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97.1 Charlie Celebs’ first gigs: 11 surprising jobs stars had before fame

Celebs’ first gigs: 11 surprising jobs stars had before fame

75756A5E-120A-4932-810C-2FD980DB785E
By RADIO.COM Staff
March 6, 2021 03/06/2021 3:15 pm

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
Brad Pitt Photo credit Amy Sussman / Getty Images

Brad Pitt: Chauffeur for exotic dancers

One 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
Christopher meloni Photo credit Rich Polk / Getty Images

Christopher Meloni: Construction worker

It 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
Jennifer Aniston Photo credit Leon Bennett / Getty Images

Jennifer Aniston: Telemarketer

Before 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
Dwayne Johnson Photo credit Jean Baptiste Lacroix / Getty Images

Dwayne Johnson: Canadian footballer

Dwayne "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
Danny DeVito Photo credit Leon Bennett / Getty Images

Danny DeVito: Hairdresser

Danny 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
Kate Middleton Photo credit Chris Jackson / Getty Images

Kate Middleton: Child model

Kate 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.