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Celebrity

07th Jul 2012

Before They Were Famous: the Jobs of the Stars

They weren't always on stage performing or in front of a camera. Find out what your favourite celebs used to do before they hit the big time.

Rebecca McKnight

When we look at celebrities here in the Her.ie offices we can’t imagine them in any other profession but the truth is that many of them had jobs before they hit the big time.

And you would be mistaken for thinking that these jobs were anywhere near as luxurious as what they are doing now.

1. Danny DeVito – We’re sure the irony isn’t lost on the Matilda actor. The fact that he used to work as a hairdresser is something we just can’t get out heads around (no pun intended). But we’d sure love turn back the clock and visit that salon.

2. Whoopi Goldberg – She may not have been in anything of late but Whoopi Goldberg has to be one of our favourite actresses. Hello, did you see her in Ghost? Amazing! Although we reckon that film brought back memories of her days as a mortuary makeup artist.

3. Hugh Jackman – Hugh Jackman didn’t always run around as hot X-Man Wolverine with his claws and six-pack. He actually used to juggle and have a bow tie that squirted out water. Well we’re not sure if he did but he is known for working as a clown before he was famous.

4. Madonna – The woman behind some of the most iconic songs of recent years, including Vogue and Like a Virgin, used to serve donuts for a living. That’s right, Madge worked in the popular chain Dunkin’ Donuts before hitting the big time. Wonder if she ever got free lunch?

5. Jon Hamm – We’ve always known there was something naughty about Mad Men actor Jon Hamm but we would never have guessed what he used to work as. Apparently he used to help create sets for porn films. Bet his bedroom is one funky place!

6. Eva Mendes – As one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, you might be a little surprised to hear that Eva Mendes used to sell hotdogs. In saying that if years of hotdog-selling landed us Ryan Gosling in the end, we’d do it too!

7. Colin Farrell – He has always come across as a manly man but Irish charmer Colin Farrell once travelled far and wide teaching line dancing. Wonder if he could go over the moves for that Steps song we used to love.

8. Sandra Bullock – Having heard what she used to do as a living we want to be her best friend even more than before. Apparently Oscar-winning Sandra Bullock used to work as a cocktail waitress before she shot to fame. Oi Sandy could you whip us up a Piña Colada please?

9. Rod Stewart – Music legend Rod Stewart may be cheery now what with his fortune and ever-growing family but we’re pretty sure he wasn’t when he used to work as a gravedigger. Just the thought of it gives us the heebie jeebies!

10. Lady Gaga – This may not come as much of a surprise but the Born This Way pop sensation spent her days working as a stripper before she took over the pop charts. At least now we know where she got all her dance moves from.

And there we were thinking that their first step on the career ladder was into the spotlight. Still, it shows that there may be hope for us yet in the wonderful world of showbiz.

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