We've all seen the early TV commercials or movie roles of struggling actors. But what did those actors, musicians or writers do before they got even their first break?

My wife and I watched Davis Guggenheims' documentary "It Might Get Loud" the other night. The film is an exploration of the history and guitar styles of three famous guitarists: Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, The Edge of U2, and Jack White of The White Stripes. It was interesting to learn that Jack White started as an upholsterer before he found fame. He and a coworker upholstered furniture during the day; but at night, they moved the sofa and chairs out of the way to jam on their instruments. 

We've all seen the early TV commercials or movie roles of struggling actors. But what did those actors, musicians or writers do before they even got that first break? It made me wonder who started their professional life sometimes working in a pretty good job only to find their true calling later.  Would they have stayed in their jobs if their big break never came?

Philip Glass the well known minimalist classical composer worked as a cab driver. There's a great story that although he was getting recognition as a composer, he wasn't making enough money to quit driving a cab. One day a woman tapped on the side of his cab and told him he had the same name as a "very famous composer."

There are plenty of stories of waiters, but here are some other tidbits that I found in a great website, Hardly Famous.

When it comes to the entertainment and business worlds, there are so many examples of the next act being the big act. How many people do we meet daily have a dream of the road less traveled? How many will in a year or two be a huge film star, rocker, business owner, or author of a number one book on the New York Times top ten list?

Here are a few people from the Hardly Famous website that had fairly decent jobs before they achieved their true passion: 

Madeleine Albright (Bill Clinton's Secretary of State) once worked at Jocelyn's Department Store in Denver selling bras.

Marlon Brando became a ditch digger after being expelled from military school.

Garth Brooks worked as a salesman in a boot store right up until his big break.

Sandra Bullock worked as a bartender, cocktail waitress, and coat checker before hitting it big.

Steve Buscemi was a New York City Fireman in the early 80's.

Sheryl Crow was an elementary school teacher in St. Louis, Missouri.

Robert Duvall spent several months working as a post office clerk before getting his big break.

Clint Eastwood reportedly installed swimming pools before becoming famous.

Harrison Ford had earned quite a reputation as a carpenter before his acting career took off.

Whoopi Goldberg used to work as a bricklayer.

Mick Jagger used to be a porter in a mental hospital.

Queen Latifah worked for a short time at Burger King.

Rush Limbaugh was a shoe shiner.

Madonna worked at a Dunkin' Donuts

Bette Midler once worked at a pineapple processing factory.

Demi Moore worked in a collection agency at one time.

Luke Perry worked in a doorknob factory before getting his big break.

Brad Pitt supported his early acting career by driving limos, moving refrigerators and dressing as a giant chicken while working for el Pollo Loco

Julia Roberts worked in an ice cream shop defore becoming famous.

Frank Sinatra once worked as a riveter at the Tietjan and Lang shipyard.

Jon Stewart worked as a busboy in a Mexican restaurant. His production company was later called "Busboy Productions".

Barbara Streisand worked as a waitress in a Chinese restaurant and also was a babysitter to the owner's children.


You gotta do what you gotta do if you have a goal. Here's to the dreamers.

Thanks to Christian Haugen for the photo. Creative Commons license.