Australian celebrities’ first jobs before fame
These Australian celebrities may have made it big in Hollywood but they all started out like many other job hunters — working everyday jobs before becoming famous actors.
From Chris Hemsworth and Margot Robbie to Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett, these local superstars started out small, developing skills that would help them in their chosen careers.
While a few may have gone directly into acting, many others worked jobs far removed from the arts industry.
These roles helped them learn how to communicate with others, work in different environments and develop a strong work ethic.
Leah Lambart, Career Coach at Relaunch Me, says first-time casual jobs help people learn what they like or don’t like before they decide on their careers and also teaches them how to work as part of a team.
“Casual jobs are like a career experiment — they help people understand themselves better, what motivates them and the work that suits them best,” Lambart says.
She says it helps develop people skills but also demonstrates to future employers their willingness to work hard.
“Interacting with people is just an amazing skill to learn,” Ms Lambart says.
“You develop the ability to communicate with people from all different types of backgrounds … and also learn how to manage conflict.”
SEEK’s salary pages show that hourly rates for various casual or part-time roles differ. A Retail Sales Assistant might earn $25-$35 an hour, while Bartenders and Bakers could get between $30-$40 an hour.
Here is a breakdown of 9 well-known Australian celebrities and the first jobs they had before rising to fame.
1. Chris Hemsworth
Years before he took on his most famous role as Thor in the Marvel movie franchise, Hemsworth used to repair and clean breast pumps for pharmacies.
His first job was with a white goods company that supplied these products, but he also worked in construction and landscaping, as well as at a cattle station — more physical than his first job.
Hemsworth’s early jobs helped him learn how to work alone and as part of a team, which are important traits in the workforce.
2. Margot Robbie
The Barbie star did a variety of casual jobs before her big acting break, initially working at Subway in Queensland during her teens.
She has also worked in kitchens, behind the bar in restaurants, and spent two years working in retail.
These roles helped Robbie learn how to communicate with a wide range of people and also how to deal with conflict resolution.
3. Nicole Kidman
Alongside her early acting career, Kidman trained as a remedial massage therapist to support her mother through breast cancer treatment — skills she still uses today.
Learning a skill through formal or on-the-job training is always a benefit for any job seeker.
4. Hugh Jackman
Before pursuing acting, Jackman worked as a clown, and taught physical education in England. Both roles required performance skills and connecting with audiences — foundations he’d later build his career on.
5. Rebel Wilson
While working towards an acting career, Wilson took on jobs as a junior dog handler and cinema worker. These roles required engaging with the public and staying composed under pressure — the exact type of skills a performer may draw on.
6. Cate Blanchett
Blanchett’s first jobs included aged care work and behind-the-scenes theatre roles as an extra, stagehand and makeup assistant. Working with nursing home residents developed her emotional intelligence, while backstage work taught her to see performances from every perspective.
7. Eric Bana
Bana worked as a bartender at Melbourne’s Castle Hotel while building his stand-up comedy career. The job kept him sharp, taught him to work with a crowd and helped pay the bills while he developed his craft.
8. Naomi Watts
Watts’s first jobs included delivering newspapers and working in retail. Watts learned how to develop good customer service and how to manage people — skills that came in handy in her later career.
9. Liam Hemsworth
Hemsworth’s first job was working as a baker at Bakers Delight before working at a bowling alley. He showed he wasn’t afraid of learning how to work hard but also showed a willingness to work different hours. This helped prepare him for the unpredictable hours he works in the acting industry.
Lambart says that during the recruitment process, companies often prioritise people who have worked in casual or part-time jobs, particularly in retail and hospitality, due to the transferable skills they have developed in these roles. So it’s important not to undervalue your first job.
Whether you’re delivering newspapers, working behind a bar or serving customers, your first job is building more than just your bank balance. It’s developing the foundation for your entire career.
