Celebrities often seem detached or otherworldly to some. The average A-lister pulls in $15 million per movie role. That kind of money is unfathomable for 90% of the population.
All of this isn’t to say that there aren’t famous people who were poor before they made it big. Some of our favorite actors, industry moguls, and self-made billionaires have struggled. There were some that came literally from nothing on the streets to become the most recognized faces.
These are 10 people who made it the hard way.
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10 Famous People Who Were Poor
This is a list of ten people from various industries and demographics. No silver spoons played a role in their success.
1. Chrissy Metz
Let’s begin with one of Hollywood’s newest breakthrough actresses. She stars in the hit show “This is Us”. The show tells the story of people’s struggles, but little do many people know is that Chrissy almost didn’t make it on it.
She revealed after the show become an overnight hit that she was broke before the audition. She had 81 cents and barely enough gas to show up. Her audition was so powerful that she got the role as soon as she returned to her car running on empty.
2. Jim Carrey
Although Carrey is now revered for his unmatched comedy flair, he didn’t immediately taste success as a comedian. It took Jim Carey years of working odd jobs, living in a VW camper, and on the streets. His hard work ethic eventually started getting noticed during his standups and auditions.
His first breakout role was on In Living Color, which was a launchpad for countless undiscovered talent. Carrey now has numerous blockbuster movies, including many non-comedy roles.
3. Leonardo Decapprio
With Leo’s good looks and boyish charm, you would assume he was born a star. While Leo did have some roles as a child, he went through a rough period of time as a young adult. He’s had to deal with creeps and con artists in Hollywood.
Because of his integrity and roadblocks from those in power, Leonardo went through a bout of homelessness, too. Eventually, he would start landing some of the big movie roles that catapulted his career.
4. JK Rowling
Before penning the early 2000s phenomenon that came to be “Harry Potter”, Rowling was on welfare. She was raising a kid by herself and scribbling the early beginnings of the Potter series on napkins. Her hit books were produced out of her struggle and add a layer of personality that makes her characters so good.
JK Rowling could have never predicted going from crumbs to billionaire-status. In fact, nobody predicted Harry Potter’s power to inspire a whole generation of young readers.
5. Mariah Carey
Fans of the undisputed best-selling female R&B artist of all time may be familiar with her story. For those uninitiated, you can start with her song “Make it Happen”. It tells the story of her starting her singing career with nothing, walking around in shoes that barely fit.
She was in New York trying to get her voice heard while working low-paying jobs. All it took was one listen to her tape before getting her first deal from her now ex-husband, Tommy Matolla. Mariah’s vocal range, longevity, and pioneering of crossovers have guaranteed her legendary status.
6. Tom Cruise
One of the most successful action heroes of our time had to work through financial poverty and abuse. His dad was emotionally and physically abusive, leaving Tom to his own devices. While working tough jobs in-between, he was working on his acting chops.
Tom is now an infamous method actor, pouring hundreds of hours into every character he plays. This is what made him into a star with relatively generic roles starting out. Tom Cruise has his quirks, but there’s no denying his ability to act.
7. Oprah Winfrey
Before Oprah got her own show, she began life as a small town farmgirl. She worked the farm in Mississippi with a hard knock lifestyle. She had to deal with rape when she was only nine years old.
Until the Oprah Winfrey show, there was no other black woman who hosted her own show. Oprah’s ability to captivate her audiences is why she has gone as far as she has. She now oversees her own empire, filled with celebrities she has created and multiple entertainment mediums.
8. James Cameron
If you’re a big fan of The Terminator series, know that it almost didn’t happen. James Cameron was a struggling writer living out of his car until he made it. He was crafting the now legendary Schwarzenegger film in his car and pitching it to various productions.
They didn’t buy into his post-apocalyptic ideas at first blush. Well, not with him as the director. Cameron had to carve his own path by getting a producer that he knew at the time to legally grant him the job.
It’s hard to imagine a world without The Terminator, The Titanic, and Avatar.
9. Charlie Chaplin
Many of you out there probably weren’t around when Chaplin was acting. This man was a genius, delivering many classics without saying anything. His biggest roles were during the silent film era.
Chaplin grew up without a father or mother for most of his life. His dad died early on and his mom was thrown into a mental institution. Charlie Chaplin honed his acting craft with his brother, but he was the one who went on to captivate millions with his roles.
10. John Paul DeJoria
John grew up a humble and eager young man. He was selling papers and greeting cards before he was ten years old. His family couldn’t keep things together, so he ended up in a foster home.
After getting into trouble with gangs, he eventually enlisted in the military. Paul did his service, then took a small loan out to begin the Paul Mitchell business. The small door-to-door salesman grew his business to become an industry leader.
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More Celebrity News and Facts
Did you guess any of these famous people who were poor? For some, it’s a dark past that is too emotional to tell. For others, it’s a tale of inspiration and overcoming obstacles.
For the Average Joe, it feels good knowing that the world’s biggest stars have gone through similar tough times. If you liked this list, click here to read more interesting news and facts about movie stars.