The Most Unexpectedly Profitable Celebrity Businesses (PHOTOS)

The Most Unexpectedly Profitable Celebrity Businesses (PHOTOS)

Can't take celebrity prankster Ashton Kutcher seriously? Think again. The actor has built something of a mini-media empire and is one of a handful of celebs who are making millions in their side jobs.

Sure, there've been plenty of celebrity businesses and start-ups over the years -- and many don't get too far once the buzz dies down. Britney Spears opened up the Manhattan eatery NYLA in June 2002. The restaurant received terrible reviews -- along with a few lawsuits -- and eventually closed, with a $350,000 debt.

But there still are a couple of celebrity businesses from which entrepreneurs could learn a lesson. There are even a couple celebrities who are probably getting to be more well-known as entrepreneurs than as entertainers. The eleven we picked have all been highly involved in their businesses by creating unique ideas and designs (Gwen Stefani) or as USA Today reports, buying out their lawyer's minority stake in their own company in order to attain full business control (the Olsen twins).

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