Rags to Riches
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50 Photos: Celebs Who Go From Rags to Riches
It's hard to believe that some of the most beautiful and successful stars like Justin Bieber, Demi Moore, and Tom Cruise came from not-so-glamorous backgrounds. From living out of pickup trucks to eating meals from food banks, some celebrities didn't always have it so easy. CTVNews.ca's Maleeha Sheikh takes a look at 25 stars who started from almost nothing but managed to make it to the top. -
Leighton Meester
Humble Beginning
The 'Gossip Girl' star was born at a federal prison to a mom who was serving time for her involvement in a drug-ring that smuggled marijuana to the U.S. -
Booming Career
The starlet who has appeared on 'CSI: Miami' and acted in films like 'Country Strong' and 'The Roomate' is worth an estimated $5 million. Her recent big purchase was a $1.5 million home in L.A. -
Hilary Swank
Humble Beginning
The two-time Oscar-winning actress lived out of her car as a teenager with her mother for a brief time when she decided to pursue her acting dream in L.A. -
Booming Career
The diverse actress who is known for her roles in 'Boy's Don't Cry' and 'Million Dollar Baby' is worth an estimated $40 million. -
Halle Berry
Humble Beginning
When Halle Berry left home for Hollywood to pursue her dream as a model and actress she spent some time in a homeless shelter after running out of money. -
Booming Career
The Oscar winning star would have no problem buying a home - or three - with her net worth at a reported $70 million. -
Sarah Jessica Parker
Humble Beginning
Reportedly the 'Sex and the City' star as well as her siblings had to survive on welfare money during her childhood and she even received tickets for free lunches from the state. -
Booming Career
The star that still fears being broke again even after a string of movies like 'Sex and the City' and 'I Don't Know How She Does It' is worth around $90 million. Being broke looks a far way off. -
Shia LaBeouf
Humble Beginning
The sexy star didn't get into acting because of the fame but instead wanted to earn cash to help his poor family. His father was a drug dealer and was often verbally and mentally abusive. -
Booming Career
The 25-year-old 'Transformers' star is worth an estimated $25 million and earns between $5-10 million per movie. -
Jim Carrey
Humble Beginning
The Canadian funny man didn't have much to laugh about in his adolescence. Carrey lived out of a camper van with the rest of his family and worked full day shifts at a tire factory after school for a period of time. -
Booming Career
The high-school dropout must've believed in his comedic talents. His perseverance paid off because he is now worth an estimated $150 million. -
Leonardo DiCaprio
Humble Beginning
The iconic 'Titanic' star and his mother lived in Hollywood surrounded by drug dealers and prostitutes and reportedly he got beaten up a lot. -
Booming Career
Known for his serious acting roles in movies like 'J. Edgar' and 'Inception', the star is worth an estimated $200 million. -
Demi Moore
Humble Beginning
As a child, Demi Moore spent part of her years in a trailer park and had an abusive father who spent his days drinking and not working. -
Booming Career
The 'Ghost' actress and high-school dropout is worth an estimated $150 million. -
Tom Cruise
Humble Beginning
One of Hollywood's biggest stars came from a poor childhood and reportedly his mother held down as many as four jobs at once to support Cruise along with his siblings. -
Booming Career
The 'Mission Impossible' star known for his strong Scientology beliefs has no need to worry about money now. He's reportedly worth $250 million. -
Danny DeVito
Humble Beginning
Before his big break, the short actor was also short on cash and even spent a night sleeping on a NYC transit bus. -
Booming Career
The actor well known for his role in 'Batman Returns' and other movies like 'Twins' doesn't have to worry about where to crash anymore since he has a net worth of $70 million. -
William Shatner
Humble Beginning
The 'Star Trek' actor lived in a pickup truck with a walk-in camper on the back after the cancellation of his show in 1969 and a bitter divorce. -
Booming Career
The Canadian actor and recording artist did quite well for himself despite some hurdles along the way and is worth an estimated $200 million. -
Mark Wahlberg
Humble Beginning
Before being known as 'Marky Mark' the troubled youngster dropped out of school at age 14 and went to work as a street thug. The actor stole things, made drug deals and wasn't afraid to put his dukes up. -
Booming Career
This married father of four who has played many diverse roles in movies like 'The Lovely Bones' and 'The Fighter' is worth an estimated $150 million. -
Justin Bieber
Humble Beginning
The Ontario self-taught musician grew up in low-income housing with his mother and they often had to go to food banks just to be able to eat. -
Booming Career
Known for his hits like 'Baby' and making teenage girls swoon all over the world, this teenager is worth an estimated $85 million. -
Mariah Carey
Humble Beginning
The beautiful singer grew up in one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Long Island in near poverty. Later she moved to NYC and took many part-time jobs, including waitressing to help make ends meet. -
Booming Career
The Grammy-winning multi-platinum hitting singer known for her hits 'Someday' and 'Heartbreaker' is worth an estimated $500 million. -
Celine Dion
Humble Beginning
The Canadian child was born into an impoverished but happy family of 14 in Quebec. In her childhood she sang with her siblings in a little club that her parents owned.
