Wild Jobs That Paid Pennies
Everyone knows the fame and the red carpet charm. But what came before all that? Ever wondered what your favorite stars were doing before they hit the big time?
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
At 13, Dwayne Johnson worked as a dishwasher at a pizza restaurant in Hawaii for $3.45 an hour. He recalled working from 3 pm to 11:30 pm daily and learning the value of hard work. He mentioned that he still prefers to hand-wash everything.
Kanye West
During his high school years, Kanye West was employed as a sales assistant at The Gap. He spent his days folding jeans and assisting customers. West later reflected on this experience, noting his affinity for fabrics and colors, which influenced his later ventures in fashion design.
David Shankbone, Wikimedia Commons
LeBron James
Coaching basketball came naturally to a young LeBron James. While still a teenager, he worked at a local youth recreation center in Akron, Ohio. He was organizing games and encouraging kids to stay focused on and off the court. This early leadership role planted the seeds of mentorship.
Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Rajinikanth
Before he became a cinematic legend, Rajinikanth worked as a bus conductor. Earning just ₹750 a month (about $8.71), he was known for his enthusiastic approach and a flair that passengers never forgot. That larger-than-life charisma—visible even back then—wasn't acting.
Dani Charles Silverscreen Media Inc. (https://silverscreen.in), Wikimedia Commons
Harrison Ford
It's hard to believe, but Indiana Jones was actually a self-taught carpenter. Harrison Ford took up carpentry to support his family during his struggling acting career. His carpentry skills eventually led him to meet casting director Fred Roos, who introduced him to George Lucas.
Lucasfilm, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg's first job was as a mortuary makeup artist, where she applied makeup to deceased individuals. She earned enough to support herself and later described the job as eye-opening. It taught her valuable lessons about life and death.
Library of Congress Life, Wikimedia Commons
Hugh Jackman
Back in England, Hugh Jackman worked as a physical education teacher at a school years prior to launching his acting career. This role allowed him to connect with young people and develop his teaching skills, which would later translate into his dynamic performances on stage and screen.
Deadpool & Wolverine | #BestFriendsDay by Ryan Reynolds
Pierce Brosnan
Fire-eating? It might sound like a circus act, but for Pierce Brosnan, it was just part of the job. He picked up the skill while working with a theater company in London while performing in street shows to earn a few pounds. It was dangerous, yes, but it also built confidence.
The Manions of America(1981),EMI Television
Jennifer Lawrence
Taking care of children was Jennifer Lawrence's passion. She was an assistant nurse at a summer camp that her parents ran. The actress tended to minor injuries and ensured their well-being. Lawrence often reflected on how her early experiences shaped her work ethic and approach to life.
Brad Pitt
Long before his A-list status, Brad Pitt donned a chicken costume for El Pollo Loco's grand opening in Los Angeles. He waved at passing cars and handed out flyers as the fast-food chain's mascot. Pitt later shared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that he had "no shame" about the gig.
Rudy Carezzevoli, Getty Images
Serena Williams
Flipping pizzas wasn't what Serena Williams was destined for, but it was part of her early grind. She earned roughly $4 an hour at a pizza shop while continuing to train as a young tennis prodigy. Balancing work and intense practice was no easy feat, but Serena embraced it.
Doha Stadium Plus Qatar, Flickr
Megan Fox
In her early teens, Megan Fox worked at a smoothie shop, where she wore a banana costume to attract customers. She recounted that the suit had a hole in the back, which made it a less-than-glamorous experience. Fox's candidness about this job highlights her humble beginnings.
Paramount, Transformers (2007)
Madonna
The pop icon Madonna used to work at Dunkin' Donuts. Her tenure was brief as she was fired after just one day for playfully squirting jelly filling onto customers. In a 2015 interview, she recounted she was playing with the jelly squirter machine, and her employers were angry.
chrisweger, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp's breakthrough role came in 21 Jump Street. However, he once worked as a telemarketer and sold pens over the phone. He humorously recalled that he was terrible at it. Nevertheless, Depp's early experiences in various roles contributed to his versatile acting career.
Twentieth Century, 21 Jump Street (1987–1991)
Jennifer Aniston
Just like Friends' Rachel Green, Jennifer Aniston worked multiple jobs in New York City. She was a waitress and also worked as a bike messenger throughout the city's bustling streets. Aniston's experiences in these roles provided her with a unique perspective.
Michael Jordan
At one point, Michael Jordan's future looked nothing like it eventually turned out. He pumped gas and cleaned windshields at a local gas station. Jordan would later say people expected him to stay at a job like that. Instead, he rewrote his own story.
Steve Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com, Wikimedia Commons
Harry Styles
At 14, Harry Styles worked at a local bakery in his hometown. He earned approximately £6 (about $7.80) an hour. Styles fondly recalled returning to the bakery while filming This Is Us in 2013 and highlighted the simplicity of his teenage job.
FlickrNicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj held various jobs prior to her rap stardom. She worked as a customer service representative, which she found challenging due to her straightforward nature. Minaj also served tables at Red Lobster but was let go after she chased a customer into the parking lot for taking her pen.
Featureflash Photo Agency, Shutterstock
Meghan Markle
The Duchess of Sussex used to be an actress. But years earlier, Meghan Markle worked as a calligraphy instructor at Paper Source in Beverly Hills. She taught classes on calligraphy and bookbinding. Markle also freelanced as a calligrapher and addressed wedding invitations for notable clients.
Office of the Governor-General, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Rachel McAdams
A McDonald's drive-thru in Canada was Rachel McAdams' first job place. She started working at age 16 and stayed there for three years. McAdams often jokes that her meticulous hand-washing habits led to long wait times, particularly during busy shifts. She even recalls breaking the orange juice machine.
Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey faced financial hardships during his youth in Canada. At 15, he worked as a janitor and security guard at a tire factory to support his family. Despite challenges, Carrey maintained his passion for comedy and performed stand-up routines at local clubs.
SHOWTIME, CC BY 3.0 Wikimedia Commons
Tom Brady
Camp counseling doesn't sound like a future GOAT move, but for Tom Brady, it was his first real job. He wrangled campers and tried to stay patient when kids got rowdy. The job taught him leadership and the art of staying calm under pressure.
Jeffrey Beall, Wikimedia Commons
Amitabh Bachchan
The Bollywood royalty, Amitabh Bachchan, worked in coal mines near Kolkata—specifically in Asansol and Dhanbad. He once said that the gritty, intense atmosphere of those mines inspired many scenes in his film Kaala Patthar. The job wasn't glamorous, but it paid the bills.
Melissa McCarthy
Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, Melissa McCarthy worked as a barista at a Starbucks. At the time, she didn't have a car, so she sought out jobs within walking distance. One of her most memorable moments from that time was serving coffee to her idol, Chris Farley.
Amy Poehler
Lifting heavy tubs of ice cream and constantly restocking? This was Amy Poehler's first job. She was an ice cream scooper at a local parlor in Massachusetts and has some hilarious memories from those early days. Although the job was physically demanding, it helped Poehler develop her signature humor.
Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Kendall Jenner
Today, Kendall Jenner is a modeling sensation. But she worked as a dog walker in her neighborhood, earning a bit of pocket money while learning the value of responsibility. This job gave her the opportunity to spend time outdoors and helped her develop a sense of independence and work ethic.
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Operating a slushie machine at his aunt's grocery store was Lin-Manuel Miranda's first job. He also worked as a cash register attendant at McDonald's and as a substitute teacher. These jobs provided Miranda with a diverse set of experiences before he became known for his contributions to theater.
Andrew Garfield
In his youth, Andrew Garfield worked as a barista at a Starbucks in North London. He mentioned that the job seemed like a great way to meet various people, especially girls. This experience offered Garfield a glimpse into the service industry before he started his acting journey.
Katie Lowes
Katie Lowes worked as a nanny for actress Connie Britton, famous for her role in Nashville. However, Lowes took a leap of faith and quit her nanny position upon securing her role in the Scandal pilot. This was a significant turning point in her career.
Eric Garcetti, Wikimedia Commons
Channing Tatum
During his early years, Channing Tatum was a male stripper in Tampa, Florida, under the moniker "Chan Crawford". He later reflected on this experience and acknowledged it as a means to earn money before pursuing acting. This chapter of Tatum's life has been a subject of discussion in interviews.
Helen Mirren
It might not sound like prep for a Dame of the British Empire, but Helen Mirren's first gig wasn't on a stage or in front of a camera. It was at a seaside amusement park, where she worked as a promoter trying to attract crowds to see the shows.
Rubenstein, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Christopher Walken
As a teenager, Christopher Walken had one of the most unusual part-time jobs imaginable: assisting a lion tamer in a traveling circus. At just 16, he was feeding and caring for big cats like it was totally normal. Looking back, he described the job as terrifying and thrilling.
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman discovered her passion for acting during her teenage years in Australia. She took mime and drama classes, and at 16, she landed her first film role. She also worked as a massage therapist, a skill she learned to help her mother, who was diagnosed with cancer.
Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Sylvester Stallone
Rocky made him a star. Yet, prior to that, Sylvester Stallone was cleaning lion cages for $1.12 an hour at the Central Park Zoo. It was dirty, thankless work, but Stallone embraced it. He later said the job kept him humble and hungry—literally and figuratively.
Gene Hackman
The Oscar-winning actor, Gene Hackman, hustled through different odd jobs to get by. One of the more memorable gigs? Working as a hotel doorman. Standing out front in uniform, tipping his hat, Hackman observed people from all walks of life, which later helped him understand the nuance of human behavior.
Featureflash Photo Agency, Shutterstock
Victoria Beckham
Not every pop icon gets their start in a recording studio. Victoria Beckham once rolled around on skates in a sperm costume for a BBC education program. It was a bizarre job, even by entertainment standards, but it paid the bills and got her comfortable in front of the camera.
Amy Adams
Working as a waitress helped Amy Adams pay for her car while she pursued her dreams of performing. She took the job after high school and served wings to hungry patrons. Adams said it wasn't ideal, but it taught her how to deal with all kinds of people.
Gordon Correll, Wikimedia Commons
Adele
Adele was no stranger to hard work. She worked at a cafe in London for around $8,000 a year. The days were long and the tips were inconsistent, but she cherished the simplicity of it. Waking up early to pour coffee for strangers has been keeping her grounded.
Kristopher Harris, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Kim Kardashian
At 16, Kim Kardashian took her first job at a clothing store in Encino, California. After a car accident, her father insisted she work to pay off the damages to teach her a strong work ethic. She later assisted in opening the Calabasas location of the store.
Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Jerry Seinfeld
Before becoming a well-known comedian, Jerry Seinfeld held various odd jobs to support himself. Notably, he sold light bulbs over the phone and knockoff jewelry on the streets of New York City. These experiences provided him with material for his stand-up routines.
Nounpusher Photography, Shutterstock
Nick Cannon
Nick Cannon began his entertainment career by working at a local cable access station in San Diego. There, he hosted a teen show and gained valuable experience in front of the camera. This early exposure to hosting paved the way for his future roles in acting and music.
Beyonce
Hair salons were Beyonce's first stage. She swept floors and helped out at her mom Tina Knowles' salon, Headliners, in Houston. Between shampoo bowls and rollers, she'd sing for clients and soak in the energy of strong women around her.
Emma Stone
A bakery specializing in dog treats? Emma Stone worked at Three Dog Bakery in Los Angeles before becoming a household name. Despite her enthusiasm, some customers reportedly found her creations less than appetizing and even horrid. However, Stone embraced the experience, noting that it taught her resilience.
Everett Collection, Shutterstock
Zendaya
Modeling gigs were Zendaya's bread and butter long before Disney Channel fame. As a child model, she earned around $25,000 a year appearing in ads for Macy's and Old Navy. She even danced in a Sears commercial alongside Selena Gomez.
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