If someone asked you to name famous plumbers, you’d probably think of Super Mario and his brother Luigi, the duo who defined video games in the 80s. Desperate Housewives’ hunky plumber Mike Delfino, played by James Denton, might also come to mind. Not all famous plumbers are fictional. Some celebrities quietly worked in the plumbing trade before their rise to fame, so most people have no idea they started out in such non-glamorous roles. Here are five examples that might surprise you.
1. Ozzy Osborne
Before Black Sabbath, Ozzfest, reality shows and a diet of bat heads, John Michael “Ozzy” Osborne wielded a totally different kind of snake than the one he famously wore around his neck. The English heavy metal singer and songwriter left school at 15 and worked as a plumber. With his net worth exceeding 140 million, few people remember his expertise with clogged drains.
2. Michael Flatley
In a true rags-to-riches story, Irish dancer Michael Flatley worked as a plumber in Chicago before becoming famous for his dazzling footwork and creating a worldwide sensation with shows like Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames and Celtic Tiger.
3. Gabriel Byrne
Sometimes it takes a few tries to find the right profession. Before Gabriel Byrne became a Golden Globe-winning actor and movie producer, he left a life in the clergy and also worked as a plumber’s apprentice. Rumor has it that Byrne was not a very good plumber.
4. Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson
If you’ve ever watched the Syfy Channel’s reality show “Ghost Hunters,” you may know that TAPS founders and longtime friends Jason and Grant actually work as plumbers for Roto-Rooter. Their night jobs as paranormal investigators made them household names. The duo’s plumbing experience probably helps them determine if a home is haunted by ghosts or just noisy pipes.
5. Thomas Crapper
Yes, that’s his real name. Plumber Thomas Crapper was born in 1836 and is sometimes mistakenly credited as the inventor of the flush toilet. Sir John Harrington is the true inventor. Crapper did invent the ballcock, however, which is a very important contribution to the functionality of the modern toilet. The association of Mr. Crapper’s name with what some think to be his invention is also a mistake, but we can safely assume that his family will never live it down.
Great Service Without the Paparazzi
You might not see them on television or in a video game, but our licensed, experienced Austin plumbing specialists can provide any plumbing service you need from appliance installation to sewer and drain cleaning. Call us at ABC Home & Commercial Services today to schedule a visit from a not-so-famous plumber.