The Surprising Jobs Worked by the Sexiest Men Alive Before They Were Famous

Mar. 15, 2025

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Obviously PEOPLE’sSexiest Men Aliveare talented and accomplished actors, musicians and athletes, with numerous Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, Tonys and championships on their resume, but they all had to get their start somewhere — and that somewhere might have been a bit less glamorous than on the cover of PEOPLE magazine.For instance, did you knowPaul Ruddwas once a ham glazer?Chris Evansa board game model?Denzel Washingtona garbage man?John Legenda consultant?Channing Tatuma stripper? (You might have already know that last one.)Here, find out how some of the hottest men in Hollywood worked their way up the ladder before they hit it big.

Obviously PEOPLE’sSexiest Men Aliveare talented and accomplished actors, musicians and athletes, with numerous Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, Tonys and championships on their resume, but they all had to get their start somewhere — and that somewhere might have been a bit less glamorous than on the cover of PEOPLE magazine.

For instance, did you knowPaul Ruddwas once a ham glazer?Chris Evansa board game model?Denzel Washingtona garbage man?John Legenda consultant?Channing Tatuma stripper? (You might have already know that last one.)

Here, find out how some of the hottest men in Hollywood worked their way up the ladder before they hit it big.

01of 26Patrick Dempsey Juggled and Rode UnicyclesCarter SmithInMaine’sSun Journalnewspaper, those who knew Patrick Dempsey as a kid growing up in Buckfield, Maine remembered him being a class clown who showed an early skill for the circus arts.Local performer Randy Judkins mentored him in exchange for chores around the house; he recalled, “His dad would bring him down for a few hours. He’d rake my leaves, and then we’d juggle or ride unicycles.“He took him to compete in Cleveland at the 34th International Juggler’s Convention, and Dempsey took second place in the juniors' competition, where he “lit the place on fire,” as Judkins recalled.Soon Dempsey turned his talent into a moneymaking endeavor, printing up business cards to get work. Per the paper, the cards read, “Pat Dempsey JUGGLER,” along with ventriloquist, puppets, unicycling, and clown.

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Patrick Dempsey Juggled and Rode Unicycles

Carter Smith

People’s Sexiest Man Alive 2023 cover; Patrick Dempsey

InMaine’sSun Journalnewspaper, those who knew Patrick Dempsey as a kid growing up in Buckfield, Maine remembered him being a class clown who showed an early skill for the circus arts.

Local performer Randy Judkins mentored him in exchange for chores around the house; he recalled, “His dad would bring him down for a few hours. He’d rake my leaves, and then we’d juggle or ride unicycles."

He took him to compete in Cleveland at the 34th International Juggler’s Convention, and Dempsey took second place in the juniors' competition, where he “lit the place on fire,” as Judkins recalled.

Soon Dempsey turned his talent into a moneymaking endeavor, printing up business cards to get work. Per the paper, the cards read, “Pat Dempsey JUGGLER," along with ventriloquist, puppets, unicycling, and clown.

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Chris Evans Was a Board Game Model

Chris Evans.Michael Schwartz

Chris Evans Sexiest Man Alive 2022

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John Krasinski Worked in Real Estate … Kinda

Julian Ungano

John Krasinski PEOPLE SMA 2024 cover

04of 26Paul Rudd Was a Ham GlazerAlexei HayLong before Rudd was mesmerizing us with his dazzling green eyes and impeccable skin, theAnt-Manactor carried a lot of odd jobs. While most were conventional, it was his stint as a ham glazer at The Holiday Ham Company in Kansas City that most amused fans when he revealed it onLive! with Kelly and Michaelback in 2015.“I glazed hams for about six months,“he told IMDb. “It was a weird job and I appreciated how strange it was — and the fact that I smelled like ham, all the time … I can still glaze with the best of them. I haven’t held a propane torch in a long time, but it’s like riding a bike.”

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Paul Rudd Was a Ham Glazer

Alexei Hay

People Sexiest Man Alive Paul Rudd

Long before Rudd was mesmerizing us with his dazzling green eyes and impeccable skin, theAnt-Manactor carried a lot of odd jobs. While most were conventional, it was his stint as a ham glazer at The Holiday Ham Company in Kansas City that most amused fans when he revealed it onLive! with Kelly and Michaelback in 2015.

“I glazed hams for about six months,“he told IMDb. “It was a weird job and I appreciated how strange it was — and the fact that I smelled like ham, all the time … I can still glaze with the best of them. I haven’t held a propane torch in a long time, but it’s like riding a bike.”

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Chris Hemsworth Cleaned Breast Pumps

Chris Hemsworth SMA cover

As a 14-year-old, not only did theThoractor have to clean the breast pumps, he was in charge of repairing them as well.

“I literally worked for a pharmacy that would rent them out,” he told Jimmy Fallom and Kumail Nanjianiduring a game of “True Confessions"on the former’s late night show. “The machines would come back and I would have a toothbrush, little spray and wipe,” he said, mimicking a scrubbing gesture.

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Matthew McConaughey Hunted Armadillos

Matther McConaughey SMA cover2005

And the job came with an unexpected caveat. In addition to raking the traps, the greenskeeper at the country club also hired McConaughey to hunt the armadillos that were wreaking havoc on the greens of the golf course.

“[He said] ‘As well as raking the tracks, I’d like to hire you for the next two weeks to come out from 10 p.m. to 3:30 a.m … I’m gonna give you a .22 and you just spotlight them on the green and pick them off.’ "

For a young McConaughey, that was “the most fun part.”

07of 26Idris Elba Sold MarijuanaDavid BurtonListen, breaking into the entertainment industry can be an uphill battle, but a determined actor will do what they have to do until they get their break. Such is the case forIdris Elba.Along with being a nightclub bouncer,tire fitterand a DJ, the Britain native also sold marijuana at one point. “I did a lot of things … some things I’m not proud of,” he admitted during aninterview on Sirius XM. “I used to sell weed…I did that for a little bit just to help pay the way.“And apparently, Elba’s repertoire featured some A-list clientele. “Dave Chappelle actually remembers me because he used to buy weed from me,” he joked.

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Idris Elba Sold Marijuana

David Burton

SMA2018_Promo_FINAL

Listen, breaking into the entertainment industry can be an uphill battle, but a determined actor will do what they have to do until they get their break. Such is the case forIdris Elba.

Along with being a nightclub bouncer,tire fitterand a DJ, the Britain native also sold marijuana at one point. “I did a lot of things … some things I’m not proud of,” he admitted during aninterview on Sirius XM. “I used to sell weed…I did that for a little bit just to help pay the way.”

And apparently, Elba’s repertoire featured some A-list clientele. “Dave Chappelle actually remembers me because he used to buy weed from me,” he joked.

08of 26John Legend Was a Management ConsultantJohn Legend.Doug InglishJohn Legendisn’t just a genius on the keys: The2019 Sexiest Man Aliveskipped two grades in his early education, which meant he entered the University of Pennsylvania at only 16 and graduated magna cum laude at 20.And sincethe road to EGOTwasn’t already in his sights, Legend took a job at the prestigious Boston Consulting Group post-grad, while he pursued music on the side.“I learned a lot. I met a lot of great people, I’m still friends with a lot of those folks, too,“he told CNBC of his time there. “I think it just ups your level of expectation for the kind of business you want to work with. And how you work in teams, how you come to good decisions as a team, and I think all of those things helped me in my career, as a musician.”

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John Legend Was a Management Consultant

John Legend.Doug Inglish

John legend on the cover of people magazine

John Legendisn’t just a genius on the keys: The2019 Sexiest Man Aliveskipped two grades in his early education, which meant he entered the University of Pennsylvania at only 16 and graduated magna cum laude at 20.

And sincethe road to EGOTwasn’t already in his sights, Legend took a job at the prestigious Boston Consulting Group post-grad, while he pursued music on the side.

“I learned a lot. I met a lot of great people, I’m still friends with a lot of those folks, too,“he told CNBC of his time there. “I think it just ups your level of expectation for the kind of business you want to work with. And how you work in teams, how you come to good decisions as a team, and I think all of those things helped me in my career, as a musician.”

09of 26Hugh Jackman Was Known as Coco the ClownIt seemsHugh Jackmanhas always been quite the showman. Prior to becoming Wolverine, the Aussie-born actor took jobs as Coco the Clown, specializing in children’s parties.Though his main audience was always 2- to 3-year-olds, Jackman once took a risk and decided to perform for an 8-year-old’s birthday party. It did not go well.“I was five minutes into my act — which was very lean on skill I have to say — and this kid whose birthday it was goes, ‘Mom, this clown is crap!’ “Jackman recalled to Jimmy Fallon.“So, I used to juggle eggs and I go, ‘Kids, do you want to throw eggs at me?’ and they go ‘Yeeaah,’ so they just pelted me with eggs. It was my very last time as a clown. I never did it again.”

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Hugh Jackman Was Known as Coco the Clown

Hugh Jackman SMA cover

It seemsHugh Jackmanhas always been quite the showman. Prior to becoming Wolverine, the Aussie-born actor took jobs as Coco the Clown, specializing in children’s parties.

Though his main audience was always 2- to 3-year-olds, Jackman once took a risk and decided to perform for an 8-year-old’s birthday party. It did not go well.

“I was five minutes into my act — which was very lean on skill I have to say — and this kid whose birthday it was goes, ‘Mom, this clown is crap!’ “Jackman recalled to Jimmy Fallon.

“So, I used to juggle eggs and I go, ‘Kids, do you want to throw eggs at me?’ and they go ‘Yeeaah,’ so they just pelted me with eggs. It was my very last time as a clown. I never did it again.”

10of 26Denzel Washington Was a Garbage ManDenzel Washingtonis renowned for his humility as much as his talent, and it seems the key to keeping things in perspective is remembering his humble beginnings.Askedwhether filming all that action in2 Guns(co-starring Mark Wahlberg) back in 2013 was difficult, Washington stated, “When I was 20, I worked for the sanitation department and I was a garbage man. I worked the back of the truck, 22 blocks —that’shard. There is nothing that we do in movies that’s hard.”

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Denzel Washington Was a Garbage Man

Denzel Washington SMA cover 1996

Denzel Washingtonis renowned for his humility as much as his talent, and it seems the key to keeping things in perspective is remembering his humble beginnings.

Askedwhether filming all that action in2 Guns(co-starring Mark Wahlberg) back in 2013 was difficult, Washington stated, “When I was 20, I worked for the sanitation department and I was a garbage man. I worked the back of the truck, 22 blocks —that’shard. There is nothing that we do in movies that’s hard.”

11of 26Channing Tatum Was a StripperChannning Tatumis grateful that his original stripping career led him to superstardom thanks to his role inMagic Mike(which was in part based on his experiences), but he has no desire to revisit that early job.“I don’t miss anything about stripping,“he once told PEOPLE. “I stripped in Tampa for like 25 girls, at best. It wasn’t glamorous whatsoever, so there’s nothing that I miss about stripping.”

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Channing Tatum Was a Stripper

Channing Tatum SMA cover

Channning Tatumis grateful that his original stripping career led him to superstardom thanks to his role inMagic Mike(which was in part based on his experiences), but he has no desire to revisit that early job.

“I don’t miss anything about stripping,“he once told PEOPLE. “I stripped in Tampa for like 25 girls, at best. It wasn’t glamorous whatsoever, so there’s nothing that I miss about stripping.”

12of 26Brad Pitt Drove Limos for StrippersWhile Channing Tatum was working as a stripper,Brad Pittwas chauffeuring them instead.“My job was to drive them to bachelor parties and things like that,” he said duringNewsweek’s 2007 Oscar’s Roundtable. “I’d pick them up and sometimes they’d be crawling out the back window because their boyfriends didn’t know they were doing this. You’d drive them to the gig, collect the money, catch their clothes … it was not a wholesome atmosphere.“Though he quit after only two months because “the novelty wore off very quickly and it got very depressing,” Pitt credited that job for kicking off his career: When doing one last gig, he met a girl who convinced him to try her acting class.“I had been through a few and I didn’t trust them,” he said. “But she had mentioned this acting class and because of that I went and checked it out. It really set me in the direction that put me into hits likeTroyandMeetJoe Black.”

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Brad Pitt Drove Limos for Strippers

Brad Pitt SMA cover 2000

While Channing Tatum was working as a stripper,Brad Pittwas chauffeuring them instead.

“My job was to drive them to bachelor parties and things like that,” he said duringNewsweek’s 2007 Oscar’s Roundtable. “I’d pick them up and sometimes they’d be crawling out the back window because their boyfriends didn’t know they were doing this. You’d drive them to the gig, collect the money, catch their clothes … it was not a wholesome atmosphere.”

Though he quit after only two months because “the novelty wore off very quickly and it got very depressing,” Pitt credited that job for kicking off his career: When doing one last gig, he met a girl who convinced him to try her acting class.

“I had been through a few and I didn’t trust them,” he said. “But she had mentioned this acting class and because of that I went and checked it out. It really set me in the direction that put me into hits likeTroyandMeetJoe Black.”

13of 26Blake Shelton Was a RooferBlake Shelton’s 2017 cover.2017’s Sexiest Man AliveBlake Shelton had a summer job that' wasliterallyhot: He was once a roofer back in his hometown of Ada, Oklahoma.“I did it for two summers,“Shelton told PEOPLE,joking, “It made me want to be a country singer.”

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Blake Shelton Was a Roofer

Blake Shelton’s 2017 cover.

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2017’s Sexiest Man AliveBlake Shelton had a summer job that' wasliterallyhot: He was once a roofer back in his hometown of Ada, Oklahoma.

“I did it for two summers,“Shelton told PEOPLE,joking, “It made me want to be a country singer.”

14of 26Dwayne Johnson Washed DishesYou may thinkThe Rock’s first job was his run as a WWE pro, but in actuality, he started building those biceps in the back of the kitchen.“My legit first job: I was 13 years old and I worked in a pizza shop and I washed dishes,” theBlack Adamactor revealed during a segment ofWIRED’s “The Web’s Most Searched Questions.""[It was during middle school], everyday and I worked from 8:30 to 11:30,” he explained.And it seems those dishwashing days have left a lasting mark on2016’s Sexiest Man Alive: “I [still] don’t use a dishwasher,” he told a stunned Emily Blunt in the video. “I hand wash everything.”

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Dwayne Johnson Washed Dishes

DO NOT USE

You may thinkThe Rock’s first job was his run as a WWE pro, but in actuality, he started building those biceps in the back of the kitchen.

“My legit first job: I was 13 years old and I worked in a pizza shop and I washed dishes,” theBlack Adamactor revealed during a segment ofWIRED’s “The Web’s Most Searched Questions.”

“[It was during middle school], everyday and I worked from 8:30 to 11:30,” he explained.

And it seems those dishwashing days have left a lasting mark on2016’s Sexiest Man Alive: “I [still] don’t use a dishwasher,” he told a stunned Emily Blunt in the video. “I hand wash everything.”

15of 26Adam Levine Worked at Johnny RocketsEven thoughAdam Levine(along with his band, Kara’s Flowers)was signed to Reprise Recordsat a young age, he was quickly dropped after their first record flopped.Next up? A job at Johnny Rockets.“Technically my first job was a musician because I got signed to a record label at a young age, so I did get paid for that,“Levine told PEOPLE. “But then I got a job at Johnny Rockets when that record deal didn’t work out.”

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Adam Levine Worked at Johnny Rockets

Adam Levine SMA cover

Even thoughAdam Levine(along with his band, Kara’s Flowers)was signed to Reprise Recordsat a young age, he was quickly dropped after their first record flopped.

Next up? A job at Johnny Rockets.

“Technically my first job was a musician because I got signed to a record label at a young age, so I did get paid for that,“Levine told PEOPLE. “But then I got a job at Johnny Rockets when that record deal didn’t work out.”

16of 26George Clooney Sold Women’s ShoesGeorge Clooneyand shoe shopping? Sign us up! But according to the two-time Sexiest Man Alive, his time as a women’s shoe salesman was anything but a dream.“It’s a terrible job! It was in a department store, so it wasn’t like I was selling to young, hot, attractive [women],“he told Newsweek’s 2012 Oscar Roundtable.The kinds of shoes Clooney was selling were designed for people with foot issues, some of them self-inflicted.“First of all women lie about the size of their feet, which I did not understand,” he said. “Then there was a whole generation of 75-year-old women in my area in Cincinnati … who had cut off their [second to last toe] so they could fit into the tight pumps. Anytime I’d see those women I come in I’d go, ‘You take that lady, I’m not going near that.’ "

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George Clooney Sold Women’s Shoes

George Clooney SMA cover 2006

George Clooneyand shoe shopping? Sign us up! But according to the two-time Sexiest Man Alive, his time as a women’s shoe salesman was anything but a dream.

“It’s a terrible job! It was in a department store, so it wasn’t like I was selling to young, hot, attractive [women],“he told Newsweek’s 2012 Oscar Roundtable.

The kinds of shoes Clooney was selling were designed for people with foot issues, some of them self-inflicted.

“First of all women lie about the size of their feet, which I did not understand,” he said. “Then there was a whole generation of 75-year-old women in my area in Cincinnati … who had cut off their [second to last toe] so they could fit into the tight pumps. Anytime I’d see those women I come in I’d go, ‘You take that lady, I’m not going near that.’ "

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Bradley Cooper Was a Very Busy Doorman

Bradley Cooper SMA cover

Bradley Cooperwas determined to be an actor, but while he was on his way up, theA Star Is Borndirector doubled as adoorman at the now-closed Morgans Hotel.

18of 26Ryan Reynolds Drove a ForkliftFrom funny commercials to serious films,Ryan Reynoldsdefinitely has some range And it seems diversifying his skill set didn’t just start in his acting career: He took on a string of varying odd jobs long before we loved him as Deadpool.He toldYahoo! Entertainment, “Before I was in show business I drove a forklift, I worked in restaurants, I was a busboy, I was a waiter and I was a cashier.“And those early experiences had a lasting effect on the Aviation Gin co-owner. “I got a pretty close-up experience of what it feels like to sometimes feel a little invisible in your job, in particular.”

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Ryan Reynolds Drove a Forklift

Ryan Reynolds SMA cover

From funny commercials to serious films,Ryan Reynoldsdefinitely has some range And it seems diversifying his skill set didn’t just start in his acting career: He took on a string of varying odd jobs long before we loved him as Deadpool.

He toldYahoo! Entertainment, “Before I was in show business I drove a forklift, I worked in restaurants, I was a busboy, I was a waiter and I was a cashier.”

And those early experiences had a lasting effect on the Aviation Gin co-owner. “I got a pretty close-up experience of what it feels like to sometimes feel a little invisible in your job, in particular.”

19of 26Michael B. Jordan Helped Out with CateringJoshua KissiDue to his start asa child actor and model, Michael B. Jordan didn’t have a ton of free time to work odd jobs, but when he wasn’t booked on a set,Jordanspent his downtime working for his parents.“My mom and my dad had a home catering business when I was growing up, so as soon as I was old enough to see over the counter, they had me working just prepping and helping and stuff like that,” he said onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show.Future girlfriends can thank his parents for that training, because in addition to being a talented actor, he is alsoquite the chef.

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Michael B. Jordan Helped Out with Catering

Joshua Kissi

Michael B Jordan

Due to his start asa child actor and model, Michael B. Jordan didn’t have a ton of free time to work odd jobs, but when he wasn’t booked on a set,Jordanspent his downtime working for his parents.

“My mom and my dad had a home catering business when I was growing up, so as soon as I was old enough to see over the counter, they had me working just prepping and helping and stuff like that,” he said onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Future girlfriends can thank his parents for that training, because in addition to being a talented actor, he is alsoquite the chef.

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Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Did Construction

Ben Affleck SMA cover 2002

During an appearance onThe Kelly Clarkson Show,Ben Affleckrevealed that he andMatt Damonused to work construction during the summer throughout high school and for a bit afterwards.

Of course things turned out just fine for them, but that moment obviously stood out. “That guy probably now has a house renovation show,” Affleck joked.

21of 26Pierce Brosnan Was a Fire Eater on the StreetBefore we knew him as 007 and Sam Carmichael fromMamma Mia!,Pierce Brosnantook his act to the streets.Brosnan recalled his origins as a fire-eater toThe Guardian:“There was a workshop and one night I came in to rehearse and I looked in and some guy was teaching people to fire-eat … so I went into the workshop and I learnt how to fire-eat.” He then performed the trick with his theater troupe in public,he told IMDB.If you’re a non-believer,here is old footageof Brosnan in action.

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Pierce Brosnan Was a Fire Eater on the Street

Pierce Brosnan SMA cover 2001

Before we knew him as 007 and Sam Carmichael fromMamma Mia!,Pierce Brosnantook his act to the streets.

Brosnan recalled his origins as a fire-eater toThe Guardian:“There was a workshop and one night I came in to rehearse and I looked in and some guy was teaching people to fire-eat … so I went into the workshop and I learnt how to fire-eat.” He then performed the trick with his theater troupe in public,he told IMDB.

If you’re a non-believer,here is old footageof Brosnan in action.

22of 26Harrison Ford Was a CarpenterEarly in his career,Harrison Fordstepped back from unfulfilling roles in Hollywood and started working with his hands instead.“I’d done the same thing over and over on episodic television. They hired me three times for an FBI [agent] and didn’t even realize I was on two times that season. The parts that I was playing were not good parts,“he said in a 1988 interview. “I thought if I didn’t have another way of making a living, I’d have to take these jobs. I had my young family and I needed to put food on the table.“He continued, “Carpentry gave me an opportunity to pick and choose from what few roles were being offered to me at that time — and I just held out for five to six years.“But prior to deciding to pursue carpentry, he had no experience in the trade; instead, he learned on the job.“I learned from books and the people I was working with. The first job I had professionally was building a $100,000 recording studio for Sérgio Mendes in his backyard in Encino,” he said. “I was up on the roof with a book from the Encino Public Library, I hired a couple of good carpenters and they helped me on the job and I learned a lot from them.”

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Harrison Ford Was a Carpenter

Harrison Ford SMA cover story 1998

Early in his career,Harrison Fordstepped back from unfulfilling roles in Hollywood and started working with his hands instead.

“I’d done the same thing over and over on episodic television. They hired me three times for an FBI [agent] and didn’t even realize I was on two times that season. The parts that I was playing were not good parts,“he said in a 1988 interview. “I thought if I didn’t have another way of making a living, I’d have to take these jobs. I had my young family and I needed to put food on the table.”

He continued, “Carpentry gave me an opportunity to pick and choose from what few roles were being offered to me at that time — and I just held out for five to six years.”

But prior to deciding to pursue carpentry, he had no experience in the trade; instead, he learned on the job.

“I learned from books and the people I was working with. The first job I had professionally was building a $100,000 recording studio for Sérgio Mendes in his backyard in Encino,” he said. “I was up on the roof with a book from the Encino Public Library, I hired a couple of good carpenters and they helped me on the job and I learned a lot from them.”

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Tom Cruise Had a Paper Route

Tom Cruise SMA cover 1990

“Ever since I can remember, the sensation of moving vehicles has excited me,” theMission ImpossiblestartoldSports Illustratedin 1990. “When I was 13, I had a paper route and paid $50 for my first go-kart, $75 for my first motorcycle.”

Having grown up in an underprivileged family, Cruise also took on other assorted projects to support himself and his family at a young age.He told PEOPLE, “I used to cut grass and had all kinds of odd jobs to give money to my family, but also to save money so I could go to the movies. You didn’t have YouTube and we didn’t have film school. That was my film school.”

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Sean Connery Polished Coffins

Sean Connery SMA cover 1989

Born to a cleaning woman and factory worker,Sean Connery’s upbringing was marred with financial hardships, among other things. So, to help make ends meet, the future movie star took on several odd jobs.

Hediedin 2020 at age 90.

25of 26Mark Harmon Sold SneakersLike Clooney,Mark Harmonmade a pit stop in the shoe department before he made it to the big leagues (though he certainly enjoyed it more than Clooney did).“I had a bunch of different starts,“he stated while onThe Rich Eisen Show. “I sold shoes … I worked for Adidas for about eight months and before that I was doing merchandising and radio here in Los Angeles.“Also on his roster of false starts was a brief stint with carpentry, which unfortunately didn’t go far.“I tried to do that, but I just couldn’t get hired. I enjoyed getting up and doing that in the morning; I enjoyed the drive to work,“he toldMen’s Journal.“For me it was about materials and doing right. If you did it right, [the project] outlasted you. I still enjoy [carpentry], but I think that’s probably what I would have been trying to do had I not been [acting].”

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Mark Harmon Sold Sneakers

Mark Harmon SMA cover 1986

Like Clooney,Mark Harmonmade a pit stop in the shoe department before he made it to the big leagues (though he certainly enjoyed it more than Clooney did).

“I had a bunch of different starts,“he stated while onThe Rich Eisen Show. “I sold shoes … I worked for Adidas for about eight months and before that I was doing merchandising and radio here in Los Angeles.”

Also on his roster of false starts was a brief stint with carpentry, which unfortunately didn’t go far.

“I tried to do that, but I just couldn’t get hired. I enjoyed getting up and doing that in the morning; I enjoyed the drive to work,“he toldMen’s Journal.“For me it was about materials and doing right. If you did it right, [the project] outlasted you. I still enjoy [carpentry], but I think that’s probably what I would have been trying to do had I not been [acting].”

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Johnny Depp Was a Telemarketer

Johnny Depp SMA cover

WhenJohnny Deppmoved to L.A. in 1983, he intended to be a rock star — but his band still needed to pay the bills.

And it became evident to him pretty quickly his future was not in telemarketing, he said: “I did make one sale … We’re making the deal and I finally said, ‘Sir, don’t buy these pens. You’re not going to Greece, I can guarantee you that …’ [He thanked me] in a very confused way.”

source: people.com