9 Unexpected Times Stars Fell Into Acting By Accident
Making Movies and television shows in Hollywood is a thrilling experience. There, you'll find the film industry that so many people dream of working in, but which may also be intimidating to newcomers. Many would-be Hollywood creatives, such as actors, writers, and directors, have difficulty breaking in.
Nonetheless, there are always those fortunate few whose stories get recounted, and sometimes celebrities break into the Entertainment industry more by accident than anything else, inspiring hope in the rest of the world. These nine famous stars fell into acting by accident.
Ashton Kutcher, an Iowa native who has acted in several films since launching his career, was born in Cedar Rapids. Still, he wasn't aiming for that. The talent scout who found Kutcher had no idea that he had previously studied biochemical engineering at the University of Iowa. He tried his hand at acting after dabbling in the modeling industry.
Before pursuing acting instead of a marketing degree, she attended California State University, Northridge. When a talent manager saw her picture, they cast her in Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror. After Hitch, Mendes starred in Once Upon a Time in Mexico and The Women, among many others.
Natalie Portman's birthplace was in Jerusalem, Israel, and her family then relocated to Washington, DC, before settling in New York. An agent spotted her at a pizza joint when she was only 11 years old. She started as a model and actress, but her true skill was quickly recognized. Portman made her acting debut in Leon: The Professional and has since won numerous awards for her acting.
Chicago, Illinois, native and once wealthiest male actor Harrison Ford was raised there. He's been in movies for quite some time, and he's worked with a lot of major names. On the other hand, Ford started out as a student at Wisconsin's Ripon College until he dropped out to pursue acting. Before he became famous, he was a professional carpenter.
Like his Fresh Prince character, Will Smith is a native of West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Before he became an actor on television, Will Smith was a rapper/MC in a partnership with his future rival DJ Jazzy Jeff. After the popularity of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which ran for six seasons, Will Smith featured in a string of box office smashes, including Bad Boys, Men in Black, Independence Day, The Pursuit of Happyness, Hancock, and Aladdin.
After dropping out of Los Angeles City College, where he had enrolled, Eastwood found acting while working as a lifeguard at a U.S. military post. Later on, he hit his stride and is now a well-known performer, director, and producer. His private life has been in the spotlight because of the many households he has created and the many children he has fathered.
Warren began training in synchronized swimming at seven, leading her to the performing world. She competed for Canada at the World Aquatics Championship, finishing in second place. Once a Polaroid snapshot of her was taken at a high school fashion show, she was signed by a modeling agency.
British actor Jason Statham was born in Shirebrook, Derbyshire. Before he became an actor, he had an unusual background that included modeling and diving for 12 years with the British National Diving Team. At age 29, he made his acting debut in the film Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, proving to be a natural.
Before he got famous, he was living in his van. While working as a server at Hawaii's Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Rae Dawn Chong saw him and encouraged him to pursue acting. Before he became a leading man, Pratt portrayed the likable Andy Dwyer on Parks and Recreation.
Nonetheless, there are always those fortunate few whose stories get recounted, and sometimes celebrities break into the Entertainment industry more by accident than anything else, inspiring hope in the rest of the world. These nine famous stars fell into acting by accident.
1. Ashton Kutcher
Source: Getty Images
Ashton Kutcher, an Iowa native who has acted in several films since launching his career, was born in Cedar Rapids. Still, he wasn't aiming for that. The talent scout who found Kutcher had no idea that he had previously studied biochemical engineering at the University of Iowa. He tried his hand at acting after dabbling in the modeling industry.
2. Eva Mendes
Source: Getty Images
Before pursuing acting instead of a marketing degree, she attended California State University, Northridge. When a talent manager saw her picture, they cast her in Children of the Corn V: Fields of Terror. After Hitch, Mendes starred in Once Upon a Time in Mexico and The Women, among many others.
3. Natalie Portman
Source: Getty Images
Natalie Portman's birthplace was in Jerusalem, Israel, and her family then relocated to Washington, DC, before settling in New York. An agent spotted her at a pizza joint when she was only 11 years old. She started as a model and actress, but her true skill was quickly recognized. Portman made her acting debut in Leon: The Professional and has since won numerous awards for her acting.
4. Harrison Ford
Source: Getty Images
Chicago, Illinois, native and once wealthiest male actor Harrison Ford was raised there. He's been in movies for quite some time, and he's worked with a lot of major names. On the other hand, Ford started out as a student at Wisconsin's Ripon College until he dropped out to pursue acting. Before he became famous, he was a professional carpenter.
5. Will Smith
Source: Getty Images
Like his Fresh Prince character, Will Smith is a native of West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Before he became an actor on television, Will Smith was a rapper/MC in a partnership with his future rival DJ Jazzy Jeff. After the popularity of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which ran for six seasons, Will Smith featured in a string of box office smashes, including Bad Boys, Men in Black, Independence Day, The Pursuit of Happyness, Hancock, and Aladdin.
6. Clint Eastwood
Source: Getty Images
After dropping out of Los Angeles City College, where he had enrolled, Eastwood found acting while working as a lifeguard at a U.S. military post. Later on, he hit his stride and is now a well-known performer, director, and producer. His private life has been in the spotlight because of the many households he has created and the many children he has fathered.
7. Estella Warren
Source: Getty Images
Warren began training in synchronized swimming at seven, leading her to the performing world. She competed for Canada at the World Aquatics Championship, finishing in second place. Once a Polaroid snapshot of her was taken at a high school fashion show, she was signed by a modeling agency.
8. Jason Statham
Source: Getty Images
British actor Jason Statham was born in Shirebrook, Derbyshire. Before he became an actor, he had an unusual background that included modeling and diving for 12 years with the British National Diving Team. At age 29, he made his acting debut in the film Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, proving to be a natural.
9. Chris Pratt
Source: Getty Images
Before he got famous, he was living in his van. While working as a server at Hawaii's Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Rae Dawn Chong saw him and encouraged him to pursue acting. Before he became a leading man, Pratt portrayed the likable Andy Dwyer on Parks and Recreation.
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