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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Field Service Technician (Leeds/Bradford)
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Leeds, Bradford
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB29
About the role

A global leader in vehicle washing technology is expanding and seeking a Field Service Technician to support its customers across the Leeds and Bradford region.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week plus 1 in 3 weekend cover.

The role involves the service and installation of car and commercial valet equipment. You will handle all aspects of planned and breakdown maintenance, including equipment servicing and repairs. Responsibilities also include maintaining van stock levels to standard requirements and completing job sheets.

Role requirements include:

  • An Electrical or Mechanical engineering qualification
  • Traveling and staying out overnight as and when required
  • Taking on additional training and relevant courses, including evening courses that the company may pay for
  • Ability to work on your own initiative or as part of a team, and have problem-solving skills
  • A valid, clean UK driving license
  • Good people skills, presentable, and able to liaise directly with customers
  • Should be punctual and able to keep accurate and timely documentation
  • IT literate with Microsoft Office and Outlook experience
  • Work within Health & Safety guidelines as set by the company

The benefits:

  • Company vehicle available
  • Mobile phone
  • Pension scheme
  • Death in service benefit
  • Uniform and tools provided

 

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

 

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Sales Manager
Sector: Sales
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913744
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a growing Sudbury based organisation that is seeking a Sales Manager to join their established team.

This role is designed for a sales hunter — someone who thrives on opening doors, building pipelines, and closing deals.

As a Regional Sales Manager, you will have full ownership of the defined UK & Ireland territory, with clear revenue targets and the autonomy to deliver results your way. You will be responsible for driving new business, expanding existing accounts, and converting technical opportunities into profitable, long-term contracts.

You will spend the majority of your time in the field with customers, influencing decision-makers, developing specifications, and progressing opportunities through to close. Success in this role is measured by pipeline quality, deal conversion, and revenue delivery.

This is not an account-management role. It is a growth-focused position with visibility, influence, and upside.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Build and maintain a high-quality, target-aligned sales pipeline
  • Consistently deliver and exceed revenue and margin targets
  • Identify and convert new business opportunities across your territory
  • Drive specifications and influence key stakeholders early in the sales cycle
  • Lead negotiations and close commercially robust deals
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  • Maintain accurate forecasting and CRM reporting
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Role requirements include:

  • Proven sales hunter mentality with a track record of winning new business
  • Minimum 3 years’ experience selling on the road
  • Strong negotiation skills and commercial awareness
  • Confidence operating independently with full territory accountability
  • Ability to articulate technical solutions in a clear, compelling way (training provided)
  • Highly motivated, resilient, and driven by performance and results

This role is a step-change opportunity for ambitious sales professionals ready to move beyond junior or supported sales positions into full commercial ownership.

You will be rewarded with:

  • Increased territory scope and revenue responsibility
  • Progression into Senior Sales, Key Account, or Commercial Leadership roles
  • Exposure to international markets, group-level strategy, and cross-brand opportunities
  • Recognition, autonomy, and influence based on performance — not tenure
  • If you want a role where results matter, effort is rewarded, and your career trajectory is directly linked to your performance, this is the opportunity to prove it!

 

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

 

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Service Helpdesk Coordinator
Sector: Customer Service
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Great Dunmow, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB27
About the role

Just Recruitment is looking for a Service Helpdesk Coordinator to join a leading global producer of specialist equipment, based in Great Dunmow, Essex.

Operational hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 6:00pm

  • Alternate rota: either 8:00am – 5:00pm or 9:00am – 6:00pm
  • One weekend in four: Saturdays 8:00am – 4:00pm and Sundays 8:00am – 1:30pm (paid at time and a half)

Duties will include:

  • Receiving calls from customers to report breakdowns
  • Receiving and processing parts orders
  • Updating Key Account call reports as required
  • Invoicing third-party contractors when required for service/installation works
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  • Issuing of daily/weekly call reports to relevant customers
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Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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UK Sales Manager
Sector: Sales
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Braintree, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB28
About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking a UK Sales Manager to join a company based in Braintree, who is a pragmatic leader, accustomed to working in medium-sized business structures, and has leadership experience of small teams.

This office-based role will involve client visits approximately three days per week. It offers an exceptional opportunity with diverse and exciting tasks, alongside a dynamic team and a collegial working environment. Company mobile phone, laptop and a company car to include private use.

You will have at least 2 years’ business-to-business direct sales experience, preferably in the electrical / tools / PPE / sector.

Role will involve:

  • Leading and inspiring the UK sales team under your responsibility: conduct individual interviews, develop skills, handle conflicts, participate in recruitment, etc.
  • You will supervise relationships with key accounts and also acquire new key accounts, especially in the area of (electrical) distributors and wholesalers.
  • Strategic Deployment: define the development strategies, translate operational actions, and oversee their implementation.
  • You will be monitoring the market and your competitors and defining actions in order to grow the business.
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  • Developing the commercial policy, product offerings, and pricing conditions; prioritising and allocating resources; developing sales forecasts; monitoring margins on direct costs.
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  • You will be working in close collaboration with the colleagues in Product Management and R&D.
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Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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