Famous People’s Surprising Side Jobs and Second Careers

While many well-known actors, musicians and athletes focus exclusively on their careers, a number of celebrities have pursued notable second professions or side ventures. Driven by curiosity, personal interests or a desire to give back, these public figures have turned their skills, experiences and passions into businesses or roles outside the spotlight.

Some choose to keep their secondary work low-profile—David Lee Roth, for example, served as an emergency medical technician in New York City—while others leverage their fame to build brands and grow businesses, as Gwen Stefani and George Clooney have done. Often these side endeavors reflect formal training, skills developed over time or hobbies that evolved into full-fledged enterprises.

Below are 14 famous people and the intriguing second careers or ventures they pursued.

Bono and The Edge, Hoteliers

Members of the Irish rock band U2 branched into hospitality in the early 1990s. In 1992 Bono and The Edge joined a consortium that bought Dublin’s Clarence Hotel. They invested heavily in renovations and covered losses through difficult financial periods. Although they stepped down as directors in 2013, they remained owners until October 2023. The hotel has since returned to profitability, and their involvement demonstrated how artists can diversify into real estate and hospitality.

David Lee Roth, Emergency Medical Technician

Best known as Van Halen’s flamboyant frontman, David Lee Roth has an unexpected medical background. Before his music career took off he worked as a surgical orderly, and in 2004 he became a certified emergency medical technician. Roth worked as an EMT in New York City for roughly two years before shifting back to music and broadcasting. He also authored a bestselling memoir, “Crazy from the Heat.”

Soleil Moon Frye, Children’s Clothing and Party Decorations Entrepreneur

Actor and writer Soleil Moon Frye, known for starring in the series “Punky Brewster,” has built a business life centered on parenting and sustainable products. In 2007 she launched Little Seed, an eco-friendly children’s clothing line offering garments made from organic cotton and low-impact dyes. Frye also co-founded a company that sells party decoration kits and has hosted lifestyle programming, reflecting her long-standing interest in family-focused entrepreneurship.

George Clooney, Tequila Entrepreneur

George Clooney expanded from acting and directing into the spirits business when he co-founded Casamigos Tequila with Rande Gerber. The brand grew rapidly—helped by Clooney’s celebrity profile—and was acquired by Diageo in 2017 for about $1 billion. Clooney and Gerber remain involved in quality control, tasting each batch before bottling. Casamigos is a high-profile example of how celebrities can turn endorsements and partnerships into scalable consumer brands.

Tom Selleck, Avocado Farmer

Television star Tom Selleck balances his acting career—best known for Magnum, P.I. and currently seen on Blue Bloods—with life as a commercial avocado farmer. His 60-acre ranch in California supports roughly 2,100 avocado trees. For Selleck, farming is both a business and a restorative, hands-on escape from show business pressures.

Erykah Badu, Doula

Renowned for her distinctive blend of jazz, R&B and soul, Erykah Badu has also trained as a birth doula and earned certification as a midwife. She supports natural childbirths and works with mothers and midwives, while serving as a spokesperson for the International Center for Traditional Childbearing. In addition to her birthwork, Badu runs community arts programs that provide music, dance and theater opportunities for inner-city youth.

Chris Colfer, Writer

Actor and singer Chris Colfer earned fame on the TV series “Glee,” and he has also made his mark as a writer. Colfer is a New York Times bestselling author for his children’s series The Land of Stories, a multi-volume fantasy collection that is being adapted for film with Colfer attached to write and direct. He has also written and produced the coming-of-age film “Struck by Lightning,” showcasing his range across acting, writing and filmmaking.

Justin Timberlake, Serial Entrepreneur

Justin Timberlake’s creative output extends well beyond music and film. He has launched multiple businesses, including the fashion label William Rast and the record label Tennman Records. Timberlake has also opened restaurants—T-Squared Social in New York and Chi in Los Angeles—and once developed an environmentally friendly golf course. His ventures illustrate a broad entrepreneurial spirit across fashion, food and entertainment.

James Franco, Teacher and Writer

James Franco has described himself as a “professional student.” An actor and director known for films like “127 Hours,” he also pursued extensive academic work, earning an MFA in writing from Columbia and engaging in doctoral studies. Franco has taught film and creative writing at universities such as USC and UCLA and has led online classes. He is also a published writer and visual artist, staging gallery shows of his paintings and exhibitions of his creative work.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Lifestyle Entrepreneur

Gwyneth Paltrow launched GOOP in 2008 as a weekly newsletter focused on wellness, lifestyle and personal advice. Over time GOOP evolved into a substantial business offering curated products, a print magazine, a podcast and annual wellness events. Paltrow has also authored cookbooks and hosted travel and culinary programming, turning personal lifestyle interests into a recognizable brand.

Gwen Stefani, Fashion Label Owner

Singer-songwriter Gwen Stefani drew on her early experience with sewing and fashion to launch the L.A.M.B. clothing line in 2003, named after her debut solo album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby. The label sells clothing and accessories including shoes, bags, watches and eyewear. Stefani’s background in design and her public profile helped the brand find an audience beyond the music industry.

Paul Newman, Race Car Driver and Food Entrepreneur

The late Paul Newman combined a high-profile acting career with a passion for motorsports and philanthropy. He competed as a professional race car driver and later founded Newman’s Own, a line of food products that donates all profits to charitable causes. Newman also co-founded organizations focused on safe drinking water and established a global network of camps and programs for children with serious illnesses.

LeBron James, School Founder and Entrepreneur

Considered one of the greatest basketball players of his generation, LeBron James has built a substantial philanthropic and entrepreneurial presence off the court. Through the LeBron James Family Foundation he helped launch the I Promise School in Akron, Ohio, an experimental public school designed to support students who need additional academic intervention. James also ranks among the world’s most influential athletes and invests in ventures that align with education and community development.

Jessica Alba, Ethical Products Entrepreneur

Jessica Alba turned a personal need into a business when she co-founded The Honest Company, after struggling to find safe, non-toxic household and baby products. The Honest Company began with eco-friendly cleaning and baby products and later expanded into beauty, body care, vitamins and subscription services. Alba’s company emphasizes ethical sourcing and transparency, reflecting her focus on family-friendly, safer consumer goods.

These celebrity side ventures show how public figures can translate personal interests, skills and values into diverse second careers—from hospitality and farming to education, wellness and consumer goods. Their projects often reflect a desire to create meaningful impact, build sustainable businesses or simply explore passions outside their primary profession.