Successful People Who Were Once Told They Were Failures

Has anyone ever tried to hold you back because they thought you couldn't do something that you knew was your purpose? If so, you are not alone.

Many people have been told they were no good and they wouldn't amount to anything. Unfortunately, some people believed what teachers, coaches, directors, and authority figures told them, and they gave up on their dream. Fortunately, some people did not quit when they were told they couldn't succeed.

Here is a list of well-known people who were once told they were failures, but are very successful. People on the list will surprise you.

From Rejection to Success

Did you know Oprah Winfrey was once fired as a reporter and told she was unfit for television? Did you know Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team? Did you know Thomas Edison failed 1,000 times before inventing the light bulb? You would be surprised that Colonel Sanders' secret recipe for chicken was rejected 1,009 times. Aren't you glad he didn't give up?

Amazingly, none of these successful people took the advice of those who tried to get them to give up their dreams.

Here is a list in alphabetical order of successful celebrities who were once rejected.

Celebrities Rejected Before Becoming Successful

Jennifer Aniston: Was rejected from a modeling agency early in her career for being "too girl-next-door." Today, she is well-known as a successful actress.

Lucille Ball: Was rejected as a movie star, and agents didn't think she would ever be an A-list celebrity. Ball earned thirteen Emmy nominations and four wins.

Beatles: Were rejected by Decca Records. They were told they couldn't make it because nobody liked their music. Today, their music is still popular around the world.

Beyoncé: Faced multiple rejections before becoming a successful solo artist after Destiny's Child.

Walt Disney: Was fired when a newspaper stated that he wasn't imaginative with good ideas. His theme parks, movies, and merchandise earn billions every year.

Harrison Ford: Agents rejected him after his first film because they thought he would never be a star. He has had a successful acting career for over six decades.

Michael J. Fox: A producer rejected him for being too short. He is an actor, author, comedian, producer, activist, and voice-over artist.

Lady Gaga: Was dropped from her first record label and faced multiple rejections from record labels before achieving fame.

Theodor Seuss Geisel: His first book To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street was rejected 27 times. Today, Dr. Seuss' children's books are in households all over the world.

Michael Jordan: His coach cut him from his high school basketball team and told him he wasn't good enough to play basketball. Today, Jordan is one of the most famous basketball players in history.

Stephen King: His thriller Carrie received 30 rejections. His wife encouraged him to resubmit it one more time. He now has hundreds of books published, and he is one of the best-selling authors of all time.

Marilyn Monroe: Modeling agents agreed that she would be better as a secretary. After her death, she is still remembered as a model and actress.

Brad Pitt: Was initially turned down for a role in a major film. He was told his looks did not fit the character.

Sidney Poitier: A casting director advised him to become a dishwasher. He ended up being an Oscar winner and was one of the most well-loved actors.

Elvis Presley: After only one performance, he was fired from singing. Agents told him he would be better off as a truck driver. Many years after his death, he is still admired because of his music and not for driving a truck.

J.K. Rowling: Was rejected by multiple publishers before Harry Potter became a global phenomenon.

Colonel Sanders: His secret chicken recipe was rejected 1,009 times. Colonel Sanders' Kentucky Fried Chicken is sold all over the world.

Jerry Seinfeld: During his very first performance, he was booed off the stage. He is well-known today as a successful comedian.

Steven Spielberg: The University of Southern California School of Theater, Film, and Television denied enrolling him three times. Thirty-five years after his rejection, he returned to college and received his degree in 2002. Today, his name is synonymous with television.

Sylvester Stallone: His "Rocky" scripts were rejected over 1,500 times. When finally accepted, he was asked not to star in them. His movies grossed over a billion dollars and are still being watched today.

Vincent Van Gogh: Was rejected as a painter. He sold only one painting to a friend at a very small price when he was alive. He completed over 2,100 art pieces before he died at age 37. Today, they bring in millions of dollars.

Oprah Winfrey: Officials fired her from her television reporter job and told her she was unfit for television. Oprah's daytime talk show aired for 25 years. Today, she is a media mogul with her own television network named after her, "OWN."

YOU: If you have your own rejection story, don't ever give up.

Perhaps someone in your past has said you would be nothing, but don't let them be right. Prove them wrong just like so many famous people did when they were told they would amount to nothing.