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

Surprising jobs celebs did

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:
Nine smart things to do while job hunting
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Published: 21 July 2025
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2025

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Production Operative
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £26,800 per annum
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913737
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing global organisation, based on the outskirts of Sudbury - they are looking for a skilled Production Operator to join their team.

You must be willing to learn new skills and to work in a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility, including undertaking comprehensive training to enable you to take part in tasting panels. Full training on the use of specialist equipment will be provided.

Key duties in this role include:

  • Handle ingredients on an industrial scale
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Skills required for this role:

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Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
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Salary: Competitive
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The key purpose of this role is to support the ongoing growth of the QA Lab and team, and to own the processes that ensure the needs of both internal stakeholders and customers are met, while maintaining the highest standards of safety at all times.

You will be working closely with the Quality Manager in a state-of-the-art facility that produces the highest quality products for customers throughout the UK and Ireland.

Key responsibilities include:

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Role requirements include:

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Working hours for this role are Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.

Free parking is available on-site and due to the working location, you must have access to your own transport.

 

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Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £38,000 - £40,000 per annum
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Role: Full Time
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About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a Mechanical Maintenance Engineer for their client based in Bury St. Edmunds.

The purpose of this role is to proactively prevent equipment failures and ensure that scheduled preventive maintenance (PM) is completed as planned. The role also involves maintaining quality, reducing waste, and meeting efficiency and KPI targets by working collaboratively as part of the team, while always following Health & Safety procedures.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.30pm.
20 days holiday rising to 25 days for every year worked plus bank holidays.
The company operates a 1:3 call-out system.

Qualifications and job skills required:

  • Previous manufacturing/processing/warehouse/cold store industry experience.
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Desirable skills:

  • Experience with PLC, hydraulics, temperature control, instrumentation, and welding.
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  • Proficient in using power tools, including drills, grinders, cutting equipment, saws, files, and presses.
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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 opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Electrical Maintenance Engineer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £38,000 - £40,000 per annum
Location: Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB21
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for an Electrical Maintenance Engineer for their client based in Bury St. Edmunds.

The purpose of this role is to proactively prevent equipment failures and ensure that scheduled preventive maintenance (PM) is completed as planned. The role also involves maintaining quality, reducing waste, and meeting efficiency and KPI targets by working collaboratively as part of the team, while always following Health & Safety procedures.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.30pm.20 days holiday rising to 25 days for every year worked, plus bank holidays.The company operates a 1:3 call-out system.

Qualifications and job skills required:

  • Previous manufacturing / processing / warehouse / cold store industry experience.
  • Electrical bias, electrical qualifications/time served apprenticeship.
  • 4 years’ experience.
  • A good standard of both written and oral English.
  • Basic health & safety.
  • Data and analytical skills.
  • Computer literate. (Word/Excel/Windows-based packages).

Desirable skills:

  • Experience with PLC, hydraulics, temperature control, instrumentation, and welding.
  • Possession of a FLT/MEWP licence.
  • Proactive, can-do attitude with drive and ambition to achieve maintenance excellence.

 

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 opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more