Before They Were Stars

Ever look at the guy selling you your popcorn at the movies and think he could be the next Nicholas Cage? Well, me either, but sometimes it actually happens, here are some celebrities, and what they did before they were stars.

Before they were stars, celebrities worked all sorts of jobs, some of them were in the category I like to call “Lifesavers”. Lifesavers include Sean Connery working as a lifeguard, I’m willing to bet more than a few women pretended to be drowning while he was on duty. Well known character actor Steve Buscemi might have pulled you out of a fire before he started playing those crazy characters, he once worked as a fire-fighter. We all know and love the funny host of the Price is Right and former host of Whose Line is It Anyway, Drew Carey, but did you know he was in the Marine Corps? He sure was, he looked very different back then without those big glasses and the few extra pounds. Walt Disney, beloved creator of Mickey Mouse, and founder of the Disney Empire, was once an ambulance driver, and Mick Jagger was a Hospital Porter.

The life of a celebrity is pretty glamorous. The rich and famous are able to hire people to do their dirty work, but some stars actually were those people hired to do some pretty yucky stuff, before they were stars of course. If you don’t know how gross it is to be a pool cleaner, just ask Clint Eastwood, I bet he will tell you it is pretty yucky. Cyndi Lauper is known as being a fun loving, quirky singer, but I am willing to bet her stint as a dog kennel emptier was not her inspiration for “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”. Ozzy Osbourne had plenty of time to develop the iron stomach it takes to rip the head off of a bat when he was a slaughterhouse worker before he was a star. Warren Batty had the unlucky job of being a rat catcher, and Matthew McConaughey had the lovely task of cleaning out chicken coops.

Some celebrities had jobs before they were stars that you might find quite surprising. For example, it is probably pretty difficult to imagine Rod Stewart and his spiky hi-lights digging graves, but he sure did. Alec Baldwin, who wasn’t really the most muscular of the Baldwin Brothers worked as a bouncer. When you think of a really non controversial place to shop, you might consider the Gap. Now a singer that had been considered nothing but controversial, is Kanye West, can you really see the two of them together? While it is hard to imagine, its true. Some other surprising former employment are as follows, Whoopi Goldberg was a bricklayer, Gene Simmons was a Newspaper Delivery Boy, Jon Bon Jovi made Christmas decorations, Russell Simmons worked at his local Orange Julius, Jennifer Aniston was a telemarketer, James Dean tested stunts for the game show “Beat the Clock” and everyone’s favorite Grunge pioneer, Kurt Cobain, was a janitor. One particularly surprising job was Nancy Grace, considered by many to be the meanest person on TV, worked behind the candy counter at Sears. Christopher Walken actually worked as a Lion Tamer for the circus, and one of the most surprising jobs was that Danny DeVito worked as a hair stylist, really.

Before they were stars, many celebrities took on jobs that are not so surprising considering their personalities, and what they are famous for. Chipper and upbeat singer, Clay Aiken employed his people skills as a counselor at the YMCA. Donald Trump was not surprisingly a rent collector. Whether or not you like Pamela Anderson, everyone can see she is in shape, which is why her job as a fitness instructor does not provide any shock value. Peppy Lucille Ball and Julia Roberts both sold ice cream in their time, quirky Robin Williams was a street mime, beautiful “Lost “ vixen Evangeline Lilly was a flight attendant, bulky Vin Diesel was a bouncer, and Carmen Elektra was a dancer at a theme park in Ohio. The most predictable job held by a celebrity before they were a star, was country star Garth Brooks, he was a cowboy boot salesman.

Most people have worked in the service industry, whether it be fast food, waitressing, or even working at a hotel, most people have had to endure it. Celebrities are not immune to this. Here are some celebrities that worked in the service industry before they were stars. Gwen Stefani worked at the Dairy Queen, Queen Latifa at Burger King, “My Name is Earl Star” Jason Lee worked at his local Taco Bell. Movie Star Mickey Rourke was a movie theater usher, and Michael Douglas was a Gas Station Attendant. Tom Cruise worked as a Bell Hop, and the beautiful and talented Faith Hill worked as a receptionist.

The final category holds just one man. This category is called “Really? People actually do that?” Before Jerry Seinfeld was a famous comedian, he sold light bulbs. Really. People actually do that.

About the Author:

Kate is a proud wife and mother with interests ranging all over the board. She especially loves to read, and is the author of The Book Buff, book reviews for regular people. Check her out at http://www.thebookbuff.blogspot.com