Image via Complex Original
It’s easy to talk about the keys to success: hustle, hard work, perseverance, and patience. It’s less easy to actually put it into practice, especially when life hasn’t already given you some sort of boost. It doesn’t help that, more often than not, you hear countless stories about failed dreams and resignations to comfortable lives. As tempting and as secure as that may seem, the impossible isn’t impossible. Hold onto that inspiration, keep stoking that creative fire, and keep your feet planted to the ground—hell, just take a look at these self-made celebrities. From now-established actors who supported themselves with odd jobs, to current hit-making musicians who sacrificed a permanent home just to pay their dues on the road, the following 10 celebs are the confidence boost you need.
Channing Tatum
Channing Tatum isn’t shy about his past—c’mon, his entire life inspired Magic Mike. The homegrown Alabama boy has been candid about his days working as an exotic dancer to pay bills after he dropped out of school—leaving behind a football scholarship at Glenville State College along with it. As fate would have it, he was discovered by a modeling scout as a dancer, which led into him acting. Now, he’s one of Hollywood’s most bankable actors, one who’s established himself as both a dramatic (Foxcatcher) and comedic (21 Jump Street) force. Now the head of his own production company, Free Association, the multi-hyphenated talent surrounds himself with an enviable crew of creatives, from Jonah Hill to Steven Soderbergh, all of whom have supported Tatum’s rise to prominence.
Thierry Henry
Before becoming one of the world’s most decorated soccer players, the French athlete was just a kid growing up in a tough, low-income and immigrant-heavy suburb of Paris. His dad wanted him to focus on being a pro athlete, while his mom stressed the importance of his education. He balanced both, with his impressive soccer skills eventually landing him a spot at an elite academy. He made his professional debut with Monaco soon after, skyrocketed as a striker for Arsenal, became an integral part of the New York Red Bulls, and has since retired as one of the most idolized players in the world. This, all while managing to find time to support UNICEF and serve as an active spokesman for Stand Up Speak Up (an organization against racism in soccer).
Daniel E. Williams
The Irish whiskey connoisseur is the perfect example of due diligence paying off. Passionate about creating the perfect spirit, Williams spent his adolescent nights sleeping in haylofts, putting in his time at Tullamore distillery, which quickly led him to become the general manager. Finally in the prime position, Williams, committed to excellence, brought in his own necessities—electricity, telephones, and motorized cars—to not only grow his own business, but also effectively bring the town of Tullamore into the future. With the tools to build his empire in place, Williams became the first to create Irish blended whiskey (which he put his signature stamp on with the initials D.E.W.) a triple-distilled concoction that’s kept the lights open at Tullamore for over two centuries.
Liam Neeson
If you want to see what hard work looks like personified, just turn to Liam Neeson. Dude is in every other movie out there, seemingly taking each of the multitude of opportunities handed to him. But that’s understandable, considering he hustled his ass off to even have the option of turning down a project. Before breaking out, the Irish actor worked odd jobs, once as a fork-lift operator and another time as a truck driver. He kept himself creative with small parts on stage and in film productions here and there, until he broke out at 40 years old with Schindler’s List.
Now, he’s every man’s idol. A true symbol of strength, Neeson’s been open about the pain he felt after losing his wife, fellow actor Natasha Richardson. He also hasn’t shied away from voicing his opinions on U.S. gun control laws and the anti-carriage horse campaign in New York City. Suffice it to say, when Neeson is passionate about something, he gives it his all.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Believe it or not, DiCaprio hasn’t always been the leader of the Pussy Posse, his own group of young Hollywood actors who tore up the NYC/L.A. nightclub scene in the late ’90s. Nor has he always been the legendary lothario he is now. The first and foremost Oscar-nominated actor had to start somewhere, and that somewhere was a dodgy part of Los Angeles, where he specifically recalls living with his family on a block that housed a prostitution ring. From there, he’d go back and forth to small auditions, eventually landing his breakout role at 15, opposite Robert De Niro, in This Boy’s Life.
The rest is history. Environmentalist, political activist, producer, and socialite—DiCaprio’s set the standard for every position his plays in his multifaceted career, and he makes no apologies for it.
Jack O’Connell
The U.S. was introduced to Jack O’Connell at the end of last year as the star of Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken, but across the pond, the 25-year-old actor has already commanded respect. Once a troubled teen—he’s not one to cover up his criminal past, even explicitly telling MailOnline he’d been “in and out of court”—O’Connell channeled his restless energy into roles that’ve made him unforgettable. The most memorable? His starring role as twisted high-school student Cook in Skins, the UK’s edgier answer to Degrassi.
Now, all grown up and buttoned-up, O’Connell—who spends his days off watching soccer and hanging out at the pub with old friends—has come out of his wild childhood with a fresh perspective on the world that keeps him grounded despite his rising star power.
Ed Sheeran
You never know what to expect from Ed Sheeran. One day, he’s working with Taylor Swift on the song “Everything Has Changed;” another day, he’s recording “Dark Times” with The Weeknd; and, when he’s not in the studio, he’s holding it down on his own, playing a sold-out concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Sheeran himself certainly didn’t imagine his life would be so epic, though he held out hope. Before climbing up the Top 40, the boyish, unassuming Sheeran was homeless as he bounced around from gig to gig. He’s even admitted to sleeping on Circle Line trains for one week and making a home under an arch at Buckingham Palace at one point in his journey. Look at him now—he’s the perfect case for believing in the impossible.
Chris O’Dowd
Chris O’Dowd will not do anything he doesn’t want to do. The Irish actor/comedian is real about that. In fact, his steadfast spirit even caused him to go broke after Bridesmaids, when he admittedly turned down a multitude of bad rom-com roles he simply didn’t want under his name. But O’Dowd, who made a name for himself in the British sitcom The IT Crowd, pushed on, eventually landing the indie darling The Sapphires, a recurring role on Girls, HBO’s Family Tree, and his new semi-autobiographical series, Hulu’s Moone Boy. Lesson learned: If the opportunity isn’t there, simply pull a Chris O’Dowd and just create one for yourself.
Aidan Turner
Handsome, stylish, talented, and charming, Irish actor Aidan Turner is quickly becoming the next Hollywood heartthrob everyone wants to know about. But prior to making it big, Turner cut his teeth working alongside his dad as an electrician. Setting that blue-collar life aside, he soon discovered a love of dance, eventually becoming a competitive ballroom dancer. It wasn’t until after a decade of dancing that he developed a passion for acting.
And since making the shift, he’s had nonstop success. The now 32-year-old came up on the series Being Human, which eventually landed him a role in The Hobbit trilogy, which then got him to where he is now: The star of BBC’s hit historical drama Poldark. It seems that Turner can transfer his creative energy to any performance art he has his eyes on—all it takes is a little effort.
Bono
Pretty much everyone in the world knows about Bono. From the Americas to Africa to Asia, the Nobel Peace Prize nominee has made himself a familiar face thanks to the success of his band U2, and his work with multiple charity organizations (namely ONE Campaign and Product Red, among others). Not to mention, the Irish singer keeps company with world leaders—the Dalai Lama and President Obama, just to name a couple—and was granted honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II.
Clearly, Bono’s put his past behind him. He lost his mom in primary school, had a rocky relationship with his father, and was kicked out of high school for his unruly behavior. In his mid teens, he finally found the calling that would keep him in check: music. 12 platinum albums later, he’s become a worldwide role model.