It may seem like celebrities have everything, and many do, but not all of them had it easy getting there.
Just because they’re now rich and famous doesn’t mean that these stars don’t know what it’s like to struggle.
Whether it be for the sake of following their Hollywood dreams or because they had lifelong issues with money, these 40+ A-listers were homeless before they made it big.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez took a risk in choosing homelessness for the sake of pursuing a Hollywood career. Luckily, it worked out for this now-millionaire singer/actress. JLo’s mom wanted her to go to college but Jennifer had other plans.
The singer moved into her dance studio, slept on the couch, and booked her first gig a month later. Within a year, Lopez had booked In Living Color, the show that made her famous. Clearly, JLo’s risk has paid off!
Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey’s family struggled financially, leading the now-comedian to drop out of school at 16 years old in order to help earn money.
Never one to be dramatic about his hardships, Jim joked, “My father lost his job and I actually became homeless for quite some time. Of course, I grew up in Canada so I thought we had just gone camping.” Now that he’s in a much better place, Jim has founded the Better U Foundation and donates to multiple charities.
Tiffany Haddish
At the age of 18, Tiffany Haddish was kicked out of her grandmother’s house and left homeless. The comedian kept her belongings in her car and slept on friends’ couches. Luckily, a chance encounter with Kevin Hart changed everything.
“He gave me 300 bucks and was like ‘Find yourself a place for the week. And then write out a list of goals of what you want to do then start accomplishing those goals.'” Nowadays, the pair often collaborate on their movies and each has a net worth in the millions.
Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone was homeless right before he made it big with Rocky. The actor was yet to sell the iconic movie script, so he sold his dog instead – for $50.
After Sylvester managed to get Rocky off the ground, he bought his dog back for a whopping $3,000! Interestingly, the man who bought (and sold back) Stallone’s dog had a cameo in Rocky as the guy who asks Rocky whether or not he won.
Chris Pratt
Chris Pratt was homeless at the age of 19 but it was by choice and he seems to consider it a novelty experience. The actor had moved to Hawaii with a friend and was working as a waiter.
Chris explained that he and his friends “worked minimal hours, 15 to 20 hours per week, just enough to cover gas, food, and fishing supplies. You know, it was a charming time.” We’re not so sure most people would describe homelessness as a “charming” experience.
Drew Carey
Back in the day, a comedian could make it big by getting a guest spot on The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson. Drew Carey was attempting to do just that when he found himself homeless and living out of his car, at the age of 19.
The Price Is Right host spent 18 months living in his car and even sold plasma as a way to make money. Eventually, Drew did get on Johnny Carson’s show, an experience he credits with jump-starting his multi-million dollar career.
Hilary Swank
Hilary Swank was just a teenager living in a trailer park when she and her mom moved to LA so Hilary could pursue a career in acting.
However, the pair started their trip with only $75, so they were homeless for a while and slept in their car or on an air mattress at a friend’s house. Luckily, it only took Hilary a few months to get steady acting work and get into a better financial situation.
Steve Harvey
In 1985, Steve Harvey was married with two kids and had a job as an insurance salesman. However, everything changed when the comedian won his first-ever stand-up competition. Steve decided that he had to pursue a career in comedy, so he quit his job, which affected his ability to provide for his family.
This created a domino effect in which Steve’s marriage ended, as did his relationship with his children. Harvey lived out of his car for three years before finally making it big with Showtime at the Apollo.
William Shatner
Things seemed to happen in reverse with William Shatner. He became homeless after landing his big break with Star Trek, rather than before. After his marriage ended, and Star Trek went off the air, William still had to provide for his children but no longer had a hit show.
“I had three kids and was totally broke. I managed to find work back east on the straw-hat circuit – summer stock – but couldn’t afford hotels, so I lived out of the back of my truck, under a hard shell.”
Rose McGowan
Rose McGowan was just 15 years old when she became homeless. The actress grew up in an unsafe environment, which resulted in her seeking emancipation from her parents. “I was homeless, I was on my own, and I was very lonely. I was entirely focused on just surviving.”
Eventually, Rose was offered an acting job, which she accepted as a way to pay for a place to sleep at night. Nowadays, McGowan has left acting and works as a social justice activist.
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry saved up all his money ($12,000) to put on the autobiographical play I Know I’ve Been Changed. Unfortunately, only about 30 people came to see the production. The show failed twice more, resulting in Tyler living out of his car so he could continue to finance the show.
After roughly three months of homelessness, things finally turned around for Tyler as his play gained traction. Now the very street that he was homeless on in Atlanta, Georgia, has a sign that reads “Tyler Perry Studios.”
Halle Berry
Halle Berry’s career began in New York, where she worked as a model. However, modeling doesn’t pay much for those just starting out and Halle soon found herself in financial trouble. She asked her mom to send her some money but was turned down.
The actress ended up living in a homeless shelter but doesn’t resent her mother’s decision not to bail her out. “Shelter life was part of figuring it out for a minute.” Eventually, Halle got a waitressing job to hold her over until her acting career took off.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Today, Dwayne Johnson is one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood. However, there was a time when his family was evicted from home after home. The Rock turned to theft in order to help his family pay their bills and had been to jail eight times by the time he turned 17.
Those hardships are exactly what led Dwayne to become The Rock. “It was about, ‘What can I control with these two hands?’ The only thing I could do was train and build my body.”
Selma Blair
Selma Blair was homeless for a while but seems to be at peace with the choices that led her there. The actress admits to spending money on a Versace dress rather than rent. “I was basically homeless, living in the Salvation Army in New York City.”
She continued, “I was 21 years old, and I saved up all my money [for the designer dress] that I should have saved up for rent at the Salvation Army.” Well, that’s definitely a choice.
