Celebrities often seem larger than life, but behind their glamorous facades lie incredible and unexpected stories. From musicians with surprising past lives to actors who narrowly avoided different paths, these stars have lived fascinating lives that are just as captivating as their on-screen performances. Here are ten surprising celebrity facts that will reveal a whole new side to some of your favorite stars.
1. Martin Luther King Jr. Covered Julia Roberts’s Birth Hospital Bill
When Julia Roberts was born on October 28, 1967, civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King paid for her hospital expenses.
Roberts’s parents, Betty Lou and Walter Grady Roberts, ran an acting school in Georgia that welcomed the King children at a time when segregation limited opportunities for Black kids. In gratitude, the Kings covered the costs for Julia’s birth.
2. Dr. Ruth Was Once a Sniper
Long before becoming a world-famous sex therapist, Dr. Ruth Westheimer trained as a sniper in the Israeli army during the War of Independence.
A Holocaust survivor, she moved to Israel and joined the Haganah, a paramilitary organization. Though she never had to shoot anyone, Dr. Ruth was known for her sharp shooting skills.
3. Simon Cowell’s First Gig Was Polishing Jack Nicholson’s Axe
Before rising to fame as a judge on American Idol and The X Factor, Simon Cowell started at the bottom of the entertainment industry.
One of his earliest jobs was as a runner on the set of The Shining, where one of his tasks was to polish the axe Jack Nicholson used in the famous “Here’s Johnny” scene.
4. Elvis Presley Was a Natural Blond
Elvis Presley, famously recognized for his signature jet-black hair, was actually born a natural blond. In the early stages of his career, he embraced his blond locks, but soon sought a more striking look to match his rising rock ‘n’ roll persona.
To achieve this, Elvis initially used black shoe polish to dye his hair before transitioning to professional hair dye. This bold change became an iconic part of his image, solidifying his unique style and making his dark hair as legendary as his music.
5. Vangelis, the Composer of Chariots of Fire, Cannot Read Music
Vangelis, the Greek composer behind the legendary score for Chariots of Fire and Blade Runner, achieved worldwide fame without ever learning to read or write music.
He relied entirely on his ear and intuition to compose, joining the ranks of other iconic musicians like Jimi Hendrix who also couldn’t read music.
6. Christopher Walken Worked as a Lion Tamer
Before becoming a Hollywood star, Christopher Walken worked as an assistant lion tamer in a traveling circus when he was 16.
He helped the lead tamer with a lioness named Sheba, who he described as a “sweetheart” that performed tricks alongside him.
7. David Lynch Almost Directed a Star Wars Movie
David Lynch, known for his surreal films like Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive, was offered the chance to direct Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.
After meeting with George Lucas, however, Lynch realized his unique style didn’t align with Lucas’s vision for the film. Instead, Lynch directed Dune, another major sci-fi movie.
8. Martin Luther King Jr. Was a Big Star Trek Fan
In addition to his pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. was a huge fan of Star Trek. He was particularly fond of Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura, one of the first Black women on television in a leadership role.
When Nichols considered leaving the show, King convinced her to stay, emphasizing the importance of her groundbreaking role.
9. Harrison Ford Became Han Solo by Chance
Harrison Ford wasn’t originally in the running to play Han Solo in Star Wars. He was working as a carpenter when he was hired to build cabinets for George Lucas.
After seeing Ford read lines with other actors during auditions, Lucas realized Ford was perfect for the role, and the rest is history.
10. Steve Buscemi Was a New York City Firefighter
Before achieving fame as an actor, Steve Buscemi served as a firefighter in New York City. He worked with the FDNY for four years before moving on to acting.
Following the 9/11 attacks, Buscemi returned to his firehouse to work alongside his former colleagues, demonstrating his enduring dedication to the profession.
