9 actors who had surprising careers before fame

Before the red carpets, they wore tool belts, uniforms—and in one case, clown shoes.

We love a good origin story, especially when it involves Hollywood’s brightest stars coming from the most unexpected walks of life.

While it’s easy to picture them as glamorous icons now, many of these actors once held jobs that feel hilariously far from the world of movie premieres and paparazzi.

From lion taming to hot dog hawking, here are nine actors who had truly surprising careers before the fame machine scooped them up and put them on the big screen.

1. Channing Tatum – Male Stripper

Before dancing his way into our hearts in Magic Mike, Tatum was quite literally dancing for a living. The actor worked as a male stripper in Tampa, Florida, a job that would later inspire the movie that made him a household name.

2. Julia Roberts – Ice Cream Scooper

Long before Pretty Woman made her America’s sweetheart, Julia Roberts served up scoops at Baskin-Robbins. Sweet beginnings for a sweet career.

3. Christopher Walken – Lion Tamer

Yes, you read that right. The man with one of the most distinctive voices in cinema was once a lion tamer’s apprentice in a circus. Walken reportedly performed with a lion named Sheba—no CGI, no stunt double.

4. Eva Mendes – Hot Dog on a Stick Employee

Before breaking into Hollywood, Mendes rocked the iconic striped uniform and paper hat while working at Hot Dog on a Stick. It was a far cry from the red carpet, but every star has to start somewhere.

5. Steve Buscemi – NYC Firefighter

The Boardwalk Empire actor was a real-life hero before taking on mob bosses. Buscemi served as a New York City firefighter in the early ’80s and even returned to help during the aftermath of 9/11.

6. Hugh Jackman – P.E. Teacher

Before he had claws, Jackman had a whistle. The Aussie heartthrob worked as a physical education teacher at an English school. We can only hope he taught with the same passion he brings to the stage and screen.

7. Harrison Ford – Carpenter

Ford was literally building his career—one plank at a time. Before becoming Han Solo, he was a self-taught carpenter who built furniture for some big names in Hollywood, including director George Lucas.

8. Patrick Dempsey – Professional Juggler

Grey’s Anatomy fans know him as McDreamy, but before all that, Dempsey was juggling—professionally. He even competed in national competitions and considered it a possible career path.

9. Colin Farrell – Country Line Dance Instructor

Who knew this Irish actor had such Southern flair? Farrell worked as a country line dance instructor in Dublin, teaching locals how to boot-scoot long before becoming an international star.

These stories remind us that the road to stardom is rarely straight—and often full of wild, weird, and wonderfully human detours.