50 Side Hustles That Made Celebrities More Money Than Acting

Acting pays well, but some celebrities have found even bigger paydays outside the spotlight. Many flip fame into ventures that out-earn their film and TV roles. These side hustles not only add extra income but also completely change the game.

Clothing & Apparel

When celebrities turn their fashion sense into money-making machines, it's no surprise fans line up to buy. Print-on-demand platforms like Printful make it easy for anyone to launch a fashion brand these days. Cardi B's 2018 Fashion Nova collection sold out almost immediately, and her 2019 follow-up reportedly cleared $1M on launch day.

Food Industry

Celebrity cashing in on burgers and beer happens more often than you'd think. Restaurants, food lines, and cookbooks let them connect with fans through a shared love of eating. Drew Brees didn't throw touchdowns at Walk-On's, but his investment helped the Louisiana chain expand across Texas and beyond.

Literature

Book deals are still big business when you've got a loyal fan base eager to read what you write. Novels and cookbooks are among the opportunities stretching beyond bestseller lists. Oprah's book club, launched in 1996, became a cultural force. Her latest Apple TV+ deal even brings intimate author chats directly to subscribers' screens.

Beauty Products

Beauty brands practically print money when a celebrity's name is on the label, especially when they serve overlooked markets. Rihanna's Fenty Beauty broke barriers by offering makeup for all skin tones. Fans didn't hesitate to buy. Her brand is now valued at over $2.8 billion, easily eclipsing her music earnings.

Alcohol & Marijuana

Liquor and weed ventures give celebs another route to big profits and bragging rights. Drake's whiskey, Virginia Black, launched in 2016 and later went public. It even landed a deal with Dubai Airport retailers. Licensing alcohol in the UAE isn't easy, so this milestone shows how serious the business has become.

Interior Design

Some stars skip Hollywood sets for high-end homes by bringing their eye for aesthetics into interior design. Venus Williams founded V Starr in 2002 to design luxury spaces for residential and commercial clients. Hotels, condos, and chic living rooms now bear her touch, all while she continues to crush it in tennis tournaments worldwide.

Investing

When superstars start writing checks, they're not messing around. Investing gives them long-term income and serious credibility. Serena Williams launched Serena Ventures in 2014 to back diverse founders. Her firm has invested in companies like Tonal and Zipline.

Entertainment and Media

Many celebs prefer calling the shots from behind the scenes and cashing in on content creation through production companies. Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort pumps out quirky ads and streaming content. His knack for viral marketing shows how creative control in media isn't only lucrative but also downright fun.

Car Wash

When it comes to investments, even soap and water have serious earning potential. Jason Derulo proudly calls Rocket Carwash his "least sexy" side hustle, but it's got strong potential thanks to subscription models. Clean cars equal steady cash flow, and the singer-songwriter knows boring doesn't mean broke.

Wellness and Supplements

Health-focused varieties give celebs a way to monetize wellness trends while sharing personal philosophies. Patrick Schwarzenegger and his mom, Maria Shriver, co-founded MOSH to sell brain-boosting protein bars packed with ingredients like lion's mane and ashwagandha. It's a niche market, sure, but the wellness wave shows no signs of slowing down.

Tech Startups

Celebrity cash fuels plenty of tech success stories. Ashton Kutcher's A-Grade Investments hit jackpot status with early bets on Airbnb, Spotify, and Uber. His portfolio proves that Hollywood charm can open doors, but savvy investment turns those doors into vaults.

Podcast Hosting

Podcasting lets big names show off their personalities while raking in advertising and sponsorship dollars. Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert is a fan favorite thanks to candid chats with fellow stars and experts. It's interviews, content ownership, tour opportunities, and merchandising gold for stars who like to talk.

Social Media Influencing

Followers equal dollars, and no one understands that better than celebs with millions watching their every move. Kylie Jenner uses her Instagram to stir up product buzz, drive sales, and keep fans engaged with exclusive peeks off the screen. Shoppable posts turn every selfie into a potential payday.

Art Galleries

Public figures love to swap scripts for gallery walls. Steve Martin doesn't own an art gallery, but his impressive collection and curatorial projects draw serious attention. Lending Indigenous Australian art to places like Gagosian gives him cultural credibility and connects him to a new audience.

Cooking Classes

Food-loving stars know fans want to learn their secrets—and they're happy to teach for a price. Ranveer Brar offers online classes through Celebrity School and teaches everything on sushi-making and other kitchen hacks.

Sports Teams Ownership

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney revived Welsh club Wrexham AFC and spun it into a hit documentary series. Their visibility exploded, and brought fans, sponsors, and global attention to a once-overlooked team.

Music Production Companies

In most instances, those with industry roots build production companies to nurture fresh talent or expand their creative reach. It's about influence, control, and shaping the industry while stacking impressive earnings along the way. Jay-Z's Roc Nation handles music, management, and publishing under one umbrella.

Financial Consulting Firms

Celebrities who are business savvy often branch into financial services to share their success strategies. Jessica Alba co-founded The Honest Company, which champions ethical products and conscious capitalism. Though not a traditional financial consultancy, her leadership sparks conversations around profit with purpose and influences how younger generations view money and business.

Private Jet Charter Services

Why let a jet sit idle when it can make money? Some, like Tom Cruise, use their luxury aircraft for charter services by renting them out when not flying private. Gulfstreams aren't cheap to run, but this side hustle helps offset costs and offer ultra-exclusive travel experiences to fellow high-flyers.

Acting and Music Schools

Star-backed arts schools give fans and aspiring artists a taste of star-studded expertise. These ventures reinforce a celeb's credentials, provide extra income, and offer opportunities to nurture the next generation of performers looking for their big break.

Wedding Planning Services

Famous faces know how to throw memorable events. For instance, Lauren Conrad turned her love of weddings into a full-fledged business by offering planning, stationery, and decor. Star-powered expertise attracts clients wanting a touch of celebrity sparkle for their big day celebrations.

Talent Management Firms

Hollywood insiders parlay industry know-how into management firms to shape careers from behind the scenes. This turns personal brands into career-building platforms and opens doors for new artists while creating lucrative pipelines for ongoing success. Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions champions fresh talent through development programs.

Modeling Agencies

Modeling agencies connect brands with models and turn runway experience into industry-shaping authority. Celebrity-championed modeling agencies tap into existing fame to attract partnerships and top talent. Naomi Campbell co-founded KC Global Partnerships alongside Umar Kamani to combine her fashion clout with business smarts.

NFT Projects

Stars aren't ignoring digital art trends; they're cashing in. Snoop Dogg's A Journey with the Dogg NFT collection highlights how public figures merge creativity with blockchain buzz. These projects mix fandom, tech, and limited-edition hype to rake in profits from collectors eager to own a piece of pop culture.

Digital Marketing Agencies

This hands-on approach isn't entirely endorsements but creative control that transforms followers into customers and campaigns into cultural moments. Celebrities fluent in internet culture know how to make ads that people enjoy.

Travel Agencies

Luxury tour agencies offer exclusive travel experiences and celebrity influence. For example, Rob DelliBovi's RDB Hospitality caters to A-listers seeking five-star treatment and secret escapes. These agencies curate envy-inducing adventures by leveraging industry connections and high-profile clients to create non-forgettable bespoke journeys for the jet-set crowd.

Personal Training Businesses

Personalities with fitness credentials turn their workouts into revenue through apps, programs, and gyms. Jillian Michaels transformed her TV fame into a fitness empire, complete with digital tools and products. Fans follow for results and inspiration, and he builds an enduring brand rooted in health and hustle.

Pet Products and Apparel

Stars tap into the growing market for premium pet products by offering high-quality items catering to owners wanting the best for their furry companions. Partnering with SportPet Designs, Dolly Parton delivers canine couture, including sparkly collars and wigs with a wink inspired by her signature look.

Subscription Box Services

Monthly boxes let celebrities engage with fans through curated goodies and build recurring income. They turn ordinary mail into a personal connection by offering followers a taste of high-end style in the comfort of their home. An example is Blake Lively's Preserve, which features artisan products.

Photography Studios

Many stars turn creative hobbies into profitable ventures by opening or collaborating with photography studios. These spaces offer portraits, commercial shoots, and classes. Their involvement draws attention and adds credibility.

DJ Services

When fame meets turntables, bookings multiply fast. Celebrities like Idris Elba build side careers as DJs while headlining clubs and festivals worldwide. His sets draw massive crowds and prove that being a star behind the decks can be as lucrative as starring on screen—sometimes with better hours, too.

App Development

Famous faces launch apps to monetize their brands and deepen fan connections through exclusive content or interactive experiences. Such apps offer steady income and marketing opportunities, including fitness tools and mobile games.

Motorsport Teams

Celebrity investors bring glamor, cash, and visibility to motorsports, and whether behind the wheel or writing checks, these ventures mix passion with potential profits. Ryan Reynolds joined a group backing Alpine F1. Frankie Muniz took it further by racing competitively himself.

Gaming Companies

Gaming offers big personalities a lucrative playground to mix business and fun. A prime case is Kim Kardashian's Hollywood mobile game, which turned her brand into a wildly successful app. Fans paid real money to keep up with her virtual world.

Tattoo Studios

Several celebs trade scripts for ink by opening tattoo studios that showcase unique artistry. A well-known name can command premium rates. Dr. Woo's minimalist designs earned him fame far beyond Hollywood circles.

Furniture Lines

Furniture lets stars bring their style into living rooms everywhere. Drew Barrymore's Beautiful by Drew offers plush sofas and chic chairs with playful designs. Regularly updated collections keep things fresh, and her name drives sales in a competitive market for home decor.

Baby Products

Parents trust familiar faces when it comes to their kids. Jessica Alba's Honest Company delivers eco-friendly baby essentials like diapers and skincare. Since launching in 2011, it's grown into a powerhouse brand rooted in safety and sustainability.

Organic Farms

Farming gives household names space to breathe and profits to harvest. Oprah Winfrey's 65-acre organic farm in Maui supplies fruits, veggies, and flowers and supports sustainability. Beyond soil and sunshine, it aligns perfectly with her brand of wellness and mindfulness.

Music Festivals

Festival culture offers stars a lucrative stage to combine performance, business, and brand partnerships. Celebrities like Katy Perry use Coachella to launch products, as others headline or invest. These events create buzz, foster connections, and bring in serious revenue through ticket sales, merch, and promotional deals.

Voice-over Services

Recognizable voices earn big bucks over and above the screen. Famous people lend their voices to animation, video games, and commercials. Here, flexibility matters more than fame, and a few recording sessions can lead to years of royalties, especially with global campaigns involved.

Antique Restoration

Quite a number of notorieties find joy and profit in bringing old things back to life. This side hustle combines craftsmanship with patience—and the payoffs can be substantial. Jerry Seinfeld's passion for classic cars led to meticulously restored vintage rides.

Greeting Card Companies

Niche card businesses combine handwritten notes with celebrity charm. Meghan Markle offered calligraphy services before her royal fame. Greeting cards may seem small-time, but artistry and exclusivity make them profitable.

Custom Car Design

Fast cars and fame go hand in hand, but custom design kicks things into high gear. Alex Vega's The Auto Firm counts athletes like Floyd Mayweather among its clients. Beyond fancy builds, these shops generate income through rentals, events, and social media-fueled buzz.

Coworking Spaces

Famous individuals love to back coworking spaces to merge business with lifestyle trends. These aren't your average offices—they offer curated events, exclusive perks, and networking with other ambitious creatives.

Home Organization Brands

Organizing chaos pays off, especially when celebs endorse it. The Home Edit worked with Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon before expanding into products and partnerships. This spans pantries and closets; tidying up is serious business. Fans line up for color-coded, Instagram-friendly solutions, especially when tied to star-powered credibility.

Luxury Camping (Glamping) Sites

Bringing star quality helps to upscale camping ventures. Alongside the glamping market booming, these businesses mix rustic charm with photogenic luxury with plush beds, catered meals, and curated nature experiences. A celebrity's involvement draws attention and guests are willing to pay for nature without sacrificing comfort.

Golf Course Design

Golf-loving celebs turn passion into profit through course design. TGR Design by Tiger Woods focuses on fun, strategic layouts for all skill levels. These tracks are revenue-generating spaces attracting players worldwide. Signature holes and scenic views keep business booming and fans swinging for years.

Subscription Newsletters

These subscriptions give luminaries direct lines to fans as they generate income. Exclusive content, sponsorships, and promotions turn inboxes into profitable real estate. They also nurture loyal, engaged communities hungry for personal connections. Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine delivers empowering stories through email.

Luxury Car Dealerships

Executive vehicles and famous names create showroom buzz and social media fodder. Celebrities often strike deals with dealerships for visibility while trading publicity for perks. These partnerships drive sales and brand prestige.

Watchmaking Collaborations

Fancy watches often come with star power in limited-edition collaborations. Kevin Hart partnered with Jacob & Co. on diamond-heavy designs. These timepieces are investments in accessories. With celebrity backing, prices soar, collectors scramble, and exclusivity keeps demand high in the ever-lucrative world of horology.