15 Surprising Celebrity Side Businesses
Celebrities are usually known for acting, singing, or scoring goals—not for launching businesses on the side. But fame doesn’t stop bills, boredom, or a really good business idea. Some celebs have found ways to earn even more money outside the spotlight, with businesses that might leave you raising an eyebrow.Let’s take a look at some surprising things celebrities are doing when they’re not being famous. Some are smart, some are random, and a few might just make you say, “Wait, they do that?
Rihanna’s lingerie line
Everyone knows her music, but not everyone knows Rihanna turned a side hustle into a serious empire with Savage X Fenty. It started as a bold move into the lingerie world, focusing on inclusivity with sizes and shades that most big brands ignored.
The brand’s success wasn’t just about celebrity hype—it actually delivered what people wanted. It now runs like a full fashion company, complete with shows, ambassadors, and retail stores.
Rihanna may be quiet on the music front, but this business has kept her very loud in the world of fashion and finance.
Ashton Kutcher’s tech investments
While many see him as the goofy guy from That ’70s Show, Ashton Kutcher is one of Hollywood’s sharpest tech investors. He co-founded a venture capital firm that invested early in companies like Airbnb, Uber, and Spotify.
He didn’t just throw money at random apps—he studied the industry and worked with seasoned investors. His tech knowledge is respected in Silicon Valley, where he’s often treated more like a founder than a celeb.
It’s not just a hobby for him—it’s a second career.
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Jessica Alba’s household brand
Jessica Alba didn’t just act—she created The Honest Company, which makes baby products, skincare, and cleaning supplies with fewer harsh chemicals. She started it out of frustration with products she felt were unsafe or unclear about their ingredients.
The business exploded, going from a small startup to a company worth over a billion dollars. Alba has been involved in everything from product design to branding, turning a personal concern into a full-blown lifestyle brand.
It’s more than just a celebrity endorsement—this is her business through and through.
Robert De Niro’s restaurant empire
Robert De Niro is known for his tough guy roles, but he also has a serious love for fine dining. He co-founded the upscale restaurant chain Nobu, along with chef Nobu Matsuhisa and film producer Meir Teper.
What started as a single sushi restaurant became a global brand with hotels, restaurants, and even branded homeware. De Niro isn’t just a silent partner—he’s involved in big decisions and has helped shape the brand’s identity.
It’s a long way from mob movies to Michelin guides, but he made the jump look smooth.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop started as a wellness newsletter and somehow turned into one of the most talked-about (and sometimes mocked) lifestyle brands in the world. The company sells everything from candles to vitamins, all with a wellness twist that mixes luxury with, well, some pretty odd ideas.
Despite the jokes and controversy, Goop is profitable and growing. Paltrow has leaned fully into the brand’s unusual voice, even launching wellness summits and Netflix specials.
It’s not for everyone, but clearly, it’s working for someone.
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Ryan Reynolds and his wireless company
Ryan Reynolds is more than a charming actor—he’s also a part-owner of Mint Mobile, a budget-friendly wireless provider. His involvement didn’t stop at investing—he helped shape the company’s ads and public image, using his signature humor to grab attention.
The business model offered lower-cost phone plans with no contracts, and it worked well enough to attract serious buyers. In 2023, Mint was sold to T-Mobile in a deal reportedly worth over a billion dollars.
Reynolds didn’t just cash in—he helped build the brand from the ground up.
Venus Williams’ interior design firm
Venus Williams is a tennis legend, but off the court, she runs V Starr, a successful interior design firm. She launched it quietly in 2002, and over the years, it’s worked on major projects like hotels, offices, and upscale homes.
Her design taste is modern and bold, much like her playing style. The firm now has a solid reputation in the design world, and it operates independently of her tennis fame.
Venus doesn’t just lend her name—she’s deeply involved in its creative direction.
Mark Wahlberg’s fitness chain
Mark Wahlberg is known for his action roles and intense workouts, so it made sense when he got involved in F45 Training, a global fitness franchise. The brand focuses on high-intensity group workouts with a community vibe.
Wahlberg bought a major stake in the company and became a vocal promoter. He attends events, talks about it in interviews, and even helped it go public.
His involvement added star power, but the workouts themselves are what really keep people coming back.
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Reese Witherspoon’s book club and production company
What started as a simple book club on Instagram turned into a full business empire. Reese Witherspoon turned Hello Sunshine into a media company focused on female-led stories.
She’s produced hit shows and movies like Big Little Lies and Daisy Jones & The Six, often based on books from her own club picks. By blending reading, media, and female empowerment, she created something totally different from her acting career.
In 2021, the company sold for around $900 million—proving she knows how to turn a good story into serious cash.
Shaquille O’Neal’s fast food investments
Shaq might be a basketball icon, but he’s also a heavyweight in the fast-food world. He owns (or has owned) dozens of franchises across brands like Papa John’s, Auntie Anne’s, and Five Guys.
He’s not just collecting checks—he’s involved in marketing and operations too. His personality adds value, and he’s known for being a hands-on investor.
For Shaq, business isn’t just a side gig—it’s a full-on strategy.
Sandra Bullock’s bakery and restaurant
While filming in Austin, Texas, Sandra Bullock fell in love with the local vibe—and decided to open a business there. She owns Walton’s Fancy and Staple, a bakery and floral shop, and used to run Bess Bistro, a cozy restaurant that closed in 2015.
Walton’s is still running and serves breakfast, lunch, and fresh flowers, all in a charming vintage building. It’s not flashy or overly branded—it just feels real.
The shop has become a quiet favorite among locals who might not even realize it’s owned by a Hollywood A-lister.
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Paul Newman’s salad dressing
Long before celebrity food brands became trendy, Paul Newman put his face on a bottle of salad dressing—and gave all the profits to charity. Newman’s Own started in 1982 and has since expanded to everything from pasta sauce to popcorn.
What made it different is that 100% of after-tax profits go to charity, totaling hundreds of millions over the years. It wasn’t about marketing himself—it was about doing good with good food.
Even after his passing, the brand lives on with his mission intact.
Sofia Vergara’s denim and coffee lines
Sofia Vergara used her fame to launch not one, but two side businesses. Her Walmart-exclusive denim line offers affordable fashion, while her Latin American coffee brand, ¡Día a Día!, brings her cultural roots into the spotlight.
The coffee isn’t just a vanity product—it’s sourced from Colombia and built around giving back to farmers. Her fashion line, meanwhile, has become one of Walmart’s top-selling celeb brands.
She’s blended business with personal style, and it’s clearly working.
Jay-Z’s champagne and cognac ventures
Jay-Z doesn’t just rap about champagne—he sells it. He owns Armand de Brignac (also known as “Ace of Spades”), a high-end champagne brand, along with D’Ussé cognac.
He didn’t create these brands from scratch, but he bought in, boosted their visibility, and helped them reach luxury status. These aren’t just bottles with a famous name—they’ve earned respect in the spirits industry.
His moves in the beverage world have made him millions, proving his business mind is just as sharp as his lyrics.
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Kristen Bell’s baby products company
Kristen Bell co-founded Hello Bello, a company that makes baby products like diapers, shampoo, and wipes—all made with plant-based ingredients and lower prices. The idea was simple: healthy baby care should be affordable for regular families, not just Hollywood ones.
The products are sold in big stores like Walmart, and the brand quickly became a favorite for parents. Bell has been active in promoting the business and shaping its message.
It’s less about celebrity status, more about solving a problem—and that’s why it took off.
When fame meets the real world
These side businesses show something interesting—fame might open doors, but it doesn’t do all the work. Most of these celebrities put in real time, effort, and strategy to make their businesses thrive.
Some tapped into personal passions. Others spotted a market gap.
What they all have in common is the choice to step beyond their main career and take a risk.
And in many cases, the side hustle became just as impressive as the thing that made them famous in the first place.
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