John Cena Opens Up About Homelessness, Living In His Car: 'My Whole Existence Is An Accident'"I didn't move out to LA to pursue entertainment," Cena said. "[I] came out here to apply my degree and really failed."

ByEmily Rella

John Cena may have a successful career as a professional wrestler and actor, but finding his footing in the entertainment industry was far from easy at the beginning.

Cena appeared on Kevin Hart's talk show "Hart to Heart" to open up about the beginning of his career and trying to find a career in the fitness field after majoring in Exercise Physiology at Springfield College.

"I didn't move out to LA to pursue entertainment," Cena said candidly. "[I] came out here to apply my degree and really failed."

The WWE star admitted that he went through a bout of homelessness and had to sleep in his 1991 Lincoln Town Car while in California, something he had previously confirmed to the US Sun tabloid in a 2021 interview. He said he felt lucky because the car "happened to be very roomy."

As for food, Cena cut himself a pretty good deal with a local pizza shop — if he could finish the entire pizza himself, it was his for no cost.

"They had a deal where, if you could eat their whole pizza, you got it for free," he told Hart. "I used to eat there every night, a whole pizza, so I didn't have to pay, because I didn't have the money to pay the guy."

Related:John Cena Grants 650 Wishes For Make-A-Wish

He also told Hart that he knew he had a place to return to back in West Newbury, Massachusetts, and that it was "his choice to have hard times." He said he "chose to stay out" in L.A. because he wanted to prove to himself and to his family that he could do it and make it on his own.

In a last-ditch effort, he enrolled in the Ultimate University's Ultimate Pro Wrestling School, and, well — the rest is history.

"My whole existence is an accident," he said. "My whole existence is based on a series of fortunate events."

In 2018, Cenabecame thehighest-paid WWE wrestler with estimated earnings of $10 million in 2017, up $2 million from the year prior.

Cena's endeavors in wrestling and Hollywood acting (and even sometimes playing himself) have helped him build a net worth where he can buy as many large pizzas as he wants.

Blogs place Cena'snet worthat around $80 million.

Wavy Line
Emily Rella

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

An 81-Year-Old Florida CEO Just Indicted for a $250 Million Ponzi Scheme Ran a Sprawling Senior Citizen Crime Ring

Carl Ruderman is the fifth senior citizen in the Miami-Fort-Lauderdale-Palm Beach metropolitan area to face charges in connection with the scam.

Business News

Steve Jobs's Son Is Diving Into Venture Capital — and His Focus Hits Close to Home

Reed Jobs, 31, launched venture capital firm Yosemite, which already boasts $200 million from investors and institutions.

Business News

Taco Bell Slammed With Lawsuit Over 'Especially Concerning' Advertisements, Allegedly Deceiving Customers

The class action lawsuit claims the chain is advertising more than they deliver.

Business News

Goldman Sachs Senior Analyst Vanishes After Concert in Brooklyn

John Castic, 27, was last seen around 2:30 a.m. Saturday.

Money & Finance

Want to Become a Millionaire? Follow Warren Buffett's 4 Rules.

企业家是不能过度指狗万官方望太多a company exit for their eventual 'win.' Do this instead.

Leadership

The Power of Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship — How Social Entrepreneurs Are Changing the World

Social entrepreneurs are the torchbearers of hope and progress, redefining the role of business in society.