We never allow the cashier at the grocery store an opportunity to become a well-known figure nationally or internationally. The fulfillment of a wish does not happen instantly. This helps to explain why some renowned persons had to juggle a variety of professions before they became well-known. Some came dressed as firefighters, others as graphic designers, and yet others as mascots for local eateries.
1. Johnny Depp
Source: Getty Images
At the age of 16, Johnny decided to pursue a career in music instead of continuing his education. While he waited for stardom to find him, he worked odd jobs to make ends meet. He was even allowed to put his acting chops to use in a setting other than the silver screen. As a telemarketer, he was tasked with creating creative names for the pens and exciting incentives to encourage clients to make several purchases.
2. Alan Rickman
Source: Getty Images
Rickman first decided on a career in acting because he felt the design industry offered greater stability. After completing school for graphic design, he and several friends set up shop in the heart of Soho. Advertising, book and record covers and magazine graphics were all part of their repertoire. Thankfully, Rickman opted to pursue acting studies three years later; the rest is history.
3. Whoopi Goldberg
Source: Getty Images
Although Whoopi Goldberg has a background in the beauty industry, few people realize that she really works in the industry. It was long before she won two Academy Awards for her acting that she put her beauty school training to use by applying cosmetics on the remains of the recently deceased. The actress claims that she applied for a job at a funeral home after reading about it in the media.
4. Morgan Freeman
Source: Getty Images
Despite Morgan's lifelong desire to be an actor, he enlisted in the Air Force rather than accept a theatre scholarship to study at Jackson State University. He started as a radar technician but quickly discovered that ground operations were more his speed than flying. Despite this, he was discharged with the rank of airman first class and given an honorable release.
5. Helen Mirren
Source: Getty Images
Helen Mirren's name may conjure images of many things, but promoter probably isn't one of them. Before she made it big in Hollywood, she worked to get people to stop and check out the amusement park Kursaal. The starlet said,
"I blurted nonsense to catch people's attention."6. Ashton Kutcher
Source: Getty Images
The actor and producer studied biochemical engineering at UIowa. He worked as a janitor at General Mills, a food processing plant, to fund his education. A talent scout introduced him to male modeling soon after, which launched his career in the
Entertainment industry.
7. Geena Davis
Source: Getty Images
Ann Taylor staff members first noted Geena's remarkable ability to maintain stillness long before a film director noticed. The young woman noticed an empty chair in a showcase window one day where mannequins pretended to have lunch. She sat down and didn't move when anyone looked her way.
8. Michelle Pfeiffer
Source: Getty Images
She wanted to be a court reporter before she became famous. She worked as a cashier at a supermarket when she finally figured out what she loved doing. Anguished, the actress recalled, "I remember well standing in the check stand." What do you want to do with the rest of your life? I asked myself. And it was playing a part.
9. Brad Pitt
Source: Getty Images
Do you ever speculate about the person underneath the guise of a mascot? Before he became famous in Hollywood, Brad Pitt was a mascot at an El Pollo Loco restaurant. There was a time when Brad had to dress up as a chicken and wave a placard at the grand opening of a fast food restaurant as one of his many odd jobs.