In order to survive in the fickle entertainment industry, celebrities come up with a variety of ways to keep their money flowing. Many celebrities step outside of their normal job titles to go on to create business empires that generate millions of dollars. Here are 23 celebrities that have successfully made the crossover into being business moguls.
Mary-Kate And Ashley Olsen, Fashionistas Extraordinaire!
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen pretty much created their own celebrity-owned brands during their days on Full House. The sisters are currently run the fashion line The Row and Elizabeth.
Michael Jordan’s Exclusive Nike Brand
Aside from being a basketball legend, Michael Jordan partnered with Nike to create the Michael Jordan Brand. The brand has generated millions of dollars and is a staple in pop culture clothing.
Jessica Simpson’s Billion Dollar Empire
Singer Jessica Simpson launched her own fashion business, the Jessica Simpson Lifestyle Collection. The brand features accessories, shoes, and clothing, and makes $1 billion a year.
Beyoncé’s TopShop Deal
Award-winning superstar Beyoncé has a variety of business ventures outside of the music industry. She recently launched her athletic line “Ivy Park” exclusively sold at TopShop stores. Beyoncé also created her own entertainment company, Parkwood Entertainment Management, which has managed her recent tours and albums.
Kate Hudson’s Fabulous Athletic Wear
With a partnership with JustFab, Kate Hudson launched her athletic-wear line, Fabletics. The fashion line was a success and was able to gross over $150 million.
Ashton Kutcher, Investor
Ashton Kutcher’s investment company, A-Grade Investments, specializes in investing in various technology startup companies. So far, they’ve invested in Soundcloud, Uber, Airbnb, and Spotify.
Gloria And Emilio Estefan’s Family Business
Emilio and Gloria Estefan have various establishments in Florida. They’re minority owners of the Miami Dolphins. Their restaurants, Larios on the Beach, and Bongos Cuban Cafe are fan favorites.
Magic Johnson’s Way To Give Back
In 1987, Magic Johnson created an investment company, Magic Johnson Enterprises, that specializes in creating jobs in inner cities. Johnson once had a stake in the Los Angeles Lakers, owned various Starbucks franchises, and was a co-owner of the L.A. Dodgers.
Paul Newman’s Cause For Charity
The older generation knew Paul Newman for being a Hollywood heartthrob. Now, he’s known for his famous salad dressing and food products. The profits from his products are donated to charity.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Life After Basketball
Shaquille O’Neal created an affordable shoe brand for low-income families that is sold at Walmart stores. The former basketball star has various endorsement deals and is currently a commentator for TNT.
Serena Williams’ Fierce Lifestyle Off The Court
Besides being one of the best athletes of this generation, Serena Williams has also made a name for herself off the tennis court. Along with various endorsements, Williams created her own fashion line, partnered with HSN, that features trendy, affordable clothing.
Jessica Alba’s Shares Honesty With New Parents
Actress Jessica Alba is a co-founder of the billion-dollar The Honest Company. The brand provides a variety of organic and safe baby products.
Nicki Minaj Has A “Myx” Of Ventures
Besides being one of hip hop’s biggest acts, Nicki Minaj is also a successful business woman. She’s had a fashion line exclusively sold at K-Mart and is the ambassador of Myx Moscato.
Justin Timberlake’s Revival Of An Old Social Network
We all know Justin Timberlake from his boy band days and as a solo artist. The singer previously purchased and revamped MySpace. He also has a brand of tequila and has had a successful acting career.
Why Diddy Is The Ultimate Mogul
Aside from being the founder of Bad Boy Records, Diddy has launched numerous other business ventures. He’s created a clothing line, various reality TV shows, and is currently the spokesman for Ciroc Vodka.
Dr. Dre Beats The Odds
Dr. Dre was a member of one of the biggest hip-hop groups in history. He launched his headphones line, Beats by Dre, and sold it to Apple for a hefty price. The selling of Beats by Dre catapulted Dr. Dre into being one of the richest men in hip-hop.
Jay-Z Is More Than Just A Rapper
Jay-Z went from being a top-charting rapper to being a businessman. The rapper has a cognac deal and is currently a co-owner of the streaming site, Tidal.
Will Smith’s Rise From TV To Box Office King
Will Smith was one of the first hip-hop acts to have his own television show. Smith went on to become a box-office hit actor. He also has his own production company that produces television shows and films.
Rihanna’s A Chart Topping Artist And Fashion Designer
Rihanna recently launched her own line of shoes and clothing, Fenty by Rihanna, in a partnership deal with Puma. The singer also has her own fragrance line and a deal with MAC Cosmetics.
Ice Cube’s Transition From Rapper To Hollywood Guru
Rap legend Ice Cube successfully made the transition from rapper to actor before it became a trend in the industry. His production company has produced a variety of films and television shows.
Will Ferrell Created This Comedic Website
Will Ferrell has made us all laugh on the big and small screen. The comedian-turned-actor is one of the founding members of the comedic website, Funny or Die.
Kim Kardashian’s Self-Made Fame
Kim Kardashian is famous for being, well, famous. She’s turned her fame into a business by launching a variety of clothing lines, apps, and reality TV shows.
Jessica Biel’s Break From Acting
Jessica Biel has her own restaurant she recently opened in Los Angeles. Au Fudge is kid-friendly establishment that promotes healthy eating with its organic menu.
