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
Five things to do after the job interview

 

Published: 21 July 2025
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2025

Jobs currently available

New job
Marketing Engagement Executive
Sector: Marketing, Advertising and PR
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC20
About the role

Just Recruitment has a fantastic opportunity for a dynamic and results-driven Marketing Engagement Executive to join an exciting company based in Ipswich.

Reporting to the Marketing Manager, you will be required to create and deliver across all aspects of the marketing mix and client engagement programmes. This role requires a self-motivated team player with a can-do attitude who works well in an extremely busy environment. You should be professional, articulate and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills combined with the confidence to deal with people at all levels, both internally and externally.

You must be able to demonstrate a strong record of achievement in successfully developing, improving, and implementing all forms of marketing engagement across multiple platforms, collateral materials and content-driven marketing.

Duties include:

  • Work with a full understanding of the importance of maintaining the corporate brand.
    Create and deliver marketing activities in accordance with the company marketing plan.
  • Deliver all forms of marketing engagement campaigns and events, measure effectiveness and propose improvements based on outcomes and associated metrics.
  • Plan and deliver physical and digital exhibitions, events, internally-focused training videos and externally-focused client knowledge tutorials, bring online the delivery of live-stream events.
  • Assist in the delivery of PR programmes to match the company's marketing focuses.
  • Work with creative agencies, designers, suppliers, and providers to maintain the corporate brand within their deliverables.
  • Work with the marketing team in the development of collateral and content for presentations, videos, and other multimedia activities.
  • Liaise with the external sales team and product development managers to ascertain appropriate messages, projects and products suitable for external and internal promotion.

Key experience required includes:

  • A minimum of three years' experience in a marketing role.
  • Proven experience in maintaining and delivering marketing and client engagement strategies to meet company objectives.
  • Advanced knowledge of platforms and applications such as E-mail campaign and automation software (MailChimp), CRM and CMS platforms, as well as creative applications such as Photoshop, PowerPoint, and video editing software.

Hybrid working is available after successful completion of the probationary period (min. of 3 days in the office, up to 2 days at home).
Hours: Monday to Friday (9:00am - 5:00pm).

 

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

 

Read more
New job
Trainee Commercial Manager
Sector: Purchasing and Merchandising
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Colchester, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB09
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for an ambitious Trainee Commercial Manager to join our client’s supplier negotiation team.

Based in Colchester, you’ll play a key role in purchasing, pricing, and supplier communications, gaining valuable experience within a rapidly expanding national business.

Working hours 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday - 30 minutes lunch break.
23 days holiday plus bank holidays.

Duties will include:

  • Supporting the Commercial Management team in negotiating purchasing agreements and maintaining supplier relationships.
  • Assisting with pricing queries from managers and estimators across the business.
  • Collaborating with the Product File team to help maintain accurate pricing and product information.
  • Working directly in our Profit Centres to gain valuable experience of the industry and how to run a profitable business.
  • Identifying new product ranges and suppliers that will provide future-proofing for the years to come.
  • Providing direct assistance to the Commercial Director with support from the other Commercial Managers
  • Confidence with Excel is a must.
  • Key personality traits would be a positive, proactive attitude and willingness to learn.

You will have a strong interest in business, purchasing or negotiation. Any experience in related fields would be a bonus, but is not considered essential.

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

 

Read more
New job
Driver/Warehouse Operative
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: £30,000 per annum
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC19
About the role

Just Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a growing organisation based in Ipswich that is looking for a Driver/Warehouse Operative to join their team.

You will be responsible for covering East Anglia and making 10 to 20 drops per day.

Duties include:

  • Packing and labelling goods 
  • Off-loading pallets from delivery vehicles and checking off deliveries for damages, quantities, etc.
  • General warehouse duties
  • Manual handling
  • Working in a small team
  • Driving a sprinter van
  • Covering East Anglia and the edge of the M25

Hours: Monday to Friday, 06.30 - 16.30.

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
Customer Account Coordinator
Sector: Customer Service
Salary: £30,000 - £32,000 per annum
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913733
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a growing business on the outskirts of Sudbury to recruit a Customer Account Coordinator to join their established team.

The key purpose of this role is to deliver efficient, commercially focused customer service to both internal and external customers. This includes managing order acceptance and invoice processing in line with business and customer requirements, and working closely with teams across Sales, Production, Accounts, Quality Control, Regulatory, and Distribution to ensure customer expectations are consistently met.

Key duties include:

  • Ensuring that excellent levels of customer satisfaction are delivered to customers and building strong relationships with customers through open and interactive communication.
  • Receiving and processing all customer purchase orders within 24 hours and sending order acknowledgement or confirmation where appropriate. Ensuring that correct pricing information is available for new orders received, and if necessary, request information or guidance from the relevant Sales Manager.
  • Providing timely responses to internal and external customer requests and enquiries, for example, order status requests, order amendments, transportation delays, etc.
  • Proactively monitor orderbook status on a regular basis, resolving problems with a potential customer impact, e.g. credit blocks, production and supply issues.
  • Allocation of stock to orders to allow warehouse and distribution teams to process dispatches.
  • Managing customer portals where required, to keep customers informed of order progress, book delivery slots, print labels and upload documentation.
  • Liaising with site production teams, supply chain and commercial teams regularly to discuss production plans, potential new orders, review and maintain customer safety stock levels. Discuss any potential production issues or raw material delays and, where possible, assist with resolutions.
  • Producing and distributing invoices and supporting documentation daily.
  • Monitoring and maintaining stock levels to ensure customer requirements are met. Discuss upcoming orders, customer forecasts, and reorder levels for UK inventory.
  • Being responsible for the timely processing of corrective credit notes.
  • Receiving, processing, and monitoring customer complaints with relevant internal departments and Sales Managers, keeping customers updated on the progress and outcome in a timely, professional manner.
  • Keep regular contact with site-based QC teams to discuss any customer queries, potential issues or opportunities.

Key requirements for this role:

  • Minimum 3 years’ experience in customer service
  • An open-minded, flexible attitude to meet the requirements of the business
  • Able to communicate effectively
  • Proven numerical and analytical skills
  • Ability to demonstrate own initiative
  • Computer literate
  • Ability to effectively prioritise activities
  • Experience/understanding in logistics

This is a full-time, site-based role working Monday to Friday.

Free parking is available on-site.

Hours of work: Monday to Thursday, 8:15am–4:30pm, and Friday, 8:30am–2:30pm.
Includes a 30-minute unpaid lunch break, totalling 36.5 hours per week.
Holidays – 26 days plus bank holidays.

 

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.

 

Read more