A few years ago he was a nobody; now he's a leader in the industry.
Tips
usage
Often used self-deprecatingly (我只是个无名之辈) or to set up a contrast: 'used to be a nobody, now a star.' Carries less sting than English 'nobody' - closer to 'just an ordinary person.'
culture
There's a 2018 Chinese black comedy film 《无名之辈》 (A Cool Fish) about petty thieves and ordinary people whose stories collide - the title leans into the 'nobodies trying to matter' theme.
