From actors and musicians to politicians and business leaders, many high-profile individuals have worked at McDonald’s at some point in their lives. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most well-known celebrities who have donned the McDonald’s uniform and served up burgers and fries to customers.
1. Shia LaBeouf
Actor Shia LaBeouf, best known for his roles in the Transformers and Indiana Jones franchises, worked at a McDonald’s in Los Angeles during his teenage years. In a 2012 interview with Details magazine, LaBeouf described his time at McDonald’s as “brutal” and said that he was fired after just one day on the job. Despite the brief stint, LaBeouf credits his time at McDonald’s with helping him to develop a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility.
2. Rachel McAdams
Before becoming a Hollywood actress, Rachel McAdams worked at a McDonald’s in her hometown of London, Ontario. In a 2015 interview with Elle magazine, McAdams recalled her time at McDonald’s fondly and said that she learned valuable customer service skills while working there.
3. Jay Leno
Comedian and former Tonight Show host Jay Leno got his start in the food industry as a teenager, working at a McDonald’s in Massachusetts. In a 2013 interview with USA Today, Leno described his time at McDonald’s as “tremendous” and said that it taught him the value of hard work.
4. Pink
Pop singer Pink, whose real name is Alecia Beth Moore, worked at a McDonald’s in Philadelphia before finding fame as a musician. In a 2010 interview with People magazine, Pink described her time at McDonald’s as “humiliating” but said that it taught her discipline and the importance of working hard.
5. Shaquille O’Neal
Before becoming a professional basketball player and successful entrepreneur, Shaquille O’Neal worked at a McDonald’s in San Antonio, Texas. In a 2012 interview with Forbes, O’Neal credited his time at McDonald’s with teaching him the importance of customer service and how to handle difficult situations.
6. Barack Obama
Former President Barack Obama worked at a McDonald’s in Honolulu, Hawaii, during his teenage years. In a 2014 interview with People magazine, Obama described his time at McDonald’s as a “good lesson” in how to work hard and interact with people from all walks of life.
7. Gordon Ramsay
Famed chef and television personality Gordon Ramsay worked at a McDonald’s in London during his teenage years. In a 2012 interview with The Guardian, Ramsay described his time at McDonald’s as “truly humbling” and said that it taught him the importance of working hard and being reliable.
8. Michelle Obama
Before becoming First Lady, Michelle Obama worked at a McDonald’s in Chicago. In a 2013 interview with USA Today, Obama described her time at McDonald’s as a “great learning experience” that taught her the value of hard work and customer service.
9. Tyra Banks
Model and television host Tyra Banks worked at a McDonald’s in Inglewood, California, during her teenage years. In a 2012 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Banks described her time at McDonald’s as “eye-opening” and said that it taught her the importance of being punctual and working as part of a team.
10. Sir Anthony Hopkins
Actor Sir Anthony Hopkins worked at a McDonald’s in London during his struggling actor days. In a 2016 interview with The Guardian, Hopkins described his time at McDonald’s as humbling and said that it helped him to appreciate the hard work that goes into running a business. Despite his eventual success as an actor, Hopkins said that he has always remembered his time at McDonald’s and the lessons he learned there.
Other celebrities who have worked at McDonald’s include Britney Spears, Kanye West, and Bruce Willis. In addition to these well-known celebrities, many other successful individuals have worked at McDonald’s early in their careers, including politicians, business leaders, and entrepreneurs. Working at McDonald’s can provide valuable experience and skills that can be applied in any profession, regardless of the individual’s eventual career path.