We’ve seen what the likes of Liam Neeson (teacher) and Pierce Brosnan (fire eater) did to get by before finding fame. Let’s take a look at what another batch of celebrities did before discovering fame and fortune.
Harrison Ford – Carpenter
Seven years before stunning the world as Han Solo, Harrison Ford worked in the pre-saviour profession of a humble carpenter.
Musician Sergio Mendes released a celebratory photo on Facebook last year depicting Ford and his crew on the day they finished building Mendes’ studio.
Jon Hamm – Porn Set-Dresser
Following a reemergence of an episode of The Big Date in 2014, Hamm revealed his career at the time. The Mad Men star worked as a set dresser for soft-core porn in the late ’90s. Hamm labelled it as a depressing and soul-crushing experience.
Hugh Jackman – Gym Teacher
As well as attending Xavier’s School for the Gifted, Jackman was also the PE teacher at Uppingham School in England. Years later, he would recognise a former student – Rollo Ross – as a reporter at a red carpet event. Ross asked him how he portrays an angry Wolverine – bad move.
Jackman deadpanned that students who don’t listen make him angry, like the ones who didn’t bring their kit or jump in the pool when told. Displaying his limitless sense of humour, Jackman let Ross off with a charming smile.
Evangeline Lilly – Flight Attendant
Before crashing onto the set of Lost as Kate Austen, Lilly was a flight attendant. She worked as a flight attendant while in college to help pay for her tuition.
Lilly recalls one particular passenger who was ‘getting under her skin’ when she had ‘really bad gas’. The next time she happened to be passing his seat, Lilly let rip. Other jobs included working as a waitress and mechanic on big rig trucks.
Lilly held a range of other jobs including working as a waitress and mechanic on big rig trucks.
Nicole Kidman – Massage Therapist
When she was 17, Nicole Kidman studied massage and worked as a therapist to help her mother with physical therapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Amy Adams – Hooters Waitress
Amy Adams worked as a Hooters hostess at 17 and spent a month serving tables at 18. She would only work at the chain restaurant for as long as it took to save $900, using her earnings to buy a used car.
Christopher Lee – Classified
Christopher Lee enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1940 and worked on decoding German ciphers. After the war was over, Lee continued to work in tracking down war criminals.
When asked about his SAS record, he said, “I was attached to the SAS from time to time, but we are forbidden – former, present, or future – to discuss any specific operations. Let’s just say I was in Special Forces and leave it at that. People can read into that what they like.”