Black History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements of Black actors and celebrities who have made it big in their careers. This year, BuzzFeed compiled a list of 15 icons who had regular day jobs before they became famous. From Taraji P. Henson working at the Pentagon with a security clearance to Nicki Minaj serving at Red Lobster and selling fire extinguishers, these stars had humble beginnings.
Denzel Washington started as a garbageman, while Kerry Washington was a substitute teacher in the New York Public School system before landing her big break. Ava Duvernay had a successful career as a film publicist before becoming a director at 32. Even Oprah Winfrey got her start as a local newscaster in Baltimore before her talk show fame.
Other celebrities on the list include Wanda Sykes, Morgan Freeman, Natasha Rothwell, Janelle James, William Stanford Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett, and Craig Robinson. These stories serve as a reminder that success can come at any point in life and that hard work and dedication can lead to great things.
If reading about these celebrities’ early jobs has inspired you or surprised you, share your thoughts in the comments. And for more Black-centered content, be sure to check out how BuzzFeed is celebrating Black History Month and follow Cocoa Butter on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for year-round updates on Black culture content.
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