Hollywood Stars Who Were Homeless Before They Became Famous

Tiffany Haddish

After being emancipated from foster care, Tiffany Haddish experienced homelessness while pursuing comedy. She lived out of her car, keeping her belongings inside and timing her arrival to venues so others wouldn't notice. Fellow comedian Kevin Hart noticed her situation and gave her $300, urging her to set goals and find housing for the short term.

Sylvester Stallone

Before his breakthrough with Rocky, Sylvester Stallone lived in New York on minimal income. He earned $39 a week and sometimes slept at the Port Authority Bus Terminal or outside post offices during winter, relying on one heavy coat to stay warm. In desperation, he sold his dog Butkus for $40 to afford food.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez became temporarily homeless after leaving home due to disagreements with her mother over her decision to pursue dance instead of college. She slept on the sofa at her dance studio in New York while training. Within months, she secured a dancing job in Europe. Upon returning, she booked In Living Color as a Fly Girl, leading to her relocation to Los Angeles and the beginning of her entertainment career.

Chris Pratt

After high school, Chris Pratt moved to Maui at a friend’s invitation and lived on the beach. He stayed in a van and camped with friends for about a year, working minimal hours at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company to afford food and fuel. While he described it as camping rather than destitution, he lived without permanent housing or stability. With only $60 to his name, he eventually left Maui after being offered his first acting role in Los Angeles.

Drew Carey

In his late teens, Drew Carey became homeless while travelling from Ohio to California to visit his brother. He ended up in Las Vegas, where he lived without housing and survived by selling plasma for $40 and searching for spare change to buy boxed macaroni and cheese. He later said these experiences of desperation shaped his perspective before achieving success as a comedian, actor, and game show host.

Rose McGowan

After becoming emancipated at 15, Rose McGowan lived with limited resources and stayed in a back room of a friend’s home in Hollywood with only 25 cents to her name. She faced homelessness and described herself as focused solely on survival. With no stable housing, she eventually lived with an older man out of necessity.

William Shatner

After Star Trek ended, William Shatner experienced financial difficulties during the early 1970s. Newly divorced and with three children, he took theatre work on the East Coast but could not afford lodging. He lived out of a pickup truck fitted with a camper shell. Despite being known for Star Trek, he was without stable housing during this period until his career gradually recovered through stage and television work.

Tyler Perry

Before gaining success as a playwright and filmmaker, Tyler Perry spent three months living in a Geo Metro car. He had invested his savings into staging his play I Know I've Been Changed, which initially failed. Financially drained, he lived in his vehicle while trying to relaunch the production. The play eventually gained traction, touring from 1998 to 2000, and paved the way for his future success in theatre and film.

Sidney Poitier

At age 15, Sidney Poitier moved to New York City with only $3. Working as a dishwasher, he sometimes slept in public bathroom stalls, paying a nickel to enter pay toilets where he sat on the seat with his feet braced against the door. These hardships occurred during his early attempts to pursue acting before he received formal opportunities that led to his acclaimed career in film.

Halle Berry

In her early twenties, after moving to New York to pursue acting, Halle Berry ran out of money. When she asked her mother for financial help and was refused, she stayed in a homeless shelter. She later said that this experience taught her self-reliance and determination. Despite limited means, she continued pursuing auditions and remained committed to her career goals.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

During his childhood, Dwayne Johnson experienced housing insecurity after his family was evicted while living in Honolulu. They were forced to leave the island and later lived in a motel in Tennessee. In a speech, he recalled witnessing his mother cry over an eviction notice and understanding the instability of not having a permanent home.

Selma Blair

In her early twenties, Selma Blair prioritised buying a Versace dress over saving for rent. As a result, she lived at the Salvation Army in New York City. She described herself as “basically homeless” during this time but still focused on fashion and personal goals. This brief period of homelessness occurred before she secured consistent acting work in television and film.

James Cameron

While writing The Terminator, James Cameron lived out of his car due to financial hardship. Unable to secure directing opportunities despite interest in his script, he struggled to earn a living. Determined to direct the film himself, he sold the rights to producer Gale Anne Hurd for $1 on the condition that he would direct. His period of homelessness ended shortly before production began on the film.

Shania Twain

As a child, Shania Twain lived in an abusive household and experienced homelessness with her mother and siblings. They stayed in a Toronto homeless shelter. She recalled her mother writing down the address of the shelter before they entered. These events, described in her memoir, occurred before she began pursuing music professionally and later achieved commercial success.

Daniel Craig

Before his acting career took off, Daniel Craig struggled financially while living in London. He reportedly waited tables and at times slept on park benches. These periods of temporary homelessness occurred as he pursued stage and film roles. Eventually, his persistence led to his breakthrough and later success in major films, including the James Bond franchise.

Kelly Clarkson

Before auditioning for American Idol, Kelly Clarkson experienced homelessness after her Los Angeles apartment was damaged by fire. Unable to find work, she lived in her car temporarily. She eventually returned to Texas, where she decided to audition for American Idol. She later became the show’s first winner, launching her music career.

Ella Fitzgerald

As a teenage runaway, Ella Fitzgerald experienced homelessness before her debut at the Apollo Theater in 1934. She lived on the streets for a period, surviving without stable shelter. Her performance at the Apollo marked the beginning of her career, which later included multiple Grammy Awards and national recognition.

Kelsey Grammer

While attending The Juilliard School on scholarship, Kelsey Grammer worked two jobs but still couldn’t afford stable housing. For several weeks, he slept in a park, finding a hidden spot behind bushes and covering himself with newspapers. He used Juilliard’s facilities to shower. Although the period was brief, it occurred during his early training, before his long-running success on stage and television.

Suze Orman

In the early 1973, Suze Orman moved to Berkeley, California, and lived in her van because she couldn’t afford rent. For two months, she worked clearing trees for $3.50 an hour while living out of the vehicle with a friend. This was before she entered the financial industry. She eventually became a bestselling author and well-known financial advisor.

Sam Worthington

Before his breakthrough role in Avatar, Sam Worthington relocated to the United States from Australia and struggled to find housing. He lived in his car and stayed on friends’ couches and occasionally at a friend’s mother’s home. During this time, he auditioned for acting roles while living with minimal stability. He later stated that such experiences prepared him for future challenges in his career.

Natasha Lyonne

In the early 2000s, Natasha Lyonne faced homelessness due to addiction issues. After receiving a DUI in 2001 and being removed from her Gramercy Park residence, she lived without stable housing. She later required treatment for various health complications, including hepatitis C and a heart infection. Despite this, she rebuilt her career through acting and production, including her work on Russian Doll.