Sally Field
American actress and director Sally Field has been a recipient of various accolades ranging from the Academy Awards to the Golden Globes, as well as a suite of nominations and other prestigious entertainment achievements.
Back when the Mrs. Doubtfire actress was just finding her way around show business, she appeared as a contestant on the popular ABC series, The Dating Game. At the time, she had only starred in the titular role of the short-lived sitcom, Gidget. After the show, Field admitted that she refused to go on a date with her bachelor, even though he might have been the right guy for her.
Meghan Markle
Long before Meghan Markle became the newest member of the British royal family, she used to work for the game show, Deal or No Deal. In 34 episodes, she walks across the stage in a skimpy skirt as a briefcase girl, donning a sexy dress that would wrench the audience’s attention for a few minutes, before revealing what her briefcase contained.
It may not be the ideal job to make it big in life, but in this case we can say to each her own. For ten years after her appearances on the popular game show, her true, royal worth is now revealed to the world as Prince Harry’s betrothed. Had she chosen a different path early on, the two may never have met.
Lady Gaga
The “Born This Way” singer wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth, nor did she arrive rich and famous. In fact, she must not have known how high her achievements in life would be when she appeared as a contestant on MTV’s Boiling Points, back in 2005. Gaga would have been happy to have won even just $100 from the show where all she had to do was to keep her composure in a revolving restaurant.
Back then, she was a 19-year-old brunette named Stefani Germanotta and, sadly, she lost her cool as well as the chance to win the $100. We doubt she looks back with any regret though. Nowadays, she’s topping the music charts, making movies, and gracing crowds with live appearances.
Vanna White
Before Vanna White became known as an American TV personality and Wheel of Fortune hostess, she was a contestant in the Miss Georgia Pageant and took a shot at claiming the top prize in a rival game show.
Vanna White was a youthful 20-year-old when Bob Parker called her on stage with his famous line, “come on down!” in the game show classic, The Price Is Right. This was back in 1980, and although White didn’t win in that episode, she got the attention needed to slip into a more glamorous role as the hostess of Wheel of Fortune, a career that would span for decades.
Kirstie Alley
The late Kirstie Alley made her first appearance as an actress in the science fiction film, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. She gained popularity for her role as Rebecca Howe in the TV sitcom, Cheers. Starting out as an unknown interior designer from Wichita, Alley set her transition to Hollywood in motion when she pitted herself against Betty White and the stunning Jamie Lee Curtis (both of whom would become her future celebrity colleagues) on the game show, The Match Game.
She did exceedingly well, earning $6,000 by appearing in multiple episodes of the fill-it-in trivia show. Alley would gradually become more popular and would soon be offered bigger paychecks for movie roles.