J.Lo, Halle Berry & Co

These stars went from “broke” to movie star

Hard to believe! Even Jennifer Lopez once had enormous financial worries.(Bild: APA/Getty Images via AFP/GETTY IMAGES/Marleen Moise)

Not all Hollywood stars are born rich—some even lived on the breadline until they miraculously landed the movie role that saved them. Here are the most famous stars who went from broke to Hollywood legends.

In the mid-1970s, Sylvester Stallone was so poor that he had to sell his beloved dog Butkus for $40. Not only could he no longer afford dog food, but "Sly" needed money to keep himself from starving.

According to Stallone, a "modern miracle" then followed and he received the news that his screenplay for "Rocky" had found a buyer. The rest is Hollywood history. And Stallone was able to afford to buy Butkus back. However, he had to pay $15,000 for the Bull Mastiff.

Stallone even had to sell his beloved dog. When he became very successful thanks to his role in "Rocky," he bought him back.(Bild: APA/dpa/Rolf Vennenbernd)

"The Rock" was "broke like no other"
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson tweeted in 2011 that he was almost completely broke after ending his college football career: "It was 1995, I had $7 in my pocket and I knew I was as broke as they come." Then he got an offer to appear on television as a wrestler, which led to his Hollywood career as an action hero. Today, his net worth is estimated at $800 million.

"Friends" role saved Matt LeBlanc
In the early 90s, Matt LeBlanc was on the verge of giving up his dream of acting. On Conan O'Brien's TV show, he revealed: "I was broke and had only $11 left. I had already taken a job as a waiter so I wouldn't starve." Then he got the news that he had landed the role of Joey Tribbiani in a new sitcom called "Friends."

Melissa McCarthy, known from "Gilmore Girls"
At the beginning of her acting career, Melissa McCarthy only had a roof over her head thanks to financial help from her sister and parents. In Glamour magazine, the film comedian revealed: "I remember well that I wanted to withdraw $5 from the ATM and couldn't. Because I didn't have enough in my account."

In desperation, she took a job as an assistant to a film production coordinator. She only had this job for a short time because the director decided to give her the role of Sookie St. James in "Gilmore Girls."

Chris Pratt: Not enough money for a plane ticket to the set
Chris Pratt was living almost penniless in a tent on the beach in Maui when he learned that he had been cast in a movie in Los Angeles. On the "Smartless" podcast, the "Jurassic World" star revealed that he almost didn't make it to the set: "I only had $60, which wasn't enough for a plane ticket from Hawaii to California." Fortunately, the film's producer advanced him the money, and "I never went back to Maui."

Halle Berry lived in a homeless shelter
Halle Berry had moved to New York to become an actress. She didn't get any roles and was so broke that she ended up on the streets. When she found out she had landed a role in the sitcom "Who's the Boss?", she was living in a homeless shelter. The guest role opened the door to a major Hollywood career, culminating in an Oscar win for "Best Actress."

A guest role in a sitcom opened the door to a very successful Hollywood career for Berry.(Bild: APA/Getty Images via AFP/GETTY IMAGES/Alberto E. Rodriguez)

J.Lo's role as a "Fly Girl" dancer was her breakthrough
Jennifer Lopez dreamed of making it as a singer and actress. In "W" magazine, she revealed that her mother had refused to support her daughter's plans "because she wanted me to go to college." J.Lo was homeless, broke, and had to sleep on the sofa in her dance studio. But then she got a role as a "Fly Girl" dancer in the series "In Living Color," moved to Los Angeles, and became a star.

Hard to believe: pop queen Jennifer Lopez was once on the brink of ruin.(Bild: APA/AFP/Angela WEISS)

Robb Stark had to get by on five dollars a day
Richard Madden was so unsuccessful as an actor that he had to get by on five dollars a day. On "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," the future Robb Stark revealed that every day he was faced with the choice of "either a meal or a newspaper with a liter of beer."

Robb Stark's role in "Game of Thrones" was his breakthrough to a very successful Hollywood career.(Bild: Daziram / Action Press / picturedesk.com)

Out of frustration, he often opted for the latter. His landlord had already given him notice to evict him for rent arrears when he got his role in Game of Thrones.