We All Gotta Work! 10 Side Hustles Before They Were Famous

Before they were household names and dodging TMZ cameras, some of today’s biggest celebrities were just regular people hustling to make ends meet. And, like many of us, they relied on side hustle jobs. Some practical, some bizarre, and some a little kooky.

Whether you’re looking for easy side hustles, side gigs from home, or just a little motivation to power through your current grind, these stories prove one thing: Every success story starts somewhere, even if that “somewhere” involves dressing like a giant chicken.

Without further adieu, let’s check out these side hustles.

1. Brad Pitt – storefront mascot (aka giant chicken)

Hollywood’s leading man once stood on the side of the road dressed as a giant chicken for El Pollo Loco. While online side hustles weren’t an option back then, he did what he had to do to keep the lights on.

💡Key Takeaway: Work is work. No job is beneath you when you’re working toward something bigger. If Brad Pitt could sweat it out in a chicken suit, your side gig is totally valid too.

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2. Christopher Walken – lion tamer

While some people look for easy side hustles from home, Christopher Walken took a very different route. He got a chill gig as lion tamer in a circus. Yes, really.

He worked with a lion named Sheba, proving that confidence is key, even if your side gig could literally eat you.

💡 Key Takeaway: Every side hustle can build character. And if you can stare down a lion, you can handle an annoying customer service call.

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3. Cardi B – supermarket cashier (fired for being too generous)

Before Cardi B was stacking cash, she was behind a checkout counter. And because she’s Cardi B (AKA, the best) ,she got fired for giving out too many discounts.

💡Key Takeaway: Some jobs just aren’t meant to be. But knowing when to pivot is key. Whether it’s finding a better side hustle or launching your dream career.

4. Madonna – Dunkin’ Donuts (fired for spraying customers)

Before she was the Queen of Pop, she had a gig at Dunkin’. She got fired for having a bit too much fun with the jelly-squirting machine (who among us wouldn’t?), but it’s safe to say she landed on her feet.

💡 Key Takeaway: Some jobs aren’t the right fit, but knowing what doesn’t work is just as important as knowing what does.

5. Jay-Z – fast food worker at KFC

Can’t knock the hustle. Before he was making big money, Jay-Z was making minimum wage at a fried chicken restaurant called Crown Fried Chicken. He had 99 problems, and one of them was remembering who ordered the extra biscuit (sorry).

💡 Key Takeaway: Your first job doesn’t define your future, but your hustle does.

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6. Danny DeVito – hairdresser for the deceased

Danny DeVito was out here cutting hair… for dead people. He worked at a mortuary salon, proving that even the most unconventional gigs pay the bills

💡 Key Takeaway: Not every side hustle is glamorous, but all work experience counts. Also, some clients never complain.

7. Jennifer Aniston – telemarketer

Jennifer Aniston once tried (and failed) to sell timeshares over the phone. She lasted two weeks before calling it quits. The job? Not great. The lessons in rejection and persistence? Priceless.

💡 Key Takeaway: Rejection is part of the process. If Jennifer Aniston couldn’t close a sale, you can forgive yourself for struggling with your side hustle.

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8. Meghan Markle – calligraphy instructor

Long before royal drama and Netflix deals, the now Duchess of Sussex turned a niche skill into her side gig. Teaching classes and crafting handwritten invites for weddings and high-profile clients.

💡 Key Takeaway: If you have a talent, monetize it. Some of the most profitable side hustles are built on simple skills like writing, coding, or even organizing people’s closets.

9. Steve Buscemi – firefighter

Before becoming Hollywood’s favorite “guy who always looks a little concerned,” Steve Buscemi was a real-life hero, working as a New York City firefighter. Even after finding fame, he returned to volunteer at his old firehouse after 9/11.

💡 Key Takeaway: Some side gigs aren’t just about money, they shape who you are as a person.

10. Whoopi Goldberg – mortuary makeup artist

Noticing a bit of a trend here… Nothing quite says “before I was famous” like prepping the dearly departed for their final goodbye. She was hustling before it was cool (necessary?),  As a mortuary makeup artist, she had to display precision, patience, and how to do a perfect smoky eye under peculiar circumstances.

💡 Takeaway: The best side gigs tap into your specialized skills. Turning a skill into income is one of the smartest ways to hustle. Work with what you’ve got.

Wrapping Up

Before fame, fortune, and flashing lights, even the biggest celebrities had to hustle. Whether selling timeshares, flipping burgers, or taming actual lions, these side gigs prove one thing: everyone starts somewhere. So, if you’re grinding away at your own hustle, keep at it. Maybe one day, your “before they were famous” story will be next.