10 actors who held 9-5 jobs before they became actors

Brad Pitt used to be a chicken mascot for El Pollo Loco (Images Via IMDb and El Pollo Loco)
Brad Pitt used to be a chicken mascot for El Pollo Loco (Images Via IMDb and El Pollo Loco)

9) Jesse Williams - Teacher

A still of Jesse Williams (Image Via Jesse Williams Instagram)
A still of Jesse Williams (Image Via Jesse Williams Instagram)

The 41-year-old actor Jesse Williams turned into a household name after he began playing the fan-favorite role of Dr. Jackson Avery in the long-running ABC medical drama series, Grey's Anatomy. He also reprised his role as Jackson Avery in Station 19.

Apart from that, he is also well known for playing the role of Leo in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, Holden McCrea in The Cabin in the Woods, James Lawson in The Butler, Isaac "Ike" Singer in Jacob's Ladder, Todd Walkley in Random Acts of Violence, and several others.

Williams used to be a high school teacher before he became an actor. In an interview with Parade Magazine, he opened up about his job as a teacher. He said:

"As a teacher, part of your job requires you to stand in front of a group of people who don’t want to be there necessarily,...I’ve found a lot of parallels between teaching and commanding that attention [in acting]. You’re inspiring people. It’s about being comfortable in my own skin."

10) Julia Roberts - Baskin Robbins employee

A still of Julia Roberts (Image Via Julia Roberts Instagram)
A still of Julia Roberts (Image Via Julia Roberts Instagram)

The 55-year-old Julia Roberts is one of the most renowned actors in Hollywood. She has been a part of many classic and iconic romantic movies like Pretty Woman, which landed her an Oscar nomination. She went on to receive an Academy Award for playing the beloved role of Erin Brockovich in Erin Brockovich.

Roberts is also well-known for playing the role of Von Sidell in Everyone Says I Love You, Julianne Potter in My Best Friend's Wedding, Anna Scott in Notting Hill, Maggie Carpenter in Runaway Bride, Tess Ocean in Ocean's Eleven, Joanne Herring in Charlie Wilson's War, Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat Pray Love, and more.

However, before she took over Hollywood, Julia Roberts used to work as a Baskin Robbins employee. She used to scoop ice cream for the popular ice cream company.


Some other actors with regular jobs before they became an actor include Nicole Kidman, Matthew McConaughey, Cindy Crawford, Melissa McCarthy, Gabourey Sidibe, and Jennifer Aniston.

Quick Links

Edited by Upasya Bhowal
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications