Ever speculate about what your favorite stars would have been up to had Hollywood not called? As it happens, a noteworthy number of A-listers possess hidden skills that could have placed them in entirely different professions. From science laboratories to Olympic stadiums, these talents reveal that a few of these celebrities were meant to shine whether they were on the court or off.
16. Venus Williams: Design Queen Off the Court
Venus is not only a tennis icon—she’s an interior design force to be reckoned with. She founded V Starr, a Florida design company, and co-founded Palazzo, an AI-powered design platform. It turns out that her winning streak goes far beyond Wimbledon.
15. Bridgit Mendler: From Disney Darling to Tech CEO
Remember Bridgit Mendler from Good Luck Charlie? These days, she’s less about sitcom laughs and more about satellites. Mendler co-founded a space data company while also racking up degrees from Harvard, MIT, and USC. If that’s not a glow-up, what is?
14. Emma Watson: Advocate for Equality
Best recognized as Hermione, Emma Watson has established an off-screen legacy as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. She’s spoken out against gender inequality, demonstrating that her magic doesn’t stay in the wizarding world.
13. Jessica Simpson: Fashion Empire Giant
After chart-topping hits and reality TV stardom, Jessica Simpson turned her attention to business—and it paid dividends big time. Her fashion line became a billion-dollar empire, as much a mogul as a pop icon.
12. Geena Davis: Almost an Olympian
Acting wasn’t the only talent of Geena Davis—she’s a master archer too. In 1999, she nearly made the U.S. Olympic team. Thelma & Louise with an arrow and a bow.
11. Lucy Liu: Gallery-Worthy Artist
Lucy Liu doesn’t only own the screen—she’s left her mark on the art community, too. As Yu Ling, she’s exhibited paintings at shows around the world, demonstrating that she can win hearts on canvas as much as on camera.
10. Jennifer Tilly: Poker Pro
In addition to her memorable movie roles, Jennifer Tilly is an accomplished poker player. She’s placed big in pro tournaments, holding her own against the game’s top players.
9. Natalie Portman: Scholar and Scientist
Harvard alumnus, published author, Oscar winner—Natalie Portman has done it all, it appears. Her work in neuroscience demonstrates that she feels just as at home in a lab as she does on the set of a movie.
8. Matthew Perry: Tennis Ace in His Teens
Before Friends, Matthew Perry was one of Canada’s highest-ranked junior tennis players. He had real promise on the court before comedy diverted him into a different career.
7. Jack Johnson: Surfer Boy to Musician
Before he was playing laid-back beach songs, Jack Johnson was a real pro surfer, having competed in the globe-famous Pipeline Masters at age 14. A surfing accident steered him into music, and the rest is chill, acoustic history.
6. Ken Jeong: Doctor First, Comedian Second
Ken Jeong didn’t only appear as a doctor—he actually was one. Before his comedy career took off, Jeong was a practicing physician, and he still maintains his license presently. He has even been known to jump in during actual emergencies.
5. Steve Martin: Banjo Extraordinaire
Comedy legend? Check. Banjo master? Also check. Steve Martin has received several Grammys for his bluegrass tunes, demonstrating that he’s just as talented before a crowd with a banjo as he is with a microphone.
4. Terry Crews: Skilled Artist
We know Terry Crews best for flexing muscles and cracking us up, but the talented man is also a skilled painter and illustrator. His work has even appeared on television and in galleries.
3. James Cameron: Master of the Abyss
The director of Titanic and Avatar doesn’t merely break boundaries on film—he literally plunges through them. Cameron was the first solo adventurer to descend to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, making him a double threat as both filmmaker and explorer.
2. Hugh Laurie: Musician in Spirit
Though he’s famous for House, Hugh Laurie is also an experienced musician. With a few albums combining jazz, blues, and rock, he might as well top the bill at a concert as at a TV show.
1. Vanilla Ice: Jet Ski Champion
Before his rap success, Vanilla Ice (Rob Van Winkle) was a professional jet ski racing sensation. Sponsored by Kawasaki, he was considered to be one of the top jet ski racers in the sport. It seems that “Ice Ice Baby” was just one of several ways that he could get a crowd excited.
Hollywood helped make them famous, but these celebrities remind us they might have succeeded in nearly any profession. From music and science to sports and business, their secret talents are as spectacular as their on-screen performances.