What you might not know about the American author
Kanye West worked for Gap as a customer service representative. West is estimated to be worth US$1.3 billion, earned $170 million in 2020, and is the second highest-earning celebrity.
Ellen DeGeneres waited tables, sold vacuum cleaners, painted houses, and worked as a legal secretary. In 2020, she was reported to be worth US$370 million and was the 12th highest celebrity earner.
Dwayne Johnson worked as a dishwasher at age 13. The Rock is now the world’s highest-paid actor, earning an estimated US$87.5 million in 2020.
Gordon Ramsey played soccer for Rangers FC for three years until he was 18. In 2020, Ramsey earned US$70 million and was the 19th highest celebrity earner.
Margot Robbie made sandwiches at Subway before raking in US$34.8 million in 2019, making her the eighth highest-paid actress that year.
Ashton Kutcher swept up cereal at General Mills before acting. Earning US$26 million in 2014, he was the 63rd highest-paid celebrity of the year.
Taylor Swift worked on a Christmas tree farm, exterminating praying-mantis. Taylor Swift was the highest-paid celebrity of 2019, earning US$185 million.
Beyoncé worked at her mother’s hair salon sweeping hair as a child. Her On the Run II stadium tour with her husband Jay-Z grossed roughly US$5 million per night, and she was the 20th highest-earning celebrity in the world in 2020.
Nicole Kidman became a massage therapist to help her mother with her muscle pains. As the 10th "Most Overpaid" person in Hollywood in 2008, for every US$1 Kidman was paid, her films returned an average of $6.70.
Matthew McConaughey raked sand and shot armadillos while working as a greenskeeper at a golf course in Texas. The actor was the 52nd highest-earning celebrity in 2014, grossing US$21 million.
Channing Tatum is another retired stripper who became one of the highest earners in Hollywood. His net worth in 2020 is estimated at around US$50-80 million.
Sources:(Forbes)(Boredpanda)
See also: The biggest child star success stories
Madonna worked at Dunkin’ Donuts in Times Square before she found fame. Her net worth in 2020 was US$550 million.
Julia Roberts is a high earning celebrity who once worked as an ice cream scooper. The ‘Pretty Woman’ actress went from being a Baskin-Robbins employee to making US$16 million in 2012.
Tom Cruise worked as a bellhop at a hotel and seriously considered becoming a Catholic priest before acting. Cruise earned US$43 million in 2014 alone.
Johnny Depp worked as a telemarketer and hated it. The ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ star was the 46th highest celebrity earner in 2016, clearing US$46 million.
Rihanna went from being an army cadet to being one of the biggest names in music and the world’s wealthiest female musician. As of 2020, her net worth stands at US$600 million.
Gal Gadot served in the Israeli Army before she starred as Wonder Woman. For the film sequel, she was paid US$10 million.
Chris Pratt worked as a waiter and a stripper before he hit the big time. Pratt earned US$26 million in 2016, making him the 16th highest-paid actor of that year.
Author James Patterson worked in advertising until 1996. In 2020, Patterson earned US$80 million, and was the 15th highest-paid celebrity.
Jim Carrey quit school to work as a janitor to support his family. Yet he took home US$20 million in 2011.
Hugh Jackman was a PE teacher in Australia before he appeared on the big screen. Jackman earned US$18 million in 2014, making him the 63rd highest-earning celebrity.
Cardi B worked as a stripper and a cashier before being listed in Forbes’s 30 Under 30 list in 2018. Her net worth in 2020 is reported to stand at US$24 million.
Jennifer Aniston reported her most challenging job was working as a bike messenger at age 19. Aniston made US$31 million in 2014 and was the 77th highest celebrity earner of that year.
Giving meaning to the phrase “everybody has to start somewhere,” these stars worked in regular jobs before they were famous and started appearing on rich lists. From humble beginnings to earning extraordinary amounts of money, these rich listers lived out the American dream.
Click through the following gallery to learn how rich these celebrities really are, and what they did for cash before they were famous.
Rich list celebrities who had ordinary jobs
From humble beginnings to decadent riches
CELEBRITY Richest
Giving meaning to the phrase “everybody has to start somewhere,” these stars worked in regular jobs before they were famous and started appearing on rich lists. From humble beginnings to earning extraordinary amounts of money, these rich listers lived out the American dream.
Click through the following gallery to learn how rich these celebrities really are, and what they did for cash before they were famous.