12 Bizarre Ways Celebs Started Their Careers
![12 Bizarre Ways Celebs Started Their Careers](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/8/6/5/900865_320x180.jpg)
Ah, the stories of how some of the world's most famous and beloved celebrities got their start. From Jackie Chan's unlikely foray into the world of pornography to George Gershwin's job as a "song plugger" to Dolph Lundgren's workout video that Quentin Tarantino had to clean up after, these stories are as varied as they are fascinating. In this list, we'll explore these twelve bizarre ways that celebs started their careers, and marvel at the twists and turns that life can take.
It's amazing to see how far these stars have come since their humble beginnings. From Bette Midler performing in bathhouses to Michael Bolton denying rumors of him joining Black Sabbath to Jony Ive's toilet bowl, these stories are a testament to the power of hard work and perseverance.
So, without further ado, here is a list of twelve of the most surprising and inspiring stories of how some of the world's most famous celebrities got their start. Enjoy.
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Jackie Chan's "family" affair.
![GRACKED JACKIE CHAN: PORN ACTOR In 1975, Jackie Chan starred in a pornographic film called All in the Family with porn stars Dean Shek, Tien Chun, and Sammo Hung. I had to do anything I could to make a living 31 years ago, but I don't think it's a big deal, he said once.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/8/7/8/900878.jpg)
"Song plugger" at 15: Gershwin's start.
![GRACKED GEORGE GERSHWIN: SONG PLUGGER When George Gershwin was ten, he was inspired to pursue music. At 15, he dropped out of school and got a job as a song plugger - a pianist hired by a music publisher to play their new songs in a department store to help sell the sheet music.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/8/7/7/900877.jpg)
Bette Midler: From bathhouses to stardom.
![GRACKED BETTE MIDLER: GAY BATHHOUSE SINGER In the 1970s, Bette Midler began her singing career performing in gay bathhouses with Barry Manilow on the piano. To recognize the people and places that helped her become famous, she released an album in 1988 called Bathhouse Betty.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/8/7/6/900876.jpg)
Legend ... of Porn.
![GRACKED WES CRAVEN: PORN DIRECTOR Before becoming a horror legend, Wes Craven worked in the adult movie industry. Не directed a bunch of porn films, using different aliases. Не even had a part in the making of the notorious Deep Throat, though it's not clear what exactly he did.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/8/7/5/900875.jpg)
Designer of Dreams, Flusher of Toilets.
![GRACKED JONY IVE: TOILET BOWL DESIGNER Before joining Apple, Jony Ive designed a toilet and sink, among other things, while working for a design agency in London. Unfortunately, his client wasn't too impressed with his work, saying it was too modern and pricey.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/8/7/0/900870.jpg)
Rumors debunked.
![GRACKED MICHAEL BOLTON: HARD ROCK SINGER Back in 1982, there were rumors that Black Sabbath had auditioned Michael Bolton to be their lead singer. It would have kind of made sense, since the band he was in, Blackjack, opened for Black Sabbath sometimes.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/8/7/3/900873.jpg)
2Pac: From dancer to rap icon.
![GRACKED 2PAC: BACKUP DANCER 2Pac began his career as a backup dancer and hype man for Digital Underground, and was featured in their popular music video for The Humpty Dance in 1990.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/8/7/2/900872.jpg)
Johnny's Awkward Menstrual Moment
![GRACKED JONATHAN BANKS: MENSTRUATION PSA ACTOR Jonathan Banks, AKA Mike in Breaking Bad, began his career in a 1974 PSA called Linda's Film on Menstruation. Не played the part of Johnny, a laid-back guy who was taken aback when he found out his girlfriend Judy had her first period.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/8/7/4/900874.jpg)
EW / Indie Wire
Wilford Brimley's journey.
![GRACKED WILFORD BRIMLEY: HORSESHOER Wilford Brimley was well-known for his roles in TV and movies. Не started out as a farrier, which means he shoed horses for westerns. Не was asked to do stunts and that's how he met Robert Duvall, which changed his life and got him into acting.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/8/7/1/900871.jpg)
Terry Crews: Artistic before athletic.
![GRACKED TERRY CREWS: COURTROOM SKETCH ARTIST AWARDS AWARDS THE DGA OF AMERIC THE AWARDS Before Terry Crews became a pro football player, he used to draw courtroom sketches for the most serious murder case in Flint, MI. Не even used his art to make cash while playing football, creating portraits of his teammates for $5,000 each.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/8/6/8/900868.jpg)
Rags to Riches Story?
![GRACKED JACK NICHOLSON: ANIMATOR Не had a job in the animation department at MGM, where a producer noticed him and thought he could be a star. Bill Hanna and Joseph Barbera, famous for their cartoons, recommended Nicholson to an acting troupe.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/8/6/7/900867.jpg)
Cleaning up dog poop: the start of a legendary career.
![GRACKED QUENTIN TARANTINO: DOG POOP CLEANER Quentin Tarantino's first job in Hollywood was working as a production assistant on a Dolph Lundgren workout video called Maximum Potential. Не and Roger Avary had to clean up a huge area of dog poop in Venice Beach for the shoot.](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/8/6/9/900869.jpg)