Celebrity Side Hustles: Make Money Like Your Faves Did (Before They Were Famous)

Before the luxury cars, private jets, and dreamy vacations, some of your favorite celebrities were grinding just like the rest of us. Imagine being a big-name actress now, but before the glitz and glam, you were slinging coffee at a café or working behind the scenes at a theme park. Sounds like something we could all do, right? While we all won’t become stars, we can definitely steal some inspiration from their pre-fame money moves. Here’s how to turn celebrity side hustles into your new income stream. 

Sandra Bullock: The Cool Coffee Shop Owner

We all know Sandra Bullock from her iconic roles in Gravity and The Blind Side, but you might not know that she owns Walton’s Fancy & Staple, a cozy café and market in Austin, Texas. This isn’t just any side project—Bullock is passionate about it and loves getting involved in the day-to-day operations. She’s living the dream, running a cute business while snagging Oscars and starring in blockbusters.

How You Can Do It Too: Running a shop or café is an excellent way to combine creativity and business. You don’t need to be a Hollywood star to do it. Whether you’re into baking, coffee brewing, or creating a cool hangout spot, there’s always room for unique small businesses. Not ready to dive into a full-fledged café? Think about selling homemade goods on Etsy or starting an Instagram shop for your cool crafts or trendy clothing line. 

How Much Can You Make: Running a café can bring in anywhere from $150,000 to $500,000 a year, depending on the location and the vibe you’re creating. Earnings can vary widely with online businesses, but some Etsy shops rake in thousands, especially if you have a loyal following.

Sydney Sweeney: The Theme Park Tour Guide

Before Sydney Sweeney dazzled us in Euphoria and The White Lotus, she gave guided tours at Universal Studios. Yep, she showed tourists around while learning all about the entertainment world, helping her gain the confidence to enter the spotlight.

How You Can Do It Too: Want to be a tour guide? If you’re a history buff, love entertaining people, and have a knack for telling stories, this could be your moment. You don’t have to work at Universal Studios—plenty of local spots hire tour guides, or you can even design your own tours! Check out companies like Airbnb Experiences, where you can lead unique local tours. Think of it like getting paid to be the life of the party!

How Much Can You Make: Tour guides typically make between $20,000 to $50,000 a year, depending on where you work and your tours. You could earn even more with private tours or premium experiences if you’re super popular.

Tiffany Haddish: The Airport Pro

Before she made us laugh in Girls Trip, Tiffany Haddish worked in ground operations at Alaska Airlines, helping with luggage and ensuring flights ran smoothly. She credits the job with teaching her how to handle the unexpected, which came in handy when she started her Hollywood career.

How You Can Do It Too: If you’ve ever thought about working at the airport, airline ground operations is an underrated side hustle. The job might involve checking in passengers, loading luggage, or coordinating flights, but it also comes with perks. Many airlines offer benefits like discounted or free flights. And hey, this could be the first step toward something bigger, like becoming a flight attendant or working in customer service.

How Much Can You Make: Ground operations staff earn anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 annually. If you move up to a flight attendant role, you could make even more, and both jobs get all those travel perks.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex: The Professional Calligrapher

Before becoming a duchess, Meghan Markle was slaying the art of calligraphy. Yes, that’s right—she was hand-lettering wedding invitations and even addressing fancy envelopes for celebrities, counting Robin Thicke and Dolce & Gabbana among her clients. She loved the art form and used it as a creative outlet while she built her acting career.

How You Can Do It Too: Calligraphy isn’t just for weddings—it’s for anyone who loves making handwritten art look extra. If you have a steady hand and an eye for design, calligraphy is the perfect side hustle. You could offer custom invitations for weddings or events or even create personalized gifts and décor. Instagram is a great place to showcase your work and attract clients. Plus, many online resources and courses can help you get started!

How Much Can You Make: Freelance calligraphers can earn anywhere from $50 to $200 per hour, depending on the complexity of the work and the client. For custom wedding invitations or artwork, prices can go up to $500 or more, depending on your skill level and reputation.

Whoopi Goldberg: The Morgue Beautician

Before Whoopi Goldberg became the legendary comedian and EGOT winner we all know and love, she worked as a morgue beautician. Yes, seriously—she applied makeup to the deceased. Talk about a unique side hustle, but Goldberg did what she had to do to make ends meet in New York. 

How You Can Do It Too: Working in a morgue might not sound super glamorous, but it’s essential for those with the right skills and temperament (and, look on the bright side—it’s probably one of the few truly recession-proof jobs out there!). Becoming a mortuary makeup artist or working in funeral services could be a fulfilling side gig if you’re into makeup and have a calm demeanor. You can also explore careers in mortuary science or funeral home management if you want something more long-term.

How Much Can You Make: Morgue beauticians or mortuary makeup artists typically earn between $30,000 to $60,000 annually, but the more experienced you become, the more you can charge per service. You can also freelance for funeral homes or take on private clients, which increases your earning potential.

So listen, every A-lister started somewhere. Your celebrity side hustles might not make you famous, but it could definitely make you money—and maybe even lead you to something bigger than you imagined. If you have unique skills, research where they might be valuable. It might just be your ticket to success.