While many famous actors, musicians and athletes concentrate solely on their careers, some refuse to be limited to one profession. They channel their creativity, skills and passions into surprising second careers or side businesses that reveal new facets of their personalities and interests.
Some celebrities choose to keep their secondary work low-key—David Lee Roth, for example, worked as an emergency medical technician in New York City—while others leverage their fame to launch and grow commercial ventures, like Gwen Stefani and George Clooney. These side hustles often align with what the person studied, trained for, or developed as a personal passion.
Below are 14 well-known figures and the intriguing businesses or pursuits they added to their professional lives.
Bono and The Edge, Hoteliers
The U2 frontman Bono and guitarist The Edge invested in hospitality, becoming part owners of the Clarence Hotel in Dublin in 1992 as members of a consortium. They poured millions into renovations and supported the business through financial ups and downs. Although they stepped down as company directors in 2013, they maintained ownership until October 2023. The hotel ultimately returned to profitability and remains a notable example of musicians expanding into real estate and hospitality.
David Lee Roth, Emergency Medical Technician
David Lee Roth, best known as the charismatic lead singer of Van Halen, also explored life outside rock stardom. Before his music career took off he worked as a surgical orderly, and in 2004 he earned certification as an emergency medical technician (EMT). Roth worked as an EMT in New York City for about two years while continuing to pursue projects in music and radio. His EMT stint stands out as a genuine hands-on service role that contrasts with his image as a performing rock star.
Soleil Moon Frye, Children’s Clothing and Party Decor Entrepreneur
Soleil Moon Frye, known for her role in the TV series Punky Brewster, turned her interest in parenting and sustainable living into a business. In 2007 she launched Little Seed, an eco-friendly children’s clothing line producing garments made from organic cotton and low-impact dyes. Originally operating from Los Angeles, the brand is now primarily online. Frye also co-founded a company that sells curated party-decor kits and has authored books and hosted programs that focus on parenting, crafting and family life.
George Clooney, Tequila Entrepreneur
George Clooney parlayed his public profile into a lucrative spirits venture. Alongside friend Rande Gerber, he launched Casamigos, a tequila brand that quickly grew into an international success. Clooney’s celebrity certainly helped raise the brand’s profile, and in 2017 Casamigos was acquired by Diageo for $1 billion. Even after the sale, Clooney and Gerber remained involved with quality control—reportedly tasting every batch before bottling—demonstrating how a personal passion can evolve into a major consumer brand.
Tom Selleck, Avocado Farmer
Tom Selleck, long recognized for roles such as Thomas Magnum on Magnum, P.I. and Frank Reagan on Blue Bloods, also manages a 60-acre avocado ranch in California. With roughly 2,100 trees, Selleck is a commercial grower who says agricultural work helps him unwind from the pressures of acting. His hands-on involvement exemplifies how an outdoor, physically engaging pursuit can serve as both a business and a personal retreat.
Erykah Badu, Doula and Birth Advocate
Grammy-winning musician Erykah Badu is known for blending jazz, R&B, soul and hip-hop into a distinct musical identity. Offstage, she trained as a doula and has worked supporting natural childbirths, assisting mothers and midwives. Badu has also been involved with the International Center for Traditional Childbearing and earned certification related to midwifery. Beyond birth work, she supports arts education programs for underserved youth, blending activism with community service.
Chris Colfer, Children’s Author
Actor and singer Chris Colfer, who rose to fame on the television series Glee, expanded into writing and filmmaking. He wrote and produced the feature Struck by Lightning and became a New York Times best-selling author with his Land of Stories series for children. Colfer plans to adapt his books into films, taking on writing and directing duties, showing how creative storytelling can cross mediums from screen to page and back again.
Justin Timberlake, Serial Entrepreneur
Justin Timberlake’s pursuits beyond music and acting include several entrepreneurial ventures. He co-founded the fashion label William Rast, launched the Tennman Records label, and opened restaurants in New York and Los Angeles. An avid golfer, Timberlake also developed an eco-friendly golf course that he later sold. His diverse business interests highlight a pattern of musicians branching into fashion, hospitality and lifestyle brands.
James Franco, Teacher and Writer
James Franco describes himself as a “professional student” and has pursued extensive academic and creative work alongside his acting career. He earned an MFA in writing and enrolled in advanced English studies, while also teaching film and screenwriting courses at institutions including USC, UCLA and through online platforms. Franco has published short story and poetry collections and exhibited paintings, demonstrating a blend of academic study, teaching and creative output.
Gwyneth Paltrow, Lifestyle Entrepreneur
Gwyneth Paltrow launched GOOP as a weekly newsletter in 2008; it has since grown into a full-fledged lifestyle company selling wellness products, publishing a print magazine, producing a podcast and hosting wellness summits. Paltrow has authored cookbooks and co-produced lifestyle programming, positioning GOOP as a major example of a celebrity building a brand around health, travel and design.
Gwen Stefani, Fashion Designer
Before launching L.A.M.B. in 2003, Gwen Stefani learned garment-making from a family steeped in sewing and design. Her debut solo album title—Love. Angel. Music. Baby.—inspired the L.A.M.B. name. The fashion line offers clothing and a range of accessories including shoes, handbags, eyewear and watches, illustrating how a musician with a passion for fashion can develop a successful retail brand.
Paul Newman, Race Car Driver and Food Entrepreneur
The late Paul Newman had notable pursuits beyond acting, including professional race car driving where he competed successfully in Indy-style events. He also founded Newman’s Own, a food company that donated all profits to charity. Newman’s philanthropy extended to co-founding the Safe Water Network and establishing the SeriousFun Children’s Network, programs that reflect his long-term commitment to social causes alongside business ventures.
LeBron James, School Founder and Entrepreneur
Basketball superstar LeBron James has applied his influence to education and community development. Through the LeBron James Family Foundation, he launched the I Promise School in Akron, Ohio, an initiative aimed at supporting children who need extra academic intervention. James’ foundation and public-school partnership illustrate how athletes can use business acumen and celebrity influence to create social programs and institutional change.
Jessica Alba, Ethical Consumer Products Founder
Actress Jessica Alba co-founded The Honest Company after becoming frustrated with the lack of natural, non-toxic cleaning and baby products. The Honest Company began with eco-friendly household and baby items and has since expanded into personal care, vitamins and subscription services. Alba’s focus on ethical product development helped create a consumer brand positioned around transparency, safety and sustainability.
These examples show how celebrities translate personal interests, social commitments and business instincts into successful second careers. Whether in hospitality, food and beverage, fashion, education, sustainable products or community advocacy, their side ventures often reflect authentic passions and can have lasting cultural or philanthropic impact.