Celebrities Who Used To Wait Tables

Celebrities Who Used to Wait Tables

Plenty of waiters and waitresses are hoping for their big break, and some of the world's biggest celebrities once made a living waiting tables, tending bar, or serving fast food. 

Gwen Stefani

Once upon a time, No Doubt's Gwen Stefani earned her paycheck by working at an Orange County Dairy Queen. 

Gwyneth Paltrow

Before making it big, Paltrow worked as a waitress, and she told The Independent that her nightly tips averaged about $11. 

James Franco

After dropping out of UCLA, Franco took a job at the drive-thru at a Los Angeles McDonald's, and took it as an opportunity to practice foreign accents on female customers. 

Jennifer Aniston

After moving to New York to jump-start her acting career, Aniston worked at a burger joint called Jackson Hole. "I dropped more than one Alpine burger in customers' laps, and you just do not want all of that Swiss cheese and mushrooms in your pants," she told Marie Claire. "I wasn't a good waitress, but I was told that I was very nice and charming, so people liked me anyway."

Julianne Moore

After graduating from Boston University with a performing arts degree, Moore waitressed at night while auditioning during the day. "I was a good waitress, because if you ask me to do a job, I'll do it, no matter what it is," she told the Daily Mail.

Madonna

After dropping out of college and moving to New York with dreams of stardom and $35 in her pocket, Madonna paid the bills by working behind the counter at a Dunkin' Donuts. 

Marisa Tomei

Back in the 1980s, Tomei earned her paycheck by waiting tables at an outpost of Tony Roma's in her native Brooklyn. 

Renée Zellweger

After graduating from the University of Texas, actress Renée Zellweger worked as a cocktail waitress at an Austin strip club called Sugar's Go-Go Bar. 

Russell Crowe

Before striking it rich, Crowe paid the bills by waiting tables, tending bar, and even calling bingo numbers. 

Sandra Bullock

Before becoming famous, Bullock spent time as a bartender and cocktail waitress in New York.