There used to be an idea that a career was basically like a marriage. Once a person figured out what they wanted to be when they grew up, they'd just keep doing that same job at the same company until they retired. That idea now seems so outdated!
For most of us, it would be difficult to imagine spending our whole lives doing the exact same job, let alone working for the same company. In fact, some of us likely look forward to having a second act in our career lives!
A second act is a chance for someone who has already been successful in one job to try out a whole new career. And the idea that someone might want to try to succeed in a new lane isn't just true for teachers, insurance agents, or nurses. Yep, some of our favorite celebrities have done just that.
We're not talking about dramatic actors who pivot to comedy, either. No, we're talking about celebs who have had major success in fields that are totally unrelated to how they got famous in the first place. We've got everything from body builders turned politicians to models turned chefs to fitness gurus turned writers. Consider this an inspiration guide for anyone who dreams about a second act of their own.
John Cena
John Cena first found fame as a professional wrestler in the early 2000s and quickly became one of the most popular and successful WWE stars of all time. His second act has been breaking through as a surprisingly funny actor in movies including Blockers and as the cohost of the show Wipeout.
Dwayne Johnson
If John Cena is figuring out how to have a second act after wrestling, his role model should be Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson! In addition to acting, Dwayne is also making moves as a business guy (he has an energy drink line and a production company) and has even talked about a potential future in politics.
Jessica Simpson
For years, it seemed like Jessica Simpson was just going to be the perpetual runner-up to Britney and Christina when it came to winning the pop princess wars of the early 2000s. But she's arguably ended up ahead of Britney and Christina in terms of second-act success. In addition to winning praise for her dishy memoir, Open Book, she's also made a ton of money with her fashion brand.
Tunde Oyeneyin
One of Peloton's most popular instructors is Tunde Oyeneyin. In addition to being the queen of amazing arms, Tunde is also a multitalented woman for whom Peloton is her second act. She was a successful makeup artist before becoming an instructor, and now she is starting her third act as a writer and podcast host. She recently launched her Fitness Flipped podcast and her memoir, Speak, is coming out in May 2022.
Mary Steenburgen
Actress Mary Steenburgen's second-act story is fascinating! Following a minor surgery where she underwent general anesthesia, she experienced a very unusual side effect: Her brain "was only music," and she couldn't stop hearing things as songs. Though she wasn't musical before and didn't play any instruments, she decided to make peace with this condition by embracing it. She's since become an award-winning songwriter with more than 50 writing credits.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
It's safe to imagine that few people who saw Austrian Arnold Schwarzenegger win the Mr. Universe bodybuilding title at the age of 20 thought to themselves, "Hmm, that guy will probably end up being a governor of California someday!" But Arnold made the transition from bodybuilding life to acting as an action star to — yep — becoming a governor. Maybe The Rock will follow in those footsteps eventually?
Neil Young
Many people know Neil Young as a politically vocal singer and songwriter, but even fans might not realize that he actually has a whole second career in the model train industry. Not only is he listed on seven patents related to model trains, but parts of his collection of trains have been sold at auctions for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Chrissy Teigen
Though Chrissy Teigen was successful as a model, including appearing in several Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues, she's arguably had more success in her second act as a cookbook author and builder of a brand empire that now includes kitchen supplies, robes, and more.
Jeremy Renner
Jeremy Renner is living that Marvel movie life in his acting career, but he also has a second act in something a little more down-to-earth. He's actually a skilled home flipper and has flipped more than 20 properties in the last 15 years.
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson is one of the all-time basketball greats, but he's actually been more financially successful in his post-retirement second act. He's an accomplished businessman who owned more than 120 Starbucks franchises, part of a MLS soccer team, and multiple other ventures that have resulted in an estimated net worth of almost $1 billion.
Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu is a singer and songwriter who has released multiple albums and was considered quite influential in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She hasn't released a studio album since 2010, partially because she's been focusing on her second act: babies! She's both a doula and a certified midwife.
Al Franken
Another celeb whose second act was politics is SNL alum and comedian Al Franken. Though he was called to resign following some allegations of sexual misconduct, Al was a popular senator from Minnesota from 2008 to 2018. Since then, he's moved into his third act as a podcast host.
Kevin Costner
Plenty of celebrities have had second acts that include music or owning other businesses, but few have had as many unique mini second acts as Kevin Costner. He's not only cowritten a book, tried to invent a machine to clean the ocean, played in a country band, and opened an educational center dedicated to bison, but he's also owned a casino. Busy guy!
Stacey Abrams
Stacey Abrams may not seem like an obvious choice for this list, to be honest. Is her first act being a lawyer? Or being an author of nonfiction? Or being a romance novelist? Or being a politician? All we know is that she's hoping to win the Georgia governorship in 2022, and her most recent novel was a bestseller, so either way her second act is looking pretty promising.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
We loved her in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and as the queen bee in Cruel Intentions, but Sarah Michelle Gellar has shifted from acting to owning her own online bakery that focuses on healthier, kid-friendly options. She's also cowritten a cookbook.
