Actors Who Became Successful After Living on the Streets of Hollywood

The path to stardom is rarely a straight line, and for many celebrated leading men, the journey involved periods of extreme poverty and homelessness. Before securing their breakthrough roles, these individuals faced the harsh reality of sleeping in vehicles, on park benches, or in public shelters while chasing their dreams. Their stories serve as a testament to resilience and the unwavering belief in one’s own potential against overwhelming odds. This collection highlights the male actors who transformed their lives from destitute conditions to becoming some of the most recognized faces in entertainment.

Sylvester Stallone

Before he wrote and starred in the Academy Award-winning film ‘Rocky’ (1976), this action legend struggled severely in New York City. He was forced to sell his dog for food money and spent several nights sleeping at the Port Authority bus terminal because he could not afford rent. His refusal to sell the rights to his screenplay unless he played the lead role eventually paid off, launching a career that has spanned decades. Stallone later bought his dog back after receiving his paycheck for the film that made him a global icon.

Jim Carrey

The rubber-faced comedian known for ‘The Mask’ (1994) endured a difficult transition during his teenage years when his father lost his job. Carrey and his family were forced to live in a Volkswagen camper van and pitch tents at various campsites across Canada. During this period, he worked long hours as a janitor and security guard to help support his family while developing his stand-up routine. This humbling experience shaped the comedic drive that eventually led him to become one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood history.

Steve Harvey

Before becoming a ubiquitous television host and starring in ‘The Steve Harvey Show’ (1996–2002), the entertainer spent three years living in his 1976 Ford Tempo. He used an Igloo cooler as a makeshift refrigerator and washed up in hotel bathrooms or gas stations while traveling to comedy gigs. Harvey survived on bologna sandwiches and the meager earnings from small stand-up shows until he finally caught his big break at the Apollo Theater. His persistence through homelessness laid the foundation for his massive multimedia empire.

Tyler Perry

The creator of the ‘Madea’ franchise risked everything to produce his first stage play in Atlanta. Perry drained his life savings to fund the production and ended up living in his geo metro convertible when the show initially failed to draw an audience. He spent months sleeping in his car and struggling to find food while refining his scripts and refusing to give up on his vision. His determination eventually turned his plays into a phenomenon that allowed him to build one of the largest privately owned studios in the United States.

Chris Pratt

Long before he led the cast of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ (2014), Pratt lived in a van on the island of Maui in Hawaii. He and a friend set up camp near the beach, working minimal hours at a Bubba Gump Shrimp Company restaurant to cover gas and fishing supplies. The actor has described this time fondly as a period of freedom where he had few responsibilities beyond surviving and enjoying the island lifestyle. He was eventually discovered by an actress while waiting tables, which prompted his move to Los Angeles.

John Cena

Upon moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in bodybuilding and entertainment, the future star of ‘Peacemaker’ (2022) quickly ran out of funds. Cena slept in the back seat of his 1991 Lincoln Continental and relied on the free pizza at a local restaurant where they had a relentless eating challenge. He utilized the locker room at his gym for showers and daily hygiene while working during the day. This gritty period preceded his rise as a WWE superstar and his eventual transition into a major Hollywood box office draw.

William Shatner

After the original run of ‘Star Trek’ (1966–1969) was cancelled, the actor who played Captain Kirk found himself typecast and financially destitute. Shatner lived out of a pickup truck with a camper shell in the San Fernando Valley while performing in dinner theaters to make ends meet. He has spoken openly about sleeping in the truck with his dog and cooking food on a small stove during this low point in his career. It took several years before he regained his financial footing and returned to television prominence.

Thomas Jane

The star of ‘The Punisher’ (2004) arrived in Hollywood as a teenager with dreams of acting but no financial safety net. He spent a significant amount of time sleeping on park benches in Los Angeles and occasionally utilized public shelters for food. To survive, Jane performed street music for passersby while attending auditions and looking for stable work. His raw talent eventually caught the eye of casting directors, leading to a steady career in film and television.

Sam Worthington

Before landing the lead role in the highest-grossing film of all time, ‘Avatar’ (2009), Worthington had sold all his possessions. The Australian actor was living in his car and grappling with an existential crisis about his career and life direction. He had no permanent address when he auditioned for James Cameron, a fact that perhaps contributed to the raw intensity he brought to the character of Jake Sully. His casting in the massive blockbuster instantly transformed him from a homeless nomad to an international star.

Jacob Elordi

The Australian actor experienced a harsh welcome to Los Angeles just weeks before booking his breakout role in ‘Euphoria’ (2019–present). Elordi was sleeping in his Mitsubishi on Mulholland Drive because he could not afford a hotel or apartment rental. He often had to make a small amount of money stretch for days while attending auditions and trying to maintain a professional appearance. His fortune changed dramatically when he secured the role of Nate Jacobs, allowing him to finally secure stable housing.

Daniel Craig

Long before he donned the tuxedo as James Bond in ‘Casino Royale’ (2006), Craig faced the struggles common to many aspiring actors in London. He spent nights sleeping on park benches when he could not afford a room and worked part-time in restaurants to scrape by. The actor has noted that this difficult period taught him discipline and the value of hard work in a brutal industry. His persistence eventually led to success in British television before his ascent to global superstardom.

Djimon Hounsou

The Academy Award-nominated actor for ‘Blood Diamond’ (2006) experienced homelessness on the streets of Paris after moving there from Benin. Hounsou slept near bridges and monuments, foraging for food in garbage cans to survive the difficult French winters. His striking appearance eventually led to a chance encounter with a photographer, which launched a modeling career that brought him to America. He transitioned into acting and quickly established himself as a powerful presence in cinema.

Danny Trejo

Trejo’s life before films like ‘Machete’ (2010) was filled with crime, incarceration, and substance abuse which often left him without a home. He spent time in and out of prison and lived on the streets of Los Angeles while battling addiction. After achieving sobriety, he began helping others recover, which accidentally led him onto a movie set where he was offered a role as an extra. His rough past and distinctive look made him an instant favorite for tough-guy roles, turning his life around completely.

Idris Elba

Before starring in ‘The Wire’ (2002–2008), the British actor struggled to find his footing after moving to New York City. Elba lived in his van for a few months and worked odd jobs, including djing and door-to-door sales, to keep himself afloat. The lack of steady acting work nearly caused him to return to the UK before he finally landed his career-defining role as Stringer Bell. His persistence during those cold nights in the van paid off with a prolific career in both film and television.

Drew Carey

The comedian and host of ‘The Price Is Right’ (1972–present) lived in his car for over a year while trying to break into the comedy scene. Carey traveled between Cleveland and Los Angeles, sleeping in his vehicle and shaving in public restrooms before performing at comedy clubs. He often sold his blood plasma to buy meager meals like macaroni and cheese. His dedication to his craft eventually earned him a spot on late-night television, which launched his successful sitcom and hosting career.

David Letterman

Upon arriving in Los Angeles in the 1970s, the future late-night legend lived out of his pickup truck. Letterman wrote comedy material and performed at the Comedy Store while using his truck as his primary residence. He has mentioned that this period was less about despair and more about the singular focus of making it in the industry. His unique comedic voice eventually caught the attention of talent scouts, leading to his decades-long reign on late-night television.

Jean-Claude Van Damme

The martial arts star known for ‘Bloodsport’ (1988) came to Los Angeles from Belgium with very little money and no knowledge of English. Van Damme slept on the street outside of a gym in Venice Beach and reportedly stole food to survive during his early days. He worked menial jobs, such as laying carpet and driving a limousine, while training relentlessly and demonstrating his karate skills to anyone who would watch. His physical prowess and persistence eventually secured him the action roles that made him famous.

Mr. T

Before he became a cultural icon in ‘The A-Team’ (1983–1987), Lawrence Tureaud experienced homelessness in Chicago. He slept in public shelters and navigated the dangers of the street before finding work as a bouncer due to his imposing physique. His reputation for toughness grew, leading him to become a bodyguard for high-profile celebrities. This exposure eventually led to his discovery by Sylvester Stallone for a role in the Rocky franchise.

Michael Kenneth Williams

The actor famous for playing Omar Little in ‘The Wire’ (2002–2008) faced periods of homelessness and addiction in New York City before his acting career took off. Williams slept in public parks and on subway trains while battling personal demons that would later inform the depth of his characters. He utilized his distinctive facial scar, which he received during a bar fight, to land roles in music videos and films. His raw talent eventually shone through, allowing him to leave the streets behind and become a revered character actor.

Al Pacino

One of cinema’s greatest actors, known for ‘The Godfather’ (1972), experienced extreme poverty as a young aspiring artist in New York City. Pacino often slept in the theater where he performed or found shelter in storefronts when he could not afford rent. He worked a variety of low-paying jobs, including moving furniture and janitorial work, to fund his acting classes. His dedication to the craft never wavered, and his stage work eventually led to the film roles that defined a generation.

Martin Sheen

The veteran actor and star of ‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979) spent nights sleeping on the subway in New York City when he first started acting. Sheen struggled to find consistent work and often had to rely on the kindness of religious organizations for meals. He borrowed money from priests and friends to maintain his pursuit of a career in theater. His breakthrough eventually came, allowing him to build a dynasty of actors within his own family.

Cary Grant

Before he became the epitome of Hollywood debonair in films like ‘North by Northwest’ (1959), Grant lived a precarious existence in New York. He worked as a stilt walker on the boardwalk at Coney Island and often slept in cheap shelters or on the streets when work was scarce. His early days were defined by a desperate hustle to survive in a new country after leaving England. His eventual transformation into a suave leading man masked the gritty reality of his youth.

Charlie Chaplin

The silent film icon who directed and starred in ‘City Lights’ (1931) spent significant portions of his childhood on the streets of London. Chaplin and his brother were sent to workhouses and slept in parks after their mother was committed to a mental asylum. These traumatic experiences with poverty deeply influenced his “Tramp” persona and the themes of his films. He rose from the absolute bottom of society to become one of the wealthiest and most influential figures in film history.

Kelsey Grammer

The star of ‘Frasier’ (1993–2004) faced a tragic and difficult path before finding success in television. During his time as a student at Juilliard, Grammer occasionally slept in Central Park and in the bushes behind the school when he had nowhere else to go. His early life was marred by family tragedies, but he poured his pain into his training as a classical actor. This intense dedication paid off when he landed the role of Dr. Frasier Crane.

Jason Lee

Before becoming a professional skateboarder and starring in ‘My Name Is Earl’ (2005–2009), Lee lived in a garage and his car. He subsisted on a diet of potatoes and hot sauce while trying to make a name for himself in the skateboarding world. His charismatic personality eventually led him from the skate park to the acting studio. The lean years gave him a unique perspective that he often brought to his comedic roles.

James Cameron

While writing the script for ‘The Terminator’ (1984), the future Academy Award-winning director lived in his car in Orange County. He was barely scraping by and survived on fast food while crafting the story that would change science fiction cinema forever. He famously sold the script for one dollar on the condition that he be allowed to direct the film himself. This gamble paid off, launching a career that produced some of the biggest blockbusters in history.

Brad Pitt

Upon arriving in Hollywood with only a few hundred dollars to his name, the star of ‘Fight Club’ (1999) struggled to find affordable housing. Pitt slept in his car and crashed on the floors of friends’ apartments for months while attending auditions. He worked odd jobs, including dressing as a giant chicken for a fast-food restaurant, to pay for food and gas. His striking good looks and talent eventually landed him a small role that snowballed into global fame.

Dwayne Johnson

The wrestler-turned-actor known for ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’ (2017) faced eviction and poverty before his wrestling career began. While not living on the street for long periods, he and his mother were locked out of their apartment and forced to live in a small motel room and their car. Johnson has frequently cited this moment of eviction as the driving force behind his relentless work ethic. He vowed to never be in that position again, a promise he kept by becoming one of the world’s highest-paid actors.

Lil Rel Howery

The comedian and actor from ‘Get Out’ (2017) spent time living in his car on the streets of Chicago while trying to break into the comedy circuit. Howery would perform sets at local clubs and then return to his vehicle to sleep, hiding his homelessness from his peers. He used the adversity as fuel for his comedy, eventually gaining enough traction to secure television writing jobs. His breakout film role later introduced him to a global audience.

Do you know any other inspiring stories of actors who overcame homelessness? Share your thoughts in the comments.