The Surprising Job Teri Hatcher Had Before She Got Famous

Teri Hatcher became America's sweetheart (and one of the "sexiest women in the world") over the course of her career, thanks to roles like Susan Mayer in "Desperate Housewives." The actor first solidified her place in Hollywood in the 1990s, when the star joined the cast of "Lois and Clark" as Superman's girlfriend. The series ran from 1993 to 1997 and catapulted Hatcher into stardom. Of her memorable roles, the actor appeared in one episode of "Seinfeld" playing on her "sexiest woman" persona and making a joke about her chest with the infamous line, "They're real, and they're spectacular."

Hatcher spoke to Viva Magazine in 2014 about her career, admitting, "There is not an ironclad moment or an epiphany where I say, okay, I've figured life out." From the outside looking in, fans would say otherwise. Hatcher was the only lead of "Desperate Housewives" to appear in every episode, and after an eight-year run on the series, she signed a deal with ABC to direct an episode of "Jane By Design," according to Entertainment Tonight. (However, it's not clear if this ever happened.) "I've raised my daughter, I've had hit shows, I've won awards," Hatcher previously said to People, revealing how "liberating" the experience was after her decades hustling in Hollywood. Talk about a wonderfully confident woman!

Looking back at Teri Hatcher's rise to fame, fans might be surprised to find out the actor didn't start on the little screen, but rather on the sports field.

Prior to dominating the small screen, Teri Hatcher had a national audience as a cheerleader in the NFL. According to TV Over Mind, Hatcher was cheering on the San Francisco 49ers back in 1984. Speaking to TMZ in 2014 about that time, the "Desperate Housewives" actor revealed she never got to take home a Super Bowl ring until years after her stint as a cheerleader.

"I have it from after I did 'Lois and Clark,'" revealed Hatcher speaking to paparazzi. "I was friendly with the team and the owners, and it was from the Super Bowl that was in Miami." Hatcher is talking about Super Bowl XXIX in 1995 when the San Francisco 49ers beat the Chargers 49-26. The actor went on to reveal she keeps the memento "in a safe." Smart thinking!

While a Super Bowl ring seems like a dream come true for Hatcher, the one job she would love to return to is her on-screen role as Susan Mayer on "Desperate Housewives." In an interview with "Loose Women," the actor claimed she'd be "the first person" to return to the series. "I never wanted it to be over. I love those characters," Hatcher said. "I don't think they're very good [people]. Just because of the creators — it's not the women. I think the women would probably all do it" (via Entertainment Tonight). In the meantime, Hatcher started a new venture, which led to some concerning rumors about her financial health.

With a past career on the NFL sidelines and leading Wisteria Lane, it is no question why Teri Hatcher has an estimated net worth of $50 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. So why were there rumors floating around about the actor potentially living out of a van?

That's unclear, but Hatcher told KTLA 5 in 2018 the rumors were "false," adding, "I am not broke. I have done very well investing my money. I am not homeless, and I am not living out of my van. I am shooting my YouTube series, 'Van Therapy,' in my van." A year later in 2019, the star spoke to People about how she's focused on what's important to her. "When you're younger, you can get really hung up on things," the celeb said. "I have the opportunity to think about things differently." Hatcher continued, "positivity is really important to me. And I really try to enjoy where I am."

Hatcher is big on that half glass full philosophy, as she told Viva Magazine on turning 45, "Okay, you're no longer young or the prettiest in the classroom, but you have to take care of yourself — learn a language, start a new hobby, pick up a guitar and learn to play. You can do it!"