Most people will go through a few career changes as they find themselves getting bored with their normal 9 to 5. Sometimes a career change is for the best and we end up being more successful in one area than we ever were in another. Celebrities are not immune to this practice either, occasionally they do want to switch things up, so here are just a few famous faces who have decided to take the plunge and try something new.
1. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
Getting their big break back when they shared the role of Michelle Tanner in Full House, the twins continued on with acting into their teenage years, with TV series’ such as So Little Time. However when they hit their adult years the pair decided to have a change of pace and went into the fashion industry. The success of their line The ROW has proven that Mary-Kate and Ashley can dominate any career they go in to.
2. Jay Z
Starting out as a rapper and music producer, Jay Z quickly built himself an empire. He then also chose to try his hand at the fashion industry, building up a brand and then selling it off for a massive $240 million, though he still oversees some of the creative side of the chain. Not one to stop there, Jay Z has also had a hand in nightclubs, beauty products and sport managing.
3. Ellen DeGeneres
Before making people laugh on daytime television, Ellen DeGeneres used to work as a paralegal. However it seems that after being named Showtime's Funniest Person in America in 1982, DeGeneres decided to make a change which most of us are probably thankful for.
4. Jane Fonda
Most of us know Jane Fonda as an actress, but this lady has also had quite some success in the fitness industry. Back in the 80s Fonda released her first workout video and it was so successful that she has since released another 30. These days Fonda particularly focuses on senior audience with her Prime Time brand.
5. Harrison Ford
Way before saving the day on our screens in roles such as Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford seemed to be on the path to becoming a carpenter. He had been working in the industry for 15 years when George Lucas gave him a part in that little film called Star Wars. It's possible that we wouldn't even know of him today if it hadn’t been for George Lucas.
6. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Probably one of the most well-known career changers, Schwarzenegger started off as a bodybuilding champion and won the titles of Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe. He then made a move to acting and produced that classic line "I'll be back". Seems that statement was far more true that even Arnold himself knew. He has so far tried his hand in politics, while he has recently returned to the big screen.
7. Ken Jeong
Before making us cry with laughter in The Hangover series, Ken Jeong was actually a real life doctor. Jeong got his MD from the University of North Carolina and even began his own physician practice. It was after his string of stand-up comedy side-jobs that he was picked up to star in Knocked Up. He was definitely qualified for his first role which saw him play a doctor.
8. Brad Pitt
Before all the ladies fell in love with Brad Pitt on their screen, he was actually a limo driver. But not just any normal limo driver, Pitt was in charge of driving strippers to and from the bachelor parties they attended. He also had a stint as a giant chicken that stood outside El Pollo Loco food outlets and waved at passing cars.
9. Whoopi Goldberg
Before she was running around and acting with living human beings, Whoopi Goldberg worked with people of a quieter nature. Before grabbing her big break in 1985, Goldberg was spending her days putting makeup on dead people at a funeral parlor.
10. Sylvester Stallone
Before stepping into the ring and playing the character of Rocky Balboa, Sylvester Stallone was busy fighting off lions. Working at Central Park Zoo, Stallone had the not so glamorous job title of lion-cage cleaner.