“You’re hired” was a phrase everyone waited to hear on the popular television show The Apprentice or its variation, The Celebrity Apprentice, considering they were both meant to be long, on-camera job interviews. With this unique concept and hosts like Donald Trump and Arnold Schwarzenegger at the helm, it’s a no-brainer that the series fared so well for years. The show also managed to get celebrities on board, adding a bit more drama and intrigue.
A singer, songwriter, and actress—what can’t Cyndi Lauper do? She rose to fame in the 1980s with hits like “Time After Time” and “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.” Good luck getting these songs out of your head for the rest of the day. Sorry, not sorry!
As for her time on The Celebrity Apprentice, Lauper participated in the third edition of the show, surviving eight long weeks before being “fired.” But that never bothered Lauper, who found success in other opportunities, including Broadway. She composed the musical Kinky Boots and won a Tony for it in 2013. Lauper has also been an activist throughout her career, fighting for women, the LGBTQ community, and people living with HIV/AIDS. The superstar even started her charity—True Colors United—in 2008 to end homelessness among the LGBTQ youth. In 2022, she established a fund called Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights to support women’s reproductive health and voting initiatives. The musician does all of this at 70 while pursuing art. For instance, she is believed to have entered a partnership with Swedish masterminds Pophouse Entertainment Group, co-founded by ABBA singer Björn Ulvaeus.
Marilu Henner made her mark on TV as Elaine O’Connor-Nardo on the sitcom Taxi (1978). Then, in 2006 and 2007, she was the host of the TV series America’s Ballroom Challenge despite never having engaged in ballroom dancing herself! She shared this little nugget on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2008 while expressing her desire to participate in Dancing with the Stars. When she was 55, she appeared on The Celebrity Apprentice in 2008 and also participated in the “All-Stars” installment of the show. Today, at 72, she is doing pretty good for herself. Blessed with superior autobiographical memory, Henner can remember almost every single day of her life! So, it comes as no surprise that she has written several books of various genres. She is also a spokesperson for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. In 2023, she was part of a play called Madwomen of the West. So, the end is nowhere in sight for Henner.
Gary Busey gained popularity early in his career for playing Buddy Holly in the movie The Buddy Holly Story (1978). A definite Hollywood legend, Busey is known for his ability to embody other personas like second nature. Two excellent examples are his roles as the crazy henchman Mr. Joshua in Lethal Weapon (1987) and an aging detective in Point Break (1991). In 2011, at the age of 66, Busey made his debut appearance on The Celebrity Apprentice (season 4) and rejoined the competition for its sixth edition in 2013. A year later, the actor proved that age is just a number by becoming the first American winner of the British TV series Celebrity Big Brother season 14. In 2015, he competed on the 21st season of Dancing with the Stars. Then, in 2020, he was cast in a web series—Gary Busey: Pet Judge. Even today, he has a few projects in the works, like The Gettysburg Address. So, you can stay tuned for what this versatile actor does next.
La Toya Jackson is an American singer and TV personality who competed in the fourth season of The Celebrity Apprentice, and boy, wasn’t that a rollercoaster of a journey? On the show, Jackson never got along with her all-women team and was fired in week eight. One would think luck was on her side when she was brought back in the following episode and even became the first candidate to get that privilege. But it just wasn’t meant to be. Jackson was terminated a week later. The star returned to compete in the sixth installment of The Celebrity Apprentice, where she didn’t make it past week 3. Of course, the reality show was just one of her many stints. The actor is known for her performance in Playboy Celebrity Centerfold: La Toya Jackson (1994) and the documentary Michael Jackson and Bubbles: The Untold Story (2010). Today, at 67, Jackson continues to explore her musical roots in a top-secret singing competition, The Masked Singer.
Many will remember George Takei for his role in Star Trek: The Original Series (1966). The actor took on the role of Mr. Sulu in the show’s episode title, Where No Man Has Gone Before. Not long after, Takei became a regular character. Then, Takei also took up guest roles in other TV shows, appeared at Star Trek conventions, and voiced Sulu for the animated Star Trek series. It was much later, at 74, when Takei put his entrepreneurial skills to the test on season 5 of The Celebrity Apprentice. Takei, who is also an author and advocate for the interest of Japanese Americans, has appeared on various shows, including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and has also voiced Koh the Face Stealer in the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series on Netflix. Today, at 87, it seems like the Star Trek star continues to “live long and prosper” in Hollywood.
The American singer and songwriter Dee Snider is best known as the frontman of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister. A rock rebellion icon in the 1980s, Snider famously defended artistic freedom from censorship, a sentiment that resonated with musicians and fans alike. While making a mark in the music industry, Snider also explored acting as a career. The legendary musician has appeared consecutively on the fifth and sixth seasons of The Celebrity Apprentice. In addition to the reality show, Snider bagged roles in various TV series, including a stint in Holliston (2012) and Cobra Kai (2021).
The actor Lou Ferrigno once said, “Everyone has his own ‘little Hulk’ inside him.” After a brilliant performance as the big green guy in The Incredible Hulk series (1978), the actor undeniably does the quote justice. Superhero roles aside, Ferrigno did go for a more corporate approach to Hollywood by signing up for the fifth season of The Celebrity Apprentice, which premiered in 2012. While the reality show might be entertaining to many, Ferrigno’s goal was something entirely noble. He competed in the show to raise money for his charity, the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Over the years, Ferrigno has made appearances at entertainment and fitness events, collaborated with a line of fitness equipment, and promoted Ferrigno Legacy shows for the IFBB Pro League in the mid-2010s. At 72, the actor stays active in training and even shares photos of his six-pack on social media platforms. How’s that for some motivation?
Dennis Rodman is a basketball legend known for his rebounding abilities, defensive skills, and vibrant personality. The sports prodigy became a five-time NBA champion and a Hall of Famer. Besides sports, Rodman was extensively involved in showbiz, taking on roles in TV series like Double Rush (1995) and in action movies like Double Team (1997) and Simon Sez (1999). His acting career eventually led him to contest in two seasons of The Celebrity Apprentice, aired in 2009 and 2013. Since then, Rodman has expanded his acting portfolio with roles in other series like AEW Collision (2023). Also, you can catch Rodman in a few movies that are in the works.
Trace Adkins is one of the most celebrated country music artists. The singer has several hits under his belt, including “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” “Where the Country Girls At,” and “You’re Gonna Miss This.” Throughout his career, Adkins has showcased multiple talents, including his business acumen when he competed on The Celebrity Apprentice twice. It was his second stint on the show, in 2013, when Adkins won the competition, all thanks to his stellar entrepreneurial and fundraising skills on the show. In his 60s today, Adkins shows no signs of slowing down. The celebrity continues to explore acting opportunities, with appearances in the TV series Monarch (2022) and the movie Among Wolves (2023). Not just that, Adkins is still touring, so you may be able to catch him performing your favorite country hits soon.
It is pretty much established that Vivica A. Fox is a brilliant actor. The Independence Day star has been at the center of Hollywood for more than 30 years, taking up multiple projects, including movies and TV shows. She, too, signed up as a contestant on the seventh installment of The Celebrity Apprentice in 2015. While Fox didn’t win, the reality show was only a tiny part of her long, vibrant career.
In her early days as an actor, Fox played a prominent role in Batman & Robin (1997). She also starred in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003). Fox has also appeared as FBI Agent Nicole Scott on the popular TV show 1-800-Missing (2004–2006). According to IMDB, Fox has about 10 upcoming projects. In an interview with Fox News, the actor said, “When I look at my library, I go, ‘Wow, you’ve been doing the damn thing. You go, girl!’ It makes me so proud. I have so many wonderful memories,”. She added, “I don’t take any of these moments for granted.” So, you will not have to wait too long to find her on your screen.
Arsenio Hall is a dynamic actor known for his role in the comedy franchise Coming to America (1988) alongside legendary comedian and actor Eddie Murphy. Hall was also applauded for his groundbreaking late-night talk show, The Arsenio Hall Show (1989–1994). Following several projects, Hall eventually found his way to the fifth edition of The Celebrity Apprentice and won. Since then, Hall has reunited with Murphy for Coming 2 America (2021), a project that left long-time fans nostalgic and laughing all over again. While the star hasn’t announced any upcoming projects, one can always follow him on social media, where he posts glimpses into his lifestyle and shares a joke or two.
Another brief stint on the fourth installment of The Celebrity Apprentice would be that of TV personality Dionne Warwick. A singer, Warwick is known for classics like “I Say a Little Prayer,” “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” and “Walk On By.” She is also an actor and producer known for films like Alive (1993), The Happytime Murders (2018), and Bird Box (2018). At 83 today, Warwick’s career is thriving as ever, with her starring in a sketch on Saturday Night Live, to earning the title “Queen of Twitter.” It’s no wonder that the artist still has a huge fan following worldwide.
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