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Stranger Things' breakout star Noah Schnapp revealed he got a summer job working as a lifeguard "just for fun."
The 17-year-old has been working at his local pool before heading to the University of Pennsylvania to study business.
"It's kind of a 'just for fun thing,'" the actor told Flaunt.
"I've kind of grown up with a normal life and normal friends and stuff outside of Stranger Things, so it's kind of kept me grounded."
Schnapp is not the only star to pick up a side hustle while pursuing a career in Hollywood, with some even ditching the limelight to do more "normal" jobs.
Here we take a look at some of the big names in show business who tried their hand at regular professions.
M.C. Hammer
Who could forget the ubiquitous early 90s hit "U Can't Touch This" by superstar rapper M.C. Hammer?
Not only did Hammer release one of the catchiest songs of the decade, but his album Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em is still one of the best-selling hip-hop LPs of all time, selling 10 million copies.
But then in 1997, Hammer turned his back on his rap career to begin a television ministry called M.C. Hammer and Friends on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.
Then he appeared on TV show Praise the Lord, where he revealed he had become an ordained minister.
Dylan Sprouse
Dylan Sprouse got his big break playing Ross Matthew's son, Ben, on sitcom Friends, a role he shared with his twin brother and Riverdale star, Cole.
The twins later had their own successful Disney show called The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, but Sprouse decided to give up fame to start his own mead brewing company called, All-Mead Brewing.
Sprouse made a return to acting in 2020 as controversial boyfriend Nick in the feature film, Banana Split.
Angus T. Jones
For nine years from 2003, Angus T. Jones put the "half" in CBS' hit sitcom, Two and a Half Men.
But he became unhappy with the show during religious conversion in 2012, describing it as "filth."
After leaving acting, Jones went on to study at the University of Colorado and in 2016 became a manager at a multimedia and event management company.
Cameron Diaz
Arguably one of the most famous actresses in Hollywood, Cameron Diaz shocked the industry when she decided to retire from acting in 2014.
The Golden Globe nominated actress who starred in hits such as The Mask, Charlie's Angels and Vanilla Sky, decided to leave her career and wrote two self-help books.
Diaz welcomed daughter Raddix with Good Charlotte husband, Benji Madden, and dedicated herself to motherhood.
She also launched her own wine label, Avaline, with friend Katherine Power, while also working as a campaigner on social causes such as the environment and education.
Diaz recently announced a return to acting after being convinced by Academy Award–winning, Jamie Foxx, who asked her to team up with him on action adventure comedy, Back In Action, which will air on Netflix sometime this year.
Ali MacGraw
The 1970s darling who made waves opposite Ryan O'Neal in Love Story turned her back on acting to become a yoga teacher.
She released a popular yoga video that Vanity Fair credited with helping to make the practice successful in the United States.
MacGraw became a passionate rights activist and is even the U.S. ambassador for organization, Animals Asia.
Mara Wilson
Child star Mara Wilson became known for her innocent expression and heart-wrenching performances in 1990s' iconic movies Mrs. Doubtfire and Matilda.
With an already impressive resume under her belt, Wilson quit acting at the tender age of 13.
She became a writer and authored a bestselling autobiography about her life as a child star.
Kevin Jonas
Kevin Jonas rose to fame alongside his brothers Nick and Joe on the Disney Channel.
The Jonas Brothers had their own show on the channel and sold 20 million records at the turn of the century.
But when the band split in 2013, Kevin decided to start a real-estate development and construction company.
He also became the co-CEO of a social media marketing company.
Kevin has reunited with his brothers. who announced a comeback tour, including a five-show residency in Las Vegas in June.
About the writer
Shannon Power is a Greek-Australian reporter, but now calls London home. They have worked as across three continents in print, ... Read more