Humble Beginnings: The Shocking First Paychecks of A-List Celebrities
The first paycheck is a milestone for anyone. It marks the first time someone gets paid for showing up, working hard, and contributing. For these stars, it came through jobs that were tough, real, and far from luxurious.
Here are some of the most surprising first paychecks you won’t expect from these big-name celebs:
Steve Buscemi
Before he was starring in gritty dramas like “Boardwalk Empire,” Steve Buscemi was battling real fires. His first paycheck came at age 22 when he joined the New York City Fire Department. For four years, he answered emergency calls, ran into burning buildings, and did one of the most dangerous jobs out there. It was not glamorous, but it was meaningful.
Even after he made it in Hollywood, Buscemi didn’t forget where he started. After the 9/11 attacks, he returned to his old firehouse and worked as a volunteer. With a firefighter’s median salary now around $57,120 a year, his early job was far from the million-dollar roles he later landed, but it grounded him in a way few other jobs could.
Jared / IG / “Boardwalk Empire,” star Steve Buscemi once worked in the NYC Fire Department at 22.
Mark Cuban
Before the billionaire titles and the “Shark Tank” deals, Mark Cuban was just a 12-year-old trying to make a buck. His first paycheck came from selling garbage bags door-to-door in his neighborhood. Most kids were asking their parents for cash, but Mark was out building a business.
He noticed families always needed trash bags, so he offered a simple solution: Deliver them straight to their door.
That early hustle set the tone for his life. Mark didn’t just want money. He wanted to earn it smartly. That job taught him how to sell, how to talk to people, and how to build value.
Bradley Cooper
Before starring in “Silver Linings Playbook” and “A Star Is Born,” Bradley Cooper was a doorman. While he studied at NYU for his MFA, he worked shifts at the Morgan Hotel in New York. His first paycheck came from standing at the door, greeting guests, carrying bags, and braving the cold.
As of last year, the average pay for union doormen in the city was $20.64 per hour.
That job wasn’t glamorous, but it gave him a close-up view of people – how they walk, talk, and treat others. Being in that position helped shape his observational skills, which later became key in his acting career.
Jen / IG / Aged 19, Jennifer Aniston was a bike messenger in NYC – struggling to make ends meet.
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston is usually seen as polished and effortless, but her first job was anything but. Her first paycheck came from being a bike messenger in New York City when she was just 19. She rode through busy streets, dodging traffic and delivering packages across Manhattan. It was tough, physically demanding work that required focus and speed.
She later called it the hardest job she has ever done, and it is easy to see why. The city is chaotic, the pace is fast, and the risks are real. But it taught her independence and resilience. That paycheck didn’t just help pay bills; it made her tougher.
Jim Carrey
No doubt! Jim Carrey is one of the funniest actors in Hollywood, but his beginnings are anything but light. His first paycheck came from janitor work. As a teenager, he took cleaning jobs to help his family during tough financial times. After school, he scrubbed floors and bathrooms, handling whatever shift came his way. It was hard, thankless work.
But those nights gave him discipline. The job gave him structure, and more importantly, it lit a fire in him. He didn’t want that life forever. Jim used that struggle to fuel his comedy. He learned how to push through discomfort, and that edge gave him the drive to succeed in an unpredictable industry.