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But when it comes to launching celebrities, no agency can match the United States Postal Service. The USPS historian has compiled a lengthy list of people who worked at the agency before achieving celebrity status as actors, writers, singers, politicians and more. They include:
- Steve Carell: Actor, comedian. Rural letter carrier, Littleton, Mass., 1985
- Bing Crosby: Singer, actor. Clerk, Spokane, Wash.,1921
- Walt Disney: Film producer, theme park creator. Substitute carrier, Chicago, and Christmas temporary, Kansas City, Mo., 1918, 1919
- William Faulkner: Novelist. Postmaster, University, Miss., 1921-1924
- Benjamin Franklin: Statesman, inventor, printer. Postmaster General, 1775-1776
- Sherman Hemsley: Actor. Clerk, Philadelphia and New York, 1960s
- Conrad Hilton: Hotel magnate. Postmaster, San Antonio, N.M., 1910-1911
- Brittany Howard: Singer, Alabama Shakes. Rural carrier assistant, Athens, Ala., 2011
- Rock Hudson: Actor. Substitute letter carrier, Winnetka, Ill., circa 1947
- Abraham Lincoln: U.S. President. Postmaster, New Salem, Ill., 1833-1836
- Charles Lindbergh: Aviator. Airmail pilot, 1926-1927
- Samuel Morse: Inventor. Superintendent, Telegraph Unit, 1845-1846
- John Prine: Singer, songwriter. Letter carrier, Maywood, Ill., 1964-1969
- Knute Rockne: Football coach. Clerk, Chicago, 1907-1910
- Adlai Stevenson: U.S. Vice President. First assistant postmaster general, 1885-1889
- Harry Truman: U.S. President. Postmaster, Grandview, Mo., 1914-1915
- Noah Webster: Lexicographer. Special agent, 1793
- Richard Wright: Author. Substitute clerk, Chicago, 1929-1932
Why is the Postal Service such a breeding ground for celebrities? First of all, it employs a lot of people. Mathematically, the odds are that of the millions of people who have worked for the agency over the years, some would go on to fame and fortune in the public eye.
