Surprising jobs celebs did before they were famous (no. 4 is completely unexpected!)

Surprising jobs celebs did before they were famous (no. 4 is completely unexpected!)

Hardly anyone is born famous. But it’s still surprising to hear about the jobs celebs did before hitting the big-time

By Sophie Cole

Starting your career can be a really scary time. You’re unsure how to get to your dream role, or even what that might be. But you know you need to do something to pay the bills.

...many A-listers spent their days slaving over grills, cleaning loos and even making dead bodies look beautiful.  

All too often you end up taking a job that’s nobody’s dream. You spend your break times gazing at the glamorous lives of celebs in magazines and resign yourself to the fact that your own dream is unlikely to come true.

But what if I told you that some of the world’s biggest celebrities had the same dull jobs as you? Before they got their big breaks, many A-listers spent their days slaving over grills, cleaning loos and even making dead bodies look beautiful.

Read on to discover what your favourite musicians, actors and presenters did for cash before they got lucky.

1. Taylor Swift

Before she was one of pop music’s biggest names, Taylor Swift worked on her family’s Christmas tree farm picking praying mantis off the trees.

This humble start didn’t dent the Fearless singer’s ambition, though. Now she’s one of the world’s most successful artists with dozens of awards to her name.

2. Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt is a firm fixture on the Hollywood A-list, but his first foray into playing a character wasn’t exactly Oscar-worthy.

Pitt’s first job in Hollywood was at the chicken restaurant El Pollo Loco, where he dressed up in a giant yellow chicken suit and waved at passers-by to entice them in.

Determined to make it as an actor, he tirelessly auditioned while working the job and eventually got the break that would catapult him to superstardom.

3. Kurt Cobain

Grunge legend Kurt Cobain made his living as a janitor before band Nirvana catapulted him to fame.

He reportedly said that the job was “very grungey”. If you’re familiar with his music, you may be able to spot the influence of toilet cleaning on his style, not to mention some of his lyrics (1989’s Bleach, anyone?).

4. Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg is one of the most decorated actors of her generation. But she didn’t get her big break in The Colour Purple until she was 30.

To make ends meet in the meantime, she took on a string of unusual jobs including as a waitress, a bricklayer and even a morgue beautician! Now, she’s worth an estimated $45 million (£37 million).

...she worked every single day of the week in three different jobs to keep herself afloat.  

5. Lucy Liu

Actress Lucy Liu was seriously committed to making her dream a reality. So much so that she worked every single day of the week in three different jobs to keep herself afloat.

Liu was a secretary by day, aerobics instructor by night and restaurant hostess in between the two, just so that she could afford to pursue an acting career. Really, it’s a miracle that she had time to make it to auditions.

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may like:
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Published: 5 April 2024
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2024

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Transport Planner
Sector: Transport, Logistics and Shipping
Salary: £28,000 - £32,000 per annum
Location: Earls Colne
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913656
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a transport and logistics business based on the outskirts of Colchester to recruit a Transport Planner for their existing team.

You will need to come from a planning background within the general haulage or pallet network industries, and have previous experience managing a fleet of Rigid/Artic vehicles.

Duties include:

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  • Use in-house planning tools and systems to manage workload and monitor efficiency.
  • Ensuring internal tracking systems are kept organised and updated.
  • Controlling and planning resources (vehicles, drivers, trailers); ensuring all legal requirements are adhered to (Working Time Directive and EU Drivers’ Hours regulations).
  • Plan Rigid and Artic work for the following day.
  • Warehouse checks.
  • CPC Holder is an advantage, but not essential.

Please note: Due to the company’s location, you will need to drive.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Salary: Competitive
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
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Just Recruitment seeks a Colchester-based Fitter/Labourer for a nationwide manufacturing-based construction company known for high-quality solutions and excellent customer service. With extensive industry experience, they prioritise delivering top-quality products to clients.

This role involves travelling to sites to support the Team Leaders and will involve a lot of heavy work such as digging, lifting and manual labour.

Role requirements:

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Benefits include:

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This is an excellent opportunity to join a vibrant company on a full-time, permanent basis.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Sector: Marketing, Advertising and PR
Salary: Competitive
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913654
About the role

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Training will be provided for the specifics of the role.

Key duties include:

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Required essential skills and attributes include:

  • Well organised with the ability to multitask.
  • Excellent verbal and written skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
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  • Able to cope under pressure and work under tight deadlines.
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  • Comfortable with working as part of a team.
  • Can work independently and use initiative.
  • Willing to learn new skills.
  • Confident and positive attitude.

Health, wellbeing and benefits include:

  • 20 days holiday, plus B/H..
  • Company pension.
  • Health Cash Plan, cash back on dental, optical, and other health care costs such as physiotherapy, osteopathy, reflexology, and acupuncture.
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This is an excellent opportunity to join a vibrant team, offering further development and progression, as well as a great package and free parking.

Please note: This role is office-based based Monday to Friday.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Sector: Public Service and Administration
Salary: £12.21 per hour
Location: Earls Colne
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913653
About the role

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The role of the Warehouse Administrator will be to provide general administrative support for the warehouse department to ensure effective and efficient service levels are being delivered and maintained.

Duties include:

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Please note that due to the location, you will need to drive.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more