Celebrities often seem larger than life, but behind the glitz and glamour, they have lived extraordinary and unexpected lives. From famous musicians with surprising past careers to actors who narrowly avoided different paths, these stars have stories that are just as fascinating as their performances. Here are ten celebrity facts that will surprise you and show a different side to some of your favorite famous faces.
Martin Luther King Jr. Paid the Hospital Bill for Julia Roberts’s Birth
When Julia Roberts was born on October 28, 1967, civil rights icons Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King covered the hospital bill. The Kings had become close friends with Roberts’s parents, Betty Lou and Walter Grady Roberts, who ran an acting school in Georgia.
The school welcomed the King children at a time when segregation still made it difficult for Black children to find such opportunities. In gratitude for their kindness, the Kings paid the hospital expenses for Julia’s birth.
Dr. Ruth Was a Trained Sniper
Long before she became the world-renowned sex therapist, Dr. Ruth Westheimer was trained as a sniper in the Israeli army during the War of Independence. Born in Germany, she escaped the Holocaust as a child and later emigrated to Israel, where she joined the Haganah, a Jewish paramilitary organization. Although she never had to shoot anyone, Dr. Ruth was known for her exceptional marksmanship.
Simon Cowell Polished Jack Nicholson’s Axe on the Set of ‘The Shining’
Before Simon Cowell became a household name as a judge on talent shows like American Idol and The X Factor, he started his career at the bottom of the entertainment industry ladder.
One of his early jobs was as a runner on the set of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining at Elstree Studios in London. One of his tasks was to polish the infamous axe used by Jack Nicholson in the legendary “Here’s Johnny” scene.
Elvis Presley Was Actually a Blond
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, is widely recognized for his iconic jet-black hair. However, this look was not natural; Elvis was born a blond. In his early career, he even used black shoe polish to dye his hair, a practice he continued as he transitioned to professional hair dye to maintain his signature style.
Vangelis, Composer of ‘Chariots of Fire,’ Cannot Read Music
Vangelis, the Greek composer best known for his Oscar-winning score for Chariots of Fire and the iconic soundtrack for Blade Runner, achieved his legendary status without being able to read or write music.
He relied on his ear and intuition to create his groundbreaking compositions, joining the ranks of other famous musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Luciano Pavarotti, who also couldn’t read music.
Christopher Walken Used to Work as a Lion Tamer
Christopher Walken, known for his distinctive voice and unique acting style, has had quite an unusual past. At age 16, he worked as an assistant lion tamer in a traveling circus.
He helped the head tamer, Terrel Jacobs, with a lioness named Sheba. Walken has fond memories of the experience and has said in interviews that Sheba was a “sweet” lioness who helped him perform tricks.
David Lynch Was Set to Direct a ‘Star Wars’ Movie
David Lynch, the mind behind surreal films like Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive, was once considered to direct Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Lynch met with George Lucas to discuss the project, but after hearing Lucas’s vision, he realized that his style wouldn’t be a good fit for the space saga. Lynch went on to direct Dune instead, another epic science fiction film.
Martin Luther King Jr. Was a Huge ‘Star Trek’ Fan
Beyond his work as a leader in the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. was an avid fan of the original Star Trek series. He particularly admired Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Nyota Uhura, one of the first Black women on American television in a role of authority. When Nichols considered leaving the show, King personally encouraged her to stay, emphasizing the importance of her representation on screen.
Harrison Ford Landed the Role of Han Solo by Sheer Dumb Luck
Harrison Ford wasn’t initially considered for the role of Han Solo in Star Wars. At the time, Ford was working as a carpenter and was hired to build cabinets for George Lucas’s office.
Lucas was impressed by Ford’s presence and asked him to read lines with other actors auditioning for the film. Ford’s natural charisma led Lucas to cast him as the now-iconic smuggler, Han Solo.
Steve Buscemi Used to Be a Firefighter
Before his acting career took off, Steve Buscemi was a firefighter in New York City. He served in the FDNY’s Engine 55 in Little Italy for four years starting in 1980. Following the September 11 attacks, Buscemi returned to his old firehouse and worked 12-hour shifts for several days to help with the rescue efforts, showing that he never forgot his roots despite his success in Hollywood.
