13 successful people who got their start working in fast food

Áine Cain,Erin McDowellJul 11, 2024, 23:03 IST

Barack Obama worked at Baskin-Robbins scooping ice cream before becoming president.Larry Downing/Reuters

Many celebrities, politicians, and entrepreneurs got their start working in fast-food chains.
Jeff Bezos said working the grill at McDonald's taught him responsibility.

Would you be shocked to learn that many successful entrepreneurs and celebrities once made money flipping burgers?

From Jeff Bezos to Brad Pitt and Barack Obama, these celebrities prove that even the most successful people can have humble beginnings — and learn a lot of valuable lessons from working at fast-food chains.

Here are 13 successful people who got their start working in fast food.

Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos got his start working the grill at McDonald's.

Jeff Bezos worked at McDonald's as a teenager.Amy Harris/Invision/AP

When she was just starting out, Rachel McAdams also worked at McDonald's.

Rachel McAdams said she wasn't a great employee at McDonald's.Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Barack Obama scooped ice cream at Baskin-Robbins in high school.

Barack Obama said working at Baskin-Robbins taught him responsibility.Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

Before making it, Madonna worked at Dunkin' Donuts in Times Square.

Madonna said she was fired from Dunkin'.Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Brad Pitt dressed up as a chicken when he worked at El Pollo Loco.

Brad Pitt was once a restaurant mascot.BERTRAND GUAY/AFP/Getty Images

Jay Leno got his start slicing potatoes at the Golden Arches.

Jay Leno worked at McDonald's for two years.Paul Hawthorne / Getty Images

Queen Latifah's first job was at Burger King when she was 15 years old.

Queen Latifah worked at her local Burger King.Paras Griffin/Getty Images

Pink once worked in the drive-thru at McDonald's.

Pink worked at McDonald's as a teenager.Burak Cingi/Redferns

Before he founded Def Jam, Russell Simmons made $2.25 an hour working behind the counter at Orange Julius.

Russell Simmons didn't last long at Orange Julius.Jerritt Clark/Getty Images

Gwen Stefani's job at Dairy Queen led to the formation of her hit band No Doubt.

Gwen Stefani worked at Dairy Queen.Theo Wargo/WireImage

Eva Longoria worked at Wendy's before making it big as an actor.

Eva Longoria worked at Wendy's to pay for her quinceañera.Samir Hussein/Getty Images

Megan Fox dressed up as a giant banana when she worked at Tropical Smoothie Café.

Megan Fox worked at a Tropical Smoothie Cafe as a teen.REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Jennifer Hudson said her "first and only real job was working at Burger King."

Jennifer Hudson worked at a drive-thru.John Shearer/WireImage/Getty Images

I made eggplant Parmesan using recipes from 3 celebrity chefs. The best one was worth the extra time and effort.

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