10 Celebrity Side Hustles That Paid Off Big

Many celebrities have turned their fame into lucrative side hustles, with some ventures earning them more than their acting or music careers. From tequila empires to billion-dollar beauty brands, these side hustles prove that star power can translate into serious business success. Together, these projects prove that the smartest move a celebrity can make is turning influence into ownership.

1. George Clooney- Casamigos Tequila

Clooney co-founded Casamigos with Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman as a private passion project, but the smooth tequila quickly gained popularity. In 2017, Diageo acquired the brand for up to $1 billion, solidifying Clooney’s reputation not just as a Hollywood icon but also as an entrepreneur who turned casual drinks with friends into a global spirits empire.

2. Mark Wahlberg- F45 Training

Wahlberg’s ventures extend beyond acting, with his family´s restaurant chain, Wahlburgers, expanding across the U.S. and internationally. He also invested early in F45 Training, a fitness franchise that went public in 2021 with a value near $1 billion. Wahlberg’s dual focus on food and fitness shows how celebrity influence can scale lifestyle businesses.

3. Robert De Niro- Nobu Restaurants

De Niro collaborated with chef Nobu Matsuhisa to create Nobu, a luxury restaurant brand that has since expanded into hotels and resorts around the world. With more than 50 locations, Nobu is valued at over $500 million, proving that De Niro’s taste for fine dining translated into one of the most successful empires in the world.

4. Rihanna- Fenty Beauty

Rihanna disrupted the beauty industry in 2017 with Fenty Beauty, a brand celebrated for its inclusive shade range. The company quickly became a cultural phenomenon and is now valued at $2.8 billion. Fenty’s success has made Rihanna wealthier than her music career ever could, redefining her as an icon in beauty and fashion.

5. Ashton Kutcher- Tech Investments

Kutcher’s reputation as a tech investor is well-earned. Through his firm A-Grade Investments, he funds companies like Uber, Airbnb, and Spotify. His portfolio is worth hundreds of millions, proving that Kutcher’s foresight in Silicon Valley was just as sharp as his comedic timing on screen.

6. Jimmy Buffett- Margaritaville

Buffett turned his laid-back “Parrothead” lifestyle into an extensive business empire. Margaritaville includes restaurants, hotels, casinos, and even retirement communities. With a net worth exceeding $600 million, Buffett showed how a single song could evolve into a lifestyle brand that fans happily buy into for decades.

7. Venus Williams- V Starr Interiors

Venus Williams applied her competitive drive to design, founding V Starr Interiors, a luxury firm specializing in commercial and residential projects. Her company has worked on hotels and high-profile spaces, proving that her eye for aesthetics is as sharp as her tennis skills.

8. Serena Williams- Serena Ventures

Serena Williams launched Serena Ventures to invest in startups, with a portfolio covering fitness tech and healthcare. Her firm has invested in companies like Tonal and Zipline, emphasizing innovation and inclusivity. Serena’s venture capital success highlights her ability to dominate both on the court and in the boardroom.

9. Daymond John- FUBU Clothing

Before becoming a “Shark Tank” investor, Daymond John built “For Us, By Us” into a global fashion brand. Starting with hats sold on the streets of Queens, FUBU grew into a cultural phenomenon in the 1990s, generating over $6 billion in sales. John’s hustle turned streetwear into mainstream fashion and made him an important name in business.

10. “The Rock” Johnson- Teremana Tequila

Johnson didn’t just conquer Hollywood, he poured his charisma into Teremana Tequila, “the people’s tequila.” What looked like a passion project quickly exploded into one of the fastest‑growing brands in the world, thanks to his fanbase and authentic marketing.

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