11 Jobs Celebrities Did Before They Hit It Big

How did Brad Pitt, Beyoncé and Kanye West pay the bills before they hit it big? 

If you’re feeling a little down about finding a job or progressing in your career, then don’t worry, because success does not come easily. We’ve all got to start somewhere, and a lot of celebrities were no different. Here’s a list of all the ‘regular’ jobs celebrities did before making it big.

Brad Pitt: Chicken Shop Mascot

Not literally of course, but in his younger years, the 53 year old actor, who is probably one of the most recognisable people in the film industry, used to dance around in a chicken suit to promote the fast food restaurant, El Pollo Loco.

Some say he invented the chicken dance…

Beyoncé: Sweeping hair in a salon

As her mother used to run a hair salon, Beyoncé would earn money to support her musical efforts by sweeping up hair. She has since racked up a net worth estimated at $265 million. I wonder if she ever did Becky’s hair….

Channing Tatum: Stripper

You gotta do what you gotta do to earn a little dollar sometimes. Performing under the stage name of Chan Crawford, Tatum kept up the job for 8 months at the tender age of 19.

Hugh Jackman: P.E. Teacher

For any Americans among you this is the UK equivalent of “gym teacher”. Jackman taught in Uppingham School in London in 1987. There is an interview with him where he recognises the interviewer as a former pupil. Watch the interview here.

Kanye West: Sales Assistant in GAP

Kanye has become one of the music industry’s biggest stars but his past experiences in retail are cited in his song, Spaceship, where he says:

“let’s go back, back to the GAP
Look at my check, wasn’t no scratch.”

Maybe his retail days at GAP inspired some of his Yeezy pieces?

Madonna: Worked in Dunkin’ Donuts

That’s right. Madonna worked in the Time’s Square Dunkin’ Donuts in New York… that is until she allegedly got fired for squirting jam (or jelly, whatever!) all over a customer.

Walt Disney: Dismissed Cartoonist and Ambulance Driver

A newspaper editor fired poor old Walt because “he lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” Little did he know that a little Mouse by the name of Mickey would prove him wrong one day. Walt also drove an ambulance in WWII.

Tom Cruise: Priest (well…nearly)

Before Scientology and being short became everything that we know and…know about Tom Cruise, he was enrolled in a seminary to become a priest. Unfortunately he was simply too badass for this career choice and was kicked out after trying to sneak alcohol in.

Liam Neeson: Teacher

We have another teacher on our list. Liam used to teach in Newcastle, England but his career in education came to an end after he – wait for it – punched a student. To be fair apparently the student pulled out a knife but I can’t imagine Hugh Jackman has any teaching stories that crazy.

Barack Obama: Worked at Baskin-Robbins

Before becoming the most important man in America, Barack Obama was scooping ice cream in Hawaii. Although not as glamorous a job as POTUS, apparently it taught him; “Responsibility. Hard work. Balancing a job with friends, family, and school.” I guess the US has Baskin Robbins to thank for their 44th president!

Johnny Depp: Pen Salesman

Before he brought us such memorable characters as Edward Scissorhands, Sweeney Todd, Raoul Duke and of course Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp made a living by selling ballpoint pens. Of all the jobs celebrities did, this has to be one of the weirdest. However, Nicholas Cage came to him (in what I like to imagine was a vision or dream) and told him to pursue a career in acting. The rest is history.

There you have it. If you’re tired of life and you hate your job, then just remember that Brad Pitt had to literally dance for his dinner at one point. All you need is a little ambition and inspiration.

Although we’re experiencing a temporary shortage of Hollywood acting positions, your dream job could be a click away at Europe Language Jobs. Remember that it could always be worse: you could be gutting salmon for royals like Calvin Harris did – true story!