After seeing famous actors in career-defining roles or other stars strutting across the world stage, it’s hard to imagine them as anything other than global icons.
But few people are born famous, and many future stars began their careers pulling odd jobs or in fields entirely unrelated to how the world knows them today.
Stars like Jennifer Aniston, Steve Harvey, and Megan Fox worked as telemarketers, autoworkers, and in one case a giant, costumed banana. Here are some surprising jobs celebrities had before they were famous.
Brad Pitt: Chauffeur for exotic dancers
Brad PittAmy Sussman / Getty ImagesOne of many surprising facts about the “Ocean’s 11” and “Moneyball” star, Brad Pitt started out as a driver (and all around helper) for exotic dancers. He actually got an acting break when one of his passengers mentioned an acting class he should take.
Christopher Meloni: Construction worker
Christopher meloniRich Polk / Getty ImagesIt was common for Christopher Meloni’s “Law & Order” character, detective Elliot Stabler, to encounter construction workers while working cases on the streets, but the actor also had personal experience with the job, according to Men’s Journal. Meloni also worked as a bouncer and personal trainer.
Jennifer Aniston: Telemarketer
Jennifer AnistonLeon Bennett / Getty ImagesBefore she achieved the glamorous roll of waitress Rachel Green on “Friends,” Jennifer Aniston worked as a telemarketer. She told InStyle she sold time-shares in the Poconos, and she wasn’t even very good at it.
Dwayne Johnson: Canadian footballer
Dwayne JohnsonJean Baptiste Lacroix / Getty ImagesDwayne "The Rock" Johnson was always athletic. After playing football for the University of Miami, he entered the 1995 NFL Draft but didn’t get picked up. So he headed to Canada to play for the Calgary Stampeders.
Danny DeVito: Hairdresser
Danny DeVitoLeon Bennett / Getty ImagesDanny DeVito might not have much hair on the top of his head today, but back in the day he was all about hair. He trained alongside his sister, already a hairdresser, in the hopes of joining her, the star of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” told The Guardian.
Kate Middleton: Child model
Kate MiddletonChris Jackson / Getty ImagesKate Middleton had experience with photographers long before the paparazzi were snapping pictures of the Duchess of Cambridge. Her family owns the party shop Party Pieces, and a young Middleton lent her photogenic talent to the business.
Chrissy Teigen: Surf shop worker
Chrissy TeigenFrazer Harrison / Getty ImagesAccording to Vanity Fair, Chrissy Teigen was discovered while working at a surf shop in Huntington Beach. After a cameraman wandered in and got the future-model to do a shoot, she soon landed a campaign with Billabong.
Meghan Markle: Calligrapher
Meghan MarkleChris Jackson / Getty ImagesBefore she captured the attention of the world with her own marriage to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle penned quite a few invitations to other events as a freelance calligrapher. According to Good Housekeeping, she designed the invitations for Robin Thicke’s wedding to Paula Patton, and for holiday notes from Dolce & Gabbana.
Nicole Kidman: Massage therapist
Nicole KidmanChelsea Guglielmino / Getty ImagesNicole Kidman learned how to give a proper massage for her mother, who was undergoing radiation for breast cancer and had trouble with her muscles, the “Big Little Lies” star told The Daily Beast. Kidman found she enjoyed doing massage work, and soon made money to support the family that way.
Steve Harvey: Autoworker
Steve HarveyParas Griffin / Getty ImagesAccording to Parade, Steve Harvey started out on the assembly line at a Ford auto plant. He also cleaned carpets, delivered mail, and sold insurance.
Megan Fox: Smoothie shop banana
Megan FoxRich Polk / Getty ImagesYou never know who’s inside those ridiculous costumes attracting customers to stores. Megan Fox told Ellen Degeneres she once had to dress up like a giant banana to advertise a smoothie shop in Florida.
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