These Celebrities Were All Cheerleaders Before Making It Big

Ann Margret

Born in Sweden in 1941, Anne was an accomplished singer, spry dancer, and peppy cheerleader for New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois. She happily smiled for the cameras and the crowds even before she was famous. The starlet went on to act in pictures like Bye Bye Birdie, Carnal Knowledge, Grumpy Old Men, and The Cheap Detective.

The More You Know

In the early days of his career, Sylvester Stallone was so poor that he sold his dog Butkus for $50.
Actor Joaquin Phoenix was born in a cult, which might help explain why his siblings were named River, Rain, Liberty, and Summer. Their parents were members of Children of God group, which was founded in the 1960s.
Growing up, Eva Mendes wanted to be a nun, but she changed her mind when she found out they didn't make any money.
Lady Gaga spent $50,000 to find out if a ghost named Ryan was haunting her.

Post originally appeared on Upbeat News.