5. Chris Pratt
Before becoming a Marvel hero, Chris Pratt was living in a van in Hawaii, surviving off day jobs and free meals. He worked as a waiter at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., where he often joked to customers that he would be famous someday.
His break came when a casting director discovered him and offered him a small acting role. That opportunity eventually led to Parks and Recreation, and later, Guardians of the Galaxy. His rise is a classic example of preparation meeting opportunity.