Favorite actor/actress discovery

A lot of us have favorite actors and actresses. Some like thespians based on their work, some based on their looks, sometimes it's just a charisma that they bring to the screen that we can't quite put our fingers on. So here's my question, when did you first "discover" a favorite actor or actress of yours?

Here are some of mine:

Alan Rickman - Die Hard (1988) There have been plenty of badder bad guys than Hans Gruber, but he was the perfect mix of suave, sneer, and the quintessential generic Euro-bad-guy accent. And how can you deny the awesomeness of that oh so 80's era (Oscar nominated) special effects death scene?

Jeff Bridges - The Fisher King (1991) Not a lot of people remember The Fisher King, despite it's four Oscar nominations and one win (Supporting Actress for Mercedes Ruehl as Bridges' big hearted, bigger haired video store owner girlfriend). In a movie with many colorful characters (Amanda Plummer as the definition of a mousy book editor, the late Michael Jeter's down on his luck former cabaret singer, and Robin Williams as a mentally ill homeless professor), Jeff Bridges holds the movie together as a former shock jock tortured by his demons.

Anthony Hopkins - The Silence of the Lambs (1991) He's Hannibal Freakin' Lecter. Need I say more?

Gary Oldman - Immortal Beloved (1994) This one was tough. Oldman has been in so many great movies playing such a huge variety of characters. But his role as Ludwig van Beethoven in this biopic is mesmerizing. The guy comes off as a complete bastard, yet you can't help but feel sorry for him.

I could go on and on with this, but I'll stop there. So who are some of your favorite actors and actresses and where did you discover them?

- Justin