and Audrey both reappeared in future seasons, but Richard was never seen again.

3. Daniel Dae Kim (Season 2/3)

Daniel Dae Kim became well-known for his role as Jin-Soo Kwon on the TV show Lost. He continued to find success on television with the Hawaii Five-0 reboot and the series Butterfly. He also appeared in several episodes of 24 as the field agent Tom Baker during its second and third seasons.

Similar to Adam, Tom didn’t have a significant role and disappeared after the third season. Kim’s departure was probably because he was working on Lost. It would have been great to see Baker given more to do beyond occasionally helping Bauer with missions, but if the show ever returns, Kim should absolutely be brought back.

2. Aisha Tyler (Season 4)

Aisha Tyler first gained recognition for her role as Ross’s girlfriend on the popular show Friends. She’s since built a successful career with appearances in movies and television shows like Archer and The Santa Clause series. She also played intelligence agent Marianne Taylor in season four of 24.

Marianne previously dated CTU agent Curtis Manning (Roger Cross), but he ended the relationship when he discovered she was manipulating him for professional gain. His instincts about her proved right on Day 4 – she was secretly working with a group of terrorists.

1. James Badge Dale (Season 3)

James Badge Dale is recognizable for playing the villain in Iron Man 3 and starring in Michael Bay’s 13 Hours. He’s also delivered memorable performances in films like Flight. Many viewers remember his significant role on 24 as Chase, Jack Bauer’s partner, who had a secret romantic relationship with Jack’s daughter, Kim (played by Elisha Cuthbert).

Wow, Chase really went through the wringer in Season 3 of 24! I mean, torture by a cartel, telling Kim about a hidden daughter, and then… Jack chopped off his hand? It was all a bit much, honestly. It makes sense Dale didn’t come back after all that. And to find out he was later killed off in the Deadline novel? That just felt unnecessary, even for a show like 24.

2026-02-08 16:51