What Stars (Bradley Cooper! Julia Roberts!) Did Before They Made it Big

Feb. 26, 2014 -- intro: Before they were nominated for Oscars or became best selling artists, some of today’s famous celebrities had very humble beginnings.

SLIDESHOW: Before They Were Stars

From Bradley Cooper and Beyonce to Barack Obama and Julia Roberts, you’ll never guess what jobs these notable figures had on their resume.

Whether it was scooping ice cream or being a gym teacher, check out the following stars who had their fair share of odd jobs before rising to fame.

quicklist:title: Bradley Coopertext: Before Bradley Cooper, who played Richie DiMaso in “American Hustle,” worked at the Philadelphia Daily News.media: 22588328

quicklist:title: Lupita N’yongotext: Fashion icon and actress Lupita N’yongo, who stars in “12 Years a Slave,” was a production assistant for the film "The Constant Gardener” in 2004.media: 22588466

quicklist:title: Barkhad Abditext: Just before landing his first role in “Captain Phillips,” Barkhad Abdi worked as a limo driver in Minneapolis, Minn. In high school, he worked at a Target store.media: 22588562

quicklist:title: Michael Fassbendertext: While in acting school, Michael Fassbender, who played Edwin Epps in “12 Years a Slave,” unloaded trucks and was a bartender.media: 22588255

quicklist: title: Bruce Derntext: Before starring in “Nebraska,” Bruce Dern worked as a cab driver while studying at the Actors Studio.media:22588168

quicklist:title: Matthew McConaugheytext: While he was an exchange student in Australia, “Dallas Buyers Club” star Matthew McConaughey worked in a bank.media: 22588674

quicklist: title: Amy Adamstext: At 18, actress Amy Adams was a Hooters waitress. She also was a greeter at a Gap Store at Lenox Mall, in Atlanta, Ga.media: 20510872

quicklist:title: Hugh Jackmantext: Before Hugh Jackman played Wolverine and Jean Valjean, he made a living as a boys gym teacher at England's Uppingham School. Jackman's resume also included being a clown at children's parties, where he made about $50 per show.media: 20510821

quicklist:title: Barack Obama and Julia Robertstext: Both President Barack Obama and Julia Roberts scooped ice cream at Baskin-Robbins in their teens.media:20508427

quicklist:title: Lea Micheletext: Before she rose to fame as Rachel Berry on "Glee," Lea Michele reportedly worked as a shop girl in a Bat Mitzvah dress shop. media: 20510842

quicklist: title: Rod Stewarttext: Singer-songwriter Rod Stewart is one of the biggest selling artists of all time. It's hard to believe that he was once reportedly a gravedigger before embarking on his musical career. media: 20510759

quicklist: title: Beyoncétext: The Bonnie to Jay-Z's Clyde, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, used to sweep up hair in her mom's salon.media:19994093

quicklist:title: Lady Gagatext: Lady Gaga was once a waitress at a Greek restaurant in New York before she became a successful singer-songwriter.media:20107062

quicklist:title: Carrie Underwoodtext: As a teen, Carrie Underwood was a cashier at a gas station. media:20510800

quicklist:title: Rachel McAdams/James Franco/Jennifer Hudson/Queen Latifahtext: What do Rachel McAdams, James Franco, Jennifer Hudson, and Queen Latifah all have in common? They all worked at fast food restaurants before they started their show biz careers! Rachel McAdams and James Franco worked at McDonald's restaurants, while Jennifer Hudson and Queen Latifah worked at Burger King restaurants.media: 20510882

quicklist:title: Brad Pitttext: A winner of People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive, Brad Pitt had to cover his face when he worked at El Pollo Loco dressed up as a chicken. media: 20278583

quicklist:title: Eva Mendestext: Actress Eva Mendes began her working life in the food industry, at Hot Dog on a Stick.media: 20510811

quicklist:title: Kanye Westtext: It's been a long journey for style guru and rapper Kanye West. West was a sales associate at the Gap, an experience he even mentioned in the song, "Spaceship," on his debut album. media: 20361635

quicklist:title: Johnny Depptext: Johnny Depp was a ball-point pen salesman to support his family, until Nicolas Cage told him to give acting a try. media: 20510831

quicklist:title: Connie Brittontext: Nashville star Connie Britton was an aerobics teacher before she became famous. media: 19763037

quicklist:title: Patrick Dempseytext: Dreamy "Grey's Anatomy" star Patrick Dempsey used to be a professional juggler. media: 20510852

quicklist:title: Jon Hammtext: Jon Hamm of "Mad Men" fame made a living as a set-dresser for pornographic films. media: 20357955

quicklist:title: Whoopi Goldbergtext: Actress and "The View" co-host Whoopi Goldberg was a mortuary beautician, putting makeup on the deceased. media:20510790

quicklist:title: Robin Williamstext: Actor and comedian Robin Williams made a living as a street mime. media:20510862