Before They Were Famous: 10 Wild First Jobs of Legendary Stars
Think your day job is rough? Try scrubbing dorm toilets, teaching grammar to rich kids, or flipping burgers at a McDonald's drive-thru — all before becoming a household name. Before the red carpets and record deals, these stars clocked in like the rest of us.
But the stories behind their early gigs are anything but ordinary. From DMV photo booths to funeral home basements, these now-iconic names were once just trying to pay rent — or in one case, survive out of a van.
You'll never look at your favorite stars the same way again.
Chris Pratt Was Discovered While Slinging Shrimp
Long before joining the Marvel universe, Chris Pratt was living in a van in Maui and waiting tables at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. It was there that actress Rae Dawn Chong spotted him — and cast him in her directorial debut, changing his life forever.
Madonna Got Fired From Coat Check
Before becoming the Queen of Pop, Madonna worked at Dunkin' Donuts on West 57th Street in New York — and at the Russian Tea Room, where she was fired from the coat check. That's right — she was once deemed not cut out for hospitality.
Ken Jeong Was a Practicing Physician
Yes, the breakout star of "The Hangover" used to write prescriptions. Ken Jeong was a licensed internal medicine doctor before his wife encouraged him to try acting full-time. It was a terrifying leap — but one that paid off big time.
Harrison Ford Built Cabinets Between Castings
Unable to land major movie roles in the early days, Harrison Ford supported his family by working as a carpenter. The side hustle allowed him to focus on film over TV — and gave him the freedom to keep saying yes to auditions. He credits his carpentry work with helping him wait it out long enough to land "Star Wars."
Whoopi Goldberg Did Makeup for the Dead
This one wins for most surprising. Before "Ghost," Whoopi worked as a licensed beautician — and applied makeup at a funeral home. She called it a "rough gig," according to BuzzFeed, but one that taught her deep respect for people's final moments.
Taraji P. Henson Danced and Sang on a Dinner Cruise
Before "Empire," Taraji made waves — literally. She worked as a supervisor on a Spirit of Washington cruise, singing and dancing for guests while dreaming of Hollywood. With just $700, she packed up and moved to California with her toddler son to chase her dream.
Jon Hamm Waited Tables — and Taught High School
Before playing Don Draper, Hamm was both a server and a high school drama teacher. He taught at his old school in St. Louis before making the leap to Los Angeles — and even once said that teaching would be his plan B if acting fell through, according to BuzzFeed.
Halsey Snapped Driver's License Photos
Before music fame, Halsey juggled several jobs — including working the DMV photo booth. In an exchange with a fan, Halsey confirmed she was the kind of employee who would let you retake your license photo if it didn't turn out right, as reported by PEOPLE.
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Was Almost in the NFL
The Rock's first dream was pro football. After playing for the University of Miami, he tried out for the NFL — and didn't make it. It was a crushing blow. But it led him to professional wrestling, which launched one of the biggest entertainment careers in the world.
Stephen King Taught English
Before becoming the king of horror, Stephen King taught high school English in Maine. He was still in the classroom when his first novel, "Carrie," sold — and earned him enough to quit teaching for good.
Then and Now
These stories are more than quirky trivia — they're reminders that even the world's biggest stars once clocked in for less-than-glamorous gigs. Some did it to pay rent. Others to buy time. All of them were waiting for one thing: a chance.
So, if you're bussing tables or folding laundry between auditions? You're in excellent company.
References: DMV Photographer! Cruise Director! Realtor! Stars Spill on Their Pre-Fame Jobs | "It's A Rough Gig": 15 Celebrities Who Had Super Interesting Jobs Before They Became Famous
