15 Celebrities and Their Surprisingly Ordinary Pre-Fame Jobs

It’s easy to forget that celebrities had to pay their bills before their names started appearing on movie posters, album covers, and magazine headlines. Some spent years working regular shifts, dealing with customers, cleaning up after other people, or trying to make ends meet while chasing completely different dreams. A few even had jobs that sound almost impossible to associate with their public image today. And while their early careers didn’t necessarily predict what would come next, they offer a fun reminder that plenty of famous people once had very ordinary working days, just like everyone else.

Barack Obama | Ice Cream Scooper

Before entering politics, Obama worked at a Baskin-Robbins in Honolulu, where he scooped ice cream and served customers during his teenage years.

Julia Roberts | Ice Cream Scooper

Before becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Roberts also worked at Baskin-Robbins, serving ice cream during her teenage years.

Lady Gaga | Restaurant Waitress

Before becoming a global pop star, Gaga worked as a waitress at a Greek restaurant in New York, serving customers while pursuing her music ambitions.

Carrie Underwood | Gas Station Cashier

Long before winning American Idol and becoming a country music star, Underwood worked as a cashier at a gas station in Oklahoma

Amy Adams | Hooters Waitress

Before her Hollywood breakthrough, Adams worked as a waitress at Hooters when she was 18, and also had a job as a greeter at a Gap store in Atlanta.

Rachel McAdams | McDonald’s Employee

The Mean Girls actress worked at McDonald’s in Canada for three years, alongside her siblings, and once admitted she wasn’t exactly the restaurant’s best employee.

James Franco | McDonald’s Employee

While trying to establish himself as an actor, Franco worked at McDonald’s, where he served customers and gained experience in the fast food industry.

Jennifer Hudson | Burger King Employee

Before winning an Oscar and becoming a successful singer, Hudson worked at Burger King, joining the long list of future celebrities who once had fast food jobs.

Queen Latifah | Burger King Employee

The rapper and actress also worked at Burger King before her entertainment career took off, earning money while pursuing her ambitions in music.

Matthew McConaughey | Bank Employee

During an exchange student stay in Australia, McConaughey worked at a bank, long before becoming the Oscar-winning actor audiences know today.

Bruce Dern | Taxi Driver

While studying acting in New York, Dern worked as a cab driver to support himself, spending his days navigating city streets before becoming a respected Hollywood actor.

Michael Fassbender | Bartender and Truck Loader

Before becoming an established actor, Fassbender worked as a bartender and unloaded trucks while attending acting school.

Barkhad Abdi | Limousine Driver

Before his breakout performance in Captain Phillips, Abdi worked as a limousine driver in Minneapolis and had previously held a job at Target.

Lupita Nyong’o | Production Assistant

Before winning an Academy Award, Nyong’o worked behind the scenes as a production assistant on the 2004 film The Constant Gardener

Meghan Markle | Freelance Calligrapher

Before becoming internationally famous, Markle used her handwriting skills to work as a freelance calligrapher, creating invitations and handwritten correspondence for clients.