It’s easy to forget that celebrities had to pay their bills before their names started appearing on movie posters, album covers, and magazine headlines. Some spent years working regular shifts, dealing with customers, cleaning up after other people, or trying to make ends meet while chasing completely different dreams. A few even had jobs that sound almost impossible to associate with their public image today. And while their early careers didn’t necessarily predict what would come next, they offer a fun reminder that plenty of famous people once had very ordinary working days, just like everyone else.IMDbBarack Obama | Ice Cream ScooperBefore entering politics, Obama worked at a Baskin-Robbins in Honolulu, where he scooped ice cream and served customers during his teenage years.cnx.cmd.push(function() {cnx({playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530",}).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796");});IMDbJulia Roberts | Ice Cream ScooperBefore becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Roberts also worked at Baskin-Robbins, serving ice cream during her teenage years.IMDbLady Gaga | Restaurant WaitressBefore becoming a global pop star, Gaga worked as a waitress at a Greek restaurant in New York, serving customers while pursuing her music ambitions.IMDbCarrie Underwood | Gas Station CashierLong before winning American Idol and becoming a country music star, Underwood worked as a cashier at a gas station in OklahomaIMDbAmy Adams | Hooters WaitressBefore her Hollywood breakthrough, Adams worked as a waitress at Hooters when she was 18, and also had a job as a greeter at a Gap store in Atlanta.IMDbRachel McAdams | McDonald’s EmployeeThe Mean Girls actress worked at McDonald’s in Canada for three years, alongside her siblings, and once admitted she wasn’t exactly the restaurant’s best employee.IMDbJames Franco | McDonald’s EmployeeWhile trying to establish himself as an actor, Franco worked at McDonald’s, where he served customers and gained experience in the fast food industry.IMDbJennifer Hudson | Burger King EmployeeBefore winning an Oscar and becoming a successful singer, Hudson worked at Burger King, joining the long list of future celebrities who once had fast food jobs.IMDbQueen Latifah | Burger King EmployeeThe rapper and actress also worked at Burger King before her entertainment career took off, earning money while pursuing her ambitions in music.IMDbMatthew McConaughey | Bank EmployeeDuring an exchange student stay in Australia, McConaughey worked at a bank, long before becoming the Oscar-winning actor audiences know today.IMDbBruce Dern | Taxi DriverWhile studying acting in New York, Dern worked as a cab driver to support himself, spending his days navigating city streets before becoming a respected Hollywood actor.IMDbMichael Fassbender | Bartender and Truck LoaderBefore becoming an established actor, Fassbender worked as a bartender and unloaded trucks while attending acting school.IMDbBarkhad Abdi | Limousine DriverBefore his breakout performance in Captain Phillips, Abdi worked as a limousine driver in Minneapolis and had previously held a job at Target.IMDbLupita Nyong’o | Production AssistantBefore winning an Academy Award, Nyong’o worked behind the scenes as a production assistant on the 2004 film The Constant GardenerIMDbMeghan Markle | Freelance CalligrapherBefore becoming internationally famous, Markle used her handwriting skills to work as a freelance calligrapher, creating invitations and handwritten correspondence for clients.The post 15 Celebrities and Their Surprisingly Ordinary Pre-Fame Jobs appeared first on Den of Geek.