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Before They Were Stars - Jobs Prior to Becoming Famous

Updated on July 23, 2014

Stars Who Were Strippers!

There a few stars that began their lives as strippers before making it in Hollywood. Here are a few celebrities that may surprise you and a few that probably won't.

By now most of the world knows that Channing Tatum was a stripper at one point in his life. It was his early career in stripping that inspired him to create "Magic Mike."
By now most of the world knows that Channing Tatum was a stripper at one point in his life. It was his early career in stripping that inspired him to create "Magic Mike."
Catherine Zeta Jones was an exotic dancer prior to becoming famous. Zeta Jones has stated in interviews that she used the money from her stripper job to pay for plastic surgery on her nose.
Catherine Zeta Jones was an exotic dancer prior to becoming famous. Zeta Jones has stated in interviews that she used the money from her stripper job to pay for plastic surgery on her nose.
Lady Gaga used to work as a pole dancer when she was 18 years old. She has said that this is where she developed her persona for the stage.
Lady Gaga used to work as a pole dancer when she was 18 years old. She has said that this is where she developed her persona for the stage.
Eve worked as a stripper in the 90's before getting a record deal.
Eve worked as a stripper in the 90's before getting a record deal.
Carmen Electra worked as a stripper prior to becoming famous and at a local theme park in Ohio called King's Island where she was also a dancer but kept her clothes on there.
Carmen Electra worked as a stripper prior to becoming famous and at a local theme park in Ohio called King's Island where she was also a dancer but kept her clothes on there.

Stars Who Worked in the Food Business

A lot of celebrities got their start working at fast food restaurants or as waiters/waitresses. The following celebrities got their starts in a restaurant or fast food joint.

Jennifer Aniston was a waitress long before she was famous. She was also a bike messenger and telemarketer. That's one phone call I wouldn't mind taking during dinner.
Jennifer Aniston was a waitress long before she was famous. She was also a bike messenger and telemarketer. That's one phone call I wouldn't mind taking during dinner.
Sandra Bullock was a cocktail waitress and a bartender prior to making it big in Hollywood. She also was a coat checker. Definitely a step up from where she was.
Sandra Bullock was a cocktail waitress and a bartender prior to making it big in Hollywood. She also was a coat checker. Definitely a step up from where she was.
Nicolas Cage sold popcorn at the Fairfax Theater before becoming famous.
Nicolas Cage sold popcorn at the Fairfax Theater before becoming famous.
Taye Diggs worked as a waiter at a pizzeria in New York. He made about $100 a week.
Taye Diggs worked as a waiter at a pizzeria in New York. He made about $100 a week.
Jennifer Garner worked as a hostess at a restaurant on New York's upper east side before breaking into television and movie fame.
Jennifer Garner worked as a hostess at a restaurant on New York's upper east side before breaking into television and movie fame.
Tom Hanks had a variety of odd jobs prior to becoming a big Hollywood player. Hanks sold popcorn and peanuts as a vendor at Oakland Coliseum. Hanks also was employed as a hotel bellman, where he carried the luggage of several famous stars.
Tom Hanks had a variety of odd jobs prior to becoming a big Hollywood player. Hanks sold popcorn and peanuts as a vendor at Oakland Coliseum. Hanks also was employed as a hotel bellman, where he carried the luggage of several famous stars.
Queen Latifah used to be Queen of the Whoppers when she worked at Burger King before making it big.
Queen Latifah used to be Queen of the Whoppers when she worked at Burger King before making it big.
Madonna used to have a thing for donuts. She used to work at Dunkin Donuts prior to her highly successful singing career.
Madonna used to have a thing for donuts. She used to work at Dunkin Donuts prior to her highly successful singing career.
Not to be left out, Mcdonalds also had a celebrity representative in the form of Rachel Mcadams. McAdams worked at the golden arches for three summers.
Not to be left out, Mcdonalds also had a celebrity representative in the form of Rachel Mcadams. McAdams worked at the golden arches for three summers.
Brad Pitt used to dress up in a chicken costume to bring customers into El Pollo Loco where Brad worked before becoming one of Hollywood's leading me. He also worked as a limo driver.
Brad Pitt used to dress up in a chicken costume to bring customers into El Pollo Loco where Brad worked before becoming one of Hollywood's leading me. He also worked as a limo driver.
Kelly Clarkson was quite a jack of all trades. Kelly once worked as a waitress, telemarketer, pharmacy clerk, vacuum sales person, and a Six Flags performer. Something tells me that Kelly was a job hopper.
Kelly Clarkson was quite a jack of all trades. Kelly once worked as a waitress, telemarketer, pharmacy clerk, vacuum sales person, and a Six Flags performer. Something tells me that Kelly was a job hopper.
Julia Roberts used to work at an ice cream shop prior to being America's Pretty Woman.
Julia Roberts used to work at an ice cream shop prior to being America's Pretty Woman.
Believe it or not! This shock jock used to work as an ice cream truck driver. Howard Stern used to sell ice cream to CHILDREN!! Oh the insanity!
Believe it or not! This shock jock used to work as an ice cream truck driver. Howard Stern used to sell ice cream to CHILDREN!! Oh the insanity!
This starlet used work at Hooters as a waitress. Amy Adams has been quoted as saying she wasn't exactly Hooters material, because she was endowed enough.
This starlet used work at Hooters as a waitress. Amy Adams has been quoted as saying she wasn't exactly Hooters material, because she was endowed enough.
Another golden arches employee is Pink. Pink used to ask guests if they would like to biggie size their order.
Another golden arches employee is Pink. Pink used to ask guests if they would like to biggie size their order.
This high school drop out used to work at a dog bakery before hitting it big. Emma Stone's breakout role was in Superbad.
This high school drop out used to work at a dog bakery before hitting it big. Emma Stone's breakout role was in Superbad.
Gwen Stefani used to spend her evenings scrubbing the floors at Dairy Queen.
Gwen Stefani used to spend her evenings scrubbing the floors at Dairy Queen.

The Teachers...

A few celebrities had a full blown career prior to becoming famous. Some were working in schools as teachers before making the transition to super stardom.

J.K. Rowling was a school teacher and a researcher for Amnesty International prior to becoming a world's best selling author.
J.K. Rowling was a school teacher and a researcher for Amnesty International prior to becoming a world's best selling author.
Billy Crystal worked as a substitute teacher after graduating from New York University.
Billy Crystal worked as a substitute teacher after graduating from New York University.
Sheryl Crow was an Elementary Teacher at one point in her life, before she started soaking up the sun.
Sheryl Crow was an Elementary Teacher at one point in her life, before she started soaking up the sun.

Religious Professions:

A few stars had hoped to work in the religious fields before they became famous.

This is almost laughable but incredibly true. Our now die hard Scientology guru wanted to be a priest at one point and even went to a seminary to become a priest before becoming the Tom Cruise that we now know and love. Even if he is a little off.
This is almost laughable but incredibly true. Our now die hard Scientology guru wanted to be a priest at one point and even went to a seminary to become a priest before becoming the Tom Cruise that we now know and love. Even if he is a little off.
Dan Aykroyd intended to become a Catholic Priest but instead ended up working for the Canadian Postal Services.
Dan Aykroyd intended to become a Catholic Priest but instead ended up working for the Canadian Postal Services.

Behind the Counter

Many celebrities made ends meet by being courteous to customers and helping them with their purchases. Here are a few stars that began making money as clerks, salespeople, or in customer service areas.

WOW!! I am in shock. I think my brain may have just exploded. Kayne West worked in the customer service world. With his ego i'm surprised he didn't think he was too good for his position at the Gap as a salesmen.
WOW!! I am in shock. I think my brain may have just exploded. Kayne West worked in the customer service world. With his ego i'm surprised he didn't think he was too good for his position at the Gap as a salesmen.
Sylvester Stallone wasn't always running up and down stairs and punching slabs of meet as Rocky. Sly used to be an usher at a movie theater and after that he worked at the Central Park Zoo cleaning the lion cages.
Sylvester Stallone wasn't always running up and down stairs and punching slabs of meet as Rocky. Sly used to be an usher at a movie theater and after that he worked at the Central Park Zoo cleaning the lion cages.
Before starring in his own television show, Jerry Seinfeld was telephone salesman who sold lightbulbs!
Before starring in his own television show, Jerry Seinfeld was telephone salesman who sold lightbulbs!
Whoopi Goldberg used to be a bank teller before she was sharing her opinion on The View. She was also a bricklayer...
Whoopi Goldberg used to be a bank teller before she was sharing her opinion on The View. She was also a bricklayer...
Ellen DeGeneres used to sell vacuums but when that didn't work out she tried some other odd jobs such as working in a glove factory, being an oyster shucker??, and a paralegal.
Ellen DeGeneres used to sell vacuums but when that didn't work out she tried some other odd jobs such as working in a glove factory, being an oyster shucker??, and a paralegal.
Clark Gable use to give a damn about your neck ties. He was a necktie salesman before chasing after Scarlett.
Clark Gable use to give a damn about your neck ties. He was a necktie salesman before chasing after Scarlett.

Our Janitors

Many celebrities began their careers cleaning up other people's messes. The following are our devoted cleaners and janitors.

Jim Carrey used to clean up other people's messes when he worked as a factory janitor.
Jim Carrey used to clean up other people's messes when he worked as a factory janitor.
Stephen King used to be a janitor. He has stated that he got his idea for "Carrie" while cleaning the girl's locker room at the school he worked for as a janitor.
Stephen King used to be a janitor. He has stated that he got his idea for "Carrie" while cleaning the girl's locker room at the school he worked for as a janitor.
Keanu Reeves also worked as a janitor before making it big. I don't know about you but any janitor I know did not look Keanu Reeves.
Keanu Reeves also worked as a janitor before making it big. I don't know about you but any janitor I know did not look Keanu Reeves.
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