Alfred Molina's acting success came as a surprise because he was groomed from childhood to become a career waiter.
The actor comes from a long line of cooks, chefs and cater waiters and admits he "figured I'd probably follow them down the line".
He tells the New York Post, "Logically, my profession should have been as a caterer. My mother's Italian; father an immigrant from Spain became a waiter in London who graduated to maitre d'.
"As a boy, I worked alongside him. Waited tables. My godfather was a chef."
But after stumbling onto the theatre scene, Molina snubbed his family's chosen profession, took a pay cut and set out to become a star.
He adds, "I remember that last job. My then hotel manager father asked me to work with him. I said no, I was off to earn 10 pounds a week acting in the theatre. And I left. Even though I made twice that as a waiter."
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