1. Walt Disney
THEN
Walt started off his career as a newspaper editor, and was fired because he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.”
NOW
Walt went on to produce films and founded the infamous Walt Disney Company in 1923 which continues to be successful today.
2. Ellen DeGeneres
THEN
Ellen was a paralegal and an oyster shucker (cleaning and opening oysters).
NOW
She’s now known as one of TVs most successful comedians and talk show hosts.
3. Harrison Ford
THEN
A carpenter.
NOW
Ford has gained worldwide success for starring roles in films such as Han Solo and the Indiana Jones series.
4. Ken Jeong
THEN
A doctor.
NOW
Jeong is both a successful actor and comedian, best known for his role in the television series Community and as an Asian gangster in The Hangover trilogy.
5. Sylvester Stallone
THEN
A deli counter assistant and a lion cage cleaner at the Central Park Zoo (earning $1.12 an hour).
NOW
A successful Hollywood actor, best known for various action roles, particularly his role as Rocky Balboa in the Rocky series.
6. Whoopi Goldberg
THEN
A makeup artist at a funeral parlor. That’s right, she put makeup on dead people!
NOW
Since giving up working with dead bodies, Goldberg pursued a successful career as an actress, comedian, political activist, writer, producer and television host.
7. Bill Murray
THEN
A chestnut salesman.
NOW
A successful American actor and comedian who has received Golden Globes and an Academy Award.
8. Hugh Jackman
THEN
A party clown, and a very bad one at that. Poor Hugh overhead a little girl tell her mum “this clown is terrible, he doesn’t know any tricks.”
NOW
Since focusing his efforts on what he is good at, Jackman has gained international recognition and success for his roles in major films, most recently the cinematic adaption of Les Miserables.
9. JK Rowling
THEN
A secretary at the London office of Amnesty where she was fired for writing instead of working.
NOW
A multi-billionaire who has written one of the most successful book series of all time.
10. Brad Pitt