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.

 

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

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Service Engineer (Gas Safe)
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Guildford
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB15
About the role

Just Recruitment is currently recruiting for a Service Engineer, ideally located in the Guildford area, to cover South East London and the South East England region.

The role will involve carrying out routine servicing and maintenance, including filter changes and breakdown repairs, across a wide range of company units. You will need to have a good level of physical fitness and be comfortable working at heights.

Occasional call-out cover will also be required to support a key local customer.

Key requirements include:

  • Must have a full driving licence
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  • CDGA 1 ACS accreditations
  • Electrical/Mechanical/Engineering background required
  • Experience with gas/oil burners
  • Self-motivated and innovative
  • Ability to use initiative and have excellent customer liaison skills

The benefits package includes:

  • Competitive salary depending on experience, overtime, paid door to door (at 1.5x (travel included)
  • Company Vehicle
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  • 25 Days Holidays

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
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Electrical Maintenance Engineer (Days)
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Braintree, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB22
About the role

Just Recruitment is currently recruiting an Electrical Maintenance Engineer for their client based in Braintree, Essex.

The purpose of this role is to take a proactive approach to preventing equipment failure and to ensure that all planned preventative maintenance (PM) schedules are completed effectively and on time.

You will work as an integral part of the maintenance team, supporting the achievement of quality, waste reduction, efficiency, and KPI targets, while ensuring all Health & Safety procedures are adhered to at all times.

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:

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Desirable skills:

  • PLC, hydraulics, temperature control, instrumentation, welding, FLT/MEWP licence.
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Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
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Sector: Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Salary: Competitive
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
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Job ref: 913741
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Just Recruitment is supporting a growing, sector-leading business in Sudbury that is looking for a Part-Time Finance Manager to join their team.

The key purpose of this role is to manage the Finance Department and to support senior management in all areas of finance and accounting, reporting directly to the MD and being responsible for an Accounts Assistant.

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This is a part-time role - working 20 - 25 hours per week - this role is office-based, and the ideal candidate will be able to work Tuesdays and Thursdays, but hours can be flexible.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a lovely business, with a great ethos and a long-standing team.

 

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Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Competitive
Location: North West
Role: Full Time
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To be considered for this exciting role, you must be able to demonstrate a background working in a field service or technical support role, gained within a capital equipment environment. You should be qualified to a minimum of level 3 or above in electrical installation/engineering/maintenance or another relevant technical discipline with 3 years’ experience. Alternatively, a gold card electrician would be considered along with 2391 testing and inspection.

Applicants are welcome from a wide range of equipment backgrounds.

You must have impeccable customer service skills and a confident and professional manner in customer-facing environments.

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This is an excellent opportunity to join a world-class organisation.

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For those with the desire, there are opportunities to progress your career within the department and into the wider company.

In return, you will benefit from dedicated product training, recognised by the industry, which will run on an ongoing basis as new products are introduced. A generous remuneration package is also guaranteed, including a competitive salary, company healthcare package, contributory pension scheme, phone, and laptop, along with the opportunity to progress your career within a market-leading organisation.

 

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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