Who is Charles Schwab?

Charles Schwab is a well-known name in the financial industry, thanks in large part to his eponymous brokerage firm. However, many people are not aware that he began his career as a commercial actor.

Schwab was born in Sacramento, California in 1937. After graduating from Stanford University with a degree in economics, he worked as a financial analyst before landing a gig as a television commercial actor. In the 1960s and 1970s, he appeared in commercials for a variety of companies including Kodak, American Express, and Westinghouse.

Despite his success as an actor, Schwab never forgot his passion for finance. In 1971, he launched his own brokerage firm, Charles Schwab & Co., with a mission to make investing more accessible to everyday Americans. The company quickly became a leader in the discount brokerage industry, offering low-cost trades and innovative products and services.

Over the years, Schwab has remained actively involved in the company he founded. In addition to serving as CEO for many years, he has also written several books on investing and personal finance. Today, Charles Schwab & Co. is a multi-billion dollar company with offices and customers around the world.

While Schwab may be best known for his business savvy, his early years as a commercial actor helped to shape his career in some unexpected ways. His charisma and ease in front of the camera no doubt helped him to develop the leadership skills that would later make him such a successful entrepreneur and CEO.