Black Celebs Who Surprised Everyone With Career Pivots

Many performers don’t want to be known for just one thing. These driven people used their early success to achieve greatness in completely different areas – both in business and the arts. We’ve seen athletes become actors, and musicians build huge companies. Here’s a look at Black celebrities who have successfully changed careers and found new success.

Jordan Peele

I first discovered Jordan Peele as a hilarious sketch comedian on ‘Key & Peele,’ so I was completely blown away when he switched gears and directed ‘Get Out’! It wasn’t just a good horror movie, it was brilliant, and he even won an Oscar for the screenplay! Since then, he’s really proven himself as one of the best horror directors working today, and I can’t wait to see what he does next.

Rihanna

For over ten years, she consistently topped music charts with hit after hit. Then, she changed direction and started Fenty Beauty, which completely transformed the cosmetics world by offering a wide variety of shades to suit all skin tones. This successful business ultimately made her a billionaire.

Ice Cube

He first became known as a founding member of the groundbreaking rap group N.W.A., where he was recognized for his powerful and often politically charged lyrics. Later, he surprised audiences by successfully moving into comedy with the film ‘Friday,’ and eventually became a popular figure in family movies like ‘Are We There Yet?’

Donald Glover

Donald Glover began his career writing for the TV show ’30 Rock’ and acting in ‘Community’. He then became known as Childish Gambino, achieving success as a rapper and R&B artist. Most recently, he created, directed, and starred in the critically acclaimed show ‘Atlanta’. It’s unusual for someone to excel in so many different creative fields in Hollywood.

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah first gained fame as a groundbreaking female rapper in the late 1980s. She then found success as an actress, starring in the popular sitcom ‘Living Single.’ Later, she proved her dramatic talent with a performance in ‘Chicago’ that earned her an Academy Award nomination. Today, she’s a successful and diverse producer and actress.

Will Smith

Will Smith first became well-known as the rapper The Fresh Prince, performing with DJ Jazzy Jeff. He then transitioned easily into acting with the popular sitcom ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.’ Surprisingly, he went on to become a major action movie star, achieving success in films across many different genres.

Dwayne Johnson

He first became famous as a popular and engaging professional wrestler with WWE. He then tried acting with a part in ‘The Mummy Returns’ before fully dedicating himself to a Hollywood career, eventually becoming the world’s highest-paid actor. Now, his production company creates big film and TV projects.

Terry Crews

After a successful career in the NFL, he transitioned to comedy and became a well-known actor. He’s famous for his roles in movies like ‘White Chicks’ and the TV show ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’, where his perfect comedic timing really shines. He’s also a popular host, leading major shows like ‘America’s Got Talent’.

50 Cent

He was a major rap star in the early 2000s, but then successfully transitioned into television. He created the popular series ‘Power’ and expanded it into a whole collection of spin-off shows for Starz, proving himself to be a smart and effective television producer.

Dr. Dre

He began his career as a hugely successful rapper and producer with groups like N.W.A. and Death Row Records. Later, he shifted his focus to business, co-founding Beats Electronics, which quickly became a dominant force in the headphone industry. Apple eventually purchased Beats for $3 billion.

Jay-Z

Many consider him one of the best rappers ever. He’s also a successful businessman, starting the entertainment company Roc Nation and investing in things like champagne and tech startups. He’s essentially shown other musicians how to build successful businesses for themselves.

Ye

He began his career as a music producer and later rose to fame as a rapper. He then unexpectedly entered the fashion world with his Yeezy brand, which quickly became incredibly popular and earned billions of dollars. His impact on streetwear is clear and significant.

Pharrell Williams

For years, he was known as one half of the influential music production team The Neptunes and the leader of the band N.E.R.D. He’s always been passionate about style and design, and in 2023, Louis Vuitton chose him to lead their menswear design. This role officially established him as a key player in the world of luxury fashion.

Magic Johnson

A legendary NBA player and Hall of Famer, he starred with the Los Angeles Lakers before becoming a highly successful businessman. Now, he leads an investment firm that specializes in revitalizing cities and owning professional sports teams, including a share of the Los Angeles Dodgers and several other franchises.

George Foreman

As a movie critic, I’ve seen a lot of compelling character arcs, but few compare to George Foreman’s. He was a true titan of the boxing world, going toe-to-toe with Muhammad Ali and other greats. But honestly, his most surprising role came after the ring. Becoming the spokesperson for the George Foreman Grill? Genius. That little appliance sold absolutely millions of units, and incredibly, he made more money from it than he did from his entire boxing career. It’s a truly remarkable story of reinvention, and frankly, more entertaining than some films I’ve seen this year.

Michael Strahan

Michael Strahan was a star defensive end for the New York Giants. After retiring from professional football, he transitioned to television, becoming a popular co-host on shows like ‘Live! with Kelly and Michael’ and ‘Good Morning America’. His engaging personality quickly made him a well-known figure on TV.

Kobe Bryant

For two decades, he was a celebrated player with the Los Angeles Lakers. Following his basketball career, he transitioned to creating stories and animated films. He wrote and produced the short film ‘Dear Basketball,’ which went on to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal is considered one of the greatest centers to ever play basketball. After retiring from the NBA, he successfully transitioned into business and entertainment. He now tours the world as a DJ known as DJ Diesel, and also owns multiple restaurant franchises while working as a sports analyst on television.

Tyra Banks

She started her career as a successful international fashion model, walking runways around the world. Later, she moved into television, creating and hosting the popular show ‘America’s Next Top Model,’ which became a hit in many countries. She also had her own daytime talk show.

Byron Allen

He began his career as a stand-up comedian and quickly rose to prominence as a young host of ‘The Tonight Show.’ Later, he established Entertainment Studios, a company focused on creating and distributing TV programs. A significant business move saw his company purchase The Weather Channel. Today, he’s become a leading figure and one of the most influential people in the media world.

Steve Harvey

For years, he entertained audiences as a founding member of the Kings of Comedy. He then successfully transitioned from stand-up to become a popular host on daytime television and radio. He famously brought a fresh, funny energy to ‘Family Feud’ with his lively reactions, and he also became a bestselling author, sharing his insights on relationships.

Akon

Akon achieved significant success in the 2000s with several platinum-selling R&B and hip-hop albums. More recently, he’s dedicated himself to charitable work and development projects in Africa. Through his Akon Lighting Africa initiative, he’s working to bring solar power to millions of people. He’s also planning to build a new, technologically advanced city in Senegal.

Idris Elba

Best known for his intense roles in shows like ‘The Wire’ and ‘Luther’, he’s also a successful house music DJ, surprising many of his fans. He plays at big music festivals globally and even produces his own music, including collaborations with artists like Macklemore.

Lenny Kravitz

Lenny Kravitz is a famous rock musician with popular songs like ‘American Woman’. Beyond music, he’s also a designer, founding Kravitz Design, a firm that creates interiors for hotels and luxury homes. He’s even appeared as an actor in movies, including ‘The Hunger Games’.

Common

Originally a celebrated rapper from Chicago, he moved into acting, appearing in films like ‘Smokin’ Aces’ and ‘Selma’. He then won an Oscar for the song ‘Glory’ from ‘Selma’ and is now among a select group of artists aiming for the coveted EGOT – winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award.

Ludacris

Throughout the 2000s, he was a leading figure in Southern hip-hop. He later transitioned into acting, becoming a regular in the ‘Fast & Furious’ movies. More recently, he created ‘Karma’s World,’ an animated series for kids on Netflix. Now, he’s primarily focused on making movies and creating educational content for children.

Jennifer Hudson

She first became well-known as a contestant on ‘American Idol’. She quickly moved into acting and remarkably won an Oscar for her debut film, ‘Dreamgirls’. Following that, she expanded her career into producing and hosting her own talk show. Most recently, she completed the rare achievement of winning a Tony Award, earning her EGOT status.

Jamie Foxx

He began his career as a comedian, performing stand-up and appearing on ‘In Living Color’. He later showcased his serious acting skills in the film ‘Ray’, where he portrayed Ray Charles. This performance won him an Academy Award for Best Actor. Today, he continues to thrive in comedy, music, and dramatic roles.

Mo’Nique

Mo’Nique was famous for her stand-up comedy and her role on ‘The Parkers’, but she surprised everyone with a powerful, dramatic performance in ‘Precious’. She even won an Academy Award for her work in the film. This transition from making people laugh to delivering such a serious performance is considered one of her most remarkable achievements.

John David Washington

After a career in professional football with the St. Louis Rams and the UFL, he transitioned to acting and gained recognition for his role in the series ‘Ballers’. He went on to star in prominent films such as ‘BlacKkKlansman’ and ‘Tenet’, ultimately establishing himself as a successful actor in his own right, separate from his father, Denzel Washington.

Carl Weathers

Originally a linebacker for the Oakland Raiders, he later found fame as the actor who played Apollo Creed in the ‘Rocky’ movies. He continued to evolve professionally, eventually becoming a director known for shows like ‘The Mandalorian.’ Throughout his long career, he successfully transitioned between the worlds of sports and entertainment.

Jim Brown

Widely considered the best football player ever, he unexpectedly retired while still at the top of his game to become an actor. He went on to star in popular movies such as ‘The Dirty Dozen’ and ‘100 Rifles,’ and continued to be a well-known actor and activist for decades.

Nnamdi Asomugha

I was such a big fan of this guy when he played! He was an amazing cornerback for both the Raiders and the Eagles – truly one of the best. But what’s really cool is what he’s done after football. He started his own production company and has become a really respected actor. I especially loved him in ‘Sylvie’s Love’ – he was fantastic! And he’s not just acting, he’s producing some incredible films too, like the award-winning ‘Harriet’. It’s awesome to see someone succeed at so many different things!

Master P

Master P built a hugely successful career in hip-hop by founding No Limit Records. Surprisingly, he then tried to become a professional basketball player, briefly joining the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors. Although he never made it onto the court in a regular NBA game, he found success as a sports agent, notably negotiating contracts for NFL players like Ricky Williams.

Nas

Nas is a celebrated hip-hop artist, famous for his first album, ‘Illmatic.’ He’s also a successful venture capitalist, founding QueensBridge Venture Partners. The firm made smart early investments in now-huge companies such as Dropbox and Lyft, resulting in substantial financial gains for Nas.

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg is a legendary West Coast rapper known for creating the G-funk sound. He’s become a well-known figure in media and has also built a successful brand focused on home and lifestyle products. Currently, he co-hosts a cooking show with Martha Stewart, has a line of products for pets, and recently reported on the Olympics.

Cardi B

She first became well-known through social media and reality TV. Then, she unexpectedly achieved success as a rapper, even winning a Grammy Award. Her first hit song, ‘Bodak Yellow,’ reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and she’s since expanded into acting with roles in movies like ‘Hustlers’.

Whoopi Goldberg

She started her career as a comedian, performing stand-up and a one-woman show on Broadway. She then moved into dramatic acting with her role in ‘The Color Purple’, and later became a talk show host on ‘The View’. Notably, she’s one of the rare performers to have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award – achieving the coveted EGOT.

Oprah Winfrey

She began her career as a news anchor and then became known for hosting a highly successful talk show. Later, she transitioned to acting, earning an Oscar nomination for her role in ‘The Color Purple’. She went on to found her own television network, OWN, and is now a prominent leader in the media industry as an executive and producer.

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou began her career as a performer, singing calypso and dancing. She later became a highly acclaimed poet, known as one of America’s greatest. Her autobiography, ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,’ is considered a classic work of literature. Beyond her writing, she was a dedicated civil rights advocate and a respected director.

Gordon Parks

Gordon Parks began his career as a groundbreaking photographer for ‘Life’ magazine before becoming a film director. He’s best known for directing ‘Shaft,’ a movie that played a key role in the rise of the blaxploitation genre in the 1970s. Notably, he was the first African American director to direct a film for a major Hollywood studio.

Iman

Iman was a highly successful fashion model who later transitioned into the business world. She founded Iman Cosmetics, a pioneering brand that focused on creating makeup for women of color. This venture proved her talent extended beyond modeling, establishing her as a successful entrepreneur.

Daveed Diggs

Daveed Diggs started his career as a musician in the experimental hip-hop group Clipping. He became widely known for originating the roles of Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in the hit musical ‘Hamilton.’ More recently, he’s transitioned into acting for film and television, appearing in projects like ‘Snowpiercer’ and ‘The Little Mermaid,’ and also works as a writer and producer.

Questlove

Known as the drummer and lead singer for The Roots on ‘The Tonight Show’, he recently expanded his talents to directing with the documentary ‘Summer of Soul’. That film earned an Academy Award, establishing him as a recognized film director and a knowledgeable music historian.

Serena Williams

Widely considered one of the best tennis players ever, she’s also a successful investor. She started Serena Ventures, a firm that invests in new companies, with a special focus on businesses owned by women and people of color. This has made her a well-known and influential figure in the venture capital industry.

LeBron James

LeBron James is a celebrated NBA player who has also built a successful media business. He started The SpringHill Company, which creates movies and TV shows like ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ and the talk show ‘The Shop.’ He’s proven he can thrive both on the court and behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.

Tyler, the Creator

He began his career as an unpredictable and energetic rapper, leading the group Odd Future. He then successfully transitioned into the world of fashion, founding the Golf le Fleur brand, and also ventured into creating animated TV series. This diverse artistic journey has led to widespread critical acclaim.

Please share which career transformation impressed you the most in the comments.

2026-02-01 18:26