Prior to rising to fame, some of the world’s most beautiful, wealthiest and most recognizable faces struggled for money. Many were not just poor, they were actually homeless. Of course this is not a part of their lives most like to discuss or broadcast, but it has help make them the people they are today. All eventually turned their lives around, inspiring millions around them (and earning millions in the process), despite starting from nothing. These are the 15 wealthiest celebrities who once had nowhere to sleep but on the streets.
Daniel Craig
With several critically-acclaimed movies under his belt, including James Bond, most fans do not know that Daniel Craig used to sleep on park benches when he was a struggling actor. Between trying to find acting roles, Craig was also trying to find places to sleep. Eventually he landed his first role which got him back on his feet. Luckily, that life is behind him and Craig is now worth an estimated $65 million.
Drew Carey
When Drew Carey was eight years old, his father passed away in Cleveland, Ohio. When Carey got older, he planned a trip to California to visit his brother. His luck ran out in Las Vegas and he ended up homeless. To get by, Carey would sell plasma for $40 and search for change to purchase boxed macaroni and cheese. Eventually he made it to California and started frequenting comedy joints until he was discovered. Today, Carey is worth an estimated $165 million.
Dr. Phil
Dr. Phil McGraw became homeless at age 12 with his father when they lived in a car in Kansas City. At this time, his father was interning as a psychologist. Once he earned his degree, they moved back into a house. McGraw later followed in his father’s footsteps by earning his Ph.D. and joining his father’s psychology practice. In the 1990’s McGraw appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s show where he became a regular, thus kick starting his career. Today, McGraw is worth an estimated $280 million.
Halle Berry
When first moving to Chicago with dreams of becoming an actress, Halle Berry ran out of money and her mother did not send any more money to her. At one point, she could not pay the rent and ended up in a homeless shelter. However, she eventually landed a gig and rose to stardom. Her estimated worth is around $70 million.
Hilary Swank
Hilary moved with her mother to California as a teenager to pursue an acting career. However, prior to landing roles, she and her mother lived in a car and actually stayed in an empty house for several months for shelter. She went on to win two Oscars by the age of 30 and is worth an estimated $40 million.
James Cameron
When writing The Terminator, Director James Cameron could not make ends meet. The situation became so bad, Cameron was living out of his car for a period of time. At that time, he did not care about money. He only cared about directing his screenplay. When pitching the Terminator, production companies liked the script but didn’t want him in charge. He persevered and sold the script to producer Gale Anne Hurd for $1 and she named him director. Cameron is now worth $700 million.
Jewel
After being fired from her job because she wouldn’t agree to sleep with her boss, she ended up homeless for a month. She has bad kidneys so she could not hold down another job due to constant illness. Without insurance, she almost died in the parking lot of an emergency room. After medical attention she returned to singing and is now worth an estimated $30 million.
Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey dropped out of high school as a teenager and lived in a Volkswagen bus with his family who would change locations regularly in Canada. Eventually the family moved onto his sister’s lawn in a tent and the van in the driveway. He developed his sense of humor during these tough times and went on to major roles. Carrey is now worth an estimated $150 million.
Kelly Clarkson
Prior to breaking into singing as the first American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson lived out of her car when her Los Angeles apartment burned down. She eventually found new accommodations, auditioned for American Idol and the rest is history. Clarkson is worth an estimated $28 million.
Sam Worthington
At the time Sam Worthington was auditioning for the leading role in Avatar, he was living out of the car he purchased for $2,000 by selling all of his possessions. After landing the role on Avatar, now Worthington is worth an estimated $12 million with a bright career ahead of him. Plus James Cameron announced 4 Avatar sequels recently so Worthington will be working for quite a while.
Shania Twain
When Shania Twain was 14 years old in 1979, her mother and three siblings drove over 400 miles to a shelter in Toronto, Canada to remain warm. However, Twain never gave up hope and continued to perfect her singing skills which lead to her to be the amazing country star you see today. Twain is worth an estimated $350 million.
Steve Harvey
As Steve Harvey was starting out as a comedian during the late 1980’s, several gigs fell through and he ended up homeless. Harvey lived in a 1976 Ford Tempo for three years, washing up in gas stations, swimming pool showers and hotel bathrooms. Around that three-year mark, he was requested to appear on “Showtime at the Apollo” which was his big break. Harvey is now worth over $100 million.
Suze Orman
Emmy award-winning financial adviser, Suze Orman, whose portfolio includes multiple New York Times bestsellers, did not have the money to move out of her van in the 1970’s. For two months, Orman worked at a job clearing trees for $3.50 per hour while living out of her van. Today, Orman is worth an estimated $35 million.
Sylvester Stallone
After being evicted from his New York City apartment, Sylvester Stallone became homeless and could be found sleeping in the New York City Port Authority bus station. In 1970, he saw a casting notice for a soft-core pornography film called, “The Party at Kitty and Stud’s.” Stallone accepted the role and made $200 which got him back on his feet. Today, Stallone is worth an estimated $400 million.
William Shatner
When Star Trek was eliminated from the television lineup in the late 1960’s, William Shatner was living out of his pickup truck one summer while working at a stock theater on the East Coast. He worked his way back up to the top and is now worth an estimated $300 million.
