It takes a lot to make it in Hollywood, especially with all the stiff competition. To be a good actor, one needs to work hard, put in long hours, and dig deep into acting roles. The same can be said about the business world, where it takes ambition, smarts, and intuition to be successful. Perhaps that’s why several Hollywood celebrities have made the shift from being full-time actresses to entrepreneurs, where they’ve built brands, businesses, beauty companies, and fashion lines from the ground up. Some have had great success, others have been more modest, and still some seem to be struggling. Take a look at what Hollywood’s leading ladies have been up to in our list of 11 women who went from being actresses in Hollywood to savvy businesswomen.
11. Drew Barrymore
She’s come a long way from her early days in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. In addition to starring in over 50 films, Barrymore has undertaken a variety of business projects that range from film production to cosmetics. With an interest in the behind-the-scenes of film making, she founded Flower Films, a production company, with her business partner with Nancy Juvonen in 1995. Current film projects include How To Be Single with Dakota Johnson and Rebel Wilson, and Freak Show starring Bette Midler and Laverne Cox. Clean beauty is another passion of Barrymore’s, and led to the creation of Flower, a cosmetics line that makes affordable quality products including foundation and mascara. And if that’s not enough to keep her busy, she also produces her own line of wines with Carmel Road, known as Barrymore Wines.
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