8 standard and unexpected ways Hollywood celebrities made money before becoming famous (17 photos)

Every job has its pros and cons. But many people probably think acting, especially in Hollywood, is a dream job. However, it's not that simple.





Before basking in the glow of fame and cash, many stars toiled so hard that even the most lousy Monday would feel like a vacation in the Maldives for an ordinary worker. We're not just talking about part-time jobs. This was a survival school, complete with creepy costumes, polished coffins, and hair-raising work. But future icons donned uniforms, checked in on report cards, and lived to tell the world their stories.

1. Christopher Walken – Lion Tamer



While ordinary teenagers were grilling burgers, 16-year-old Christopher Walken entered a cage with a lioness named Sheba. He got a job as an assistant to legendary circus trainer Terrell Jacobs, cracking a whip and coercing the huge cats into performing tricks.

"She was very sweet, more like a dog," he later recalled.





This fearless young man worked with snarling predators long before starring in "The Deer Hunter" and "Catch Me If You Can."

2. Sean Connery – Coffin Polisher



On the streets of Edinburgh, long before tuxedos and Aston Martins, a young Sean Connery polished coffins to a shine. He later called it the worst job he ever had.



Ironically, it was he who defined the image of James Bond, setting the standard for all subsequent 007 agents. His rugged charm and dangerous elegance captivated the world. Even legends have to start somewhere (sometimes by polishing coffins) before they can polish their image for the camera.

3. Whoopi Goldberg – Makeup Artist for the Dead



Long before stand-up comedy and film, Whoopi Goldberg worked in a funeral home. A licensed cosmetologist, she applied makeup to the deceased.

"You have to love people to make them worthy of their final journey," she said.



The work was delicate, unusual, and complex. One day, the boss decided to play a prank: he slowly opened the box containing the body while Whoopi thought she was alone. Horrified, she slammed into the door and passed out. When she came to, she heard her boss ask, "The worst thing imaginable has happened. Do you still want to work here?"

4. Harrison Ford — Carpenter and Woodworker



Han Solo couldn't fix the Millennium Falcon without a reason. Harrison Ford really did have a knack for tools. Self-taught, he made custom furniture. He once worked at Francis Ford Coppola's house, where he first met George Lucas.



"My main job back then was carpentry," Ford admitted. "It was a way to make a living and afford the acting roles I was offered."

4. Megan Fox – a banana without a mask



Megan Fox's first public appearance was in a giant banana costume. Under the scorching Florida sun, she promoted a smoothie shop, sweating profusely in her ridiculous outfit.



Once a week, usually on Fridays, she had to dress up as a banana and stand by the highway. Megan mostly worked the cash register, but these Friday "outings" were unforgettable.

5. Rachel McAdams – McDonald's Employee



The girl who made viewers' hearts melt in "The Notebook" grew up in a small Canadian town. And once upon a time, it was she who greeted customers with a friendly voice at the entrance to the local McDonald's.



"I'm such a dreamer and a slowpoke," McAdams said, recalling how she arranged packets of sauces while the line grew. "I constantly washed my hands and somehow managed to break the orange juice machine."

She was clearly not a candidate for "employee of the month," but that didn't stop her from winning a slew of prestigious film awards.

6. Patrick Dempsey - juggler



McDreams' steady hand wasn't just for surgeries. In his youth, he juggled professionally in Maine, taking second place in the International Juggling Association Junior Championships.



Patrick rode a unicycle, dabbled in ventriloquism, and clowned. He even had business cards: "Pat Dempsey, Juggler." These circus acts led him to the theater stage, and from there, to television.

8. Margot Robbie – Sandwich Artist



Before Harley Quinn's hammer and Barbie's mansion, Margot Robbie had a simpler tool – a Subway bread knife. She worked as a "sandwich artist" and took the art of slicing meat and layering sauces very seriously.



The actress described how responsibly she approached the task. Every slice had to look perfect.

"I was doing great," Margot once admitted with a hint of pride in her voice.