Before Drew Carey became the beloved host of The Price Is Right and starred in his own hit sitcom, he was serving up Grand Slams at Denny's. In 1983, the future comedy icon moved to Las Vegas and took a job waiting tables at the iconic 24-hour diner chain—a far cry from the bright lights and big paychecks that would define his later career.

This wasn't just any job. Carey had recently completed his service as a field radio operator in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, where he'd served since 1980. The Denny's gig was part of a transitional scramble that also included a brief stint as a bank teller. He was searching for direction, trying to figure out what came next after military service and a rocky academic career at Kent State University, where he'd been expelled twice for poor performance.

From Waiter to Comedian

The Denny's chapter didn't last long. By 1985, just two years later, Carey's life took a decisive turn when a disc jockey friend named David Lawrence—who had been paying Carey to write jokes for his radio show—suggested he get serious about comedy. Carey went to the library, checked out books on joke writing, and launched the career that would make him a household name.

The transformation was remarkable. Within a decade, he'd become a standup comedy star. By 1995, The Drew Carey Show premiered on ABC, running for nine successful seasons. In 2007, he took over hosting duties on The Price Is Right, a role he still holds today.

The Marine Corps Connection

Carey has often credited his six years in the Marine Corps Reserve with giving him the discipline and structure he needed to succeed. As he told Time Magazine, the military "instilled a great sense of discipline that I can call on when I need to." That foundation—built during the same period as his Denny's days—became crucial to his work ethic in the demanding world of entertainment.

The lesson? Even the most successful people often have humble beginnings. Carey's journey from serving pancakes in Las Vegas to hosting one of television's longest-running game shows proves that early jobs, no matter how unglamorous, are just stepping stones—not destinations.

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