Celebrities Who Had Unlikely Career Changes

Ken Jeong in Ken Jeong: You Complete Me, Ho
Credit: Netflix | Fair use for promotional purposes

Ken Jeong in Ken Jeong: You Complete Me, Ho
Credit: Netflix | Fair use for promotional purposes

Some of the celebrities that we know and love started with a different career before they found their way into the entertainment industry or vice versa. Here are examples of the stars that faced unlikely career changes.

Ken Jeong

Ken Jeong in Dr. Ken Jeong Answers Medical Questions From Twitter video
expand image
Credit: WIRED YouTube channel

Ken Jeong is now known as a beloved comedian and actor who starred in some of the best comedy films and TV shows of this century.

However, before he made it to showbiz, he practiced medicine earlier in his adult life as a physician of internal medicine. He eventually transitioned into a full-time entertainer when his stand-up career was slowly rising.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger
expand image
Credit: Bodybuilding.com

Arnold Schwarzenegger started as an accomplished bodybuilder before he became a bonafide A-list action star with iconic roles such as the Terminator.

However, in the early 2000s, he shifted to a different career again as he was elected as the Governor of California. After leaving the office, he returned to acting.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson in The Marvels
expand image
Credit: Marvel Studios

Brie Larson might be known today as an Oscar winner who portrayed Captain Marvel in the MCU, but she had a music career earlier in the year and even released an album.

However, when that side of her career did not skyrocket, Larson decided to shift into a full-time actress. She would still occasionally sing from time to time in her on-screen roles.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford as Han Solo in Star Wars
expand image
Credit: Lucasfilm

Before he became an A-list movie star, Harrison Ford started as a carpenter and even had celebrities such as Sergio Mendes as his clients.

Eventually, he was starting to get cast and he is now one of the legendary movie stars in Hollywood with many iconic roles in his resume such as Han Solo, Indiana Jones, and Jack Ryan.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Dwayne Johnson in Black Adam
expand image
Credit: Warner Bros.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson started his career in college football before becoming one of the biggest stars in WWE. Eventually, he transitioned into an acting career and also became an A-list movie star.

Today, he is also an accomplished businessman as he is part of the board of directors of the WWE's parent company TKO Group Holdings, and co-founder of several businesses such as Seven Bucks Productions.

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg
expand image
Credit: Men's Health

Before he became the movie star that we know and love today, Mark Wahlberg started his career as a hip-hop artist known as Marky Mark of Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.

Eventually, he transitioned into a full-time actor and is now known as an Oscar-nominated movie star. He is also an owner and investor in businesses such as the Wahlburgers restaurant chain.

Jason Statham

Jason Statham in The Beekeeper
expand image
Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

Jason Statham might be known today as one of the popular action movie stars, but he started as a competitive diver who eventually became a model before turning into an actor.

His diver skills came into handy when he became a major action star as he would occasionally have swimming scenes.

Make sure to follow our official Facebook page for more news and explainer articles about your favorite films and TV shows!