Working for the weekend: Top Celebs and their un-Hollywood jobs

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Allyson Dailey

Jobs may not be fun, but they do pay the bills, which make them crucial to our college experiences. Some students have to pay for everything that comes in the college package, including housing, books, food and tuition, and this can certainly add up. Students work all sorts of odd jobs to make ends meet, and as my dad always says, “Somebody’s got to put food on the table.”  (Real insightful, I know). I remember the days of scooping ice cream for $6.00 an hour and being elbow deep in waffle cone batter and it was horrible. As awful as it was, that moment when you receive your first paycheck was well worth all of the pain and suffering.
Most college kids get jobs at restaurants, stores and some are even employed by the university (it must be nice to be paid by the place you pay to attend). Now, I know we feel very little pity for the celebrities who had to bus tables or sweep floors before they hit it big. After all, the paychecks they receive now more than compensate for those dreaded first jobs. Let’s take a look at some Hollywood icons that had to suffer a little, before indulging in the fabulous life. This may bring a small glimmer of hope to your mundane jobs, keep working hard and maybe one day you will be rich and famous.
5. Chris Rock: Once deemed the funniest man in the world, his first job was no laughing matter. You know Rock from his stand-up comedy and his many movie roles, but before he made it big he was just your average teenager. Chris got down and dirty as a bus boy at Red Lobster in Queens, N.Y., when he was just a kid with a dream. Continuing his bussing career, he got another job as a bus boy at a local  comedy club, where he was allowed to test out new material. Now Rock is a household name and can probably afford to hire his very own personal busboy. Must be nice…
4. Jim Carrey: Before bringing his physical comedy to the big screen, this comic genius was busy mopping the floors of a local tire factory. And the fun doesn’t end there. Mr. Carrey also held a job as a security guard. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I would trust Jim Carrey guarding anything. Now Jim can laugh his way to the bank, because he is one of the most sought after stars in Hollywood. Sometimes it takes floor mopping to build character, and in this case we are thankful for that.
3. Paula Abdul: She may be unemployed now, but everyone’s favorite “Idol” judge once held coveted spot as a Lakers Girl. While attending college in California, Paula wanted to pursue her dancing dreams and landed a job with the L.A. Lakers. After only a few months, she moved her way up from cheerleader to head choreographer. I think her dancing roots might be helpful in her search for her next judging stint.  “So You Think You Can Dance” might want to get that contract signed now.
2. Christopher Walken: Now we always knew that Christopher Walken was a little peculiar, but I think I may have discovered why. At just the young age of 15, Mr. Walken held a job at the local circus as a lion tamer! What? Only Christopher Walken would take a job as a lion tamer and what kind of child labor laws allow 15 year old boys to tame massive, man-eating lions? I guess the saying “what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger” would apply in this scenario.
1. Danny DeVito: Before getting his big break on the hit series “Taxi” Danny’s career path was not so cut and dry (yes…pun intended). Prior to hitting the small screen, Danny was a licensed hair stylist working at his sisters hair salon. Now Danny has a leading role in the hit series “It’s always Sunny in Philadelphia” and has hung up his sheers. I wonder if he styles his own hair? If so, he might want to seek out a salon professional.
Allyson Dailey is a communications senior.