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Eminem Plays Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith, Jr.

YouTube / Larry Busacca, Getty Images

Then: Eminem played Jimmy, a blue collar worker from Michigan with deep-rooted family issues, struggling to find his place in the local rap scene.

Now: One of the most commercially successful and influential hip-hop artists of all-time, Eminem has sold over 100 million albums to date. His ‘The Marshall Mathers LP 2,’ released in November 2013, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The 41-year-old MC is currently touring across the globe.

Mekhi Phifer Plays David “Future” Porter

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Then: Phifer played “Future,” Jimmy’s best friend and biggest champion.

Now: The Harlem, N.Y., native has had a fruitful acting career, appearing in television hits like ‘ER,’ ‘Lie to Me’ and most recently, ‘White Collar.’

Kim Basinger Plays Stephanie

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Then: Basinger played Stephanie, Jimmy’s alcoholic mother.

Now: At 60, Basinger is still a vision of beauty. ‘Cellular,’ ‘The Burning Plain’ and ‘Grudge Match’ are a few of the films she’s starred in this past last decade.

Taryn Manning Plays Janeane

YouTube / Rob Kim, Getty Images

Then: Manning played Janeane, Jimmy’s ex-girlfriend.

Now: Appearing in such critically-acclaimed films as ‘Cold Mountain’ and ‘Hustle & Flow,’ Manning has also kept a parallel music career going since 2003. Her brother Kellin formed the pop duo Boomkat and they’ve released two albums to-date. Manning released a solo single called ‘Send Me Your Love‘ in 2012. In 2013 she starred in the popular Netflix series, Orange is the New Black, which is due back for its second season in June of 2014.

Michael Shannon Plays Greg Buehl

YouTube / Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Then: Shannon played Greg, Stephanie’s abusive boyfriend.

Now: One of Hollywood’s go-to character actors, Shannon was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his work in 2008′s ‘Revolutionary Road.’ You might also recognize Shannon from his portrayal of Nelson Van Alden on HBO’s ‘Boardwalk Empire’ and General Zod in 2013′s ‘Man of Steel.’

Evan Jones Plays “Cheddar Bob”

YouTube/Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images

Then: Jones played “Cheddar Bob,” one of Jimmy’s friends who ends up shooting himself in the crotch by accident.

Now: The Texas-born actor has appeared in movies such as ‘Jarhead,’ ‘The Book of Eli’ and ‘Gangster Squad,’ among others.

Omar Benson Miller Plays “Sol George”

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Then: Miller played “Sol George,” one of Jimmy’s friends.

Now: The actor has had parts in ‘Miracle at St. Anna,’ ‘The Express,’ and in 2013, the Jason Statham action-thriller ‘Homefront.’

Eugene Byrd Plays “Wink”

YouTube / Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images

Then: Byrd plays “Wink,” a friend of Jimmy’s who ends up sleeping with his new girlfriend, Alex (played by late actress Brittany Murphy).

Now: The 38-year-old actor can currently be seen in ‘Bones,’ where he plays Dr. Clark Edison. On Jan. 6, 2011, it was reported that Byrd was arrested in California by the Glendale Police Department on suspicion of spousal abuse.

Anthony Mackie Plays “Papa Doc”

YouTube / Astrid Stawiarz, Getty Images

Then: Mackie played “Papa Doc,” a fierce rapper that battles Jimmy.

Now: ‘The Hurt Locker,’ ‘Real Steel’ and ‘Runner, Runner’ are just a few of the many films Mackie has appeared in since ’8 Mile.’ In 2011, the Julliard-trained actor also opened a bar called NoBar in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, N.Y. He’s also set to play the role of “Falcon” in the upcoming ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier‘ film.

Curtis Hanson Directed ’8 Mile’

Universal Pictures / Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Then: By the time he took on ’8 Mile,’ Hanson was already a seasoned director, responsible for films such as ‘L.A. Confidential’ and ‘Wonder Boys.’

Now: Hanson kept his critical darling status with 2011′s political drama, ‘Too Big to Fail,’ but got slammed for ‘Chasing Mavericks,’ a 2012 surfing biopic starring Gerard Butler that he co-directed with Michael Apted.

From:TheBoomBox.com