Did you know there are quite a few famous faces who were once truck drivers? Many of these famous people are now household names and have built successful careers for themselves in the film or music industry. Let’s take a look at some of the most famous people who spent a chunk of their lives driving across America’s highways.
Elvis Presley
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll wasn’t always singing catchy tunes to crowds of fans. In fact, during his late teenage years, Elvis was a truck driver for Crown Electric Company while trying to get discovered as a singer. After auditioning for a singing position with a band, he was even told to give up on his aspirations as a musician and stick with being a truck driver instead.
James Cameron
A household name, James Cameron is well known for directing big box office hits, such as “Titanic,” “Terminator,” and “Avatar”. Before he delved into the world of directing though, he spent time working as a truck driver. Even while driving trucks, however, he aspired to join the filmmaking industry and spent time teaching himself everything there was to learn about special effects. It wasn’t until 1977, when he saw “Star Wars,” that he decided to quit his job and officially join the film industry.
Liam Neeson
Before making a name for himself as an actor, Liam Neeson worked as a truck driver for Guinness Brewery. After years on the road, he decided to focus on acting. He went on to land roles in well-known films, including “Schindler’s List” and the “Taken” movies. He’s even furnished his voice talents to movies like “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.”
Sean Connery
Another popular actor, Sean Connery spent many years on the road before pursuing his successful acting career. He’s best known for playing James Bond for nearly 20 years and has also appeared in many other films.
Viggo Mortenson
Before taking on the acting industry, Viggo Mortensen spent time traveling throughout England, Spain, and other European countries. He often worked as a truck driver to fund his excursions. It wasn’t until 1985 that he debuted as an actor. He has since appeared and starred in many films, including the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
These are only a few famous people that came from humble beginnings as road warriors before going on to conquer their respective entertainment industries. Have you ever met a famous trucker?