Many talented actors have achieved success not only in front of the camera but also as very smart entrepreneurs behind the scenes. Using their public profiles, many such actors expanded into diverse industries, from fashion and beauty to wellness, and even into highly sought-after tech, creating businesses reflecting their passions. Using creativity as well as business acumen, they built thriving brands, equal to or sometimes even better than their acting careers. The listed 20 actors have been capable of moving into the business world successfully, hence proving that their talents are beyond acting and well into innovation and entrepreneurship.
1) Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore has collaborated with Flower Beauty, which is a line of affordable, cruelty-free beauty products that she started in 2013. The brand quickly gained a consumer following for its quality. She also designed a line of furniture called Flower Home, which was launched in 2020. As the host of The Drew Barrymore Show, she expands her empire while at the same time remaining relatable, charming, and appropriately harnessing her brand for various business ventures in cosmetics and home goods.
2) Bethenny Frankel
Some people have entrepreneurial spirits. In Bethenny Frankel's case, it turned into a roaring empire with Skinnygirl, a brand that was first defined by its skinny-calorie cocktails. By 2023, the company has expanded to snacks, shapewear, and even a disaster relief initiative under the banner BStrong. Frankel built her businesses with intelligent marketing and a likable personality, becoming a titan in the food and lifestyle industry. She has also produced bestselling books and even started a popular podcast. Her profile puts her in the group of Hollywood's most successful entrepreneurs.
3) Jennifer Garner
Jennifer Garner is an entrepreneur with her organic baby food company, Once Upon a Farm. Garner founded the company in pursuit of nutritional food and fresh and sustainable options for children. By 2023, Once Upon a Farm has added plant-based smoothies and organic snacks to the line, making it a true market leader in healthy food. Garner is dedicated to a healthy lifestyle and giving back to the community which has made her standout in the business world, proving her dedication to making a difference.
4) Selena Gomez
Rare Beauty, the beauty brand founded by Selena Gomez, has hit $1 billion in sales in just three years since its release. It remains at the top of the cosmetics game due to its support for inclusiveness through a wide range of shades and commitment to initiatives towards mental health. As part of her business ingenuity, Selena Gomez also owns a production company called July Moon Productions, making her an influential businesswoman.
5) Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson, the co-founder of the pioneering athleisure brand Fabletics, founded the company in 2013 with a subscription-based model. Today, after years of offering affordable, high-performance workout wear, Fabletics has grown into an industry-changing billion-dollar business. Hudson's direct engagement in clothes design and strategic partnerships helped Fabletics remain a favorite among many consumers. The brand's expansion into retail stores and global markets speaks for itself. She ventured into wellness with her InBloom supplement line, thereby further cultivating her presence in the health and lifestyle industries.
6) Patti LaBelle
Patti LaBelle blended her musical legacy seamlessly with her entrepreneurial spirit, primarily through Patti's Good Life food brand. LaBelle's viral fame over social media because of her sweet potato pies is only the tip of the iceberg. She expanded her culinary empire into Southern-inspired dishes, snacks, and sauces. Her food items appeal to the fans for their rich flavor and their connection to LaBelle's family recipes. She has become one of the personalities the public loves in the food industry. Indeed, her talents go beyond the stage.
7) Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria's entrepreneurial business is also her tequila brand, Casa Del Sol, which she co-founded in 2021. This premium spirit emphasizes Mexican heritage and the sustainable production of the product. Longoria also ventured into film and television with UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, focusing on production that tells diverse stories. As of 2023, the actress has recently joined the cookware industry by designing a line of kitchen products. Longoria's businesses reflect a commitment to underrepresented voices in entertainment; her tequila brand continues to be a distinctive player in a crowded marketplace.
8) Shay Mitchell
Shay Mitchell's brand Béis are travel accessories that are sleek and stylish. They are both practical and chic, making them a popular choice for modern travelers since their inception in 2018. In 2023, Mitchell extended her product line to accommodate baby accessories, proving she can adapt well to her changing life while further developing her business. Her hands-on approach and commitment to quality have made Béis stand out in the travel gear market.
9) Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker's luxury shoe brand, SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, debuted in 2014 and heralded immediately with its innovative approach to high-end coverage designs without sacrificing affordability. Now, it sells handbags and bridal items as well. Besides the fashion kingdom, Parker is the owner of a wine label, Invivo X, SJP, which arrived in 2020. The collection sparked a cult following after Parker chose the wines she preferred for the line, taking a personal stake in marketing them. She is successful in allowing her style to mix with smart business strategies.
10) Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop has grown from a small newsletter into a global lifestyle brand with hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. Starting in 2008, Goop today encompasses everything from wellness products and skincare to fashion and supplements. In 2023, Paltrow expanded the brand's focus on clean beauty with new skincare lines and wellness retreats. Controversy might have surrounded certain products, but Goop remains the market leader in the wellness space due to Paltrow's reputation for authenticity and quality, which has guided the continued expansion of this brand.
11) Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine has become a successful production company creating female-led content. From Big Little Lies to The Morning Show, Witherspoon has always been influential in her mission to empower women. In 2021, Hello Sunshine was sold to the private equity firm Blackstone Group for nearly $1 billion. She founded Draper James, a Southern-inspired lifestyle brand that expanded into a clothing and home furnishings line. Witherspoon continues demonstrating that her entrepreneurial spirit is equally successful as her acting career.
12) Ashton Kutcher
Ashton Kutcher is a major tech investor via his venture capital firm A-Grade Investments. He invested in Airbnb, Skype, and Spotify, to name a few. More recently, in 2023, he co-founded an app called Stigma for mental health support which helps people discreetly connect with a professional therapist quickly. He founded another venture capital firm, Sound Ventures, to invest in startups. With his sharp eye for high-potential companies, Kutcher stands as one of the top investors in Hollywood, galvanizing the business aspect with his celebrity stature.
13) Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds has built a very lucrative business empire with his stake in Aviation Gin, which he sold for $610 million in 2020 and netted a nice profit. Besides the spirits, Reynolds co-owns telecommunications company Mint Mobile. He sold that to T-Mobile in 2023 for $1.35 billion. He is also the proprietorship owner of the Welsh football team Wrexham A.F.C. alongside actor Rob McElhenney, who gained an international audience as a crew participant in the documentary Welcome to Wrexham. The different ventures of Reynolds reveal his business abilities and his skill in finding brands that belong to his personality and humor.
14) Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson's business ventures include the Teremana Tequila brand he founded in 2020. It is quickly gaining a niche and reputation due to its high-quality, small-batch productions. Dwayne Johnson also fuels his love for fitness and his entrepreneurial spirit in Project Rock, his activewear line with Under Armour. Having diverse experience in alcohol, fitness, and apparel, Johnson's business ventures align with his brand: hard work, strength, and resilience.
15) Seth Rogen
This business has been nothing but good to Seth Rogen and his cannabis venture, Houseplant, in 2019 with Evan Goldberg. The brand is all about top-of-the-line quality, exclusive strains of cannabis, edibles, and accessories. Seth Rogen freely expresses his love for cannabis at Houseplant, combining that idealism with a smart business brain and a wellspring of humor. In addition to Houseplant, Rogen owns and runs Point Grey Pictures, his production company behind such hits as Pineapple Express and Invincible.
16) Jessica Alba
Jessica Alba is a businesswoman known for co-founding the consumer goods firm The Honest Company in 2011. This company offers natural and non-toxic products for families. Such a focus on safety and sustainability has made it remarkably popular. Under her leadership, The Honest Company expanded to baby care, personal care, and cleaning products. Alba also has some business acumen and, beyond her acting career, promotes health-conscious living and wants to empower women through entrepreneurship. She is one of the most influential figures in business and wellness communities.
17) Millie Bobby Brown
Millie Bobby Brown's entrepreneurial journey started with Florence by Mills, a clean beauty brand focused on reaching Gen Z. The brand was launched in 2019. Florence by Mills is distinguished not only for its environment-friendly packaging but also for its cruelty-free formulas. In 2023, she extended this brand to encompass skincare and haircare lines, further strengthening her position in the beauty world. Co-founder of Damsel Productions, Brown enjoys producing empowering stories with female leads. Brown is only 20 years old but boasts a considerable business empire that earns her a lot of debate in Hollywood and the business world.
18) Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston launched her very first luxury haircare line, LolaVie in 2021. It celebrates its clean ingredients and uses eco-conscious packaging, allowing one to take away high-quality, sustainable beauty products. In addition to this, Jennifer Aniston also co-founded Vital Proteins, a collagen-based supplement company. In 2023, Aniston further expanded her business interests with her great entrepreneurial spirit, creating successful brands that bestow wholesome needs and value in health and beauty.
19) Sandra Bullock
Founded in 2005, Fortis Films production company headed by Sandra Bullock revolves around creating content with powerful and complex female characters. The company contributed to the success of films such as Gravity and The Blind Side. Bullock's business acumen is extended into charitable activities; among them is Sandy's Cookies, an online bakery whose proceeds go to charity. She demonstrates a comprehensive and driven enthusiasm for storytelling and business acumen, making her one of the most impactful females in the industry.
20) Jennifer Lopez
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Jennifer Lopez has constructed a formidable entrepreneurial empire touching on beauty, fashion, wellness, and other categories. In 2021, Lopez launched her skincare line, JLo Beauty, and by 2023, it grew into serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens. Alongside co-owning fitness brand BodyArmor, which is a major competitor in the sports drink market, she has also launched several fragrances and clothing lines. With an eye for profitable ventures and an adherence to her brand's glamour and health, Lopez successfully transformed her star power into long-term business success.
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