Celebrities Take on Bizarre Side Jobs

By Nana-Adwoa Ofori Posted Mar 16th 2010 08:00PM

The entertainment world took a collective gasp when tennis superstar Serena Williams announced last month that she had enrolled in a 240 hour program to obtain her license as a nail technician. Of course, Williams is not the first superstar to moonlight in other professions. See which A-list celebrities side-line their careers to fight crime, paint and write Presidential speeches.

Actor Steven Seagal, who is most noted for his roles in action films, including 'Under Siege,' 'Exit Wounds' and 'Today You Die,' decided to become a real-life crime stopper. Segal has been a police officer at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office in Louisiana for the past 20 years. In 2009, Segal teamed up with A&E for the reality show 'Lawman,' and brought the same no-nonsense zeal to laying down the real law as he does to being an onscreen crime fighter.

Frankie Muniz will forever be known for his role as the adorable middle child from the television sitcom 'Malcolm in the Middle.' But he has taken up additional pursuits: racing cars. He also tapped into his inner rock star and is the drummer for the unsigned group You Hang Up. (Check out PopEater's exclusive interview with Frankie Muniz.)

Dennis Hopper is a Hollywood legend. The Academy Award nominated actor has a film repertoire that spans decades and includes classics like 'Rebel Without a Cause,' 'Easy Rider' and 'Apocalypse Now.' However, some people may not know that he also has made an indelible mark in the art world. As a photographer, he chronicled the rebellious 1960s, and he has also dabbled in painting. Both his photographs and paintings have been exhibited in numerous art galleries across the world.

Before Al Franken began serving as a junior United States Senator from Minnesota, he had a steady gig making us laugh. Franken was one of the original writers and performers on 'Saturday Night Live' and has received three Emmy awards as a writer and producer. In addition to 'SNL,' he also co-wrote the film 'When a Man Loves a Woman' and has written multiple books and hosted several radio shows. Although he took office in 2009, Franken will always be most known for the his contributions to television and film.

"Bueller.....Bueller... Anyone... Anyone." It was Ben Stein who uttered those classic lines in John Hughes's hit film 'Ferris Beueller's Day Off.' In addition to acting, Stein is also a writer, lawyer and commentator on political and economic issues. He even won an Emmy for his game show on Comedy Central, 'Win Ben Stein's Money,' with co-host Jimmy Kimmel in 1997. As if those accolades were not enough, Stein first began his career as a speechwriter for President Richard Nixon!

The late Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, but he also showed an incredible talent with paint at an early age. At 9 years old, Jackson painted a portrait of Charlie Chaplin. It is on auction for $2,000-3,000. Jimmy Hendrix, Paul McCartney, Ringo Star, Grace Slick, Bob Dylan and Miles Davis all have their art works exhibited in galleries and museums across the globe, too.

Acting was just the tip of the iceberg for Paul Newman. He co-founded Newman's Own, a hugely successful food company that specialized in salad dressing. Newman also had a love for motor sports and won several national championships as a driver in Sports Car Club of America road racing.

Suzanne Somers has written two autobiographies, four diet books... and a book of poetry entitled 'Touch Me.' Sommers was also the spokesperson for the "thigh master," which sparked the popularity of infomercials in the 80's.