14 Celebrities Who Took on Day Jobs Even After Hitting It Big

14 Celebrities Who Took on Day Jobs Even After Hitting It Big

Most of us dream about the day we can quit our regular jobs and live the celebrity lifestyle. But some famous folks have chosen to keep working normal jobs even after becoming household names. These stars remind us that fame isn’t everything, and sometimes a regular paycheck or the satisfaction of everyday work matters more than red carpets and paparazzi. Their stories show a different side of celebrity life that might surprise you.

1. Geoffrey Owens

The former Cosby Show actor made headlines when someone snapped photos of him bagging groceries at Trader Joe’s in 2018. After playing Elvin Tibideaux for five seasons on the hit sitcom, Owens found himself working a regular retail job between acting gigs.

Far from being embarrassed, Owens proudly defended his choice to earn an honest living. His story sparked important conversations about job-shaming and the realities of an actor’s inconsistent income. The publicity actually revitalized his acting career, with Tyler Perry offering him a role on his show. Owens continues to act while reminding fans there’s dignity in all work.

2. Kay Panabaker

At the height of a promising Hollywood career, Kay Panabaker made an unexpected choice — leaving behind Disney Channel hits like Phil of the Future to pursue a passion far from the cameras.

Panabaker earned a zoology degree and now works as a zookeeper at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Her days are filled with caring for exotic animals instead of memorizing scripts and attending premieres. She has expressed zero regrets about leaving acting behind, finding more fulfillment in animal conservation than in the spotlight. Her twin career paths show how dramatically life directions can change.

3. Jennifer Stone

Beloved for her role as Harper Finkle alongside Selena Gomez on Wizards of Waverly Place, Jennifer Stone eventually followed a new calling. She became a registered nurse and worked on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She balanced her medical career with continued acting work, showing remarkable dedication to both professions. Stone has spoken openly about finding purpose in healthcare, particularly during such a critical time. Her career shift demonstrates how celebrities can use their platform while pursuing meaningful work outside entertainment.

4. Peter Ostrum

As a child, Peter Ostrum captured hearts worldwide playing Charlie Bucket in the beloved 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Despite being offered a three-picture contract afterward, he made the surprising decision to step away from acting completely.

Ostrum found his true calling in veterinary medicine. After earning his degree from Cornell University, he established himself as a large-animal veterinarian in rural New York, focusing primarily on dairy cows. For decades, many of his clients had no idea their farm vet was once a famous child actor. Ostrum has stated he finds more satisfaction helping animals than he ever did in Hollywood.

5. Jeff Cohen

Remember Chunk from The Goonies? The actor who performed the iconic “Truffle Shuffle” grew up to pursue a career far from the camera’s spotlight. Jeff Cohen transformed himself from child actor to entertainment attorney, establishing his own law firm in Beverly Hills. Cohen has mentioned that his experiences as a child actor gave him unique insight into the entertainment industry from the business side.

He lost weight as a teenager and became unrecognizable from his Goonies character. Today, he represents talents in film, television, and music while occasionally writing about the business of entertainment. His career path proves that early fame can lead to success in unexpected places.

6. Carrie Henn

Carrie Henn delivered an unforgettable performance as Newt in the sci-fi classic Aliens, even winning a Saturn Award alongside Sigourney Weaver. Despite her successful debut, Henn never appeared in another film, making a deliberate choice to pursue education instead of Hollywood.

The former child star earned her teaching credentials and built a career as an elementary school teacher in California. Her students occasionally discover their teacher once battled xenomorphs alongside Ellen Ripley. Henn has stated she has no regrets about leaving acting behind, finding teaching more rewarding than film work. Her single iconic role remains a beloved part of sci-fi history while she shapes young minds in the classroom.

7. Dylan Sprouse

After starring alongside his twin brother Cole in Disney’s Suite Life series, Dylan Sprouse took an unexpected career turn. While still occasionally acting, he became the founder and brewmaster of All-Wise Meadery in Brooklyn, producing honey-based alcoholic beverages. The former child star studied brewing at New York University and turned his passion into a legitimate business.

Sprouse has been hands-on with every aspect of the meadery, from recipe development to production. His entrepreneurial spirit shows a different path for child actors transitioning to adulthood. Rather than desperately clinging to fame, Sprouse created something entirely his own while maintaining his acting career on his own terms.

8. Kate Gosselin

Reality TV star Kate Gosselin became famous for raising eight children on Jon & Kate Plus 8. After years in the spotlight and multiple spin-off shows, Gosselin returned to her original profession – nursing. She obtained her nursing license in North Carolina in 2021.

Her return to healthcare came after the reality show era of her life wound down and her children grew older. The transition demonstrates Gosselin’s practical approach to supporting her large family beyond television income. Her nursing career provides stability that reality TV fame, which can be fleeting and unpredictable, couldn’t guarantee long-term.

9. Terry Crews

Before becoming famous for Brooklyn Nine-Nine and America’s Got Talent, Terry Crews played in the NFL. After retiring from football, but before his acting career took off, he worked as a security guard and janitor to make ends meet.

Even after achieving success in Hollywood, Crews took on side jobs designing furniture. The multi-talented star created a collection for Bernhardt Design, showing his artistic abilities extend beyond the screen. Crews has been open about his various careers, embracing each role as part of his journey. His willingness to work hard regardless of the job title has become an inspiring part of his public persona.

10. Danielle Fishel

Best known as Topanga on Boy Meets World, Danielle Fishel stepped away from acting for a time, working as a math tutor and a reporter for PopSugar before returning in Girl Meets World.

Fishel’s practical approach to employment shows her grounded perspective on fame. Currently, she balances acting, directing, and hosting a Boy Meets World rewatch podcast while raising her family. Her diverse career demonstrates how child stars can successfully navigate adult life beyond their iconic roles.

11. Jeremy Renner

Before becoming Hawkeye in the Marvel universe, Jeremy Renner worked as a makeup artist to pay bills between acting jobs. The future action star applied cosmetics at a Lancôme counter, using the flexible hours to attend auditions. Even more surprisingly, Renner maintained a house-flipping business throughout his rise to fame.

He renovated and sold more than 25 properties in Los Angeles with his business partner, sometimes living in the construction zones during renovations. The two-time Oscar nominee has described his real estate ventures as more financially rewarding than many of his acting roles. His practical approach to finances has given him freedom to choose projects based on interest rather than necessity.

12. David Lee Roth

The flamboyant former Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth made a shocking career move in 2004. At the height of his fame, the rock star trained and certified as an EMT in New York City, responding to over 200 emergency calls. Roth kept a low profile during his time as a medical first responder, with many patients never realizing a rock legend was providing their care.

His EMT work came with a modest $7 per hour salary – a dramatic departure from rock star earnings. The singer’s unexpected career choice showed a desire to contribute to society beyond entertainment. Roth has said the experience gave him perspective that fame and fortune couldn’t provide.

13. MC Hammer

Despite achieving global fame and selling over 50 million records, MC Hammer filed for bankruptcy in 1996. He later transitioned into technology entrepreneurship, marking a notable career pivot from music to business innovation.

Hammer became a tech investor and consultant in Silicon Valley, launching several startups and working as a strategy chief. He’s advised companies like Square and Salesforce while maintaining connections to the music industry. The rapper’s business ventures show remarkable adaptability after his initial fame and financial setbacks. His tech career demonstrates how celebrities can leverage their networks and influence in completely different professional spheres.

14. Tony Danza

Television icon Tony Danza took on perhaps the most challenging role of his career – teaching tenth-grade English in Philadelphia’s Northeast High School. The star of Taxi and Who’s the Boss spent a full academic year as a real teacher for the A&E reality series Teach.

Unlike some celebrity reality shows, Danza fully committed to the profession. He created lesson plans, graded papers, and faced all the challenges of inner-city education while cameras documented his experience. The actor has said teaching was harder than anything he’d done in entertainment. His year in the classroom resulted in a book about the experience and ongoing advocacy for education reform and teacher support.