Top 10 Celebs Who Were Successful Before They Were Famous

At just 21, Cameron Diaz made her big screen debut opposite Jim Carrey in “The Mask,” but she was no stranger to the spotlight. Before dazzling audiences with her acting chops, Diaz had already carved out a successful modeling career. She began modeling in high school, after signing a contract with the prestigious Elite Model Management. This led to her appearing in high-profile campaigns for brands like Calvin Klein and Levi’s. She was also featured on the cover of Seventeen magazine’s July 1990 issue, and landed a spot in a Coca-Cola commercial the following year. It was this modeling success that eventually paved the way for her to audition for “The Mask,” which launched her acting career.

You might recognize Ben Stein as the droning economics teacher in “Ferris Bueller's Day Off” or as the deadpan host of “Win Ben Stein's Money” on Comedy Central. But years before he graced our screens, Stein was making waves behind the scenes, working as a speechwriter and lawyer for the U.S. Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Stein was so deeply embedded in the Nixon administration that speculation even arose that he was Deep Throat, the secret informant who provided key details that helped in the reporting of the Watergate scandal. He continued to appear in movies and TV shows throughout the ‘90s and 2000s, but has largely retreated from the spotlight in recent years.

Rosie Perez’s life has been anything but predictable. The Nuyorican actress first broke into show business at 19, after being discovered at a nightclub by a talent scout. With zero professional experience, Perez landed a gig on “Soul Train” as a dancer. Before long, she was choreographing not just for the show, but also for music videos of stars like Janet Jackson, Diana Ross and LL Cool J. She also handled choreography for the in-house dance troupe, Fly Girls, on the sketch comedy show “In Living Color.” It was her dancing skills that caught the eye of filmmaker Spike Lee who decided to cast Perez in his film “Do the Right Thing,” which became her acting debut.

In 2002, Halle Berry broke barriers as the first African-American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. But back in the 1980s, Berry was making history in an entirely different career: beauty pageants. That decade saw her snag titles like Miss Teen All American, Miss Ohio USA, and she even finished as the first runner-up in Miss USA 1986. That same year, she became the first African-American to compete in the Miss World pageant, where she placed sixth. Despite her pageant success, Berry actually faced a rocky transition to acting in the late ‘80s. She once revealed that she was penniless and initially lived in a homeless shelter and a YMCA before finally hitting it big in Hollywood.

If you’ve ever thought Michelle Wolf was an unusual comedian, it’s probably because her path to comedy was anything but conventional. Wolf studied Kinesiology in college and, right after graduating, landed a job managing accounts and mutual funds at Bear Stearns. This happened just as the 2008 financial crisis hit, which led to the collapse of the company. She then moved to JPMorgan Chase in the same capacity. During this period, Wolf began taking improv classes, which ignited her passion for comedy. She first performed stand-up on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” where she later worked as a contributor and writer. This was followed by a stint on “The Daily Show,” before she landed her own Netflix series, “The Break with Michelle Wolf.”

Earning a law degree from the University of Oxford is no small accomplishment. Landing a job at one of the most prestigious law firms in the world right out of school is even more impressive. British actress Gemma Chan pulled off both feats, setting herself up for a successful legal career. However, Chan turned down this mouth-watering opportunity to join a drama school in London. It was a huge gamble, but one that ultimately paid off. The actress has since dazzled in blockbusters like “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Captain Marvel.” Though she’s left the legal field behind, she still benefits from her law school training, admitting it helps her memorize lines and review her own work contracts with ease.

Jason Statham has made a name for himself as the quintessential action hero, often playing gritty, tough guys with a vast array of skills. But before diving into acting, Statham was actually diving for a living, as a member of the British National Swimming Squad for over a decade. Although he never made it to the Olympics, Statham represented England at the Commonwealth Games in 1990, competing in the 10-meter, three-meter, and one-meter events. His athletic skills didn’t go unnoticed. They caught the eye of modeling scouts who soon came knocking and helped sign him to contracts with brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Levi’s. It didn’t take long before Statham began appearing in music videos and ultimately, in blockbuster films.

While many doctors unwind after work by hitting the golf course, running marathons or volunteering with charity groups, Dr. Ken Jeong had a different stress reliever: comedy. That’s right, “The Hangover” actor actually went to medical school and practiced as a doctor for several years. After saving lives by day, he would do stand-up and improv by night. That was how he grabbed the attention of Judd Apatow, who cast him in his major film debut, 2007’s “Knocked Up.” This exposure was just what Jeong needed to leave his medical career behind and transition to acting full-time. Nevertheless, he is still licensed to practice in California and often lends a hand during on-set medical emergencies.

Arnold Schwarzenegger became a household name largely due to his iconic role in “The Terminator.” But he was already a millionaire long before that, and it wasn’t from his acting or bodybuilding. When he moved to the U.S. in 1968, Schwarzenegger was determined to become a successful businessman. He started by establishing a construction company, then reinvested his profits into a mail-order venture that sold bodybuilding and fitness equipment. Ultimately, Schwarzenegger expanded his empire with real estate investments, raking in millions before he even made his Hollywood breakthrough with 1982’s “Conan the Barbarian.” Even as his fame grew as an actor and politician, Schwarzenegger kept his business ventures rolling, and by 2024, his savvy investments had made him a billionaire.

Today, he’s a music sensation with millions of records sold and an EGOT to his name. But things could have played out very differently for John Legend. After earning a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Pennsylvania in 1999, he kicked off his career as a management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group. There, Legend worked on company mergers, as well as consulting with pharmaceutical companies. Despite his success in the corporate world, his passion for music never waned. He kept writing and producing his own songs until they caught the ear of industry insiders who connected him with the likes of Kanye West. The rest, as they say, is multiple award-winning history.

Did we miss any other celebrities who were successful pre-fame? Let us know in the comments below.