15 Stories From People Who Knew Celebrities Before They Got Famous

We go out with our friends and say hi to our neighbors every day, without realizing that some of them might turn into superstars in the future. It might sound like a joke not only to us but to our friends as well. Yet, here we are, with thousands of stories on the internet about how people knew celebs before they were famous.

Bright Side found 15 people who were lucky to see the ordinary, unknown side of celebrities.

1. Frank Sinatra

My grandmother was Frank Sinatra’s high school sweetheart. He asked her to marry him, and she told him that he had no future and to get a job. He left town and became Frank Sinatra. We have all their letters.
pizzaorpasta / Reddit

2. Emma Stone

She was very bright and naturally charismatic. She often got the lead in all school plays. Once I got the main role that she really wanted. Even though she was disappointed, she congratulated me and said I’d do a good job.

We used to play gymnastics at her house all the time and pretend we were Kerri Strug, her parents got us both USA leotards! She was a sweet girl, we kind of split up later in elementary school and don’t talk anymore, but she was a great friend!
shanksta3 / Reddit

3. Green Day

I knew Billie Joe Armstrong and the Green Day guys. Not well, though, but they were the nicest guys ever.

I was standing in line with some friends at one of their sold out shows, Billie Joe darted out, ran up to us and said, “What are you guys doing standing in line when there’s equipment to be brought in? Don’t be silly.” He brought us back to their van and gave us each a cymbal, a bass drum pedal, etc. something little we could each carry in and jump the line as “roadies,” since we were old pals from early on.
Hey_Laaady / Reddit

4. Jensen Ackles

I went to the same high school as Jensen Ackles. All the teachers would talk about how nice he was and how he was going to make it big (think he was already a regular on a soap opera by then). I finally saw him when I was in a tech theater, he had come to see his sister in a high school play. He stayed to the end and looked so proud of her.
wickedvicked / Reddit

5. Tom Hanks

My dad interned with Tom Hanks when he first started out at the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival. He was always very kind and charismatic with everyone, and just a constant ball of energy. When his son Colin was born, he proudly showed him off to everybody. About 3 years ago, there was a reunion of all the Great Lakes interns.

My dad went, not knowing if he was going to show up and if he did, if he’d remember him. But not only did he show up, he approached my dad and remembered him by his full name. He’s honestly a really great man.
melodyponddd / Reddit

6. Sophie Turner

I went to school with Sophie Turner. She was a couple of years below me, but I was in a few plays with her. She was just an average girl. Really normal, didn’t really stand out, but wasn’t quiet or shy either.

She never got the big parts in plays and wasn’t even considered to be one of the ’good’ actors at our school, was always a part of the chorus. I was quite surprised to hear she got a major part in a TV drama, seemed to come out of nowhere.
WrackspurtsNargles / Reddit

7. Post Malone

I was best friends with Post Malone in high school, and he’s pretty much the same person he was in high school that he is now, just some more wild adventures, but his personality has stayed the same, despite the money and fame.

Fun fact: he used to be an indie music guy in high school, wore Hawaiian V necks, high water tight black jeans, and toms. Coolest, chilliest, and funniest dude you could have hung out with.
Contrasted94 / Reddit

8. Emma Watson

I went to the same school as Emma Watson. From what the teachers say, she was very studious and serious about her work and wanted to achieve.

She was really good at art and English (and is still good friends with the old English department) and even contributed a hand-drawn postcard to our school’s centenary celebration. She was really nice, but you couldn’t talk to her or fangirl over her otherwise, the teachers would penalize you (this was during the Harry Potter years).
unicorn_c****e / Reddit

9. Gordon Ramsay

My aunt used to work with Gordon Ramsay’s mother, but never made the connection. Once, they were out for lunch, and he ended up coming in to see his mom and met my aunt in the process. She said he was so lovely and polite!

My dad has a bunch of Gordon’s old sweaters that he didn’t want anymore. Not signed or anything like that, it’s just a fun family story now.
BaffledAndBemused / Reddit

10. Chris Evans

He was really obnoxious as a popular local teenage actor. Imagine his character from Scott Pilgrim, but as a kid. He grew up and grew out of being obnoxious, and I’m happy for his successful career.
FAHQRudy / Reddit

11. Billy Ray Cyrus

My mom continuously turned down Billy Ray Cyrus. They lived in the same town and went to the same high school. He asked her out all the time. Mom denied him just as much as he asked.

Life went on, she met my dad. After they’d gotten together, Billy calls her — personally — and begs her to be in his music video for Achy Breaky Heart. Dad told her no. It’s been kind of a family joke that Achy Breaky Heart is about my mom.
Hello******Kitty / Reddit

12. Liam Hemsworth

I was in school with Liam Hemsworth. He was a few years below me, in my sister’s grade.

Really nice guy, he was madly in love with his girlfriend & even though he had the opportunity to cheat, he was super loyal to her. Not the brightest kid around, though. As far as I know, he hasn’t changed!
Unknown user / Reddit

13. Charlie Chaplin

My great-grandmother lived next door to Charlie Chaplin in London when he was a boy. Apparently, she hated how he rejected his cockney past after getting big. Also, he wore more shoes when he was famous.
Electroguy1 / Reddit

14. Robert Downey Jr.

I went to middle school with Robert Downey Jr. It’s weird to see him in movies as he has some of the same quirks he had as a teenager, especially that quick talking, wise cracking thing he often does.

To me, it often seems like he’s just acting exactly like that same kid that I knew. We were both in a drama class, and the instructor often teased him, saying things like, “Robert, why are you even here?
We all know your father is going to get you jobs left and right.”
boywonder5691 / Reddit

15. Will Smith

My dad was good friends with Will Smith before the Fresh Prince days — Will actually showed him the pilot before it aired. Fast-forward however many years to After Earth, and Will invited us on the set. His first words when he saw my dad 10+ years later were, “the Philly crew is back!” Both Will and Jaden are the sweetest people you’ll ever meet.
SMP610 / Reddit

Has anyone out of your circle of friends become famous? How do you feel when your acquaintances/friends suddenly succeed in life?