Let’s get real: everyone has a weakness for a good origin story, and particularly one that comes with a twist of “Wait, they used to DO THAT?” The reality is that most Hollywood celebrities did not simply walk onto the big screen. They paid their dues—sometimes by scooping ice cream, teaching children, or even working in a morgue. From selling automobiles to making subs, here are 15 unexpected pre-fame careers that your favorite celebrities used to have.
15. Gene Simmons – Educator & Used Car Salesman
Before KISS face paint and fire-breathing rock concerts, Gene Simmons stood in front of a classroom—and moonlighting used cars on the side. Imagine it: the future “The Demon” attempting to sell you a station wagon.
14. Lil Nas X – Theme Park Ride Operator
Before “Old Town Road” dominated the charts, Lil Nas X was fastening children into rides at Six Flags. From fastening down seatbelts to fastening on cowboy hats, he traveled from thrill rides to music stardom in record time.
13. Jerry Seinfeld – Car Salesman
Before he was comedy royalty, Jerry Seinfeld was attempting to clear cars from a New York lot. He once confessed that the job honed his sense of humor and people skills—skills he would use later to pose the question, “What’s the deal with…?”
12. Margot Robbie – Subway Sandwich Artist
Before red carpets and Oscar hype, Margot Robbie was creating flawless Subway subs. She even boasted about the precision of her sandwich-making—spreading toppings to the edges. Attention to detail, Hollywood loved.
11. Bryan Cranston – Car Dealership Salesman
Before donning Heisenberg’s cap, Bryan Cranston was landing on the showroom floor at a Los Angeles automobile dealership. He was trading in monthly quotas for whipping up one of television’s most iconic characters.
10. Amy Poehler – Ice Cream Shop Employee
Comedy legend Amy Poehler used to spend her evenings scooping ice cream cones and cleaning counters at a neighborhood ice cream parlor. She remembers it as “hard, physical work”—not necessarily Pawnee Parks & Rec, but community service of a sort.
9. Sylvester Stallone – Car Lot Employee
Before making a name for himself with Rocky, Stallone was working the trenches at a New York car dealership. Like his most iconic character, he was the underdog battling to emerge from obscurity.
8. Eva Longoria – Wendy’s Employee
Eva Longoria worked six years in the back of the counter at Wendy’s, learning the delicate art of burger construction. She even takes a solemn oath about a secret trick for layering: Mayo on the bun first, ketchup in the middle, mustard last. The woman sure knew how to bring both flavor and showmanship.
7. Tim Allen – Chevy Salesman
Before grunts, catchphrases, and Pixar voice acting, Tim Allen was peddling Chevrolets in Michigan. Little did his customers know, their car man would soon be America’s go-to handyman.
6. Whoopi Goldberg – Beautician for the Deceased
Whoopi Goldberg’s first career may be the biggest shock on this list—she had a morgue job, doing hair and makeup for corpses. It took empathy, level heads, and most likely provided her with a very interesting outlook on life.
5. John Travolta – Car Dealership Employee
Even John Travolta began small, working at a New Jersey dealership before dancing his way onto the screen in Saturday Night Fever. From selling sedans to selling movie tickets, his career revved up.
4. Danny DeVito – Ford Dealership Worker
Danny DeVito also took a car dealership detour, spending six months at a Ford dealership in New Jersey before getting into acting. Fortunately for fans of comedy, he swapped steering wheels for scripts.
3. Meghan Markle – Calligrapher
Meghan Markle was a professional calligrapher before Suits and royal news. She taught classes, worked at Paper Source, and even hand-wrote wedding invitations for celeb clients. Regal handwriting before a regal life.
2. Tommy Lee Jones – Used Car Salesman
Following his Harvard degree, Tommy Lee Jones was peddling cars in Dallas. Fortunately, Hollywood knocked on his door, and he traded in pitches for force-of-nature performances.
1. Adam Driver – American Marine
Before Star Wars and Broadway fame, Adam Driver joined the Marines at age 18. Although a knee injury ended his service prematurely, he frequently attributes the discipline and camaraderie of the Marines to molding him into the person he is today.
It turns out the path to fame isn’t paved with stardust—it’s lined with fast food chains, morgues, and at least a few car lots. So the next time you catch sight of a star burning bright on screen, keep in mind: they may have been the one handing you a set of car keys, serving your ice cream, or mastering your order before they were famous.