15 Celebrities Who Had Surprisingly Normal Jobs Before Fame Had Other Ideas

Fame can make someone’s earlier life seem almost impossible to imagine. It is easy to picture a future movie star, musician, or television personality as someone who was always destined for the spotlight, but many famous people spent years doing completely ordinary work before anyone knew their names. They waited tables, worked office jobs, taught classes, sold clothes, drove trucks, and handled the same everyday responsibilities as millions of other people. Some were already pursuing entertainment on the side while paying the bills, while others stumbled into their eventual careers unexpectedly. These surprisingly normal jobs offer a glimpse at lives that looked very different before Hollywood came calling.

Danny DeVito Was a Hairdresser

Before becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors, Danny DeVito worked as a hairdresser at his sister’s beauty salon, where he developed an interest in makeup and eventually pursued acting.

Harrison Ford Was a Carpenter

Harrison Ford spent years working as a carpenter while struggling to find enough acting work to support himself, eventually landing jobs that put him in the homes of some influential Hollywood figures.

Steve Buscemi Was a Firefighter

Before becoming famous for roles in Fargo and The Big Lebowski, Steve Buscemi worked as a New York City firefighter, a career he returned to temporarily during the September 11 attacks.

Sylvester Stallone Worked at a Zoo

Long before becoming Rocky Balboa, Stallone worked various jobs to make ends meet, including cleaning lion cages at the Central Park Zoo while pursuing acting and writing opportunities.

Whoopi Goldberg Worked in a Morgue

Before becoming an Oscar winning actor and television personality, Whoopi Goldberg worked in a morgue, where one of her responsibilities involved preparing bodies for burial.

Christopher Walken Was a Lion Tamer

Christopher Walken had an unusually entertaining childhood job, working as a lion tamer’s assistant at a circus before his acting career eventually took over.

Jim Carrey Worked as a Janitor

Jim Carrey left school as a teenager and worked as a janitor with his family while trying to establish himself as a comedian, eventually turning his childhood ambition into one of the biggest comedy careers in Hollywood.

Jennifer Aniston Was a Telemarketer

Before becoming Rachel Green, Jennifer Aniston worked various jobs to support herself as an aspiring actor, including a stint as a telemarketer selling timeshares.

Matthew McConaughey Worked as a Bartender

Before becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest leading men, McConaughey worked various jobs while pursuing acting, including bartending and other service work.

Hugh Jackman Was a Physical Education Teacher

Before becoming Wolverine, Hugh Jackman worked as a physical education teacher at an English school, where he reportedly encouraged students to pursue their interests before leaving teaching for acting.

Jon Hamm Was a Set Dresser

Before becoming Don Draper, Jon Hamm worked in the entertainment industry behind the scenes as a set dresser while trying to establish himself as an actor.

Tina Fey Worked at a YMCA

Before becoming a major comedy writer and performer, Tina Fey worked at the YMCA in Chicago while developing her career at Second City.

Danny Glover Worked as a San Francisco Transit Worker

Before becoming famous for Lethal Weapon, Danny Glover worked for the San Francisco Transit Authority, where he was employed as a municipal worker before eventually pursuing acting full time.

Steve Martin Sold Guidebooks at Disneyland

Before becoming a legendary comedian and actor, Steve Martin worked at Disneyland and sold guidebooks to visitors while developing his comedy career in his spare time.

Patrick Dempsey Was a Juggler

Before becoming famous as Dr. Derek Shepherd on Grey’s Anatomy, Patrick Dempsey had an unusual professional background as a juggler and performed as part of a juggling act before acting became his main career.