MomSkoop
Ever wonder what your favorite stars do when they’re not on screen? While we know celebrities for their talents in music, movies, or sports, many have surprising side hustles in the business world. These famous faces have quietly built empires beyond their public personas, investing in everything from cleaning products to tequila brands. The business ventures these celebrities have created might surprise you – they’re far from the typical celebrity perfume or clothing line!
1. Ryan Reynolds’ Mobile Phone Company
The charming actor known for Deadpool isn’t just cracking jokes on screen – he’s disrupting the telecommunications industry. Reynolds purchased a significant ownership stake in Mint Mobile in 2019, a budget-friendly wireless carrier that offers affordable plans.
What makes this venture surprising is how hands-on Reynolds has been with the company. He appears in their quirky commercials and helps with marketing decisions, bringing his signature humor to the business.
In 2023, T-Mobile acquired Mint Mobile for $1.35 billion, with Reynolds maintaining his role and ownership stake. Talk about a smart investment from someone many just see as a Hollywood funnyman!
2. Jessica Alba’s Billion-Dollar Baby Products
When Jessica Alba became a mother, she discovered most baby products contained chemicals she didn’t want near her child. Instead of just complaining, she created The Honest Company in 2011, focusing on eco-friendly baby products, household items, and beauty goods.
Alba’s company quickly grew beyond celebrity vanity project status. The Honest Company reached a valuation of over $1 billion, earning Alba the title of business mogul alongside her acting credentials.
Her hands-on approach to product development and genuine passion for non-toxic living transformed a personal concern into a massive enterprise. The company went public in 2021, cementing Alba’s reputation as a serious entrepreneur.
3. Ashton Kutcher’s Tech Investment Empire
Behind that goofy smile lies the mind of a shrewd tech investor. Kutcher co-founded A-Grade Investments and later Sound Ventures, turning his Hollywood earnings into a tech fortune by backing companies like Airbnb, Uber, and Spotify before they became household names.
Few realized the actor was moonlighting as a venture capitalist until his investments started making headlines. His initial $30 million fund has reportedly grown to over $250 million in value, with investments across dozens of successful startups.
Kutcher regularly attends tech conferences and has become respected in Silicon Valley circles – a rare crossover from entertainment to technology investing. His tech-savvy would surely surprise fans who only know him from That ’70s Show!
4. Sandra Bullock’s Thriving Restaurant
America’s sweetheart has a secret life as a restaurant owner! Bullock owns Walton’s Fancy and Staple, a combination bakery, deli, flower shop, and catering company in Austin, Texas. The charming establishment has become a local favorite since opening in 2009.
Unlike celebrities who merely slap their names on restaurants, Bullock took a hands-on approach to renovation and concept development. She carefully restored the historic building that houses the business, preserving its original character while creating a welcoming space.
Local patrons report occasionally spotting the Oscar winner helping out behind the counter during visits to Austin. The restaurant maintains a low-key atmosphere without heavily advertising its famous owner.
5. Kanye West’s Architectural Design Studio
The controversial rapper and fashion designer quietly launched Yeezy Home in 2018, an architectural arm of his growing business empire. West’s vision extends beyond music and clothing to creating affordable housing solutions with a distinctive minimalist aesthetic.
His architectural venture gained attention when prototypes of dome-shaped structures appeared on his Calabasas property. These experimental homes were designed as potential low-income housing models, though they were later demolished due to permit issues.
Despite setbacks, West continues developing architectural concepts through Yeezy Home. The studio represents his ambition to democratize design and create living spaces that reflect his unique artistic vision, showing a surprisingly practical side to the often unpredictable artist.
6. Venus Williams’ Interior Design Firm
Tennis champion Venus Williams channels her competitive spirit into V Starr, the interior design firm she founded in 2002. Many fans have no idea the sports icon holds a degree in Fashion Design and runs a successful design business between tournament appearances.
V Starr has completed high-profile projects, including luxury hotels, sports facilities, and residential properties. Williams brings the same precision and attention to detail from her tennis career to each design project, creating spaces that balance functionality with style.
Her firm employs a team of professional designers but maintains Williams’ personal touch. This business venture showcases her creative talents beyond the tennis court, proving athletic prowess isn’t her only impressive skill.
7. Paul Newman’s Food Empire That Gives Back
The legendary actor started Newman’s Own in 1982 with a simple salad dressing recipe. What began as a joke between friends evolved into a food empire that donates 100% of profits to charity – a business model almost unheard of today.
Newman’s face appears on every product, but many consumers don’t realize the company was actually founded by the actor himself. The brand has expanded to include pasta sauces, lemonade, cookies, and more, maintaining Newman’s commitment to quality ingredients.
Since its founding, Newman’s Own has donated over $570 million to thousands of charities worldwide. This business venture perfectly captured Newman’s philanthropic spirit and created a lasting legacy beyond his film career.
8. Rihanna’s Groundbreaking Lingerie Line
While Fenty Beauty gets plenty of attention, fewer people know about Savage X Fenty, Rihanna’s inclusive lingerie brand that’s revolutionizing the industry. Launched in 2018, the line features sizes from XS to 4XL and embraces body positivity in ways traditional lingerie brands never attempted.
The business secured over $300 million in funding and reached a $1 billion valuation in 2021. Rihanna maintains creative control while building a brand that celebrates diversity through both products and marketing.
Her annual Savage X Fenty fashion shows have become streaming events, featuring models of all body types, genders, and abilities. This venture demonstrates that Rihanna’s business acumen extends far beyond her music career, creating space for representation in an industry that long ignored diversity.
9. Magic Johnson’s Urban Theater Chain
Basketball legend Magic Johnson made a surprising business move in the 1990s by bringing movie theaters to underserved urban communities. Johnson recognized that major theater chains were avoiding inner-city neighborhoods, leaving residents without access to first-run films.
His Magic Johnson Theaters (later sold to AMC) created jobs in these communities while providing entertainment options previously unavailable. The theaters featured state-of-the-art facilities and became community gathering spots.
This venture was just one part of Johnson’s business portfolio, which includes investments in food service, sports teams, and healthcare facilities. His theater chain demonstrated his commitment to economic development in overlooked neighborhoods long before such investments became trendy.
10. Francis Ford Coppola’s Wine and Hospitality Kingdom
The legendary director behind The Godfather secretly built an impressive wine and hospitality business over decades. Coppola purchased his first vineyard in 1975 and gradually expanded to create Francis Ford Coppola Winery, a major player in California’s wine industry.
Beyond wine, Coppola owns luxury resorts in Belize, Guatemala, Italy, and Argentina. His hospitality ventures reflect his artistic sensibility, with each property offering unique experiences tied to local culture and history.
While fans associate Coppola with filmmaking, his business ventures have become equally significant. The wine business alone produces nearly 2 million cases annually. Coppola approaches these enterprises with the same creative vision he brings to cinema.
11. Drew Barrymore’s Budget-Friendly Homeware Brand
The beloved actress launched Beautiful by Drew Barrymore in 2021, a line of affordable kitchen appliances and cookware sold exclusively at Walmart. The products feature sleek design and trendy colors at surprisingly accessible price points.
Barrymore took an active role in product development, insisting on quality and style without the premium price tag. The air fryers, toaster ovens, and cookware sets quickly became bestsellers, proving celebrities can create genuinely useful products consumers actually want.
Unlike many celebrity product lines that target luxury markets, Barrymore deliberately focused on making well-designed items available to everyday shoppers. The brand’s success demonstrates her understanding of what regular families need and want in their kitchens.
12. Robert De Niro’s Global Restaurant Network
The legendary actor quietly built an international restaurant empire, co-founding the Nobu chain with chef Nobu Matsuhisa in 1994. What began as a single upscale Japanese restaurant in New York has expanded to over 50 locations worldwide.
De Niro doesn’t just lend his name – he’s been actively involved in business decisions and location scouting. The Nobu brand has expanded beyond restaurants to include luxury hotels, creating an estimated $1 billion hospitality empire.
Few moviegoers realize that De Niro’s business acumen rivals his acting talent. He also owns several other restaurants, including Tribeca Grill in New York City. His restaurant investments have likely generated more wealth than his extensive film career.
13. Gwyneth Paltrow’s Controversial Wellness Company
Love it or hate it, Goop has transformed from Paltrow’s 2008 newsletter into a $250 million wellness empire. The company sells everything from skincare to supplements, often generating headlines for its unconventional health claims and luxury price tags.
Despite criticism from medical professionals about some products, Paltrow has successfully positioned herself as a lifestyle guru. Goop expanded into brick-and-mortar retail, podcasts, Netflix shows, and wellness summits, creating multiple revenue streams.
Paltrow’s business savvy shows in how she’s leveraged controversy into publicity. While many celebrity businesses stay safe, Goop deliberately courts debate, keeping the brand in headlines and conversations. This strategy has helped build a dedicated customer base willing to pay premium prices.
14. Pharrell Williams’ Innovative Textile Company
The music superstar co-founded Bionic Yarn in 2009, a company that transforms recovered ocean plastic into high-quality textiles. This eco-friendly venture partners with major brands like Adidas, Timberland, and G-Star RAW to create sustainable products.
Williams serves as creative director, helping develop materials that don’t sacrifice style for sustainability. The company has recovered millions of plastic bottles from marine environments while creating fashion-forward textiles.
Few fans realize Williams has been pioneering sustainable fashion for over a decade through this business. His commitment to ocean conservation through Bionic Yarn shows an entrepreneurial vision focused on environmental impact alongside profit – a rare combination in celebrity business ventures.