Before Fame: Unusual Jobs of Famous Faces
Many celebrities had odd jobs before they became famous. Some of these jobs were quite unusual.
Jonathan Bailey
Known for: Acting Previous Job: Worked in a honey factory, checking the temperature of lemon curd early in the morning.
Patrick Dempsey
Known for: Grey's Anatomy Previous Jobs: Juggler, unicyclist, ventriloquist, puppeteer, and clown. Competed in a juggling competition and won second place.
Chris Evans
Known for: Captain America in Marvel movies Previous Job: Model for a board game called Mystery Date. His dating profile in the game said his ideal date was hanging out by the bonfire with other friends.
John Krasinski
Known for: The Office Previous Jobs: Waiter, worked in a yoga studio, and was an illegal real estate agent. Fired from nine different jobs while pursuing acting.
Paul Rudd
Known for: Ant-Man Previous Job: Ham glazer for six months. Still knows how to glaze hams.
Chris Hemsworth
Known for: Thor in Marvel movies Previous Job: Cleaned and repaired breast pumps using a toothbrush and a spray.
Matthew McConaughey
Known for: Dazed and Confused Previous Jobs: Raked sand traps at a golf course and hunted armadillos that were wreaking havoc on the greens.
Idris Elba
Known for: Luther Previous Job: Sold marijuana. Had A-list clients who used to buy weed from him.
John Legend
Known for: Singer and songwriter Previous Job: Management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group.
Hugh Jackman
Known for: Wolverine Previous Job: Clown. Performed at children's parties and juggled eggs. Quit after a kid told him he was crap.
Denzel Washington
Known for: Training Day Previous Job: Garbage man. Said it was harder than filming action scenes in movies.
Channing Tatum
Known for: Magic Mike Previous Job: Stripper. Stripped in Tampa for 25 girls, at best.
Brad Pitt
Known for: Fight Club Previous Job: Drove limos for strippers. Had to pick them up and sometimes they would be crawling out the back window.
Blake Shelton
Known for: Country singer Previous Job: Roofer. Made him want to be a country singer.
Dwayne Johnson
Known for: The Rock Previous Job: Washed dishes. Still does not use a dishwasher.
Adam Levine
Known for: Lead singer of Maroon 5 Previous Job: Worked at Johnny Rockets when his record deal did not work out.
George Clooney
Known for: ER Previous Job: Sold women's shoes. Said it was a terrible job. Had to sell shoes to 75-year-old women who had cut off their toes to fit into tight pumps.
Bradley Cooper
Known for: A Star Is Born Previous Job: Doorman. Had to keep the candles in the lobby lit. Spent most of his time trying to relight the candles.
Ryan Reynolds
Known for: Deadpool Previous Job: Drove a forklift. Worked in restaurants as a busboy, waiter, and cashier.
Michael B. Jordan
Known for: Black Panther Previous Job: Helped his parents with their catering business. Prepped and helped with stuff like that.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon
Known for: Good Will Hunting Previous Jobs: Worked construction. Were the low men on the totem pole and had to do demo work.
Pierce Brosnan
Known for: James Bond Previous Job: Fire-eater. Learned how to fire-eat and performed the trick with his theater troupe in public.
Harrison Ford
Known for: Indiana Jones Previous Job: Carpenter. Built a recording studio for Sérgio Mendes in his backyard in Encino.
Tom Cruise
Known for: Mission Impossible Previous Jobs: Had a paper route, cut grass, and had all kinds of odd jobs to give money to his family and save money so he could go to the movies.
Sean Connery
Known for: James Bond Previous Jobs: Polished coffins, worked as a milkman and lifeguard. Bodybuilding hobby helped launch his acting career.
Mark Harmon
Known for: NCIS Previous Jobs: Sold sneakers for Adidas, did merchandising and radio in Los Angeles, and tried to be a carpenter but could not get hired.
Johnny Depp
Known for: Pirates of the Caribbean Previous Job: Telemarketer. Sold ink pens with people's business names and offered a trip to Greece, grandfather clock, or half a TV set.