7 celebrities who found success act careers other than acting

Most actors became celebrities as a consequence of their roles in films and TV shows. But there are other approaches, and some of them have been successful in different sectors. This list presents seven celebrities who did so. They began in theatrical art but became famous for something else later on. Others ended up being doctors, artists, or even race car drivers.

These are artists who demonstrate talent in a variety of areas. These individuals pursued their interests and made new lives without Hollywood. All of them showed that it is not impossible to turn around and become successful. Their relationships are entertaining and unexpected.

Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. Readers’ discretion is advised.

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7 celebrities who found success in careers other than acting:

7. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger entered the motion picture and TV industry in the late 1960s. He began playing minor roles in some movies and TV shows. His first film appearance was in Hercules in New York, when he played Arnold Strong. He also carefully established himself, but his big breakthrough was in 1982 with Conan the barbarian. In this movie, Schwarzenegger played a strong warrior who wanted to avenge his father and mother. This was his role, which made him a serious actor. His career reached a sky-high with the release of the film The Terminator in 1984, where he featured as an unstoppable cybernetic assassin.

Schwarzenegger has appeared in some of the most popular action films, including Predator, Total Recall, and True Lies. Though he took a sabbatical to serve as Governor of California, he has returned to acting with various roles in films such as the Expendables franchise. His theatrical career is characterized by the iconic roles that brought out his physical presence and charismatic appeal.

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6. Frankie Muniz

Frankie Muniz is mostly famous as an actor and for the show he performed in as a lead on the popular TV show "Malcolm in the Middle." The series ran from 2000 to 2006. During that period, Muniz became very popular and was referred to as a smart and mischievous kid with a great sense of humor. Following the show's conclusion, Muniz continued to appear in movies and other television projects, but he took an unexpected career change and pursued professional car racing. He competed in several racing leagues, including the NASCAR Series.

Muniz took a sabbatical from acting to focus on his racing career, although he has since returned for voice acting and guest parts in animation. He shifts from theater to racing, exemplifying his desire to pursue many hobbies. As an early actor, his platform was built, but his commitment to being a car racer proved that he could be successful in a very different career. Muniz's journey exemplifies that actors can be successful outside of the entertainment world.

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5. Ken Jeong

Ken Jeong started out as a doctor before he went into acting and comedy. Jeong found acting opportunities while doing stand-up comedy at night when he worked as a practicing doctor. He has come to prominence through TV shows such as Community and movies such as the Hangover franchise. Jeong's acting has been described as comedic and characterized by his iconic, energetic characters.

Unlike most actors, he was a successful doctor before becoming famous. As a result, his performances are enriched with a captivating background. As an actor, he combines humor with his distinctive personality, which ensures audience approval. He still acts but also produces, writes, and performs stand-up shows, proving different directions in his career after medicine.

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4. Ariana Richards

Ariana Richards is primarily recognized for her acting career in her childhood, such as for playing the young Lex Murphy in the blockbuster film Jurassic Park, released in 1993. Her talent and skill were recognized and highlighted at a tender age. After making several movies and television appearances, Richards decided to pursue her passion, which is art. She studied fine arts and went on to become a successful painter.

Her move from the performing arts to the arts showed her flexibility as well as creativity in a new field of work. Popularly known for her acting career, she is artistically talented in her adult career. Overall, Richards' art has been celebrated and sold, proving that she has not only made an impact on the screen but also in the world of fine arts. She is a prime example of someone who took the foundation of acting and then experimented to find a career in an entirely different creative field.

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3. Mara Wilson

Mara Wilson became a well-known child actress during the late 1990s and early 2000s. She acted in famous movies like Matilda, in which she played the role of a very smart girl who had magical powers. She is also known for portraying her roles in Mrs. Doubtfire and Miracle on 34th Street. Mara's acting career was marked by her charismatic and memorable performances as a young acting star. However, after some years, she decided to quit acting.

Mara decided on writing and personal projects. She still makes occasional appearances in voice acting work as well as projects, but her main passion is writing and creating stories. She writes for the theater, podcasts, and the publication of books. Mara Wilson's choice is one among the examples for kid actors to shift their ambitions and figure out some new ways to be creative off-screen.

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2. Charles Korsmo

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Charles Korsmo had a good acting career, beginning when he was a little kid. He was part of films like Hook, where he portrayed Jack Banning, the son of Peter Pan. Korsmo had also featured in Dick Tracy and What About Bob? He played shrewd and intelligent young roles because of his features. There was a period beyond 1991 when Korsmo decided to give up acting to lead a more normal life and concentrate on education.

After making a brief reappearance in the 1998 movie Can't Hardly Wait, Charles left the Hollywood scene entirely. After finishing his undergraduate education, Korsmo attended MIT and Yale to study physics and law. He currently teaches law and is an educator. He rose to fame early on in his acting career, but his greatest achievements have been in the legal and educational fields.

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1. Peter Ostrum

The most famous role of Peter Ostrum was the role of Charlie Bucket in the 1971 movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. When he was 12, brokers of Willy Wonka chose Ostrum. He enjoyed filming the movie very much, but when it was over, he refused to sign the three-film contract. He never pursued his acting career and instead studied veterinary medicine. He graduated as a vet and had such a great career.

Ostrum wanted to live a life outside of Hollywood, and a normal and meaningful life, a child performer would normally want to stay in the entertainment world, so the choice was strange. His acting career served him well as he was a popular figure in the film industry, but his passion as a veterinarian and working with animals was his true love. The Ostrum story gives us examples of how actors can be happy in a profession other than acting.

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