Celebs Who Built Successful Businesses Outside Entertainment

It’s common for famous performers to use their popularity to start businesses that ultimately become more successful and influential than their entertainment careers. They’re increasingly moving beyond simple sponsorships to become founders and hands-on entrepreneurs in fields like beauty and alcohol. They start by using their well-known names to attract customers, then build trust by offering high-quality products. Here are some examples of celebrities who have made a successful leap into the world of business.

Rihanna

Rihanna transformed the beauty and fashion worlds with her brands, Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty. Fenty Beauty, launched in 2017, quickly stood out for its wide range of forty foundation shades, designed to include all skin tones. She then expanded into lingerie with Savage X Fenty, challenging industry norms with its focus on body positivity and a wide variety of sizes. Thanks to the success of these ventures, Forbes confirmed Rihanna’s status as a billionaire.

George Clooney

The Academy Award-winning actor started Casamigos Tequila with his friends, Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman. They initially made it just for themselves to enjoy on their Mexican vacations. However, it became so popular with friends and family that they decided to sell it to the public. In 2017, Diageo bought the company for as much as a billion dollars.

Jessica Alba

The actress started The Honest Company because she had trouble finding safe, non-toxic products for her babies. She built the company on the idea of being open and honest about what goes into their household and personal care items. It quickly grew from selling diapers and wipes to offering a wide variety of beauty and cleaning products. In 2021, The Honest Company became a publicly traded company, with an initial value of over a billion dollars.

Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds has become a successful investor by buying into companies and then using his marketing skills to help them grow. He famously invested in Aviation American Gin, where he also led the creative side, before selling it for a substantial profit. He then invested in Mint Mobile, a budget cell phone company, and became the face of their humorous and popular ad campaigns. Recently, T-Mobile announced it was buying Mint Mobile for almost $1.5 billion.

Dr. Dre

Dr. Dre, the famous hip-hop producer, started Beats Electronics with Jimmy Iovine in 2006. They noticed people wanted high-quality headphones with a strong bass sound and stylish look. Through smart marketing, like featuring the headphones in music videos and at sporting events, Beats quickly became very popular. In 2014, Apple bought the company for three billion dollars, establishing Dre as a successful entrepreneur.

Reese Witherspoon

The actress created Draper James, a clothing and lifestyle brand, as a tribute to her Southern roots. She then started Hello Sunshine, a media company focused on telling stories about women through different channels. Hello Sunshine’s production team adapted popular books into successful TV series like ‘Big Little Lies’ and ‘The Morning Show’. In 2021, Candle Media invested in Hello Sunshine, valuing the company at $900 million.

Kylie Jenner

Kylie Jenner, famous from reality TV, used her large social media presence to start Kylie Cosmetics, initially with popular lip kits. By selling directly to customers online, she kept costs down and created high demand, with new products often selling out quickly. She then broadened her product range to include skincare and items for babies, appealing to more customers. In 2019, Coty Inc. invested six hundred million dollars to acquire a majority ownership in her company.

Jay-Z

I’ve always been impressed by how Jay-Z built his empire. He didn’t just stop at music; he created Roc Nation, which represents some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment. And he’s a savvy businessman – he got into the champagne game with Armand de Brignac, and even invested in companies like Uber. He then launched Tidal, giving artists more control over their work. It’s amazing to see how successful he’s been, and when LVMH partnered with him on Armand de Brignac, taking a half-ownership stake to help expand it globally, it just proved what I already knew – he’s a true visionary.

Gwyneth Paltrow

You know, it’s wild to think about how Goop started. It was just Gwyneth Paltrow sending out a little email newsletter with her lifestyle tips, basically from her kitchen! Then, boom, it blew up into this huge online store selling everything from clothes to beauty stuff. They’re famous – or maybe infamous – for their wellness events that always get people talking, and they’re really creative with how they launch new products. Now, they’re everywhere – pop-up shops, a whole series on Netflix… it’s pretty incredible to watch how far it’s come.

Kate Hudson

The actress started Fabletics to provide fashionable and well-made activewear at prices everyone could afford, using a membership-based system. She noticed people wanted workout clothes that were better than cheap options but didn’t cost as much as high-end brands. Fabletics uses information from its members to forecast what styles will be popular and keep the right amount of stock on hand. Now, the company also has physical stores and a line of athletic wear for men.

Ashton Kutcher

Danny Masterson, known for his role in ‘That ’70s Show,’ has become a highly successful venture capitalist in Hollywood. Through his company, A-Grade Investments, he invested in now-famous tech startups like Uber and Airbnb early on. He’s also had successful investments in companies like Skype and Spotify, and often shares his expertise with other celebrities looking to invest in technology.

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro teamed up with chef Nobu Matsuhisa to create Nobu, a famous chain of luxury restaurants and hotels. It started with one restaurant in New York City and grew into a worldwide hospitality success. Nobu is known for its upscale Japanese-Peruvian food and is popular with celebrities. De Niro continues to play a key role in growing the brand and shaping its creative vision.

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg started the burger restaurant Wahlburgers with his brothers Paul and Donnie. The restaurant became well-known nationally thanks to a reality TV show that followed its growth. He also helped create Aquahydrate, a performance water, and Performance Inspired, a supplement company. Through his investment company, he supports the fitness franchise F45 Training and the clothing brand Municipal.

Selena Gomez

The singer and actress created Rare Beauty to challenge unrealistic beauty standards. The brand donates a percentage of every sale to the Rare Impact Fund, which provides mental health support to communities in need. Her products are popular because they offer a wide variety of shades and are simple to use. Rare Beauty quickly became a leading celebrity makeup brand globally.

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson created Teremana Tequila with the goal of making a premium tequila affordable for everyone. He worked closely with the distillery in Mexico, often visiting to improve how the tequila was made and how it was marketed. Teremana quickly became the fastest-growing tequila brand ever. He also started ZOA Energy, a company aiming to succeed in the popular and expanding market for healthy energy drinks.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker, known for her role in ‘Sex and the City,’ created her footwear line, SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, inspired by her character’s passion for fashion. She teamed up with George Malkemus, formerly of Manolo Blahnik, to guarantee the shoes were made with excellent Italian quality. The brand later grew to include handbags and other accessories, sold in her own stores. Parker often visits these boutiques to assist customers with fittings and get their opinions directly.

Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson started Magic Johnson Enterprises to improve retail and services in cities that often lack them. He helped bring businesses like Starbucks and movie theaters to these neighborhoods across the country. Through his investment company, he also owns major shares in sports teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Sparks, demonstrating that investing in diverse communities can be both a good thing to do and a smart financial move.

LeBron James

As a huge movie and sports fan, I’ve been following LeBron James’ moves both on and off the court, and it’s really impressive. He didn’t just want to be a basketball player; he co-founded The SpringHill Company to give athletes and creatives more control over their own narratives – which I think is fantastic. Beyond that, he saw the potential in Blaze Pizza early on and invested in it, and that investment really paid off as they grew! He’s clearly a smart businessman, and now he’s building an even bigger portfolio, including a piece of Fenway Sports Group. It’s cool to see an athlete like him diversifying and owning parts of different businesses.

Serena Williams

Tennis star Serena Williams created Serena Ventures to support companies with diverse leaders and groundbreaking concepts. The firm has funded over sixty new businesses, prioritizing those founded by women and people of color. She also started her own clothing and jewelry lines to connect with her fans directly. Through her business ventures, Williams champions financial freedom for women and athletes.

Kevin Hart

Comedian Kevin Hart combined his businesses into a new media company called HartBeat. Abry Partners invested $100 million to help the company grow. Hart also created his own tequila, Gran Coramino, working with experienced tequila maker Juan Domingo Beckmann. He’s also continuing to open more locations of his plant-based fast-food restaurant, Hart House, in California.

50 Cent

The rapper made a deal where he became the spokesperson for Vitaminwater’s Formula 50 drink and received a small ownership share in the company. When Coca-Cola bought Vitaminwater’s parent company, Glacéau, in 2007 for over $4 billion, the rapper received a payment much larger than any of his music earnings. Today, he continues to have successful business ventures, including Sire Spirits and Le Chemin du Roi champagne.

Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham, formerly of the Spice Girls, successfully launched her own fashion line, quickly gaining praise in the luxury fashion world. Her brand celebrates modern femininity through stylish clothing and premium accessories. She later expanded into beauty with Victoria Beckham Beauty, offering eco-friendly and sustainable makeup and skincare. The company has stores in London and a popular online shop.

Jennifer Aniston

Actress Jennifer Aniston created LolaVie, a haircare line focused on natural ingredients. She’s heavily involved in the brand, from developing products to shaping its marketing. LolaVie stands out by using plant-based formulas instead of harsh chemicals, and its detangler and glossing products have already received several beauty awards.

Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown, known for her role in ‘Stranger Things,’ launched Florence by Mills, a beauty brand designed for Gen Z. She created it to offer high-quality products that weren’t too expensive like adult makeup, but also weren’t the low quality often found in kids’ brands. The line includes skincare and makeup made with vitamins and plant-based ingredients. She’s now growing the brand beyond beauty, recently releasing a clothing collection through About You.

Kathy Ireland

Kathy Ireland started as a supermodel and successfully built a huge brand, Kathy Ireland Worldwide. Her name is now on thousands of products, including furniture, flooring, jewelry, and even wedding dresses. Through partnerships with various companies, her brand generates billions of dollars in sales each year, making her a remarkably successful businesswoman.

Sammy Hagar

The rock star opened Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas as a combination music venue and hangout spot. He started making his own tequila there, and it became so popular that international distributors took notice. Eventually, Gruppo Campari bought a majority stake in the tequila brand for eighty million dollars. Later, Hagar repeated this success by creating Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum.

Dan Aykroyd

Dan Aykroyd, known for his role in ‘Ghostbusters,’ co-created Crystal Head Vodka and came up with the idea for its signature skull bottle. He was committed to making a vodka without any added ingredients, and he chose water from Newfoundland, Canada, for the process. The brand has received many international awards recognizing both its taste and unique packaging. Aykroyd himself frequently travels to promote the vodka and meet fans, often signing bottles for them.

Pharrell Williams

The musician expanded his creative work into business by launching Humanrace, a skincare line for everyone focused on overall wellness. He’s also the co-founder of the streetwear brand Billionaire Boys Club and the shoe company Ice Cream. Often, his entrepreneurial efforts connect with his work as a creative director for leading fashion brands. He’s committed to sustainability, using eco-friendly packaging and refillable options to minimize waste.

Snoop Dogg

The rapper recently bought Death Row Records, the label that first made him famous. He’s also expanded into other businesses, including wine with his Snoop Cali Red label created with 19 Crimes. He started Broadus Foods to build a family-owned company selling popular breakfast foods. Beyond music and drinks, he has a line of pet products and even his own gluten-free cereal, Snoop Loopz.

Lenny Kravitz

As a huge fan, I’ve always admired Lenny Kravitz’s incredible style, and it’s no surprise he brought that same artistic vision to interior design with Kravitz Design. They don’t just do spaces – hotels and amazing homes mostly – but they also create exclusive designs for big names like Swarovski and Leica. Everything they do feels really authentic and natural, totally reflecting Lenny’s own vibe. And it’s not just interiors either; they handle branding and graphic design for all sorts of companies too, which is pretty impressive.

Scarlett Johansson

The actress launched The Outset, a skincare brand that prioritizes gentle, clean ingredients perfect for sensitive skin. Instead of partnering with other companies, she decided to create her own brand from scratch. The product line is designed to be simple and effective, focusing on essential cleansing and moisturizing steps. She regularly shares how-to guides and helpful information about the brand on social media.

Brad Pitt

The actor recently launched Le Domaine, a skincare line for everyone, using powerful antioxidants sourced from grapes. He created the products with the Perrin family, famous French winemakers, and the line focuses on sustainability by using leftover ingredients from their vineyards. Beyond beauty, he also runs Plan B Entertainment, a production company behind several Best Picture-winning films.

Travis Barker

The drummer created Barker Wellness to provide products that aid in physical recovery, focusing on vegan and cannabinoid-infused options. His initial line featured tinctures and balms to improve sleep and soothe muscles, geared towards people with active lifestyles. He later broadened the brand to include skincare designed specifically for tattoos. Barker Wellness embodies his commitment to health and wellness while maintaining a demanding touring schedule.

Halsey

As a huge fan, I’ve been following the launch of the singer’s makeup line, About-Face, and I’m really impressed! It’s all about encouraging people to express themselves with bold, highly pigmented makeup that lasts. It’s not about achieving a ‘natural’ look at all – she’s really pushing vibrant, artistic expression. What’s even cooler is that she’s the chief creative officer and actually develops the formulas herself! You can find it at places like Ulta Beauty, and it’s clearly aimed at people who love to get creative with their makeup.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

The actress launched Anomaly Haircare with the goal of making effective, eco-friendly hair products available to everyone. A key part of her approach is reducing plastic waste – the bottles are made entirely from recycled materials. You can find the brand at Target, and it’s designed to be affordable for all hair types. She wants to make high-quality, environmentally conscious beauty accessible to all, without compromise.

Lady Gaga

The popular singer launched Haus Labs to highlight creativity and new ideas in makeup. The brand first sold its products only on Amazon, but has since updated its image and is now available in Sephora stores. She focuses on using safe, high-quality ingredients and unique formulas. Haus Labs is well-known for its vibrant colors and foundations that look like real skin.

Cindy Crawford

Supermodel Cindy Crawford partnered with French skincare expert Dr. Jean-Louis Sebagh to create Meaningful Beauty. The line features a powerful antioxidant sourced from unique melons grown in southern France. For over ten years, Cindy has successfully promoted the brand directly to customers, and it continues to be a leading name in celebrity skincare, with a dedicated following.

Sting

Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, completely renovated an old Italian property, turning it into the successful Il Palagio winery. They now create and sell organic wines and olive oils worldwide. The estate also features a farm shop and offers luxury rentals, and Sting often uses it as a recording studio and event space.

Drake

Drake, the Canadian rapper, created OVO as a brand offering both clothing and a record label. The company has key stores in cities like Toronto, London, and New York. He also partners with well-known brands like the Toronto Raptors and Nike to create special collections. OVO has become a popular streetwear brand, separate from Drake’s music career.

Seth Rogen

The comedian started Houseplant, a company that sells high-quality cannabis and stylish home goods. He designs retro-inspired ashtrays and lighters meant to be displayed as décor. The brand showcases his love of pottery and aims to make using cannabis more accepted. Houseplant products are available in the US and Canada at certain stores and online.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore created Flower Beauty to provide high-quality makeup at affordable prices you’d find in drugstores. Instead of spending money on ads, she puts that money back into making better products and packaging. You can find Flower Beauty at large retail stores, and the line includes makeup for your face, eyes, and lips. She’s also grown the Flower brand to offer home decor and eyewear.

Francis Ford Coppola

After the success of ‘The Godfather,’ director Francis Ford Coppola bought a vineyard in Napa Valley, which he turned into the popular Francis Ford Coppola Winery. The winery, known for its resort-style pool, produces wines for everyone from casual drinkers to serious wine lovers. Eventually, Coppola sold the winery to Delicato Family Wines in a significant business deal.

Share your favorite celebrity business product in the comments.

2026-01-28 03:19