Buzz
In certain metropolitan areas, being a taxi driver is regarded as a prestigious and highly respected profession. For instance, in London, aspiring cab drivers must undergo approximately three years of rigorous study and training to obtain a license. Surprisingly, about 75% of those who enroll in the taxi training program fail to complete it. The dedication and expertise required for the job have even led to scientific research, revealing that London cab drivers possess a larger hippocampus than the average person, highlighting their exceptional spatial memory skills.
Sadly, in the United States, taxi drivers often face a lack of respect. However, this list of well-known individuals who once worked as cab drivers might help shift perceptions and elevate the profession's status.
1. Larry David
Who could imagine the famously grumpy comedian behind Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm as a taxi driver? In reality, David’s early years were filled with a variety of unconventional jobs, from driving limousines to—brace yourself—selling bras! A fitting career path for the real-life counterpart to George Costanza, don’t you think?
Now Hail This: During his time as a cab driver, David lived next door to Kenny Kramer, the man who would eventually inspire the iconic character played by Michael Richards on Seinfeld.
2. David Mamet
The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright attributes his short stint as a Chicago taxi driver as invaluable real-world experience for his writing career. Mamet often rejected the idea that true writers are molded in Ivy League classrooms, instead drawing inspiration from rugged individuals like Jack London, Nelson Algren, and Ernest Hemingway.
Now Hail This: Mamet believes that life experience trumps technical skill in writing, frequently likening his favorite authors to the gritty, hardworking cab drivers he once knew.
3. Danny Glover
In 1999, the actor famous for his role as a veteran detective in the Lethal Weapon series drew on his past experience as a San Francisco taxi driver to highlight the issue of African Americans being ignored by cabbies in favor of white passengers. This led to then-Mayor Rudolph Giuliani initiating Operation Refusal, a campaign that revoked the licenses of drivers found guilty of such discriminatory practices.
Now Hail This: Glover's highly publicized protest inspired numerous online parodies, cleverly named "The Danny Glover Cab Test." Watch it here.
4. Jimmy Smits
Despite holding a Master's degree in Dramatic Arts from Cornell, Jimmy Smits briefly worked as a taxi driver in the early 1980s, ferrying lively New Yorkers around the city. His time behind the wheel lasted only a few months before he received the script for a new series by producer Steven Bochco, titled LA Law. After a lackluster response from NBC executives, Smits took a $99 flight to Los Angeles to audition for Bochco in person, ultimately landing the role.
Now Hail This: During his early days as a struggling theater actor in New York, Smits balanced his time between performing in off-Broadway productions during the day and driving a taxi at night.
5. Paul Stanley
Before achieving fame with Kiss, Paul Stanley faced a less-than-glamorous life. His parents dismissed his passion for rock music as a passing phase and even threatened to stop supporting him. So, what did the future rock icon do? He took on a part-time job as a cab driver to make ends meet.
Now Hail This: One of Stanley's regular destinations as a cabbie was Madison Square Garden, where he dropped off passengers attending events ranging from Knicks basketball games to Elvis Presley concerts.
6. Philip Glass
Long before composing iconic film scores for The Truman Show and Notes on a Scandal, Philip Glass was a struggling Julliard graduate trying to make ends meet in New York City. It was during his time as a taxi driver that he developed his renowned opera, Einstein on the Beach. Glass cherished the freedom his cab-driving job provided and continued working until his music career could sustain him. Today, he stands as one of the most financially successful living composers in the classical genre.
Now Hail This: Once, while still an obscure composer, a female passenger recognized the music playing in Glass's cab as his own. To her astonishment, Glass revealed that he was the composer himself, creating a memorable moment for both.
