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

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.

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.

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 "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 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 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.

According 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.

Before 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 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.

According to Parade, Steve Harvey started out on the assembly line at a Ford auto plant. He also cleaned carpets, delivered mail, and sold insurance.