A photo showing Demi Moore at the edge of a staircase, sporting a white dress.

4 Celebs Who Left Home Quickly and Jumpstarted Their Careers

Home / News / 4 Celebs Who Left Home Quickly and Jumpstarted Their Careers

By Favour Adegoke on September 12, 2021 at 9:45 AM PDT

Celebrities become famous; have millions of fans all over the world, earn millions, travel all over the world, and live luxurious lives.

But the journey to stardom is not always that easy and simple, as many of them went through a lot of travails to get to where they are now.

Some had a support system when they began to pursue their dreams whereas, others had to fight back against family and friends who didn't believe in them and support them.

Some of these celebrities were still very young, children and teenagers who took the decision to stand up to their family, risk their disapproval to defy them and leave home to follow their passion and dreams.

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This made the journey harder, and the success at the end that much sweeter. If not for the determination and strength of these celebrities, fans wouldn't have some amazing movies, shows and stories that they have today.

This is why these famous people have so many fans admiring and supporting them for their strength and perseverance.

Below are four of today's celebrities who left home at a young age to follow their passions, pursue their dreams and become successful.

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Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence was born on August 15, 1990 to Gary Lawrence, a construction worker and Karen Lawrence, a summer camp manager, who lived in Indian Hills, Kentucky.

Growing up, she was a tomboy and never really played with other girls. She once referred to her home as a "Jesus house," saying that her family was very religious and the idea of being a movie star was never a serious or attainable dream for someone of her background.

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Jennifer Lawrence in sweats goes on a power walk with husband Cooke Maroney in Hudson River Park NYC
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Jennifer Lawrence in sweats goes on a power walk with husband Cooke Maroney in Hudson River Park NYC
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However, Lawrence knew what she wanted, she loved acting, felt the stage was the right place for her, and participated in many church and school plays.

She then got an offer from a photographer for advertising and television agencies while on a holiday in New York but her mother objected.

The "Hunger Games" star said when she shared her dream of being an actress with her parents, they were very much against the idea. This led to her dropping out of high school and leaving home at just 14 to move to New York City and pursue a career in film.

Years later, Lawrence is a trademark name in the acting industry and one of the most successful actresses in the world.

Demi Moore

Demi Moore is known worldwide for her roles in hit films and as a movie star. However, life wasn't always so glamorous for her as she grew up in a trailer park in Roswell, New Mexico, and was raised by an alcoholic mother and a stepfather who moved them to Los Angeles.

This was not the ideal beginning for a budding actress but Moore didn't let it stop her. She took it upon herself to earn and save money to build a life for herself.

At the age of 16, she dropped out of high school, left home to work as a debt collector and then joined a modeling agency.

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Rumer Willis and Demi Moore leaving pilates classes together in West Hollywood
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Rumer Willis and Demi Moore leaving pilates classes together in West Hollywood
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Her career as a model eventually took her to Europe where she briefly worked as a pin-up girl and did some nude shoots.

She kept pushing on for better gigs until she landed her first role on "General Hospital" and this officially kicked off a very successful career as an actress.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore comes from a family of movie stars. Her grandparents were in the industry and her godparents were Steven Spielberg and Sophia Loren. As a child, she starred in the film, "E.T the Extra-Terrestrial."

She was primarily raised by her mother who did not pay her much attention, leading to a troubled childhood. By the age of 14, she was drinking heavily, snorting cocaine had attempted suicide and been to rehab twice.

Barrymore ended up getting emancipated from her family at the age of 15, deciding to live on her own terms.

Her wild-child reputation made it difficult for her to get film projects, but she persisted; going from starring in minor films to co-founding a production company.

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She also starred in bigger films until she produced and featured in "Charlie's Angels," which catapulted her to proper stardom and established her as a top actress and film producer.

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Heather Mills

Model and activist Heather Mills was born into a very dysfunctional family, and this led to her decision to run away from home with the hope of joining a traveling circus at age 14.

She worked at a croissant store, a job she was eventually fired from. She then established businesses, kicked off a modeling career and even worked as a ski instructor in Slovenia.

Heather Mills is seen outside the High Court where she is expecting to receive a public apology from News Group Newspapers after bringing a claim of phone hacking July 8 2019
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Mills described her teenage living experience saying; "Like everything in life, homelessness is what you make it. I chose to make a success of it."

Sadly, an accident in 1993 severed her leg from the knee down, Mills then launched her support organization for amputee victims— a feat that earned her a nomination for the 1996 Nobel prize, the British government's Gold Award for Outstanding Achievement, and The Times Human Achievement award.

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