10 Famous People with Little-Known Secret Talents

Beth DreherUpdated: Dec. 08, 2022

Some stars do more than walk the red carpet. Can you guess what else they're good at?

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Who is this?

This actress, famous for her perfect track record at the Academy Awards, competed at the Junior Olympics as a swimmer.

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Answer:

Hilary Swank

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Who is this?

This whimsical children’s book author also wrote the lyrics for Johnny Cash’s hit, “A Boy Named Sue.”

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Answer:

Shel Silverstein.

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Who is this?

This iconic children’s book author wrote one of his best-loved titles after taking up his publisher’s challenge to do so using no more than 50 words.

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Answer:

Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss.

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Who is this?

This great master now hangs in museums around the world, but when he was young and poor, he burned his own paintings to stay warm in the winter.

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Answer:

Pablo Picasso

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Who is this?

This well-known musician wrote State Farm’s “Like a Good Neighbor” jingle—but didn’t write his own hit “I Write the Songs.”

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Answer:

Barry Manilow

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Who is this?

Before he was famous, this crooner worked at a trucking company.

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Answer:

Elvis Presley

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Who is this?

This rock star once owned and operated an upholstery business called Third Man Upholstery. Third Man is now the name of his Nashville recording company.

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The answer:

Jack White.

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Who is this?

This comedian and actor is also a professional banjo player. His band is known as the Steep Canyon Rangers.

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Answer:

Steve Martin

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Who is this?

This actor is known for flying spacecrafts in movies, but he also has a pilot’s license in real life.

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Answer:

Harrison Ford. Ford also used his pilot skills to save a fellow Boy Scout once –– here are some more celebrities you didn’t know used to be Boy Scouts.

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Who is this?

This prolific actor with an instantly recognizable voice worked as a lion tamer at a circus when he was 16.

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Answer:

Christopher Walken. While some celebrities had cool jobs before getting famous, others had cool side gigs while in the limelight.

Originally Published: April 03, 2019